Advice

Luxury Car Logos: See What They Mean

By 10/02/2023 4:01pm

Maserati Logo

Quick Facts About Luxury Vehicles

The odds of seeing a luxury car driving around depend on where you live. If you rarely see them, it may be hard to distinguish one brand from another solely based on the logo, and that’s especially true with ultra-luxurious car brands. We’ll tell you about luxury car logos, how to spot them, the myths, and what they mean.

Ultra-Luxury Car Logos

We consider an ultra-luxury car a prestigious brand that brings peak comfort, style, and features. Car logo-spotting of such vehicles is a fun pastime. These ultra-luxury cars also come with a hefty six-figure price tag that reflects all they offer. The ultra-luxury aspect can sometimes arrive under the hood, like the V12-powered 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto, priced around $600,000. Cars dripping with interior opulence, such as the Rolls-Royce Phantom, will run you about $400,000.

You don’t often see these vehicles. But when you do, you will know why they cost so much.

Aston Martin

Aston Martin Logo

Aston Martin is a British luxury sports car brand combining speed with elegance. The logo shows a distinct green border around the company name with wings. The wings on the logo symbolize speed, freedom, dreams, and exploration. The 2024 Aston Martin DBX 707 high-performance SUV features a V8 engine, enabling this Aston to do 0-60 mph in an estimated 3.1 seconds. DBX 707 engineers call it an SUV with a “sports car soul.”

Bentley

Bentley LogoWhat car logo has a “B” on it? Bentley remains one of the most luxurious car brands in the world, with interiors designed to match its vehicles’ high price tags. You can spot a Bentley with the “B” in a circle with wings attached. In some models, like the Bentley Flying Spur, the flat “B” on the hood gets replaced by a 3D “B” ornament with wings.

The symbolic wings refer to the days when founder W.O. Bentley (Bentley is now owned by Volkswagen AG) served with the Royal Naval Air Service, developing engines for fighter aircraft.

Ferrari

Ferrari Logo

Ferrari has an iconic logo that is synonymous with racing. It features a “cavallino rampante,” or prancing horse, with the colors of the Italian flag on top. For decades it has been a racing staple and is now a luxury car staple. For the non-racers, a new Ferrari can reach more than $520,000. Ferrari is not the only luxury vehicle using a horse logo. Can you guess what other luxury vehicle uses one? Read on to learn more.

Lamborghini

Lamborghini Logo

Lamborghini is known for its aggressive engines and sharp edges more than its luxurious interior and sleek design. On a Lamborghini, you will spot the black triangle with a gold bull in the middle on the car’s hood. The bull is a symbol hand-picked by the founder Ferruccio Lamborghini, who, with his Taurus zodiac sign, enjoyed watching bullfights.

The sharp edges and powerful engine are on full display in the 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto, which boasts a 0-60 mph time of less than 2.5 seconds. But you should get a ridiculous 0-60 time when the car costs more than $600,000.

Maybach (Mercedes-Benz)

Maybach LogoMaybach, part of Mercedes-Benz, uses a logo that’s the trickiest to understand. The logo is a double “M” standing for Maybach Motorenbau, the car’s original manufacturer.

The Maybach is a variant of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but it is more luxurious, and you will see both logos on the car. Typically the Maybach logo is on the hood ornament and the side, while the traditional logo is on the vehicle’s rear. Maybach offers SUVs and cars, but either will run you upwards of $190,000.

Rolls-Royce

Rolls Royce LogoRolls-Royce is the pinnacle of luxury in the car market. The logo features a double “R” for the company’s name. It combines the names of founders Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. On the hood ornament, you’ll also see a “Spirit of Ecstasy,” a figurine of a woman in flowing clothing leaning forward into the wind. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV, one of the most popular cars from the brand, will cost you upwards of $350,000. If you drive next to one and look at the wheels, you will notice that the logo always sits upright and doesn’t spin with the tire like other cars. The Rolls-Royce tire logo is weighted, so you can always see it stay in position.

Luxury Car Logos

You’ll likely see more luxury cars rolling down the road than ultra-luxury rides. Still, luxury cars remain on top of comfort, style, and performance, just like their ultra-luxury counterparts. In addition, they offer a wider variety of vehicles on the price spectrum. For example, you can purchase a 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB for about $45,000, while a G-Wagon costs at least $140,000.

These cars will get you where you need to go in style and often faster than the typical car.

Acura

Acura MDX grille badgeAcura‘s logo looks like the letter “A.” However, the logo has a unique meaning and origin, as it also looks like a caliper. According to Acura’s website, “Our logo is derived from the caliper, a precise design tool representing the meticulous attention to detail.”

The carmaker’s attention to detail can be seen on full display in its vehicles, like the 2024 Acura Integra.

Alfa Romeo 

Alfa Romeo Logo

Alfa Romeo features symbols from its home country Italy, including the flag of the city of Milan with its red cross on a white field and the Visconti serpent or “biscione” on the right. The brand offers the high-performance Giulia Quadrifoglio and the more affordable Tonale SUV.

Audi

Audi LogoAudi showcases an iconic logo that can be easily identified when it passes by. The emblem shows four interconnected rings symbolizing four different automakers that merged in the 1900s. Now, Audi offers fast and luxurious cars like the electric e-Tron GT, which costs over $100,000.

BMW

bmw logoBMW is another car that can trace its roots to racing and still keeps the tradition alive today. The logo is a circle split into quarters featuring white and blue with a black outer ring. But is it a stylized propeller? According to BMW’s website, many people believe the BMW logo represents a propeller, but that’s a myth. Instead, the logo represents the colors of Bavaria, the home of BMW and also the largest state in Germany. Among BMW’s newest electric cars is the BMW iX.

