10 Analog Luxury Cars That Prioritize Comfort Over Technology

In 2024, luxury cars are more advanced than ever before. With countless borderline unnecessary gimmicks like night vision, and cooled cupholders, the extent that some carmakers will go to overcharge you for optional extras is unbelievable. Technology has come so far, that we’re already seeing all-electric luxury cars from big brands like the BMW i7 and Rolls-Royce Spectre.

But what if you only care about comfort, and don’t want a million touch-sensitive buttons and massive digital displays? For that to happen, we need to turn back the clock and look at some of the most important luxury cars ever made. From world-renowned brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, to high-class status-driven brands like Bentley and Rolls-Royce, all these brands have some incredible flagship luxury cars.

This list won’t just include massive four-door luxury sedans, but also touch base on exceptional grand tourers that prioritize old-school engineering over modern-day technology.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Hagerty, Classic.com, and Bring a Trailer. These luxury cars are ranked from oldest to newest.

10 Lincoln Continental (Fourth Generation)

1961-1969

During the 1950s and 160s, American carmakers were obsessed with size, whether it be regarding the vehicle’s overall size, its engine, or everything in between. Of course, the American carmaker Lincoln was no exception. Yet, when Lincoln introduced the four-generation Continental in 1961, it was smaller than its predecessor.

Key Features

• Hidden headlights
• Curved windshield
• Three-speed automatic transmission
• Up to 365 horsepower
• Suicide doors

Lincoln offered the Continental luxury car as either a sedan or a four-door convertible, and came with a variety of V-8 engines, the 430 cubic-inch MEL V-8 being the most iconic. The fourth-generation Lincoln Continental’s main focus was style, hence why it came with a wide variety of interior material and color choices, exterior colors, and an optional canvas roof. And of course, as many of you may know, U.S. President John F. Kennedy rode in a black 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible limousine at the time of his assassination.

9 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman (W100)

1963-1981

Nowadays, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the greatest luxury cars on the market. But back when the S-Class was merely a pipedream, the Daimer-Benz gave the world the Mercedes-Benz 600, also known as the W100. Built for nearly 20 years, the Mercedes-Benz 600 gave ultra-luxurious brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley a run for their money, and paved the way for the S-Class, and modern Mercedes-Maybach cars.

Key Features

• Pneumatic self-leveling suspension
• Rear cabin divider
• Inward-facing rear seats
• Hydraulically operated seats, windows, locks, and sunroof
• Rear privacy curtains
• 6.3-liter M100 V-8

While the ‘normal’ Mercedes-Benz 600 was already a large and exquisite piece of German engineering, the 600 Pullman was even larger and more luxurious. Mercedes-Benz only produced 428 long-wheelbase Pullman 600 examples; 304 being four-door variants and 124 six-door examples. To emphasize the exclusiveness of the 600 even further, it’s worth noting that popular celebrities owned a Mercedes-Benz 600, such as David Bowie, Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis Presley, Hugh Hefner, John Lennon, and Jeremy Clarkson.

8 Toyota Century (Second Generation)

1997-2017

The second-generation Toyota Century is one of the best value-for-money luxury cars you can buy to stand out from the crowd. While the Lexus LS 400 remained Toyota’s international flagship luxury car, the flagship Century sold only to the Japanese market, making it a true JDM car. However, due to their old age, these graceful and understated first-gen Toyota Century cars sell on average for $17,074, regardless of the generation.

Key Features

• Air suspension
• Soft close doors
• Rear privacy curtains
• Wood paneling
• 280 horsepower & 354 pound-feet of torque

The second-generation Toyota Century came with a V-12 engine, making it an excellent sleeper car. Despite having as many cylinders as a Lamborghini under the hood, the Century still featured luxury amenities like reclining rear seats with a massage function, and all the seats are power-adjustable and heated too. On top of that, a Toyota Century’s paint is meticulously hand-perfected from the factory, and original owners had a choice of leather, cloth, or wool seats.

7 Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide

1961-1964

Back in the early 1900s, Lagonda was founded, and made cars independently. However, after nearly 40 years, Aston Martin claimed ownership of Lagonda. The two British brands shared engines, and made unique cars together. But this list won’t be focusing on the Aston Martin Lagonda, instead shining the spotlight on the Lagonda Rapide – a spiritual successor to the modern-day four-door Aston Martin sports car.

Key Features

• All cars were hand-built
• Designed by Carrozzeria Touring
• 4.0-liter inline-six
• Disc brakes all-around
• Leather and burled walnut interior

Based on the Aston Martin DB4, the Lagonda Rapide inherited Aston Martin sports cars’ driving characteristics, but added even more opulence to the mix. During its lifespan, only 55 examples ever reached the public, and remains an often forgotten-about Aston Martin luxury car, unfortunately.

6 Jaguar XJ-S (Series 1)

1976-1981

Back in the day, the Jaguar XJS was the talk of the town. The first-gen XJS models all came fitted with a massive 5.3-liter V-12. In turn, this was enough to keep up with the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini at the time with a 7.6-second 0 to 60 mph time. That said, the Jaguar XJS’ purpose wasn’t to be a speed machine, but rather a powerful luxury cruiser.

