Most expensive cars 2024
Just imagine, for a moment, that money is no object. Rather than searching for cars at the cheaper end of the market, comparing PCP deals, you can choose one of the most expensive new cars in the UK. What a feeling; no wonder you're dancing on the ceiling.
We hate to bring you back down to Earth, but unless you've had a big win on the EuroMillions, you're probably here doing the online equivalent of window shopping. Still, it's nice to dream, isn't it?
We've created a list of some of the most expensive new cars you can buy right now. You'll note that it doesn't include money-can't-buy supercars and hypercars, so don't go searching for the latest Bugatti, Ferrari or Lamborghini. We've also restricted the list to one car per manufacturer, so you get a good idea of the range of flagships currently on sale. Prices start from £125,000...
Most expensive cars
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Rolls-Royce Phantom
Phantom prices start from around £410,000, which is about £150,000 more than the average price of a home in the UK. Some would argue that a Phantom is a more desirable des res than a new home, and if you fancy a different view out of the window, you can simply fire up the 6.75-litre V12 engine and find a better location, location, location. Fancy a Phantom? Rolls-Royce will guide you through an array of bespoke options, including lavish accessories and artworks from the Boutique catalogue? Still want that two-up, two-down on the edge of town?
Range Rover
The all-new Range Rover is pushing further upmarket, with even the ‘basic’ SE version costing around £104,000. In fairness, it’s larger and more lavish than before, with claims that it’s 50% more rigid and 24% quieter than the outgoing model. Scroll through the price list and you’ll discover the flagship long-wheelbase Range Rover SV costs a cool £192,000, but at least a plug-in hybrid powertrain should keep running costs to a minimum. Standard features include three-zone climate control, a 13.1-inch touchscreen display, a panoramic sunroof, electronic air suspension and 20-way heated electric front seats.
Mercedes-Maybach S680 First Class
Buy a Mercedes-Maybach S680 First Class and you won’t get much change from £218,000. It is to the ‘standard’ Mercedes-Benz S-Class what a penthouse suite is to a ‘standard’ five-star boutique hotel room. Highlights include 21-inch alloy wheels, a pair of champagne flutes, temperature controlled cup holders, a fridge, luxury individual rear seats, the finest Nappa leather and a Burmester surround-sound audio system. It also features a massage function and entertainment screens for those in the back and a fabulous 6.0-litre V12 engine.
Bentley Flying Spur
While the cheapest Bentley Flying Spur will set you back around £173,500, you’ll be knocking on the door of £245,000 if you fancy the 6.0-litre W12 Mulliner. Highlights include 22-inch wheels designed by Mulliner, a panoramic sunroof, mood lighting and two-tone interior trim. Central to the car’s appeal is the magnificent W12 engine, which is powerful enough to propel this luxury behemoth to a top speed of 207mph, hitting 62mph in 3.8 seconds along the way. You can expect similar high prices from the Bentayga SUV.
BMW i7 M70
BMW’s 7 Series luxury saloon (basically a limousine) has long been the brand’s flagship, but now it’s been electrified. The result is the i7, an already expensive zero-emission car, but if you stick BMW’s legendary M badge on it, then it gets even pricier. The M70 model i7 has a whopping 660PS from two very powerful electric motors, and despite its ample size will hit 62mph from standstill in just 3.7 seconds. The price starts at £163,000, but will go north of that very quickly once you start adding options.
Audi R8 V10 Performance quattro Edition
In an era of luxury SUVs and tech-laden electric vehicles, it’s almost reassuring to discover the R8 supercar is Audi’s most expensive vehicle. The flagship R8 Spyder Performance quattro Edition weighs in with a price tag of £171,000. All versions get an electrohydraulic roof that folds away in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 30mph. And talking of speed, the 5.2-litre engine will propel the R8 Spyder to 62mph in just 3.2 seconds. With the roof down, you’ll also be able to experience the howling majesty of that V10. Trust us, it’s worth it.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
It’s actually very tight in the race to be the most expensive new Porsche, but the winner is the racecar-like 911 GT3 RS, just pipping the 911 Turbo S Cabriolet. With a starting price of £192,600, it’s the most extreme 911 ever made, with big power (525PS) from a high-revving engine, huge wings for massive downforce through fast corners, and a relatively light kerb weight. “Race car for the road” is a cliche bandied around often, but it’s surely exceedingly accurate here.
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Lexus LS
The understated LS is Lexus’ flagship saloon, built to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8. In ‘basic’ trim, the Lexus costs around £92,000, but you’ll require the best part of £127,000 if you fancy the most lavish Takumi Nishijin & Haku model. It's worth it, because the big Lexus LS beautifully crafted and offers something different to the Germans. It's powered by a 3.5-litre V6 hybrid powertrain, which could return 35mpg, or 30mpg if you opt for the all-wheel-drive version. It’s a left-field choice, but an appealing one.
Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo
The Maserati Quattroporte range kicks off with the £114,000 Modena model, which draws power from a 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 430PS. At the opposite end of the spectrum you’ll find the £143,000 Quattroporte Trofeo and its fantastic 3.8-litre V8. This rear-wheel-drive, four-door saloon (Quattroporte is Italian for ‘four doors’) will hit a top speed of 203mph. The 0-62mph time of 4.5 seconds is only eclipsed by the rapid rate of depreciation. On the plus side, the Quattroporte is a cool and compelling alternative to German luxury saloons.
Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate
The 770 Ultimate represents the last hurrah for the Aston Martin DBS. It costs a cool £314,000 and just 499 will be built (300 coupes and 199 Volante convertibles), but the figures are breathtakingly good. Try these for size: a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 producing 770PS, top speed of 211mph, zero to 62mph in 3.4 seconds. To those who reckon a limited edition Aston Martin shouldn't be on our list, it's worth noting that the standard DBS costs between £260,000 and £280,000, while the most lavish DBX SUV will set you back at least £192,000.
What is the most expensive new car in the world?
The most expensive new car is the one-off £20 million Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, rumoured to be owned by Jay-Z and Beyonce. It features a total of 1,813 exclusive parts and took four years to create. Highlights include a parasol that extends from the rear deck, a ‘hosting suite’, two full fridges and a bespoke entertainment system. Power is sourced from the Phantom’s 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 engine.
What’s the most expensive version of Britain’s cheapest new car?
At just under £14,000, the Dacia Sandero Essential is Britain’s cheapest new car. Upgrade to the Expression model, with optional metallic paint, a roof spoiler and a shark fin aerial, and you’ll pay £14,795. You could buy 27 of them for the price of the cheapest Rolls-Royce Phantom, although you might need to extend your driveway first.
What’s the most expensive car sold at auction?
In May 2022, a Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe sold at an RM Sotheby’s Ayuction in Stuttgart, Germany for a cool $142 million (£114 million). This smashed the previous record, which was for a Ferrari 250 GTO – chassis number 3413 GT – sold at an RM Sotheby’s auction in Monterey, USA, for $48,405,000 (£35,581,000).
