10 Best Luxury Compact Cars of 2024, Price, Features Revealed

Jan 15, 2024 03:47 AM EST

GRAY BMW SEDAN — (Photo : PEXELS/MIKE BIRD)

Luxury cars, often referred to as the pinnacle of automotive refinement, earn their distinguished title for a multitude of reasons. MotorTimes shares this list of Best Compact Cars of 2024 from automotive authorities.

10 Best Luxury Compact Cars

Based on factual data and editorial judgment, Car & Driver ranks these cars highly. Annual instrumented tests of over 400 cars and expert editor ratings under real-world driving circumstances determine these rankings.

With their high performance, opulent interiors, and cutting-edge technologies, these cars define "luxury". To assist consumers choose these automotive marvels, the rating system examines 200 aspects, including acceleration, handling, comfort, cargo space, fuel efficiency, and driving enjoyment.

2024 BMW 3 - Series

Price Starts: $45,495

As shared in Car and Driver's website, this car comes first on the list of 10 Best Luxury Compact Cars

Of 2024. The BMW 3-series is a longstanding leader in the sport-luxury sedan category, known for its sleek exterior and premium interior. It features a 14.9-inch touchscreen for infotainment and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster for a modern feel.

The 3-series offers three impressive powertrains: the base 330i with a turbocharged four-cylinder for good performance and fuel efficiency, the plug-in hybrid 330e for enhanced efficiency and electric range, and the high-performance M340i, equipped with a powerful 382 horsepower turbocharged inline-six and a balanced chassis for both spirited driving and everyday use.

2024 Audi A3 Sportback

Price Starts: $46,595

The Audi A5 Sportback, a four-door variant of the A5 coupe, offers added practicality and improved fuel efficiency. It shares the same powertrain as the A5 coupe, featuring a turbocharged inline-four engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The base A5 Sportback 40 produces 201 horsepower, while the A5 Sportback 45 boasts 60 additional horsepower.

The latter delivers an enjoyable driving experience without the aggressiveness of the more powerful S5 Sportback. Even the base model comes well-equipped with features like leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and ambient lighting.

While its design may be considered slightly understated compared to rivals, the Audi compensates with impressive technology, including a digital gauge display and navigation with Google Earth imagery. With all these features, the Audi A5 Sportback truly deserves to be in the list of You're all set! This content reads as if it is human-written.

2024 Genesis G70

Price Starts: $42,750
The Genesis G70 shines as one of the 10 best luxury compact cars of 2024, carving out its unique identity in the market. Despite being in its first generation and entering its sixth year, this Korean luxury sports sedan remains a formidable competitor to esteemed European counterparts.

Powerful 300-hp 2.5-liter turbo four and 365-hp twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6 engines are available with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The inside matches its external beauty, challenging Audi in delicacy and build quality. G70's ride and handling are precise with the standard engine and excellent with the twin-turbo. Its low starting price and 10-year powertrain warranty make it a smart, sporty pick.

2024 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

Price Starts: $49,295

The 2024 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe models will showcase a "curved display" setup, similar to the 3-series sedan and other new BMWs. This setup includes a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch dashboard screen housed under a single curved glass piece.

Additionally, these models will feature the updated iDrive 8 software with enhanced graphics and menu structures, along with an upgraded BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant voice-command function.
These cutting-edge features contribute to the 2024 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe's position among the 10 best luxury compact cars of the year.

2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Price Starts: $48,100

As stated in Kelly Blue Book, the car has grandeur, great drivetrains, and new technology, yet it has cheap plastics. Furthermore, the latest updates include more standard equipment and the remarkable addition of the AMG C 63 S E Performance model.

Meanwhile, according to Car and Driver in the lineup of the top 10 luxury compact cars for 2024, the C300 sedan now comes equipped with standard parking sensors, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and includes SiriusXM satellite radio. However, it's worth noting that the coupe and convertible models from the previous year have been discontinued and replaced by the new CLE-class, which we evaluate in a separate review.

As for pricing considerations and choosing the right model, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-class ranges in price from $48,100 to $52,200, depending on the chosen trim and available options.

2024 Audi 4

Price Starts: $42,295
For the 2024 A4 models, the standard equipment list expands to include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, parking assist, and a heated steering wheel. Additionally, all models except for the base A4 40 now have remote engine start functionality via the myAudi app. With the Navigation package, you'll also get traffic sign recognition, which activates Predictive adaptive cruise control. In terms of style updates, Arkona White replaces Ibis White for all A4 models, and Progressive Red metallic takes the place of Tango Red metallic on the A4 45 and S4 variants.

2024 Audi A5

Price Starts: $48,795

Even after 17 years and four generations on the market, the Audi A5, available as a hardtop coupe or convertible, remains one of the most enjoyable and functional two-door cars. Its captivating design catches your eye, and its handling ignites your enthusiasm. While we have a separate review for the four-door A5 Sportback, all A5 models, regardless of the number of doors, come with standard all-wheel-drive and share a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 261 horsepower paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The A5 impressively balances performance and comfort, delivering an enjoyable driving experience without the stiffer ride found in more expensive A5-based models like the S5 and RS5 with their higher horsepower ratings of 349 and 444, respectively. Although the cabin exudes beauty, there are a few luxury corners cut, such as the insufficiently padded armrests.

Nonetheless, the A5 stands out for its user-friendly features and ample cargo space, making it a remarkably practical and well-rounded choice. Earning its place among the 10 best luxury compact cars of 2024, the Audi A5 impresses with its enduring appeal and well-rounded blend of style and practicality.

2024 Mercedes - Benz CLE - Class

Price Starts: $60,000 est.

The elegant exterior design, premium interior, and perky acceleration performance make the CLE coupe an appealing choice. However, it may not be as practical as the four-door C-class, the steering wheel buttons can be confusing, and it doesn't quite match the level of luxury found in the old E-class coupe.

As shared in reports, in recent times, diesel engines have faced challenges and now account for only 5% of UK sales. However, the diesel engine complements the CLE's character, especially in its 48v mild hybrid configuration. This engine produces 197bhp and 325lb ft of torque, while the electric motor contributes an additional 23bhp and 151lb ft. It's important to note that they don't operate at their peak simultaneously, so the combined performance isn't as straightforward as adding these figures together.

2024 BMW 4-Series

Price Starts: $ 50, 895
The 2024 BMW 4-series offers some notable highs, including powertrains that deliver impressive performance considering its class, competitive highway fuel economy, and a well-appointed interior that exudes luxury. However, there are a few lows to consider as well, such as it not being as enjoyable to drive as previous BMW models, the absence of a manual transmission option, and limited rear seat space that may feel somewhat cramped.

While the 2024 4-series may not satisfy thrill-seekers on twisty roads, it is a capable and well-appointed entry-luxury car that meets a wider variety of needs.

Due to its powerful powertrains, luxurious interior, and excellent highway fuel economy, the 2024 BMW 4-series ranks among the 10 best luxury compact cars of 2024.

2024 Volvo S60

Price Starts: $43,645
The 2024 Volvo S60 boasts wonderfully comfortable and supportive seats, impressive power and electric range from its available plug-in hybrid model, and an optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system that delivers outstanding sound quality. On the downside, it comes with a frustrating touchscreen interface and offers less trunk space compared to many of its rivals.

According to Edmunds, as for updates, the high-performance Polestar Engineered model has been discontinued, a dark appearance theme is now a standard feature, and heated seats have been added to the Climate package. The 2024 S60 is part of the third S60 generation, which was initially introduced in 2019.