Most Expensive Cars in the World (2025 Edition)

Top 5 Most Expensive Cars in the World (2025)

Instead of simply providing a single answer to “What is the most expensive car in the world?”, this blog has a list of 5 cars that top the list. So, which are the most expensive cars in the world as of 2025, and what makes them worth their price tag? Here is a brief list: 

Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail 

Costing $32 million and translating to ‘The Black Rose’ from French to English, the La Rose Noire Droptail is one of Rolls-Royce’s finest creations, a bespoke 2-seater with not only a powerful engine but intricate designs that make it a piece of art. 

With a 6.75L twin-turbo V12 engine, this is one of the 4 cars in the company’s Coachbuild program, with its design being inspired by the Black Baccara rose. The car design is impeccable, with curved panels and doors, abstract motifs, and parquetry featuring 1603 pieces of black sycamore veneer; it would look as if the car has rose petals falling on it. It is also adorned by a detachable Audemars Piguet timepiece, which was specially designed for the car. 

Rolls-Royce Boat Tail

Costing a whopping $28 million and equipped with a 6.75L V12 engine, with the capacity of accelerating from 0 to 62mph in just 5 seconds, the Boat Tail is a beast that is second to none. 

Inspired by nautical elements and, well, boats, the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is designed specifically to draw inspiration from the luxury yachts of he early 90s. Its 1,813 bespoke auto parts comprise unique elements, including rotating cocktail tables. Matching stool seats, a complete Christofle tableware set, and a parasol that extends from its rear deck, resembling a blooming flower. Its Bose sound system is ingenious, designed to use the car’s floor as a resonance chamber, creating a holistic auditory experience.

Buggati La Voiture Noire

Buggati’s La Voiture Noire is not only one of the most expensive cars in the world, but it is also the most expensive car sold under the company banner, costing $19 million. Featuring a 16-cylinder engine with a rich, carbon fibre body and Bugatti’s iconic front grille, the La Voiture Noire takes only 2.4 seconds to reach a speed of 62mph and has a maximum speed capacity of 261mph. 

The W16 engine with 6 tailpipes makes this car a highly speedy one. It's crafted with Havana Brown grain leather interiors, polished aluminium accents, and a rosewood drive mode selector, making it one of the most luxurious and expensive cars in the world.

Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta 

Costing $17 million, the iconic Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta is another addition to the list of most expensive cars for sale. With a 7.3L and naturally aspirated V12 engine, it boasts a six-speed manual gearbox and a 12-cylinder AMG engine too. 

Technological evolution is the cornerstone of this particular car, as it continues upgrading its car and integrating the newest technical innovations into it. The car was made by none other than Horacio Pagani himself, and took 18 long years to be completed. 

SP Automotive Chaos 

One of the more recent additions to the most expensive cars in the world, the SP Automotive Chaos is also dubbed by people as the ‘ultracar’, boasting a 4.0L V10 engine with 3,000 horsepower and an astounding 12,000 RPM. This means that within just 1.8 seconds, the car goes from 0 to 62mph, and can reach a top speed of 310mph, making it one of the fastest cars in the world. 

About 15-20 of these cars are made and sold annually, and it stands out due to its precision-engineered auto components, many of which have been engineered utilising aerospace-grade 3D printing technology. 

The Most Expensive Classic Cars Ever Sold at Auction

What is the best place to find the most expensive cars for sale? An auction. Here is a list of the most expensive cars that were sold at auctions.

Alfa Romeo 8C 2900

This car was not only one of the most expensive cars one could buy before World War 2, it was also one of the fastest. Called the ‘Rolling Masterpiece’ because of its speed and elegance, the Alfa Romeo 8C was sold for $18.56 million at an auction in 2019. 

Ferrari 275 GTB/C

This was a competition variant of Ferrari’s famed 275 GTB series. Only 3 of these variants were built for a racing competition in the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans. finished in a metallic dark gray colour, this sold for $26.4 million in 2014.  

Mercedes-Benz W196

The Mercedes-Benz W196 is famed to have won the 1954 and 1955 Formula 1 seasons, winning 9 of the 12 races. The W196 was the first to win at the 1954 French Grand Prix and was not bound to a museum or a collection, making it one of the most expensive cars for sale at a price of $29.6 million during an auction. 

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe”

The all-time record-buster car, the 300 SLR of Mercedes, went on to become one of the most expensive cars at an auction, where it sold for $142 million. This entire amount went to the Mercedes-Benz fund. 

What Makes a Car Truly the Most Expensive in the World?

Having discussed the most expensive cars in the world, let us understand what factors truly make a car expensive and luxurious. These factors include the car-maker’s legacy, the cost of the materials, production scale, and more. 

• Car-maker: The legacy of the car manufacturer is of utmost importance. When people think of expensive cars, they immediately think of brands such as Buggati, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, and more. The more prestigious the brand, the more expensive the car. 

• Material cost: Some of the most expensive cars are made with high-cost materials such as titanium, platinum, carbon fibres, and more. The use of high-cost materials inevitably drives up the sale price of a car. 

• Production: When it comes to expensive cars, the fewer the number of cars sold of a particular collection, the more valuable they are. Many expensive cars are either the only models made or one of the few models engineered by the company. 

Emerging Trends in Ultra-Luxury Cars (2025)

For luxury car enthusiasts, remaining abreast of the latest trends in the market is of utmost importance. In 2025, here are 3 trends that are taking over the expansive and luxury cars market. 

Electric hypercars

The EV buzz is here to stay, and today, some of the most expensive cars in the world are powered by electricity. Electric hypercars combine sustainability and zero carbon emissions with technological prowess and innovation, and are the pinnacle of modern-day engineering. 

Examples of electric hypercars include:

• Aspark Owl 

• Rimac Nevera 

• Pininfarina Battista 

Customisation & personalisation in luxury cars

Everyone loves something that is tailored to their tastes, and luxury car makers have understood that. Many luxury cars today come with custom furnishings and fittings according to the buyer’s requirements. Whether this is a more powerful engine or intricate interiors, there is a wide scope of personalisation and customisation that can be done on luxury cars. 

Investment potential of limited-edition supercars

Limited-edition supercars are already in high demand due to limited stock and availability. For those who find thrills in speed, limited-edition supercars make for highly expensive but worth the price tag due to their high capital appreciation potential. Examples of limited-edition supercars include:

• McLaren Speedtail 

• Maserati MC20 

• Aston Martin DBS 

Conclusion

From multi-million-dollar hypercars to record-breaking classics sold at auction, the most expensive cars in the world represent far more than speed or engineering, they embody rarity, craftsmanship, and prestige. Whether it’s the $142 million Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe” or the bespoke Rolls-Royce Droptail, each car tells a story of exclusivity and investment value.

For those asking what is the most expensive car in the world, the answer continues to evolve, but one thing remains constant: these exceptional machines are symbols of personal taste and financial strength.

As luxury car trends in 2025 push boundaries with electric hypercars, personalised interiors, and limited-edition runs, demand is rising not just for expensive cars, but for assets that hold long-term value. For those seeking a lifestyle that matches the power and precision of their vehicle, the next frontier isn’t just the road — it’s the home.

Luxury Homes & Lifestyle to Match

If you appreciate the artistry behind a hand-built V12 or the value of a one-of-a-kind chassis, you'll understand that a true luxury lifestyle doesn’t stop at the garage door.

Much like the most expensive cars in the world, Dubai’s prime properties offer rarity, return potential, and iconic design. From waterfront mansions to penthouses above the clouds, Engel & Völkers Private Office is your trusted partner in finding luxury homes that reflect your distinct style — and drive. Explore our exclusive portfolio today.