Cadillac

Cadillac LogoCadillac has a long history in luxury cars, up to today’s Escalade. This full-size SUV often serves as luxury transportation for VIPs. According to the automaker, the Cadillac Crest is “derived from the coat of arms of Le Sieur Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, who founded the City of Detroit in 1701.”

In some newer Cadillacs, like the all-electric Lyriq, the emblem serves as a button that opens either the charge port door or trunk.

Genesis

Genesis LogoGenesis is a South Korean car company owned by Hyundai. Genesis is another brand that implements wings on the logo. The brand’s name can be seen on a crest with silver wings attached to the side. While there is no official meaning behind the design of the emblem, many speculate the wings are a symbol of luxury, similar to other luxury cars that use wings in their logos. Genesis prides itself on a plush and comfortable cabin and a smooth ride. These traits can be seen in the Genesis G90, which costs just under six figures for the base model.

Infiniti

infiniti logoThe Infiniti logo pays homage to the company’s history and beginnings in Japan. Two lines come together to form a point when looking at the logo. Many think the symbol is Infiniti‘s nod to Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest peak and a volcano. It’s considered a sacred symbol.

Jaguar

Jaguar LogoYou could likely guess the brand if you saw this logo without the lettering. The Jaguar is easily identifiable, but this is the logo on the car’s rear. On the front of the car, the logo is typically the head of a jaguar inside of a red circle. According to several Jaguar dealerships, the logo offers a representation of the manufacturer’s core values — grace, elegance, performance, power, and the ambition to leap forward. They offer a range of SUVs, sports cars, and sedans, all of which fit in the luxury department. Among the most expensive models is their super quick Jaguar F-Type.

Land Rover

land rover logoLand Rover is known for multiple different reasons in the automotive world. The iconic green logo is often dirty on models like the Defender 90 SUV, and the brand builds some of the most beloved off-roading vehicles. However, the six-figure Range Rover is luxurious enough to get Land Rover on the list of luxury cars.

While only speculation, many think the green in the Land Rover logo symbolizes British Motorsports’ racing green color. Another theory is that the green in the logo symbolizes nature, as many Land Rovers drive off-road.

RELATED: Best SUVs and Trucks for Off-Road Adventure

Lexus

Lexus LogoLexus is the luxury brand of Toyota. The logo is simple yet elegant. It features a shiny silver “L,” the first letter in the brand’s name, with a silver circle surrounding it. Lexus offers a large fleet of cars, including hybrids, coupes, convertibles, and SUVs. Some top-of-the-line models include the LS sedan and LC coupe and convertible.

Lincoln

Lincoln LogoLincoln is known for their luxury SUVs, including the full-size Navigator and the midsize Aviator SUVs. You will be able to recognize a Lincoln from its large size but also from the four-pointed silver and black logo. According to Lincoln, the logo represents a star.

“Today’s four-point star badge was originally designed in 1955 for the 1956 Continental Mark II,” said Jamie Myler, research archivist for Ford Motor Company Archives, in a news release in 2019.

Lucid

Lucid Bear LogoUnlike other brands whose logos are featured on the front, back, and sometimes the side of the car, Lucid’s logo in the Lucid Air is a bit of an Easter egg. While you may think the word “Lucid” that can be seen on the car’s exterior is the logo, the logo is actually a bear. According to California-based Lucid, the animal representation of the spirit of California as a bear is a staple of the state flag.

The logo can be seen on the dashboard when launch mode is activated and on the electric car’s seats. However, the bear logo will be more prominent on the vehicle in the upcoming Lucid Air Sapphire, which is an ultra-high-performance luxury EV.

Maserati

Maserati LogoMaserati showcases a distinct logo on its vehicles that can’t be confused with any other car. The logo highlights the trident of Neptune, a Roman god of the seas. The luxury car brand has a small fleet, but the Ghibli is one of its most popular cars.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz LogoThe Mercedes-Benz star is one of the most recognizable car logos in the world. It is a three-pointed star that can be seen shining on the front grill and on the car’s hood. According to several dealerships, the star represents the strength and prevalence of the company’s engines on land, in the sea, and in the air.

Despite being a luxury brand, Mercedes-Benz offers cars costing about $40,000, such as the CLA. But don’t worry. If you want top-tier luxury and a battery, the EQE is among its electric vehicle offerings if you want top-tier luxury and an SUV with an electric battery.

Polestar

Polestar LogoPolestar is a luxury car brand now focusing on electric vehicles. They are under Volvo, but their cars are a bit more pricey. The Polestar logo combines two arrows pointing at each other, symbolizing a star. They discontinued the initial Polestar 1 hybrid and now offer the fully electric Polestar 2 and Polestar 3.

Porsche

Porsche LogoPorsche is another luxury car that has a rich racing history. Now, they combine powertrains with a racing pedigree and luxury interior features. The Porsche logo features a horse in the gold crest with black and red lines surrounding it. The logo says “Stuttgart,” or the German city where Porsche was founded. It’s also a city known for breeding horses. The brand sells one of the fastest EVs on the market, the Porsche Taycan.

Tesla

Tesla LogoTesla has been an electric vehicle giant for years and continues to grow while adding innovative features like semi-autonomous driving. The logo is simply a “T” with a curved line at the top. Tesla founder Elon Musk said in a tweet that the “T is like a cross-section of an electric motor.”

The Tesla Model S remains one of the fastest street-legal cars on the market, whether gas or electric-powered.

Volvo

Volvo logoVolvo is among the more affordable luxury vehicles. The logo is the brand’s name in a circle with an arrow. The Volvo logo seems fairly simple, but the circle with the arrow is an old iron chemical symbol. They offer a full array of cars, including electric, hybrid, and gasoline. Even though they are more mildly priced, some models, like the Volvo XC90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid, can start at just above $70,000.

Related Articles: