A luxury car is a car that provides above-average to high-end levels of comfort, features, and equipment. Often, more expensive materials and surface finishes are used, and buyers expect better build quality. The usually higher pricing and more upscale appearance are often associated with the users' higher social status compared to low- and mid-market segment cars.
The term is relative and partially subjective, reflecting both objective qualities of a car, as well as the projected and perceived image of the vehicle marque.[1] Luxury brands rank above premium brands, though there is no clear distinction between the two.[2]
Traditionally, most luxury cars were large vehicles, though smaller sports-oriented models were produced. "Compact" luxury vehicles such as hatchbacks and off-road capable sport utility vehicles are more recent expansions of luxury qualities in various cars.[1]
Increasing comfort features, materials quality, interior space, innovations, and or performance have consistently been competitive strategies between car makers practically throughout the history of the automobile.
- ^ a b Anurit, Jakrapan; Newman, Karin; Chansarkar, Bal (1998). "Consumer Behaviour of Luxury Automobiles: A Comparative Study between Thai and UK Customers' Perceptions" (PDF). Economics Web Institute. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ Kapferer, Jean-Noël; Bastien, Vincent (2009). The Luxury Strategy: Break the Rules of Marketing to Build Luxury Brands. Kogan Page. p. 43. ISBN 978-0-7494-5477-7.