What car do most millionaires have?

Top 10 luxury vehicles for America’s wealthiest

Luxury vehicles are more than just a brand name—they are a status symbol and often indicative of a certain quality of life. When it comes to the cars of the upper crust, there are a few notable brand names that tend to stand out—Mercedes, Cadillac, and BMW, to name a few. But some brands, it turns out, are more desirable among the higher income households across the United States than others.

In order to be considered a luxury vehicle, these cars must have features that pour the glitz and glam on above the average necessities. For example, according to Certified Autoplex, luxury is used to categorize vehicles that have better-than-average performance capabilities, high-end interiors, and the most cutting-edge tech and safety features.

The luxury car segment makes up about 5% of the U.S. car market, Statista reports—but which luxury vehicles are most popular among affluent Americans? Windfall used its wealth intelligence platform to compile a list of the 10 most popular luxury vehicles among its affluent households, or those with more than $1 million. The vehicles are ranked according to the total number of them owned by affluent households. Make, model, and style details on the vehicle, as well as the states where the vehicle is the most popular, are also provided.

It turns out the most popular luxury vehicle brands among wealthy Americans are the ones you’d expect. You’ll find the list is dotted with names like Mercedes, Cadillac, Lexus, and BMW, among others. If you’re in the market for a luxury vehicle, here are the ones that rank highly among your peers. Before you get behind the wheel of any old ride, read on to discover which luxury vehicle brands are the most popular among America’s wealthy drivers.

#10. Mercedes-Benz E 350

– Total owned by affluent households: 85,916
– Type of vehicle: full-size car
– Style of vehicle: two-door coupe
– States where vehicle is in the top 3 luxury vehicles: California (#2), Hawaii (#3)

The sleek Mercedes-Benz E 350 is a leader when it comes to engine, transmission, and performance, according to Car and Driver. The E 350 has a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower. It can pair with either rear or all-wheel drive.

#9. Cadillac SRX

– Total owned by affluent households: 90,234
– Type of vehicle: full-size SUV
– Style of vehicle: utility vehicle
– States where vehicle is in the top 3 luxury vehicles: Kentucky, (#3), Michigan (#2), North Dakota (#2)

The Cadillac SRX is known for its V6 engine and advanced safety features, according to U.S. News World Report. The 2016 model was a finalist for the Best Luxury 2-Row SUV for the Money award.

#8. Cadillac Escalade

– Total owned by affluent households: 104,919
– Type of vehicle: full-size SUV
– Style of vehicle: utility vehicle
– States where vehicle is in the top 3 luxury vehicles: Arkansas (#2), Arizona (#1), Iowa (#2), Idaho (#3), Indiana (#2), Kansas (#3), Louisiana (#1), Michigan (#3), Missouri (#3), Mississippi (#3), Montana (#1), North Dakota (#1), Nebraska (#1), Nevada (#2), Oklahoma (#1), South Dakota (#1), West Virginia (#1), Wyoming (#2)

The current generation of Cadillac Escalade was launched for 2021, and is the fifth generation of the car, according to Automobile Magazine. Its interior is, according to the magazine, the “most opulent and well-finished cockpit” from GM in decades, with a 38-inch OLED display. It also has a semi-autonomous driving system with lane assist, lane change assist, and adaptive cruise control.

#7. Audi A6

– Total owned by affluent households: 107,232
– Type of vehicle: mid-size car
– Style of vehicle: sedan
– States where vehicle is in the top 3 luxury vehicles: Montana (#3), New Hampshire (#3), Vermont (#3)

The Audi A6 is the sedan’s eighth generation, which launched in 2018. According to Auto Evolution, the A6 was offered in four trim levels: premium, sport, premium plus, and prestige. The A6 has two powertrains and both use hybrid technology with a 12- or 48-volt starter, according to Car and Driver.

#6. BMW 328i

– Total owned by affluent households: 113,408
– Type of vehicle: mid-size car
– Style of vehicle: sedan
– States where vehicle is in the top 3 luxury vehicles: Washington D.C. (#2), Florida (#1), Georgia (#3), Hawaii (#2), North Carolina (#1), South Carolina (#3)

The BMW 328i is a car that remains popular despite the fact that a new model hasn’t been released since 2017. The 2016 model features 240 horsepower, an inline four-cylinder engine, and six-speed manual- and rear-wheel drive, according to Edmunds.

#5. Lexus RX 350

– Total owned by affluent households: 124,093
– Type of vehicle: mid-size SUV
– Style of vehicle: utility vehicle
– States where vehicle is in the top 3 luxury vehicles: Iowa (#3), Kentucky (#2), Nebraska (#2), Tennessee (#2), Texas (#2), Virginia (#3)

The 2021 Lexus RX 350 is one of the higher ranked luxury midsize SUVs thanks to its reliability rating and performance, according to U.S. News & World Report. The new model features blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and auto-dimming of the outside mirror. It also has a very long list of standard and optional features.

