9 Premium rides to buy before Canada's luxury-car tax kicks in

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Owning one of the world’s most exclusive, prestigious rides may be a dream for many, but for the lucky few it’s something to strive for — be it the epitome of self-indulgence, or a sporty speedster that sets a world-class benchmark, there are some intriguing choices.

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Those choices are now wont to come with a hefty surcharge, thanks to a new government tax on luxury vehicles set to go in effect January 2022 , once this year’s budget is passed.

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9 Premium rides to buy before Canada's luxury-car tax kicks in Back to video

Here Driving.ca looks at 10 vehicles that define luxury, key in on performance, or offer a blend both in a supremely desirable package.

2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost

If you are what you drive, a Rolls-Royce is the car that says you have arrived. While the Ghost is more minimalist than its stablemates, it’s still marked by the handcrafted excellence of the materials, lavish accommodations and a ride quality that wafts over a rough road that would shake a lesser car to its very core.

It’s also the pinnacle of bespoke — this is a car one “commissions” rather than merely buys. After all, who doesn’t want to luxuriate under a starlit sky? The Starlight headliner makes it a reality, with 850 points of light complete with shooting stars. The personalization possibilities are endless — from a champagne cooler with the finest crystal flutes to a key fob wrapped in the same leather as the seats, just about anything is possible.

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Optioned price: $550,000
Luxury tax: $55,000
Gas tax: $3,000
HST: $79,040
Total: $687,040

2021 Bentley Continental GT

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What does the luxury buyer with a need for speed drive? The third-generation Bentley Continental GT V8 is certainly a worthy candidate. The Drive Dynamics selector allows the driver to pick a plush, refined ride; or crank it up to sharpen the handling. The active all-wheel-drive gets the 542 hp down with authority and, in spite of the mass at play, it runs to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds!

If enough is not quite enough, the Speed model returns to the Continental fold for 2022 — 650 hp says it all. Of course, the cabin is all Bentley. From a herd’s worth of the finest leather and the organ stops for the air vents, it is opulent and then some. Just stay out of the back seat!

Optioned price: $365,000
Luxury tax: $36,500
Gas tax: $0
HST: $52,195
Total: $453,695

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2021 Range Rover SVAutobiography LWB

If you have a nomadic heart and a hankering for the high life, the Range Rover SVAutobiography might just be the perfect companion. It has, after all, been the epitome of British luxury and ability for 50 years. The cabin is marked by the leather-wrapped 24-way climate-controlled “hot-stone”-massage front seats, a soulful Meridian sound system, and space galore thanks to the 198-millimetre stretch in the wheelbase. This puts a full 3,120 mm between the axles!

As outwardly opulent, fast and on-road-oriented as the SVAutobiography appears, it still possesses the ability to get down and dirty with the very best off-roaders. Its ability in this environment defies belief, so wherever you choose to roam, the Range Rover will get you there in style.

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Optioned price: $275,000
Luxury tax: $27,500
Gas tax: $1,000
HST: $39,455
Total: $342,995

2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S

At the Paris Motor Show in 1974, Porsche unleashed the first 911 Turbo. Since then, it has been through more iterations than just about any other car on the road. Not one, as good as they all were, can hold a candle to the latest 911 Turbo S — it’s faster and yet more civilized than ever before. It rides on rails through a corner, yet it’s a smooth-riding sophisticate in the city.

As for performance, the numbers tell all — 640 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque and a run to 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds. Everything, from the ride to response, can be tailored to suit. One word of advice: Tape the traction control button — this will stop it from being inadvertently turned off. As Aretha Franklin sang, it is all about R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

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Optioned price: $275,000
Luxury tax: $27,500
Gas tax: $0
HST: $39,325
Total: $341,825

2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600

While the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 is based on the mortal GLS, it has been Maybach-ed to the absolute nines. Yes, it needs some options, but when it’s loaded, it takes “posh” and makes it truly luxurious. From the Nappa leather on every interior surface, including the headliner; to an icebox with custom-designed champagne flutes with magnetic bases that keep them in place, everything is over the top.

