Where premium automakers' opulent sedans and station wagons once commanded the road, a vast selection of compact and midsize SUVs has moved in to take their place. The new car market today is thoroughly dominated by SUVs—luxury or otherwise—even if they're not exactly the most economical way to get from point A to point B. Add in leather seating, LED lighting, and a BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Cadillac badge, and the price climbs even higher.
Hunting down a new luxury SUV that fits within a realistic budget can feel like a losing battle, given the premium these brands typically command. But if you're willing to buy used with some miles already logged, you could walk away with a genuinely exceptional deal. Let the original owner take the depreciation hit so you don't have to.
Browse our roundup of the best used luxury SUVs before you set foot in a dealership. We've deliberately excluded high-end trims from mainstream brands like Toyota, Volkswagen, Buick, Honda, and Chevrolet, keeping the focus squarely on genuine premium-brand models that deliver outstanding quality, features, and safety. Several even offer respectable off-road capability and solid EPA fuel economy ratings. Here are the top picks worth your time.
Best for: Buyers wanting a popular and sporty crossover
The latest Acura MDX is a thoroughly impressive luxury midsize SUV. It's sharper looking and more rewarding to drive than the model it replaced, thanks in large part to an all-new platform and comprehensively upgraded technology. That said, after sitting out the 2021 model year ahead of its 2022 redesign, current-generation MDX inventory on the used market is still relatively limited. Fortunately, the previous-generation MDX is nearly as strong a choice in the luxury SUV space. And since it holds the distinction of being the best-selling three-row midsize SUV of all time, tracking one down to match your budget shouldn't be a challenge.
Older MDX models share the same naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 found in the current generation. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and available in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), the MDX delivers confident straight-line performance and surprisingly agile handling through bends. Cargo space behind the third row stands at 15.8 cubic feet, but fold both rear rows flat and that figure expands to an impressive 90.9 cubic feet. Combine that versatility with the AcuraWatch suite of driver assistance technology, and the MDX makes a compelling case for anyone shopping for a lightly used luxury SUV.
Best for: Buyers who want German luxury with great technology
Find an Audi Q7 within your budget from the 2013 model year or later, and you're in for a rewarding combination of understated elegance and cutting-edge technology. The Q7 doesn't clamor for attention the way some large SUVs do—instead, it does what Audi does best, exuding quiet confidence and sophistication. From the iconic four-ring grille badge to the oversized tailpipes seamlessly integrated into the rear bumper, the Q7 commands the road without ever veering into ostentatious territory. We'd choose it over its Porsche Cayenne platform-mate without hesitation.
Step inside a newer 2020 model and you'll encounter a significant technology leap anchored by Audi's Multi-Media Interface dual touchscreen setup. These two stacked center-mounted screens look genuinely striking and handle everything from navigation and audio to climate control inputs. Interior dimensions are generous throughout, especially for front-seat occupants, making the Q7 a particularly comfortable choice for taller drivers and passengers.
Opt for the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 mild-hybrid engine and you get one of the most well-balanced packages in the luxury SUV segment. If fuel efficiency and strong towing capacity rank higher on your priority list, the 2013-2015 3.0-liter turbodiesel Q7 TDI is absolutely worth seeking out.
Best for: Buyers who want real muscle with their luxury SUV
BMW's original SUV remains one of its very best, even as the automaker's lineup has expanded considerably around it. Recent model years brought meaningful updates—from the latest driver assistance technologies to genuinely powerful engine options—yet the X5 has always stayed true to its core identity as a refined, comfortable, and legitimately engaging SUV to drive. Go back far enough in model years and you'll find well-maintained, high-mileage examples at bargain prices, but the 2018 model year is the sweet spot we're highlighting here. Equipped with a strong roster of advanced driver assistance features—including blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning—it's a package that still feels entirely current.
The 2018 BMW X5 came standard with a spirited turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Add premium infotainment tech like a 10.2-inch touchscreen and a nine-speaker audio system, and the X5 makes a compelling case in the sub-$50,000 used market. Move up to higher trim levels and you'll encounter the ferocious X5 M, which packs a 567-horsepower twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 and a sport-tuned suspension. Whatever configuration you land on, the X5 is a dependable family hauler that's more than capable of delivering a genuine thrill when the moment calls for it.
