What Is The Most Expensive Car In The World?

A trip in one of the world’s most expensive supercars is more than just a simple journey. It’s an experience, a piece of art, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure: and that’s before you’ve even placed your foot on the pedal.

2022 is proof that the sky’s the limit when it comes to hypercars. While the most expensive luxury cars might have a few things in common with their less pricey counterparts – we’re talking four wheels, doors, and a steering wheel – they set themselves apart with those seriously flashy, endlessly impressive features that fuse the gap between a vehicle and a work of art.

But taking the title of “the world’s most expensive car” is no easy feat. Sometimes even the flashiest designs, bespoke bodies, super-powered engines, and more can’t win the top spot, as you’ll see as you work your way through our list of 2022’s most impressive contenders. 

Sure, you’ll see lots of familiar names below. Wondering what this year’s priciest Bugatti is? Interested in learning which Pagani is the most expensive car you can’t buy? What about the historic Ferrari that has yet to be unseated as the most expensive car of all time?

Our updated 2022 ranking of the most expensive cars includes everything from storied, legendary classic cars to revered auto houses with a few surprising newer models thrown in for good measure.

21 Most expensive cars in the world in 2022

Learn more about luxury and sports cars and our methodology to select and rank the most expensive cars of 2022 after the ranking.

Looking for other ways to move in style? Check our round-up of the most expensive private jets in the world and the largest yachts in the world. They are both perfectly good alternatives to owning a supercar. And if you prefer to stay home, we’ve ranked the most expensive houses in the world to give you some inspiration too.

21. Aston Martin Valhalla: $1.3 million

Aston Martin’s lineup sourcing names from the power and romance of Norwegian lore continues with 2022’s Valhalla: another result of a collaboration between Aston Martin and the Red Bull Racing Team. Only 500 of these mid-engine hypercars will be made. 

A turbocharged 3L V-6 engine will power the Valhalla, which is thought to be less performance-focused than the Valkyrie. Instead, this hybrid supercar focuses on its handling as well as bringing a sustainable edge to the British auto house. And that’s before we’ve discussed the streamlined structure and bodywork.

Aston Martin has mentioned that the interior is filled with space-age elements and innovations that increase the feeling that this car is something incredibly new. The infotainment screen is in the middle of the steering wheel, so your eyes needn’t wander; button-dense dashes of the past have been replaced with an integrated band that seamlessly provides audio, ventilation, and lighting. 

20. Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta: $2.2 million

With only 210 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta in existence, it’s fair to say that sourcing this car won’t just cost you a lot of money, but an awful lot of time, too. Out of those 210, 190 were sold, nine were reserved for the Ferrari 70th Anniversary celebration, and the final car was sold later at auction. 

The LaFerrari Aperta is a special version of the LaFerrari and comes with special features to match. For a start, it was the first Ferrari since the Dino 308 GT4 to not have Pininfarina bodywork or other, similar styling. Its name, “Aperta”, means “open” in Italian, translating to the difference in doors and wheel arches compared to its other Ferrari siblings.

19. Aston Martin Vulcan: $2.3 million

You’d have to be a special sort of person to drop more than a million dollars on a car that’s not road-worthy. Meet the Aston Martin Vulcan: one of the world’s most expensive cars that is not designed to be driven anywhere aside from a race track. If you’ve never seen this hypercar in real life, it’s difficult to imagine just how sleek it looks on the track. 

When you’ve witnessed that, you’ll understand where most of its talk (and price tag) comes from. The Vulcan was designed to pay homage to other Aston Martin vehicles and, to date, only 24 have ever been built. If you did manage to buy one of them, there’s only one company in the world legally capable of making it road-worthy – Britain-based RML.

18. Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4: $2.5 million

The Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 is a car that was pushed into the future from the moment it was conceived. Designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic model of the same car, the Countach LPI 800-4 is a mouthful worth repeating. 

