As duPont REGISTRY’s Reviews section continues to grow, so has our access to some pretty incredible vehicles. We’ve already ranked our top 10 best cars for the year, but now it’s time to set opinion aside and focus solely on numbers. As a luxury car’s price can often deviate significantly from its base figure with options, we’ve opted to rank this year’s most expensive cars we’ve tested based solely on their as-tested figures. There are more than a few cars on this list equipped with over $100,000 in optional extras, a carbon-fiber-bodied restomod, and even a prototype.
10. Bentley Bentayga EWB: $306,165
The Bentley Bentayga EWB pushes the British carmaker’s SUV further into the luxury stratosphere. Thanks to a wheelbase that is longer by over seven inches, the EWB offers tremendous second-row passenger space, which allowed for the introduction of a new airline seat option. When selected, it morphs this SUV’s second row into what is essentially a lounge, complete with reclining chairs and seat back tables. Although this Bentayga EWB starts at $266,225, extras like its $11,250 First Edition Specification, $11,195 Airline Seat Specification, and $8,815 Touring Specification push its as-tested price to $306,165.
9. Ferrari Roma: $311,647
The Ferrari Roma is a car seemingly plucked from the 1960s. Where most modern GTs are angular and sporty, the Roma is curvy and uncomplicated. Thanks to its powerful twin-turbo V8 and excellent suspension, it’s a very elegant two-door that handles like a proper supercar. Yet it’s still comfortable and spacious when you need it to be. It’s a do-it-all Ferrari and one of our favorites in the Italian carmaker’s lineup. The example we tested this year carried a base price of $243,358. However, due to optional extras such as carbon fiber trim, sport exhaust, and magneride suspension, its as-tested price is $311,647.
8 . Bentley Flying Spur S V8: $314,635
The Bentley Flying Spur S is perhaps the only luxury sedan we’d happily hustle up a back road. Despite its size and the opulence of its cabin, it manages to be a surprisingly balanced and agile driver. The “S” trim combines some of the Speed’s go-fast bits with a smaller twin-turbocharged V8 engine. And although it produces less power than its W12 sibling, there’s less weight on this car’s nose, making it feel even more agile in the bends. It’s still a fantastic and isolating luxury car, giving it a true dual personality. Our tester starts at $241,200, however, thanks to options like its $12,490 Styling Specification, $9,150 Naim sound system, and $6,620 rotating display, it comes out to $314,635.
7. Maserati MC20 Cielo: $339,700
The Maserati MC20 Cielo is not just one of the best supercars we drove all year, making it into our 10-best list, but also a sign that the Italian carmaker is pushing to move further upmarket. Given that the Cielo’s $262,695 base price means it starts at about the same as an equivalent McLaren or Lamborghini, it’s a good thing that it delivers an impressive driving experience to back up the figure it commands. This tester, with options such as its $39,000 exterior carbon pack, $10,000 carbon-ceramic brakes, and $7,000 interior carbon fiber pack, comes in at $339,700
6. Bentley Continental GTC Speed: $384,485
We’ve been through quite a bit with this Bentley Continental GTC Speed. Not only did we road trip it to and from Monterey Car Week this year, but we also traversed a hurricane and the subsequent floods it created. Yet, through our nearly 1,000-mile week with the GTC, it only proved to be likely the best grand tourer we’ve ever tested. It’s sporty but comfortable, and despite its formidable size, it’s equally as happy on an open highway as through crowded city streets. Our tester starts at $320,025, but thanks to extras such as its $8,815 Touring Specification, $9,150 Naim Stereo, $6,620 Bentley Rotating Display, and $5,560 Front Seat Comfort Specification push its as-tested price up to $384,485.
5. Aston Martin DBS Superleggera: $406,086
Alongside the Ferrari Roma, the Aston Martin DBS will go down as one of the best-looking cars we’ve ever tested. This stylish two-door is a masterclass in GT proportions. Despite sporty elements like its enormous front grille and aggressive aero elements, it doesn’t lose any of its core elegance. Unfortunately, it’s going out of production soon, with the limited 2024 Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate closing the chapter on this generation’s DBS. Our tester starts at $333,686, but thanks to optional extras such as its Bang & Olufsen stereo, titanium sport exhaust, and carbon ceramic brakes, its as-tested price creeps to $406,086.
4. Ferrari 296 GTB Assetto Fiorano: $507,751
The Ferrari 296 GTB topped our list of 10 best cars for 2023, mainly thanks to how well it integrates its brand-new 120-degree V6 with an electric motor. And despite some weight gains, it handles itself spectacularly well in the corners, thanks mainly to its Assetto Fiorano package. However, thanks to its extensive use of carbon fiber throughout the car’s exterior and cabin, this very same package pushes its $317,986 base price up to $507,751.
3. Rolls-Royce Spectre: $546,175
Of all of the vehicles on this list, the Rolls-Royce Spectre’s price varies most thanks to its seemingly never-ending list of available extras. Although its base price hovers around $420,000, every Spectre we’ve driven this year surpasses the $500,000 mark. For example, the last one we tested wore a bright Twilight Purple exterior and a contrasting Artic White coachline. Inside, the two-tone motif continued with white leather seats contrasted by tailored purple elements. With options including its colored instrument dials, bespoke umbrellas, starlight doors, starlight headliner, and two-tone interior details, its as-tested price climbs to $546,175.
2. Gateway Bronco: $800,000
At first glance, it may seem unusual to see a classic Ford Bronco so high up on a list of the most expensive vehicles. However, the Gateway Bronco is more than just a resto-modded classic. Under its hood sits a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and reworked suspension. This truck sets itself apart because its body is entirely carbon fiber. As such, while a “standard” steel bloodied example starts at around $400,000, this unique example, built to showcase Gateway’s capabilities, surpasses the $800,000 mark.
1. McLaren Elva: $1,695,000 (est)
At the top of this year’s list is a car without an as-tested price. Although this may look like a McLaren Elva with a windshield, it’s an early prototype dubbed XP12W. As such, we’ve listed Elva’s original base price, as this prototype doesn’t have a window sticker. Built on a bespoke carbon fiber chassis, the Elva shares components with other vehicles in the McLaren range but still offers a unique driving experience. Not quite as raw as a 765LT but more aggressive than a 720S, the Elva hits a sweet spot that delivers a thrilling performance that is still usable on public roads. Although only a few Elva’s ever come out to rack up miles, our drive in XP12W confirmed that this unique hypercar is among the most thrilling ever.