#4. Audi A4

– Total owned by affluent households: 129,888
– Type of vehicle: mid-size car
– Style of vehicle: sedan
– States where vehicle is in the top 3 luxury vehicles: Alaska (#1), Colorado (#3), Connecticut (#2), Washington D.C. (#1), Hawaii (#1), Massachusetts (#2), Maryland (#3), Minnesota (#3), North Carolina (#3), New Hampshire (#2), New Jersey (#3), New York (#3), Oregon (#3), Rhode Island (#2), Utah (#2), Vermont (#1), Washington (#2), Wisconsin (#3)

According to Automobile Magazine, the first generation Audi A4 was a response to a weakened brand reputation and a product lineup that was outdated. Audi’s latest version of the A4 is the B9, with a 248-horsepower version of its TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder. The seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox is now standard in these cars, as well.

#3. Cadillac CTS

– Total owned by affluent households: 132,120
– Type of vehicle: full-size car
– Style of vehicle: sedan
– States where vehicle is in the top 3 luxury vehicles: Alabama (#1), Arkansas (#1), Arizona (#2), Delaware (#2), Florida (#3), Illinois (#3), Indiana (#1), Kentucky (#1), Louisiana (#2), Michigan (#1), Nevada (#1), Ohio (#3), Oklahoma (#2), Pennsylvania (#3), West Virginia (#2)

The Cadillac CTS burst onto the scene in 2003. Many versions have been released since, but the 2014 model was known for its V-Sport trim and twin-turbocharged V-6 engine, while, according to Cars.com, the 2016 model had a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 and 640 horsepower.

#2. Acura MDX

– Total owned by affluent households: 202,680
– Type of vehicle: full-size SUV
– Style of vehicle: utility vehicle
– States where vehicle is in the top 3 luxury vehicles: Alaska (#2), Alabama (#2), Arkansas (#3), Arizona (#3), California (#1), Colorado (#2), Connecticut (#3), Washington D.C. (#3), Delaware (#1), Georgia (#1), Idaho (#1), Illinois (#1), Indiana (#3), Kansas (#1), Massachusetts (#1), Maryland (#1), Minnesota (#2), Missouri (#1), Mississippi (#2), North Carolina (#2), New Hampshire (#1), New Jersey (#1), New Mexico (#3), New York (#1), Ohio (#2), Oregon (#1), Pennsylvania (#1), Rhode Island (#3), South Carolina (#2), South Dakota (#3), Tennessee (#3), Utah (#1), Virginia (#1), Vermont (#2), Washington (#1), Wisconsin (#2)

The Acura MDX is known for its 290-horsepower 3.5 liter V-6, as well as 10-speed automatic, says Car and Driver. The Type S model offers a turbocharged 355-hp 3.0 liter V-6, and all-wheel drive is standard. Acura is already touting its 2022 model (it skipped 2021).

#1. BMW X5

– Total owned by affluent households: 205,672
– Type of vehicle: full-size SUV
– Style of vehicle: utility vehicle
– States where vehicle is in the top 3 luxury vehicles: Alabama (#3), California (#3), Colorado (#1), Connecticut (#1), Delaware (#3), Florida (#2), Georgia (#2), Iowa (#1), Idaho (#2), Illinois (#2), Kansas (#2), Louisiana (#3), Massachusetts (#3), Maryland (#2), Maine (#3), Minnesota (#1), Missouri (#2), Mississippi (#1), Montana (#2), Nebraska (#3), New Jersey (#2), New Mexico (#1), Nevada (#3), New York (#2), Ohio (#1), Oklahoma (#3), Oregon (#2), Pennsylvania (#2), Rhode Island (#1), South Carolina (#1), Tennessee (#1), Texas (#1), Utah (#3), Virginia (#2), Washington (#3), Wisconsin (#1), West Virginia (#3), Wyoming (#1)

With multiple powertrains to choose from, the BMW X5 is a luxury SUV that is one of the market’s most popular. A brand-new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid is available for 2021, while the XDrive50i trim was removed from the lineup, according to U.S. News & World report. Among its favorite features are quick acceleration, high-end interior materials, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine, and more.

Which cars do the world’s top 10 billionaires drive?

‘If I ever win the lottery, what car will I buy?’ is a question we’ve all thought to ourselves at some point.

For some, it’s an all-out spending spree for the most lavish and luxurious ones you can get your hands on, while others may fancy a collection of classic and rare cars to preserve until time’s end. Some of you might just fancy something sort of nice and comfy, and there’s no shame in that.

Don’t fancy reading? Check out our video instead.

But what do the rich-rich people really buy? The kind that have more money than you could even think of what to do with? Well, read on to find out which cars the world’s top 10 billionaires have spent their fortunes on…

1. Elon Musk – McLaren F1, *that* James Bond Lotus Esprit

Estimated net worth: £170bn

Estimated value of car(s): £20m

Elon Musk is responsible for Tesla, that electric car company you might have heard of.

He originally made his billions creating PayPal among other businesses, and has spent his money on some interesting cars over the years. Not only has he owned a McLaren F1, but Musk bought *that* Lotus Esprit from the Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me for almost £600,000.