Unveiled in 2021, it’s one of the newer cars to make our 2022 list, immediately jumping into place with a unique body and framework that sets it apart from anything else on the market. This hybrid car comes packed with electrification, proving that gas isn’t always the way forward. In total, Lamborghini will produce 112 of these cars over time.

17. Aston Martin Valkyrie: $2.6 million

You’d certainly get a lot of stares using it for the daily commute but, contrary to its need-for-speed framework, the Aston Martin Valkyrie was actually designed to be driven on the road. 

Created as a collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing, the Valkyrie can hit a top speed in excess of 205 mph (330 km/h) with a growl to match. It’s a car well worth some patience, revealed a huge five years after its concept was first shown to the world. Known as the brand’s first hypercar, the Valkyrie takes 2000 man-hours to create and comes with a 6.5-liter V12 engine. There will only ever be 150 in the world.

16. Mercedes AMG One: $2.7 million

Though the production of this car was delayed for several months, it got there eventually: “Project One”, as AMG engineers refer to it, is now all systems go. The long-anticipated 2022 Mercedes AMG One is a 1000-hp F1-derived plug-in-hybrid drivetrain, with an exceedingly quiet road presence.

That’s the entire point of this hypercar: Road presence. This vehicle’s built to mimic Formula One cars – but in a completely street-legal way. 

Ever since Formula One had its first inaugural season in 1950, people have been searching for a way to bring that tech to the streets. With the AMG One, drivers who can afford to do so, can – and, now, with a sustainable hybrid model. 

According to the Mercedes website, the claimed acceleration for this car is 0-120 mph (0-200 km/h) in 6 seconds. A 1.6-L V6 hybrid petrol and four electric motors allow the AMG One a top speed of more than 350 kilometers per hour (217 miles per hour). 

Mercedes-Benz is doing a great job electrifying their entire range at the moment. Check our round-up of the best electric cars of the year to see what else they have in store.

15. Koenigsegg Jesko: $3 million

The Jesko is our first hypercar that hits the three million dollar mark. From a performance aspect, this makes sense: the Koenigsegg Jesko is also one of the fastest supercars in the world in 2022 – which definitely goes a long way towards its sticker price. 

Swedish auto manufacturer Koenigsegg dreamt up the Jesko as a suitable successor to its groundbreaking Agera RS. An engine update, a lighter frame, and a surprising amount of comfortable add-ins make this a car that’s not only lightning-fast – it’s fun to drive. 

Its engine is an overwhelmingly powerful 1280-hp V-8; its nine-speed transmission is completely bespoke, built in-house by Koenigsegg to be as quick-shifting as they come. The rear-wheel steering this car boasts helps with managing downforce and drag, so – even though this is a powerful car – the driver is in control at all times. 

The Jesko Absolut reaches a top speed of 330 mph (or 531 km/h); as of now, we’re still left to wonder about the breathtaking acceleration stats this powerful car must produce.

14. Ferrari Pininfarina Sergio: $3 million

The Ferrari Pininfarina Sergio exists as a bit of a secret in the supercar world, in the sense that there are only six of them in existence, and it even had to get special approval before it was built. 

This is a car designed as a legacy, paying homage to the 60th anniversary of Sergio Pininfarina’s work with Ferrari. Based on the Ferrari Dino, the Pininfarina Sergio incorporates Dino’s smoothness and round shape in a modern-day uptake with a few cues from the 1970s and 1980s thrown in for good measure. 

Its extreme performance dynamics come powered by a naturally aspirated 4,497 cc V8 engine, while its good looks and aerodynamic design were chosen specifically to allow the engine to breathe.

13. Gordon Murray T.50: $3.08 million

The engineer of the McLaren F1, Gordon Murray, has been an exceptional automaker for fifty years. In his honor, Gordon Murray Automotive decided to build 100 road cars (and 25 track-only vehicles) for its anniversary hypercar. 

Billed by many as ‘the last great analog supercar’, the T.50 is built in an effort to help Gordon Murray invest in his brand. It also serves as an intended capstone, according to Murray – who has described the T.50 as “a bookend to the story of ultrafast internal-combustion cars.” 