Best for: Shoppers who value reliability and cargo space
The Infiniti QX60 has been a mainstay of the luxury SUV segment for well over a decade, preceded for one year (2013) by the JX nameplate. With such an extensive production run, the used market is generously stocked with three-row examples spanning a wide range of price points. Attractively styled and offering abundant cargo space alongside a solid lineup of premium features, a used QX60 is a smart pick for buyers who refuse to sacrifice practicality for technology—or vice versa.
Older Infiniti interiors may not deliver the same visual drama as some of their competitors, but they remain comfortable, intuitive, and easy to live with. Even earlier QX60 models can be found equipped with desirable features like a surround-view camera and easy-fold rear seats. From a reliability standpoint, the QX60's 3.5-liter V6 engine skips turbocharging in favor of natural aspiration, and its lengthy production history has helped it earn a well-deserved reputation as a durable and dependable powerplant.
Best for: Drivers wanting an engaging, sporty crossover
The F-Pace was Jaguar's first foray into the crossover segment, and even from its earliest days it offered a sporty, driver-focused experience with a great deal to recommend it. The 2018 model year marked its second year on sale, and that year brought a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine to complement the existing turbocharged diesel and supercharged V6. Add in the F-Pace's sleek exterior design and beautifully crafted interior, and you have a package that's genuinely hard to resist.
The base four-cylinder produces 247 hp, the V6 steps things up to 380 hp, and the diesel delivers 180 hp. For those craving something with true muscle-car energy, the supercharged V8-powered SVR generates 550 hp and a massive 502 lb-ft of torque. Every variant benefits from a smooth and precise eight-speed automatic gearbox. The F-Pace trails some rivals in outright cargo capacity, but its car-like driving dynamics and potent engine lineup put it in a category of its own.
Buyers seeking the ultimate F-Pace experience should seek out the Portfolio trim for the 2018 model year, which elevated the cabin's luxury credentials considerably. Highlights include pleated Windsor leather upholstery, a head-up display, 20-inch wheels, and more. Originally priced well above $60,000 when new, depreciation has since brought the F-Pace Portfolio into far more accessible territory.
Best for: Buyers wanting an upscale, exclusive vehicle
If your ideal vehicle can tackle mud, rocks, and sand just as comfortably as it turns heads at a formal event, the Range Rover Sport belongs at the very top of your list. Like many premium European models, Range Rovers tend to depreciate sharply in their early years, which makes them an outstanding used-market proposition a few years on. The 2018 Range Rover Sport received a revised infotainment system and several worthwhile refinements that make it a particularly compelling used option today.
Slightly more compact than the full-size Range Rover, the Sport still offers more than enough space to keep a family of four comfortable on extended road trips. The updated infotainment system features a dual-screen layout that's as visually impressive as it is functional. Standard amenities including leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and Bluetooth connectivity all contribute to the Range Rover Sport's unmistakable sense of occasion—something very few vehicles in any segment can genuinely replicate.
For 2018, four powertrains were available, each capable and rewarding in its own way. The entry-level engine is a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 340 hp, rising to 380 hp in HSE Dynamic trim. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 is also on offer, delivering 254 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. Moving up, a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 generates 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. At the pinnacle sits an even more potent supercharged V8 rated at 575 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque. Every powertrain is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Best for: Buyers who value reliability and usability over all else
The Lexus RX is one of the founding figures of the luxury crossover SUV segment, having been a fixture on American roads for two decades. Even so, successive generations have kept pace with evolving tastes in both style and performance. While Lexus has historically taken a measured approach to adopting new technology, the features it does include are consistently well-executed and dependable. The 2019 RX received a mid-cycle refresh that sharpened its already distinctive exterior, but the 2018 model represents an excellent value sweet spot. The RX won't win any drag races or canyon carving contests, but its projected reliability ratings are exceptional and used examples are plentiful across a wide range of budgets.
Two powertrains were offered for the 2018 model year: a strong V6 gas engine and a fuel-efficient hybrid. The 3.5-liter V6 in the RX 350 produces 295 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX 450h uses a slightly detuned version of the same V6, combined with electric motors for a total system output of 259 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, routed through a continuously variable transmission. Gas models are front-wheel drive with available AWD, while hybrid models come standard with AWD.
The 2018 RX was also available in an F Sport configuration, which added an adaptive suspension, revised steering calibration, and more aggressive exterior styling—all while retaining the same powertrain. Across every trim level, the 2018 RX arrived well equipped as standard, featuring premium synthetic leather, 18-inch wheels, and more. Every 2018 RX variant earned a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS.