It’s not getting tucked away under covers forever though — Musk wants to turn it into a proper submarine. Almost as mad as his planned missions to Mars…

2. Bernard Arnault – BMW 760Li

Estimated net worth: £138bn

Estimated value of car(s): £25,000

Picture this — you’re the boss of the largest luxury goods company in the world, appeasing the rich with brands like Moet and Louis Vuitton. You’re going to want a luxurious car to match, right?

Well, if you’re Bernard Arnault, you might not be too bothered about it. Sure, the BMW 760Li he’s recently been spotted in is a nice car — but it’s one that predates 2015, which doesn’t exactly scream being at the cutting-edge of the fashion industry. Each to their own.

3. Jeff Bezos – Honda Accord

Estimated net worth: £135bn

Estimated value of car(s): £3,000

Jeff Bezos is the man behind Amazon. His riches come from those questionable purchases you made because of free next-day delivery with your Prime account.

If you want a slice of the Bezos lifestyle, get behind the wheel of an old Honda Accord. It was what he drove around in when he first made it as a billionaire back in the ‘90s — though it’s no guarantee you’ll see the same riches by getting behind the wheel.

4. Warren Buffett – Cadillac XTS

Estimated net worth: £99bn

Estimated value of car(s): £15,000

Warren Buffett is pretty famous for making his billions on Wall Street with some seriously savvy investments, and a keen eye for when and when not to spend cash.

Evidently, he’s not spending much of his £99 billion net worth on cars though, with the most interesting car he’s known to have owned a Cadillac XTS. Buffet is known for this sort of frugality, mind, living in a house that he bought for $31,500 (equivalent to $285,000, or £248,000 in today’s money) in 1958.

5. Larry Elisson – Lexus LFA, McLaren F1, Lexus LS600h

Estimated net worth: £87bn

Estimated value of car(s): £21m

Larry Elisson made his billions by founding computer company Oracle, and has found himself worth more than £80 billion as a result.

A reasonable amount of that cash has been sunk into a tasty car collection — which has included a McLaren F1 and a Lexus LFA.

For the daily commute though, he’s opted to go for a Lexus LS600h which, though very sensible, seems like the boring choice of Lexus to take out in a morning…

6. Mukesh Ambani – Maybach 62

Estimated net worth: £87bn

Estimated value of car(s): £80,000

Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, is worth more than £80 billion — and he doesn’t really hide that fact. The Indian billionaire has interests in everything from petrochemicals to textiles via has Reliance Industries conglomerate.

Ambani has a fleet of cars that includes Rolls-Royces, Aston Martins and BMWs among other, though one of them stands out from the rest.

His wife once bought him a completely personalised Maybach 62 as a birthday present. Seems like a pretty apt gift for a man who has everything.

7. Bill Gates – Porsche 959

Estimated net worth: £86bn

Estimated value of car(s): £1.5m

Microsoft founder Bill Gates was once quite famously the world’s richest man, though he’s humbly slipped down to fourth on that list in recent years. The shame.

Still, with a net worth of £86 billion, he’s not exactly short of cash — and that’s reflected in his taste of cars.

Most notable is his Porsche 959, which he bought brand-new in the ‘80s. America has a law that makes it illegal to import cars under 25 years old that haven’t been certified for release on that side of the Atlantic there — meaning Gates couldn’t smuggle his into the country.

It sat impounded for over a decade before he managed to finally get access to it, with the creation of a ‘Show and Display’ rule that meant cars could be allowed in if they covered under 2,500 miles a year.

8. Mark Zuckerberg – Pagani Huayra, Honda Jazz

Estimated net worth: £85bn

Estimated value of car(s): £2m

He may look like an android wearing human skin as a costume at times, but Mark Zuckerberg knows how to make an emotional purchase.

The man who founded Facebook has a rather special car in the Italian, twin-turbocharged V12 Pagani Huayra.

Cool, right? Well, you’d hope he’d use his billions to buy something more exciting than the Honda Jazz he’s been spotted driving around in on occasion.

9. Amancio Ortega – Audi A8, Mercedes GL

Estimated net worth: £61bn

Estimated value of car(s): £30,000

Amancio Ortega is a pretty private figure — he’s only ever given three interviews throughout his life. Doesn’t seem like a man who has companies like Zara under his belt and is worth £58 billion, does it?

Ortega’s desire to keep himself very much to himself means he’s rarely spotted in anything overly flash but has been spotted about in an Audi A8 and Mercedes GL on occasion.

10. Google founders Larry Page/Sergey Brin – Tesla Roadster, Toyota Prius

Estimated net worth: £300bn (combined)

Estimated value of car(s): £200k

We’d be cheating a little normally putting two people together under one number, but there’s a very good reason for this.

Larry Page and Sergey Bring both have the small claim of founding Google to their names, but their similarities don’t end there. Whether purposeful or not, both have had identical cars in the past — namely a Tesla Roadster and a Toyota Prius each.

The Roadster is a very tricky car to value due to its rarity, but some models have sold for a fair chunk of change, and the car is tipped to be a collector’s item in the future.

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