Indeed, many auto houses are focusing on electric models, hybrids, and other sustainable initiatives. Murray acknowledged this by going out for one final hurrah – this vehicle.

It has a six-speed manual gearbox, a small, powerful, and naturally-aspirated V-12 engine, and (in a further homage to the McLaren F1) a traditional three-seat layout. The Gordon Murray T.50 has an impressive (claimed) top speed of 220 mph (354 km/h).

12. Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport: $3.3 million

The Bugatti Chiron is an impressive vehicle. But the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is just a little more aggressive: a car with a roar in its belly and an ability to bring all existing conversations to a standstill. Only 60 of these cars have ever been made, and each one comes with unique touches based on its owner’s preference. It’s also around $1 million more expensive than the standard Chiron. 

The Pur Sport describes itself as being the midpoint “where beast meets beauty” which seems like an accurate name for such a car. Designed not just to drive but to perform, it’s a sharp, balanced car just waiting to spring into action.

11. W Motors Lykan Hypersport: $3.4 million

The Lykan HyperSport is one of the most exclusive cars on the planet, which makes testing it a huge mission – let alone actually owning one. With seven Lykan HyperSports in the world, it’s fair to say this is a car that garners a lot of attention and rumors. Luckily, most of those rumors ended up being real, in a car with a list of awe-inspiring features that never seems to end. 

With a small cameo appearance in the Furious 7 (hence the choice to produce seven cars in total) and a quick glance via the Superbowl, the Arab world’s first supercar company wasn’t holding back with getting some good press coverage. If you weren’t sure just how expensive it is, keep in mind this car costs more than LaFerrari and McLaren P1 put together. 

10. Pagani Huayra BC Roadster: $3.5 million

The Pagani Huayra BC Roadster isn’t just impressive, it’s also seriously beautiful. A car that deserves admiring before you’ve even put your foot on the pedal, its good looks almost justify its extortionate price tag. 

The Pagani Huayra BC Roadster is a confident car, and one that’s more than tripled in price since it first sprung up on the market in 2011. Some of this car’s ridiculous speed comes from its makeup – a material even lighter than regular carbon fiber, called carbon-titanium HP62. 

Company founder and chief designer Horacio Pagani was reportedly directly responsible for the cool, classy colors inside each BC Roadster. And its name? The ‘BC’ is in reference to New York real estate mogul Benny Caiola, the first owner of a Zonda in the year 2000 and a friend of Horacio Pagani.

9. Lamborghini Sian: $3.6 million

Lamborghini Sian translates to Lamborghini “lightbolt” in Bolognese dialect, which should give you some idea as to what this supercar is capable of. Not only is it the most powerful Lamborghini ever made, but it’s also the most expensive. This limited edition hybrid supercar was sold to just 63 customers in total and comes with outrageous features to match. 

The Sian was designed to be the most customizable Lamborghini ever made, with every single color available to cover its carbon fiber body right through to its seats and interiors. It also easily reaches 0 – 60 mph in less than 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 217 mph. 

8. Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+: $5.7 million

At almost double the cost of the Jesko and the Murray T.50, Bugatti’s Chiron Super Sport 300+ provides speed and power alongside the beauty that truly makes a Bugatti a Bugatti. Under the hood of each car lies decades of expert craftsmanship and years of automotive artistry. Bugattis often go for several million – and Bugatti wants you to know that, feel that, every time you see one. 

The sinuous curves it wears on its sleek facade are futuristic; it gets a mind-bending 1,577 horsepower from a quad-turbocharged 8L W-16 motor. Years ago, this vehicle was the first to break the then-golden speed barrier of 300 mph (483 km/h) – and so, much like the most expensive car in the world, this Bugatti has a claim to fame that will never allow its value to depreciate. 

The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ accelerates from 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) in 2.4 seconds. It reaches a top speed of just over 300 mph, or 483 km/h; and, as a perk, does have a basic infotainment system that syncs with both Apple and Android products. 

