Lexus
It’s hard to overstate how Lexus reinvented automotive luxury with the debut of its LS 400 sedan in 1989. Seemingly overnight, many Cadillac, Lincoln, BMW and Mercedes owners became Lexus owners thanks to the new car’s smooth ride, rich interior and attractive price. Unparalleled dealer service, especially in the face of some early miscues, also helped Lexus establish a foothold. With long-term reliability baked in from parent company Toyota, Lexus remains a benchmark of comfort, refinement and painstaking detail, as seen in today’s LS sedan.
Lincoln
Along with Cadillac, Lincoln was the premier midcentury American luxury brand. Its long, stylish Continental, with rearward-opening doors, remains an iconic design. Like Cadillac, Lincoln suffered dark spells near the end of the century, but it regained its mojo with the Navigator, launched just before the Escalade. Today’s Navigator is one of the best luxury SUVs around, and it’s complemented by the smaller Nautilus, Aviator and Corsair, all with lush interiors, advanced infotainment, and loads of turbocharged power and towing capacity.