5 Luxury SUVs That Depreciated Into Honda Civic Price Territory
Depreciation is your best friend when it comes to buying used cars. The price of a brand-new economy car ranges between $22,000 and $26,000 and in a few years these cars will become used and can easily be gotten for less than $20,000 in good shape. But they’re still economy cars with plastic everywhere, cloth seats, a small infotainment system, and basic features for everyday use. They are sensible, reliable, and easy to maintain, but they are still just economy cars. But what if you wanted a luxury vehicle for the price of these used economy cars?
Today, a handful of luxury SUVs have quietly lost nearly two-thirds of their original value in just five years. They haven’t been wrecked, and they aren’t mechanical nightmares sitting in salvage yards. They have simply ridden the brutal, uncompromising wave of depreciation from the first-owner straight down into the price territory of a lightly used Honda Civic. While the rest of the market settles for average commuter cars, a few savvy buyers want more for their money. These buyers are driving home in German and British luxury cars for under $22,000, and most people would think they paid way more.
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Infiniti QX80 (2020–2021)
74% Depreciation
- Original MSRP Range: $69,000 – $83,300
- Current Used Price Range: $19,500 – $22,000
The Infiniti QX80 is the heavyweight champion of this list, both literally and figuratively. When new, this massive, body-on-frame SUV was aimed squarely at the Cadillac Escalade and the Lincoln Navigator. It had a commanding view of the road, a roaring 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower, and a towing capacity that rivaled light-duty pickup trucks. With three-row seats, it is the perfect SUV for someone with a large family that needs a capable luxury SUV.
The reason it shed nearly 74% of its value to the $20,000 mark isn’t because it is unreliable; in fact, the naturally aspirated V8 and traditional seven-speed automatic transmission are incredibly robust. Instead, the QX80 suffered because its interior tech felt dated compared to its German rivals. This car had been on sale since 2011 with a facelift in 2018, so it was showing its age, and its thirsty engine scared away casual commuters. If you can overlook a slightly retro infotainment setup and 14 MPG around town, you are getting an absolute tank. The interior has semi-aniline leather, a whisper-quiet cabin, and enough room to haul seven adults in complete comfort for less than a base Civic.
8 Extremely Reliable Luxury Sedans On The Used Market Under $20K
Reliable luxury sedans under $20K still exist, and these eight models are some of the best on the used market.
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Range Rover Velar (2020–2022)
72% Depreciation
- Original MSRP Range: $56,300 – $76,900
- Current Used Price Range: $19,000 – $22,000
If you want sheer, unadulterated curb appeal, nothing on this list touches the Range Rover Velar; the badge alone speaks for itself. When Land Rover introduced the Velar, it won world car design awards in 2018 as the “World’s Most Beautiful Car” and it certainly looks the part. It has a sleek, low-slung exterior profile with flush-deploying door handles and an ultra-minimalist, dual-touchscreen interior. It looked like a concept car that went straight into production. Now, Land Rover vehicles are notorious for steep depreciation, primarily driven by the fear of complex electronics out of warranty. Most people who buy them new let them go after a 2–3-year lease or as soon as the warranty is over. This fear is your leverage.
By targeting a 2020–2022 model with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and ensuring the vehicle has a documented service history, you can acquire one of the most stunning automotive designs of the decade for under $22,000. It has adjustable air suspension, an incredible terrain management system, and a cabin that feels like a high-end Nordic lounge, making your coworker’s brand-new economy sedan look completely invisible by comparison.
3
Lincoln Aviator (2020–2022)
70% Depreciation
- Original MSRP Range: $51,100 – $78,700
- Current Used Price Range: $17,500 – $22,000
The Lincoln Aviator represents the absolute pinnacle of American luxury revival. Unlike Lincolns of old, which were often criticized for just being rebranded Fords, the Aviator was built on a sophisticated, rear-wheel-drive platform shared with no economy cars. It has a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 as standard, pushing out 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The interior of high-trim Aviators (like the Reserve) features 30-way adjustable “Perfect Position” seats with massage functions, a Revel Ultima 28-speaker audio system, and chime alerts recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. These are all hallmark features of a premium luxury SUV.
Early 2019 models suffered from minor electronic glitches and software issues that required dealership visits, which heavily weighed on used car values. Now that those early software bugs have largely been ironed out via factory updates, later 2020 models do not even have that issue. Buying a used Aviator today means getting a mid-size luxury powerhouse that can keep up with entry-level sports cars while delivering luxury on par with high-end European imports for a fraction of its original sticker price.
2
Mercedes-Benz GLB (2020–2022)
54% Depreciation
- Original MSRP Range: $36,600 – $50,000
- Current Used Price Range: $18,500 – $21,500
The Mercedes-Benz GLB was introduced as an entry-level luxury vehicle for the brand. It was designed with the boxy, rugged, upright styling of the legendary G-Wagen, much like the GLK before it, but in a compact, urban-friendly footprint. Because its original MSRP started in the high $30,000s, its depreciation curve into the $20,000s means you are getting a modern, tech-filled Mercedes-Benz that is still highly relevant. The GLB features the striking Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) widescreen cockpit, customizable ambient lighting that looks like a high-end nightclub at night, and optional tiny third-row seats.
It drives with the planted confidence you expect from a German-engineered vehicle, powered by a punchy 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that also returns good fuel economy. It’s an incredibly smart buy because it is a Mercedes, and the public still perceives it as an expensive, modern luxury vehicle, completely unaware that you paid less for it than a used economy hatchback.
10 Ridiculously Reliable Mercedes SUVs Hiding On The Used Market
These 10 used Mercedes SUVs combine reliability, performance, and value—ranked by real-world data, J.D. Power, and RepairPal scores.
1
Volvo XC40 (2020–2022)
52% Depreciation
- Original MSRP Range: $33,700 – $44,750
- Current Used Price Range: $17,500 – $20,000
Rounding out our list is the Volvo XC40, another entry-luxury masterpiece that has aged beautifully. Volvo took a creative, youthful approach with the XC40, giving it a distinct Scandinavian design, a contrasting roof, and an interior focused heavily on smart storage solutions, including a trash bin built into the center console and hooks that fold out of the glove compartment to hold takeout bags. Volvo was set on building a practical luxury car.
Beyond the clever design, you are buying into Volvo’s world-renowned safety cage engineering and their Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system as standard equipment. These are features you will never get in that used economy car. With a depreciation drop of just over 50%, the XC40 sits comfortably in the sub-$20,000 range. It is the perfect choice for someone who wants luxury, comfort, cutting-edge safety features, and a functional but minimalist interior without the aggressive styling or flashy pretense of other luxury brands.
Sources: Infiniti, Land Rover, Lincoln, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz
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