7. Bugatti Divo: $6 million

Bugatti’s Chiron was such a success that the Divo, a car that closely follows it, has several similar features. However, the Divo is more exotic-looking – and much more exclusive. 

Only 40 Divos will be produced and sold. Each has already been spoken for. Its updates include a better suspension, a much lighter frame for increased speed, and a new dorsal fin. Inside, the Divo houses an 8.0L W-16 engine with four turbochargers. As a result, the Divo has 1500 horsepower, an acceleration of just over 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 2.4 seconds. 

Its top speed? 236 miles per hour (380 km/h). 

6. Bugatti Centodieci: $9 million

Bugatti’s 2022 Centodieci will be even more exclusive: Only ten of these luxurious hypercars will be sold. Each has found a happy buyer already, including football star Christiano Ronaldo, despite the high price.

Bugatti, already a brand known for unique bodywork and luxurious comfort features, has sought to give the Centodieci everything possible to make it memorable – and completely decadent. With a 1577-hp quad-turbo W-16, it may not be the fastest Bugatti currently on the road; but it is the quickest accelerating. 

With this car, Bugatti pays homage to the EB110 (or the ‘centodieci’), a supercar produced early in the ‘90s. That car didn’t quite have the timing to perform as it was hoped. 

This car will make up for that, bringing performance and luxury to spare. Bugatti has posted a claimed 0-62 mph (or just over 0-100 km/h) acceleration of 2.4 seconds. The Centodieci will have a top speed of 236 mph, or 379 km/h – distinctly less than the Chiron, but this hypercar makes up for it with its distinct modern aesthetic.

5. Rolls-Royce Sweptail: $13 million

The Rolls-Royce Sweptail wasn’t initially made for any specific reason: it was a request. A car that once took the title of the most expensive in the world, it’s a model that’s captured the hearts of all kinds of car fanatics across the planet. 

One of the best things about this car is its fusion of the old and the new: modern luxury combined with a hint of 1920s and ’30s glamour. We’re talking about characteristics from the classic Rolls-Royce silhouette combined with innovation and technology. Despite all we know about it, there’s one thing unknown: its owner. This one-off car truly is one of a kind. 

4. Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta: $17.6 million

The Zonda was the first car out of the Pagani Automobili auto house. Years ago, production should have ceased, favoring the Huayra; instead, Pagani has come out with many different special editions of the Zonda.

This, the Zonda HP Barchetta, was thus named – Barchetta – because, to Horatio Pagani, that’s what it resembled: in Italian, a ‘little boat’. Its frame is entirely formed of carbon fiber for an ultralight body and zippy, speedy feel; it’s blue-tinted, it has a minimized windshield, and it stands only some 21 inches tall (0.5 meters) at its tallest. 

Unfortunately, the Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta is also the most expensive car that you can’t buy. Only three vehicles were ever made of this unique, specific version of the Zonda. When last sold, one of these vehicles went for $17.6M. 

Its acceleration is 0-60 mph or 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. The Zonda HP Barchetta can reach a top speed of 220 miles per hour (355 km/h).

3. Bugatti La Voiture Noire: $18.7 million

In 2019, Bugatti made a brilliant branding decision when rolling out their latest supercar. Instead of a flashy introduction and name geared to thrill, the French manufacturer opted for a restrained, minimalistic, and instantly iconic title: La Voiture Noire. The Black Car. 

No other description is necessary. 

Going into details doesn’t interrupt the awe of this gorgeous vehicle with a sky-high price: It’s got a carbon-fiber shell that’s sculpted by hand, a quad-turbo W16 8.10L engine that produces 1500 horsepower, and an acceleration of 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) in 2.4 seconds. 

Its top speed is 260 mph (420 km/h), and its overall performance is precision-engineered by an auto house famous for producing the most powerful cars in the world for decades on end. 

2. Rolls-Royce Boat Tail: $28 million

The Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is proof that quantity and quality can walk together without overshadowing each other. This truly unique car was designed as a coach-built model, the first of three to be made. What does that mean? A bespoke vehicle, based on an existing framework. 

