Tech & Auto
The Most Luxurious Car Interiors Under $40K
By MARK COWLEY
Stinger
With the GT-Line trim starting at $36,690, the Kia Stinger is a more affordable premium alternative to the market-leading German sedans.
The cabin comes with heated leather seats and a 10.25-inch touchscreen as standard. Various packages are also available, including one which adds a power sliding sunroof.
Encore GX
Fresh for the 2024 model year, the Buick Encore GX Avenir starts at $33,195 and includes features like an all-new infotainment system with a combined 19-inch screen size.
The front seats are heated and leather-trimmed with a unique stitching pattern. There's an eight-way power control for the driver and a two-way control for lumbar support.
UX
The smallest and most affordable Lexus, the UX, starts at $36,690. It features an 8.0-inch standard touchscreen display with infotainment voice control and a wi-fi hotspot.
Unfortunately, many of the best features, like the sunroof and heated front seats, are additional costs that can add up quickly for those trying to stay under $40,000.
230i
Starting at $38,800 for the 2024 model, the BMW 230i is the cheapest option in the 2 Series lineup. The current generation debuted in 2022 and has remained mostly unchanged.
While the 230i has many options that can raise the car's price to $50,000, the cabin is among the best at this price point, even without the add-ons.
GLA
The Mercedes-Benz GLA crossover starts at $37,500 for the 2023 model. It has features like dual-zone automatic climate control and power-adjustable front seats.
Like other luxury cars, its optional extras can push the GLA closer to a $50,000 price. Thankfully, the GLA still manages to feel like a Mercedes without the add-ons.