Old money. Stealth wealth. Country club cars. Some car buyers prefer vehicles that offer luxury without the flash–cars that are well-made and elegant without shouting about it. Whether you’re looking for something classic and timeless or you just want a nice vehicle that doesn’t project extreme affluence, there are a lot of new vehicles on the market today that feel luxurious, look elegant, yet don’t attract much attention. Although vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade or Maserati GranTurismo are impressive, they’re also flashy. These choices are significantly more subdued.
The Best New Cars for Old Money Style in 2025
- Cadillac CT5
- Genesis G80
- Infiniti QX60
- Land Rover Defender
- Lexus LS
- Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
- Polestar 3
- Porsche 911
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Volvo XC90
Cadillac CT5
Cadillac, long touted as “the standard of the world,” has dipped from the premier luxury tiers in the past few decades, but the famous crest still represents the pinnacle of General Motors. The Cadillac CT5 blends in with traffic, yet it still manages to deliver a comfortable and quiet cabin, and its available twin-turbocharged V6 excels at slicing through said traffic. Despite classic styling, the CT5 showcases impressively new tech, too. A 33-inch display dominates the interior (and its flashiness threatens the car’s case as an Old Money option), while the subscription-activated Super Cruise hands-free driving tech brings a new level of zen to long highway drives.
Genesis G80
Genesis may be the newest luxury nameplate, but the Genesis G80 sedan carries itself with the gravitas of an established marque. A luxury arm of Hyundai, Genesis has crafted a midsize sedan that whispers rather than shouts. The G80's restrained exterior styling strikes that balance between presence and subtlety, featuring clean lines that won't turn heads unnecessarily.
Inside, the cabin delivers refined luxury through genuine craftsmanship rather than flashy gimmicks. Standard heated seats and available Nappa leather create understated comfort, while the overall design favors elegance over excess. The powertrain options—a 300-hp turbocharged four-cylinder or 375-hp V6—are tuned for smooth, refined delivery rather than aggressive theatrics.
Infiniti QX60
The Infiniti QX60 represents the quietly confident choice in the luxury three-row SUV segment. While its platform may be shared with the Nissan Pathfinder, the QX60's styling aligns more closely with old money preferences—at least for now. A redesigned QX60 is coming in 2026, but the 2025 model maintains an understated and unobtrusive design that fits comfortably in any setting. The mild-mannered exterior speaks to those who value discretion over drama.
Inside, standard leather seating and thoughtful amenities like heated front seats and a heated steering wheel create a refined environment without ostentatious flourishes. The available captain's chairs in the Autograph trim add a touch of first-class comfort, while the 17-speaker Bose system delivers a balanced sound. The QX60’s Variable Compression Turbo engine produces 268 horsepower—adequate power, albeit delivered with more noise and vibration than some of the QX60’s competitors.
Land Rover Defender
A new Land Rover isn’t quite as stealthily wealthy as a classic Land Rover, but compared with most luxury SUVs, the Land Rover Defender is a top choice for shoppers who prefer substance over style. Unlike the various Range Rover options, the Defender maintains a more utilitarian aesthetic. The County visual package even adds gloss white wheels that, while aluminum, look an awful lot like simple steelies. Best yet, the Defender is designed to evoke the brand’s history as a builder of general purpose 4x4s. While they’re not inexpensive (the Defender starts at nearly $70,000), they don’t look overly posh.
Lexus LS
Few vehicles have been built over the years that combined quiet luxury with dependability as well as the Lexus LS. Thanks to a big spindle grille and a flashy F-Sport trim level, the latest model is quite a bit more aggressively styled than the LS of the 1990s. However, the Lexus LS remains the pinnacle of smooth, effortless power and comfort–at least when it comes to vehicles built in Japan. With a buttery soft suspension and a big trunk, this full-size cruiser is meant to cover an enormous number of miles before it hits retirement.
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
Yes, admittedly, a full-size Mercedes-Benz seems a bit ostentatious for this list. However, the Mercedes three-pointed star has been a staple of tasteful driveways for decades. Plus–courtesy of the brand’s pedigree–while the Mercedes-Benz GLS looks expensive, it doesn’t look that expensive. At a glance, onlookers certainly wouldn’t expect that this luxury seven-seater costs an easy six figures in most configurations; it just looks like a big, comfortable, and ultimately practical SUV. Like many modern Mercedes vehicles, the GLS employs conservative styling that evokes a more understated presence than its premium price might suggest. That said, the interior is much more “new money,” particularly when the ambient lighting is set to, say, pink.
Polestar 3
As a newcomer to the automotive industry, Polestar can’t rely on history or pedigree. However, the Sweden-headquartered EV maker applies the same minimalist design that routinely proves timeless. The Polestar 3 looks outstanding, but it goes about its business in an understated way–it’s much more elegant than a BMW iX and the Audi Q8 e-tron, while also being more distinctive than the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. The minimalist approach continues inside, where Polestar uses only high-quality materials, including available Nappa leather and wool upholsteries. Buttons are scarce, yet screens are of a manageable size. The Polestar 3 looks and feels like a vehicle designed to be driven, instead of a vehicle in which to be seen.
Porsche 911
The world of modern sports cars continues to contract. Mercedes-Benz is still an option, with the AMG GT and the SL-Class remaining genuine gran tourers. Jaguar and the sublime F-TYPE hardly exist today. Supercars, like the McLaren Artura or Lamborghini Revuelto couldn't possibly qualify as “old-money” options. And powerful coupes like the Aston Martin Vantage and Maserati GranTurismo shout their resumes with aggressive styling.
Then it’s the Porsche 911, again, which you’ll need to purchase if you want exceptional driving dynamics in a demure package. The modern 911 follows a proven formula and wears a familiar shape. In the right neighborhood, it won’t garner a second glance. But make no mistake about this wolf in sheep’s clothing: even with a starting price that has risen to over $120,000, the 911 still delivers as much performance per dollar as any vehicle this side of a Corvette. And nobody who buys a Corvette is doing so for “old money” looks.
Toyota Land Cruiser
When it comes to styling, “boxy” can be a safe investment. Vehicles like the Toyota Land Cruiser stand the test of time because of this very fact. While the right-angle-heavy exterior may lose favor for stretches, it’s all but guaranteed to come back into vogue. Virtually every generation of Land Cruiser could qualify as a “stealth wealth” choice–even the 100- and 200-Series models from the 20th century–but we particularly like what Toyota has done with the latest J250 iteration. In addition to being extremely capable off-road, the current-gen blends heritage styling cues with modern technology and design to live up to the Land Cruiser name.
Volvo XC90
When it comes to three-row SUVs, there is no vehicle that captures the spirit of "old money" more fully than a Volvo XC90. With elegant and timeless design, this Swedish luxury SUV embodies the understated sophistication that defines true old-world wealth.
The XC90's design philosophy speaks to those who understand that real luxury doesn't shout—it whispers. The refined "Thor's Hammer" headlights appear stronger and more deliberate, while the modernized grille features an almost woven-looking design that manages to be both asymmetrical and sophisticated. As we noted in our full review, "Let other manufacturers be drawn into nouveau riche fashion–Volvo knows which side its bread is buttered on, and it's staying firmly in the old-world elegance camp."
Inside, the XC90 continues with refined restraint. The XC90 is comfortable and well-appointed without being ostentatious. An optional herringbone weave upholstery, made from 100% recycled polyester, demonstrates old money style while introducing a nod toward sustainability.
