The modern luxury car is a phenomenal example of advanced product design. At the top end of the market you will find cars with features normally found in the home – double glazing, internet connection, DVD players and LCD screens – and yet they are fitted to devices that can whisk their occupants over vast distances in comfort and security. Here are eight best of the very best.

Jaguar XJ
The new XJ is packed with exquisite details. The tail lights seemingly drip down the flanks from the top of the boot, half of the roof is glass and the interior is as good, if not better, than even the mighty Rolls Royce Phantom.

This cockpit is truly a marvel – all the major controls are operated by a new type of ‘say what you see’ voice control – you press a button on the steering wheel and a high-definition display on the dashboard lists a series of options. Speak the required option and you’re led to the next sub-menu until you reach your desired function.

There’s also an astonishing entertainment system with a central ‘dual-view’ screen. This screen displays two images depending on your viewing position. From the driver’s seat, all the main sat-nav, audio and climate systems are displayed, but your passenger will be able to watch a movie on the same screen. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, the XJ is fitted with the world’s first automotive application of Dolby 2X surround sound.

BMW 7-Series
Compared with a Rolls-Royce or a Lexus, the BMW 7-Series is a more sporting and dynamic driving experience – designed as much for the driver as the rear seat passengers. It accomplishes this with a balanced rear-wheel drive chassis and suspension tuned as much for comfort as handling prowess. The latest 7-Series, perhaps more than any car in history, manages to provide both a sporting and soothing ride – a notoriously difficult compromise to achieve.

Technical highlights include a rear-wheel steering system for improved agility, a night-vision mode, unrestricted internet access and a beefy 12-cylinder petrol engine fitted to the range-topping 760 version. The latest 7-Series also sports the newest version of BMW’s iDrive system. Controls for the most-used features (such as wipers, radio, telephone etc.) are mounted on the steering wheel, while secondary functions such as the navigations system or address book are accessed via a master control on the centre console.

Maserati Quattroporte
‘Quattroporte’ is a beautifully glamorous name for a beautifully glamorous car, but its literal translation is rather more humble – it simply means ‘four door’. However, Maserati’s ‘four door’ is one of the most desirable luxury cars on the planet – providing you like to do the driving.

The Quattroporte’s low, sloping roofline makes it the smallest of our glamorous line-up for rear seat room; but who wants to be a passenger with a Ferrari-derived engine under the bonnet? That’s right – the Maserati’s engine was co-developed with Ferrari. The result is a sports car-like driving experience, but with saloon car levels of ride comfort and space. It cannot match a Lexus for build quality and neither can it equal an Audi’s A8’s effortless ergonomics, but it is one of the most stylish luxury cars on sale today and offers the prestige of one of the most famous badges in motoring.

Inside, the Maserati’ Quattroporte’s cabin is as beautiful and stylsih as its exterior. Leather and wood abound, with gloriously decadent options such as rosewood, walnut briarwood with inlays, polished wenge and starwood.

Audi A8
Subtle and superb, the Audi A8 is the discreet luxury chariot – indeed the Pope and Madonna used one recently on a tour of Israel.

With six versions to choose from, Audi A8 offers a wide variety of engine and interior options. All deliver Audi’s legendary build quality and reliability, but those looking for a more sporting drive will prefer the BMW 7-Series or Maserati Quattroporte. However, where the A8 really scores is its functionality and the effortlessness of its controls. Less confusing and more intuitive than its rivals’ systems, the Audi A8’s MMI (Multi-Media Interface) allows the driver to access all the vehicle’s major commands with ease. The cockpit may not be as stylish as its peers’, but it makes up for it with brilliant ergonomics.

In contrast the A8’s conservative styling, the Audi’s chassis is a highly advanced piece of engineering.

The A8 uses aluminium mated to a rigid structure made from the same lightweight material. The result is a chassis that’s around 130kg lighter than a traditional steel body and yet 60% stiffer. 

Mercedes S-class
The Mercedes S-class is not only one of the finest luxury cars available, it is also one of the most significant. Its lineage stretches back nearly 50 years and its name derives from the German word ‘sonderklass’ which roughly translates as ‘in a class of its own’.

The S-class is significant in automotive terms because it will forever be known as the car that has introduced and pioneered some of the most important technological features fitted to the road car. Anti-lock brakes, airbags, seat-belt pre-tensioners and traction control all made their debut on the Mercedes S-class.

The latest car is no less impressive. Features include an infrared night vision ‘Night View’ mode and a cruise control system that can bring the car to a complete stop if an obstruction is detected by the built-in radar. And such is the S-class’s popularity among world leaders, Mercedes offers an ‘S-guard’ version that is able to withstand explosives and rifle-fire. 

Rolls Royce Phantom
Generally acknowledged to be the finest car in the world, the Rolls-Royce Phantom is available in saloon, drophead or coupé guises and all are as close to motoring perfection as it gets. Only the finest 7-star hotels approach the Phantom’s level of opulence, which is best enjoyed from the back seat. Standout features include an optional ‘twinkling stars’ effect on the headlining and the finest of wood veneers and leathers. The Phantom’s vast size (nearly 6m long) makes it rather intimidating to drive, but most owners tend to settle into the massaging rear chairs and allow their drivers to whisk them to the (private) airport. For those who do find themselves behind the wheel, the Phantom is faster than any car of this size has any right to be. However, where the Rolls-Royce really scores is its near-silent running and ride quality.

Range Rover
Still the most desirable and best SUV in the world, the Range Rover is as much a luxury car as it is an off-road vehicle. These days its natural habitat is boulevards rather than the bush, but the Range Rover is still a compelling, all-terrain luxury car.

Two versions are available – a twin turbo V8 diesel or a supercharged V8 engine. Both deliver extremely strong performance while a Terrain Response system automatically adjusts the gearbox, throttle, suspension and traction control to suit any conditions from sand to snow and from mud to boulders.

The suspension deserves special mention – utilising air rather than fluid it ensures a constant ride height irrespective of the load and is supremely comfortable either on or off-road. Also, the manual ride height function lowers the vehicle by 55mm to aid entry or exit.

Inside, the Range Rover offers all the usual luxury car touches including wood and leather trim options, satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and a rear DVD entertainment system.

Bentley Flying Spur
Big, bold and deeply impressive, the Speed version of this four-door luxury car will reach 200mph and accelerate from 0-60mph in under five seconds – figures normally associated with Lamborghinis and Ferraris.

However, the Flying Spur is not solely about straight-line performance – it is refined, cosseting and opulent in a uniquely Bentley fashion, which means handcrafted leather cabins and superb build quality. Highlights include beautifully soft diamond-pattern leather seats, stunning wood veneers and a Naim  stereo with 15 speakers and an 1100-watt amplifier.

It is not a subtle car, but for the extrovert, nothing says ‘you’ve arrived’ quite like it. And thanks to the performance of the Bentley’s V12 twin turbo engine, you’ll undoubtedly arrive early!