Best for: Drivers who want equal (and ample) parts comfort and performance
Lincoln revived the Aviator nameplate for the 2020 model year, bringing it back after the original was discontinued following the 2005 model year. The models that bridged the gap—the Lincoln MKX and Lincoln MKT—never quite managed to stir genuine excitement, though the latter did cultivate a modest cult following. The reborn 2020 Aviator is an entirely different story. For starters, it's a genuinely beautiful vehicle, particularly inside. Its cabin is defined by supremely comfortable seating and a seamlessly integrated technology suite, making it equally enjoyable on quick urban errands and long highway journeys.
Under the hood, Lincoln fitted a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque—more than enough motivation for confident highway merging and effortless passing. Step up to the Grand Touring trim and a plug-in hybrid system enters the picture, lifting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, adding 21 miles of all-electric range, and returning 23 mpg combined. Lincoln may not carry the same global prestige as BMW or Mercedes-Benz, but with the Aviator back in the lineup, the American brand has a three-row luxury crossover that can genuinely go toe-to-toe with the best Europe has to offer.
Best for: Buyers wanting plenty of choice and top-tier luxury features
The used luxury SUV market under $40,000 is packed with strong contenders, but one stands above the rest as the most well-rounded option. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE left the factory loaded with standard equipment, a first-rate interior, and capable powertrains across the range. It's also a handsome vehicle, with restrained, sophisticated styling that lives up to the three-pointed star on its hood. The 2018 GLE also performed impressively in safety evaluations, earning a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Depending on your priorities, the GLE lineup spans from the GLE 350—powered by a 302-hp 3.5-liter V6—all the way up to a high-performance AMG variant packing up to 577 hp from a hand-built twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8. AMG models naturally command a premium over their more restrained siblings, but for buyers who want serious performance, that added cost is easy to justify. Even in their most aggressive AMG configurations, these GLEs deliver a composed ride, polished infotainment, and a comprehensive safety feature set. The GLE was also offered in a coupe body style, set apart by its sweeping roofline and sculpted silhouette.
Best for: Buyers wanting a stylish, unique premium vehicle
The midsize Volvo XC60 may not be the most attention-grabbing entry on this list, but it brings exactly the right qualities to earn its spot. Volvo's mid-range SUV is capable, comfortable, and exceptionally safe, creating a serene driving environment that few rivals can come close to matching. The Swedish brand has long possessed a gift for crafting interiors that feel simultaneously minimalist and welcoming—a distinctly Scandinavian interpretation of luxury—and the 2018 XC60 is a prime expression of that philosophy. Every element of the cabin is designed to make driving as safe and effortless as possible, from the large central infotainment display and digital instrument cluster to the deeply supportive seats, all working in harmony to keep the driver relaxed, informed, and in control.
Three powertrain options were available for the 2018 XC60: a 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, a supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder producing 316 hp, and a plug-in hybrid variant combining a turbocharged and supercharged engine with an electric motor for a total system output of 400 hp. An eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD complete the package. Like the Mercedes-Benz GLE, the 2018 XC60 earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS.
Why should I buy a used luxury SUV instead of a new one?
Luxury SUVs depreciate steeply in their first few years, which works strongly in favor of used buyers. By letting the original owner absorb that initial drop in value, you can access premium features — think leather seating, advanced driver assistance tech, and a prestige badge — at a significantly lower price than you'd pay new.
Which used luxury SUVs are the most reliable?
The Lexus RX and INFINITI QX60 are the standout reliability picks on this list. The RX carries Lexus's long-standing reputation for dependability, while the QX60's naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 — which avoids the added complexity of turbocharging — has built a strong track record for durability across its lengthy production run.
Which used luxury SUVs have the best safety ratings?
Both the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE and the 2018 Volvo XC60 earned the IIHS's highest honor, a "Top Safety Pick+" designation, making either a strong choice for safety-focused buyers. The 2018 Lexus RX also performed well, with every variant earning a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS that year.
What is the best used luxury SUV if I want performance and everyday comfort?
The Lincoln Aviator and BMW X5 are the top picks for buyers who don't want to choose between power and refinement. The Aviator's twin-turbocharged V6 delivers 400 hp in standard form — rising to 494 hp in the plug-in hybrid Grand Touring trim — while the BMW X5 M pushes the performance envelope further still with a 567-hp twin-turbocharged V8.
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The CarGurus market data used in this guide was last updated in July 2026. Values were accurate at time of publication and should be used as a guide only.
Chris is an automotive journalist covering new vehicle reveals, news, and technology. He loves digging into the details to tell entertaining and informative stories.
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