Skip to main content

Luxury cars may be expensive, but they come with extra perks that more standard vehicles don’t offer. That may be changing, as standard vehicles are beginning to include perks like heated seats, onboard navigation systems, and panoramic sunroofs. But some luxury cars are still finding a way to stay ahead of the pack.

Porsche, which was named the top luxury brand by U.S. News, has proven over and over again why it’s title is well-earned.

Porsche’s history

While new automakers like Milan Automotive may draw in new consumers with flashy cars, most people will stay away in favor of brands that have been around longer and have a more well-defined track record. Porsche has been through the growing pains of building up its brand and is now a household name.

Ferdinand Porsche, a designer, engineer, and race car driver, founded the company in 1931 but died a few years later. His son, Ferry Porsche, took up the mantle and put them on the map.

Ferry reportedly said, “In the beginning, I looked around and could not find the car I’d been dreaming of: A small, lightweight sports car that uses energy efficiently. So I decided to build it myself.”

Porsche racing

Everyone wants to own a racecar, but for most people, it’s just not in the budget.

Cars like the 911 and the 718 Cayman are legitimate racecars that can be purchased by consumers. For those who don’t want to race but like having a car that could hit the track if it wanted to is enough to draw in many consumers.

Porsche, taking after its famous racing founder, made a name for itself on and off the track. This allowed the German automaker to earn more of a rep than it would have without the racing background.

Diversity

While Porsche is well-known for its luxury cars like the 918 Spyder that has 887 hp, it has begun to branch out into SUVs and passenger cars. This was an incredibly smart move for the German automaker, as it can no longer be considered a one-trick pony.

This diversified lineup has given the company a huge boost in sales. The 2017 Macan outsold the 911, and the 2020 Taycan is set to outsell the 911 as well.

Quality

Most people aren’t attracted to Porsche for the high price tags. What draws them in is the incredible quality put into each and every vehicle. The company consistently ranks high on Consumer Reports road tests. Road Show reports that Porsche, along with Lexus and Toyota, earned top scores in the “Top J.D. Power 2019 dependability study.”

Rarity

Everyone wants to be the only one, or at least one of the very few, who owns a rare car, and Porsche has plenty.

Take for instance the 1961 Porsche Type 356B 1600 Carrera GTL Abarth Coupe. Manufactured from 1960-1961, the Carrera-Abarth was based off the Porsche 356B chassis.

Another rare car produced by Porsche is the 912. It was a cheaper model of the 911, but as it reaches the vintage stage of its life, the 912 is beginning to attract attention from collectors.

Power

Even those who don’t dream of racing on backroads or on world-famous tracks, admit that powerful cars are an alluring prospect.

On Edmunds list of 100 most powerful cars, the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT came in at 65, the 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS came in at 58, and the Porsche 918 Spyder came in at 19.

Some of the automakers that Porsche beat were Lamborghini, Aston Martin, and McLaren. These automakers are powerhouses in the auto world. While Porsche may not have had the number one car on the list, it just shows that Porsche knows how to create vehicles that combine style, power, and craftsmanship.