This graph illustrates the market share of luxury car brands in the United States in 2018, when Mercedes-Benz reached a market share of almost 16 percent.

U.S. luxury car market share in 2018, by key marque

There is something majestic about luxury vehicles. From the glass panel roofs and the LED headlights to the leather-trimmed seats and powerful engines, these automobiles are built with the finest of materials, giving each driver the feeling of uniqueness. Regarding the overall luxury car market, the leading premium car brands include Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Toyota’s Lexus brand, and Tesla. In 2017, the global market for luxury cars was sized at almost 490 billion euros.

Oftentimes, the luxury car market is broken down into the following segments: premium compact vehicles, mid-size luxury cars, high-end luxury cars, ultra-luxury cars, as well as luxury SUVs and crossover models. The boundaries between these categories are blurred and vary between regions. The price is largely defined as the major criterion for classifying luxury vehicles, though. According to analysts at data compilation and analysis firm Vincentric, Audi models rank highest in terms of value to cost of long-term ownership, with the sporty Audi TT model, the premium large sedan Audi A7 TDI, the prestigious Audi R8 model and the premium midsize crossover Audi Q5 TDI receiving excellent scores. As of April 2016, the Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita ultra luxury car was ranked as the most expensive automobile worldwide.