This one’s especially impressive as it features elements of a J-Class yacht as well as those of the original 1932 Boat Tail. The Rolls-Royce Boat Tail made its public debut at Italy’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in late 2021 and shows off with its 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 engine capable of 563 horsepower. It’s officially 2022’s most expensive new car in the world.

1. 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO: $70 million

Our 2022 final entrant is unchanged from 2021, and we’d be surprised if another car beats its position in 2023, either. So, for the most expensive car of all time, we’ll once again turn to history.

In 1964, the 250 GTO won the Tour de France Automobile – marking the ninth year in a row that Ferrari won that race. Only 36 of these cars were made between 1962 and 1963; the specific Ferrari that’s the most expensive in the world, at an unbelievable $70,000,000 price point, was victorious not only in the Tour de France, but it also placed in the Le Mans.

With a top speed of 174 miles per hour and an acceleration of 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) in 6.1 seconds, its stats wouldn’t stand up to the hypercars of the modern day. However, in the ‘60s, it was the fastest in the world – and, now, decades later, it remains the most expensive car in the world of all time by a long shot.

Some term this beautiful car the Picasso of the Motoring World; others, the Holy Grail of Ferraris. The current owners of the most expensive car of all time include American fashion designer Ralph Lauren, Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, and Jon A. Shirley, the former President and COO of Microsoft.

The ingredients of a luxury car

Have you ever thought about what goes into a luxury vehicle – that is, the practical difference between a budget car and higher-end alternatives? It’s easy to think that much of it is simply brand recognition and price. In the past, that might have been the answer. 

Now, auto manufacturers are stepping up their innovation. With initiatives such as sustainability, new tech such as electric-powered vehicles, and a renewed focus on the smooth, satisfying, and enjoyable experience of driving a high-end car – the latest and greatest luxury vehicles are truly creative works of art.

When considering the components of a luxury car, it’s crucial to realize the years of craftsmanship that led to each new generation of vehicles. When producing a high-end car, auto houses select fine materials thoughtfully; they employ the world’s best engineers to design the concept; they do their research to produce a truly sought-after style. 

Terminology: The terms to know when discussing luxury cars

When you’re talking about a high-end vehicle, there are just a few niche terms you’ll need to know: 

• Horsepower is a physical specification that can tell you just how much a car’s motor can do for you. It refers to the rate of the successful completion of movement as the output of a motor; early on in the automotive industry, the term was coined to reflect the number of horses a car’s motor might replace. (Hint: Almost always, more horsepower is going to be much, much better.)
• Torque, in physics, refers to ‘turning energy’, or the force behind a car’s wheels as they turn against the ground. If a car boasts high torque, you’ll have more of that rotational energy. This can help give your car a higher acceleration.
• Carbon fiber is one of the high-end materials du jour when it comes to very expensive cars. It’s light, which can help make a car go faster; it’s usually used for the exterior of an expensive vehicle.
• Synthetic suede is also known as Alcantara. It lends a supple, buttery feel to the interior of a luxury cabin, without the environmental impact often associated with natural suede. 

Methodology: How we select, test, and rank the best options on the market

We started our search for the most expensive cars in the world with a deep dive into records of automotive sales throughout the year (and around the globe). We even checked out historical records, adjusting the prices mentioned for inflation. The result? A long list of pedigreed, powerful supercars. We studied each in detail before selecting our final ranking of the most expensive cars of 2022.

Frequently asked questions about the most expensive cars of 2022

What are the 10 most expensive cars?

The top 10 most expensive cars are:Pagani Huayra: $3.5 millionLamborghini Sian: $3.6 millionBugatti Chiron Super Sport: $5.7 millionBugatti Divo: $6 millionBugatti Centodieci: $9 millionRolls-Royce Sweptail: $13 millionPagani Zonda: $17.6 millionBugatti La Voiture Noire: $18.7 millionRolls-Royce Boat Tail: $28 million1963 Ferrari 250 GTO: $70 million

Our full list details all of the most expensive cars of 2022.