Of course, a regular back seat just would not cut the mustard, so pick the individual Executive seats. These two aircraft-style pews have a “hot-stone”-massage function, music, and soft lighting, which delivers a spa-like mood. All of this opulence arrives with a powertrain tuned for optimal smoothness and, of course, it has a whisper-quite ride.

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Optioned price: $258,000
Luxury tax: $25,800
Gas tax: $0
HST: $36,894
Total: $320,694

2021 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo

The Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo sets itself apart from its German rivals with its distinct Italian flair and a style it can call its very own. Where many in the segment qualify as a box on wheels, the Quattroporte is sleek and sensual. For 2021, new taillights, front grille, and carbon-fibre inserts accentuate the look.

The cabin lives up the exterior’s promise. The elegant, yet sporty, environment features buttery leather and an Android-based infotainment system that demands an upgrade to the Bowers & Wilkins sound system — with 15 speakers and 1,280 watts of power, it floods the cabin with pitch-perfect sound. The new Trofeo also adopts a Ferrari-based 3.8L V8 that delivers 580 hp and a run to 100 km/h of 4.5 seconds, making the Trofeo the fastest Quattroporte to date.

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Optioned price: $182,000
Luxury tax: $16,400
Gas tax: $0
HST: $25,792
Total: $224,192

2021 BMW B7

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It is not about being big, bold or brash, it’s all about understated luxury with a sublime turn of speed — the BMW Alpina B7 has all the subtly of sledgehammer, but one that’s wrapped in finely crafted Lavalina leather. At Alpina’s factory in Buchloe, about an hour west of Munich, the B7 gets the full treatment — the engine and suspension are tweaked, the seats are re-upholstered, the hand-stitched steering wheel is fitted, and a new instrument panel inserted. Then comes a quad-tip exhaust system and the aerodynamic aids needed for high-speed stability.

In the end, it’s a lavish, luxurious highway cruiser with an impeccable ride. However, it’s also a very fast, full-sized sedan that’s as hunkered down as any world-class sports saloon.

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Optioned price: $178,000
Luxury tax: $15,600
Gas tax: $0
HST: $25,168
Total: $218,768

2021 Audi RS Q8

The Audi RS Q8 can be viewed as a full-on sports car masquerading as a full-sized crossover. With its adaptive air suspension, four-wheel steering, active anti-roll bars and all-wheel-drive with real-time torque vectoring, it handles beautifully. Add the demanded power (591 hp), and the sports car-like driving experience surfaces big time — 3.8 seconds to 100 km/h and an 80-to-120 km/h passing move in 2.4 seconds. That’s remarkable given the 2,400-kg curb weight.

This, however, only tells half of the RS Q8’s story. From the leather-wrapped bucket seats that deliver superb comfort and fully-customizable instrumentation; to a smarter-than-average infotainment system and 1,755 litres of cargo space, it is an indulgent family-hauler with undeniable panache and the wherewithal to tow a 3,175-kilogram trailer.

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Optioned price: $160,000
Luxury tax: $12,000
Gas tax: $0
HST: $22,360
Total: $194,360

2021 Jaguar F-Type R P575 AWD

The Jaguar F-Type R has the proportions of the iconic E-Type. It’s a timeless look that’s instantly recognizable. A minor stylistic tweak this year makes it even sexier — the slim LED headlights and taillights are linked by some of the most sensual lines in the business. Likewise, the cabin is a blend of function and luxury.

Of course, with a look this fast it needs the motivation to match — the 5.0L supercharged V8 now makes 575 hp. The suspension, steering, and all-wheel-drive then give it the claws needed to haul through the fastest corner. However, the F-Type R’s defining point is its soulfully aggressive exhaust note. Lower the convertible top, find a twisty road and the unadulterated joy of driving floods to the fore.

Optioned price: $144,000
Luxury tax: $8,800
Gas tax: $0
HST: $19,864
Total: $172,664

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