Key Features

• 244 horsepower
• 143 mph top speed
• Analog clock on the dashboard
• Leather inserts scattered across the cabin
• Automatic or manual transmission

The Jaguar XJS’ interior was plain and simple, crafted from different woods and leathers, as you’d expect from a British luxury cruiser. The driver’s gauge cluster is filled with analog dials and physical knobs, and so is the rest of the interior. Regardless, for an average selling price of $18,308, a first-generation Jaguar XJS is a tempting luxury car bargain, and one of the greatest first classic cars to own.

5 Bentley Mulsanne

1980-1992

Back in the day, Bentley and Rolls-Royce weren’t just competitors, but the two brands also shared parts. The base model Mulsanne luxury sports sedan housed the same V-8 found in the Silver Spur, and other RR cars, and shared a platform with other Bentley cars known as the SZ. Regardless, the Mulsanne still had a bespoke Bentley interior.’

Key Features

• Hydraulic self-leveling suspension
• Power-adjustable front seats with memory feature
• Power-adjustable side mirrors
• Headlight washers
• Rear footrests

With an unnecessary amount of sound deadening, a mix of leather, wood, metal across the cabin, and plush carpets everywhere, the Mulsanne was one of the most luxurious cars money could buy at the time. While Bentley still produces some of the best luxury cars on the market, the brand is straying further away from simplicity, considering the brand will soon introduce five new EVs to its lineup. And if speed is a priority, Bentley eventually released the Mulsanne S and Mulsanne Turbo, which gave sports cars a run for their money.

4 Rolls-Royce Corniche (Mark II)

1986-1989

The Rolls-Royce Corniche is the spiritual successor to the modern-day Rolls-Royce Dawn. RR offered the Corniche either as a two-door hardtop or a convertible, but most buyers decided on the drop-top version. Not only was the Rolls-Royce Corniche II a topless work of art, but it offered the same amenities and build quality you’d expect from a Rolls.

Key Features

• English Connolly leather
• Lombardy wood trim pieces
• Lambswool carpeting
• Power-operated soft-top
• Power-adjustable front seats with memory feature

While modern-day Rolls-Royce cars have massive touchscreens and digital displays, the Corniche’s interior is as simple as one can get. With a stylish design, an abundance of round dials, and either a leather-wrapped or wood steering wheel, the Corniche screams old money at the top of its lungs, and will go down in history as one of the best Rolls-Royce cars ever produced.

3 Mercedes-Benz SL (R129)

1990-2002

To this day, the Mercedes-Benz SL is the perfect example of what a grand tourer should be; powerful, comfortable, and somewhat practical. While the modern-day Mercedes-AMG SL 63 takes performance to a whole new level, the old-school R129-generation Mercedes-Benz SL packed quite the punch, especially at higher trim levels like the V12-powered SL 600.

Key Features

• Self-leveling suspension
• Power-adjustable heated seats with a memory function
• Headlight washers (some models)
• Automatic climate control
• Manual and automatic transmissions available

As expected, all SL models came with leather-draped interiors that had splashes of wood and metal, depending on the spec. All R129 Mercedes-Benz SL models came as a two-door convertible with a power-operated fabric roof, but Mercedes-Benz also included a detachable hardtop that you can put on after retracting the soft top. And if you’re still on the fence, let’s remind you that even Chirs Harris claimed that the R129 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 is the ultimate cruiser.

2 BMW 8 Series (E31)

1991-1999

The classic BMW 8 Series is exactly what the 2024 8 Series aims to be; a fast, stylish grand tourer. BMW offered the E31 8 Series with approximately five different engines, each mated to either a manual or automatic transmission, and each model excelled in its own right. And thanks to ‘BMW’s Individual’ exterior colors and interior combinations, an 8 Series could be even more attention-grabbing than a Ferrari.

Key Features

• Power-operated sunroof
• Power-adjustable heated front seats with memory function
• Seat-mounted seatbelts
• Mobile phone
• Pillarless doors

The E31’s cabin is much less busy than modern-day BMWs. And despite being a performance car, judging by the gargantuan speedometer, the classic 8 Series remains a comfortable cruiser with its floor lined with carpet, leather seats, a leather steering wheel, and all the instruments pointed towards the driver for ease of access.

1 BMW 7 Series (E38)

1995-2001

Often considered as the greatest 7 Series of all time, the BMW E38 7 Series sports an aggressive look that ages like a fine wine. BMW offered the E38 7 Series in a multitude of trim levels, but most could either be had as a short wheelbase, or long wheelbase – and of course, BMW even added a limousine to the lineup, dubbed the L7.

Key Features

• Power-operated moonroof
• Power-operated rear sunblinds
• Double-glazed windows & shatterproof windows
• 750iL featured in the James Bond film, Tomorrow Never Dies

Depending on the trim level chosen, and options ticked off, the BMW 7 Series could transform from a luxury car to an uber-luxurious cruiser within an instant. The above-mentioned features aren’t all necessary standard equipment, but still can be found on many used 7 Series examples today.