Buying New Isn’t Always The Answer — Here’s When A Used Car Makes More Sense

12 minutes reading

Sunday, 9 Aug 2026 15:00 0 5 autotech

Buying a new vehicle, whether that be a sedan, SUV, or truck, has never been more expensive. You might get the newest and shiniest, but it is not always the smartest way to spend your money. Between steep depreciation, rising prices, and tricky financing, many of today’s used vehicles deliver the same performance, comfort, and tech for a fraction of the price. The used market has become a great place to shop.

Why Buying New Isn’t Always The Best Financial Decision

Profile action shot of 2021 BMW X5 PHEV driving on road

BMW

The biggest downside of buying a new vehicle isn’t generally reliability or lack of technology; it is generally depreciation. The moment a new vehicle leaves the dealership, it starts losing value (unless you buy something collectible or very special), and that drop is often the steepest during the first few years. Letting someone else absorb that initial hit can sometimes make more financial sense than buying something new and taking the hit yourself.

Depreciation Means New Cars Lose Value The Fastest

Front 3/4 shot of 2023 Ford Mustang Mach 1 parked on track

Then there are performance cars. Unless we have more than the budget for one, it is generally a difficult conversation about whether buying something like a Ford Mustang GT will pay dividends. According to CarEdge, the Mustang can lose up to 57 percent of its value in the first five years. That means you can buy a 2021 Mustang GT with its 460-horsepower naturally aspirated 5.0-liter Coyote V8, pony car kudos, and 155 mph top speed for around $32,500 today.

For a new vehicle today, that kind of money would get you a 2026 Camry SE. For most of the market, the same kind of principle applies. Technology in new models improves quickly, warranties start to run out, mileage creeps up, and the original shine has worn off. Not great for new buyers; great for used buyers.

A Smart Used Purchase Can Offer Better Long-Term Value

Front 3/4 action shot of 2022 Honda Accord driving on road

Choosing the right used vehicle isn’t just about saving money upfront, though; it is about getting the most value over the years you own it. Models with strong reliability records, readily available parts, and proven drivetrains tend to keep ownership costs predictable while still validating the decision to forgo the newest model.

A well-maintained used Honda Accord makes for a great used buy; prices are never especially high to begin with, but thanks to some depreciation, strong engineering, and exceptional fuel economy, it strikes a good balance. If you want something bigger, models like the Mazda CX-5 strike an equally impressive balance.

Front 3/4 action shot of 2017 Mazda CX-5 driving on road

A used CX-5 gets you premium materials, strong reliability, and engaging handling for its class at a price that is often thousands of dollars less than a comparable new SUV. If you buy carefully, a used vehicle can deliver more than just saving money on up-front costs.

The 2022 Lexus RX 450h Is The Perfect Example Of A Smart Used Buy

Front 3/4 shot of 2022 Lexus RX 450h parked on road

Bearing this all in mind, the 2022 Lexus RX 450h is the used luxury SUV you should be looking for. The Lexus RX continues to be one of the Japanese marque’s finest models and still sells in the tens of thousands each year.

A 2026 RX model means you get calm luxury in the cabin, combined mpg ratings that range from 36 in the hybrid and up to 85 MPGe in the PHEV flavor, high rates of reliability, and touchscreen sizes up to 14 inches. It is not the most expensive Lexus in 2026, and it does get the job done, but for a lot of us, something is missing: engine feel.

The Final V6 Hybrid Lexus RX Sold In The U.S.

Close-up shot of 2022 Lexus RX 450h engine bay showing V6

The 2022 RX 450h was the final model year to offer a V6 under the hood. In the 2022 model, the 3.5-liter naturally aspirated 2GR-FXS V6 paired with three electric motors, with power routed through an e-CVT, produces 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. That translates to 0–60 mph times of between seven and 7.9 seconds.

The 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four hybrid in the 2026 RX 500h F SPORT Performance trim is far more powerful (366 horsepower/406 pound-feet) and can get you to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, but you do give up a bit of character from the V, and it will cost you at least $68,450 to buy.

On paper, the newer powertrain wins every time. In the real world, though, the naturally aspirated V6 has character that is becoming rare. You get linear precision and smooth power delivery that can’t be replicated by smaller turbocharged engines, even those used by Lexus. The evolution of turbo tech has ensured that modern turbo-fours deliver power and efficiency, but they do trade some character for outright performance.

Also, despite having a V6 paired with the hybrid rig instead of a turbo-four, the 2022 RX 450h is still efficient. The most efficient 2026 RX is the 350h, which can achieve 36 combined mpg, while the most powerful RX 500h can achieve 27 combined mpg. According to FuelEconomy.gov, the 2022 RX 450h can achieve 30 combined mpg (31 mpg city/28 mpg highway).

A Proven Luxury SUV That Has Already Taken Its Biggest Depreciation Hit

Rear 3/4 action shot of 2022 Lexus RX 450h driving on road

The 2022 RX 450h was originally offered in the following trims: the 450h, the 450hL, the 450h F SPORT, the 450h F SPORT Handling, and the RX 450hL Luxury. Original starting prices were between $47,795 for the base trim and $59,185 for the 450hL Luxury. Lexus models are renowned for holding their value, and according to iSeeCars, the RX 450h also does very well, with a value retention rating of 8.4 out of 10.

However, prices are still appealingly low for what you get. The average used price for the base-trim 450h is $38,500; for the 450hL, $40,000; for the 450h F SPORT, $40,000; $40,500 for the 450h F SPORT HANDLING; and $43,100 for the 450hL Luxury. This makes for a value depreciation rate of between 19.4% and 27.2 percent in the first four years.

What Makes The 2022 Lexus RX 450h A Better Buy Than A New SUV

Front 3/4 action shot of 2022 Lexus RX 450h driving on road

Prices may not have decreased at the same rate as some of the worst luxury SUVs at holding their value, but the price reduction is still preferable to paying new-car money and shows that there is still inherent value in a 2022 RX 450h. According to CarEdge, the RX 450h will depreciate by just 41 percent in the first five years and by around 60 percent over 10 years. As we are now approaching the five-year-old mark for the 2022 RX 450h, we could be coming up to the real sweet spot for buying one.

To put this into perspective, another luxury SUV like the Audi Q5 will depreciate by up to 54 percent in the first five years and by up to around 75 percent over 10 years. That is good for used buyers, but there are bigger reasons why so much value is shed from some of its rivals.

Lexus Reliability And Lower Ownership Costs

Close-up shot of 2022 Lexus RX 450h rear badge

At the heart of what makes the 2022 RX 450h such a compelling used luxury SUV is the fact that it benefits from the Takumi mastery and Lexus-grade reliability that has set it apart from much of the luxury SUV market. J.D. Power rates the 2022 RX 88 out of 100 for reliability, while owners who left a review on Kelley Blue Book rate it 4.5 out of 5 for reliability, with 73 percent of the 149 owners recommending buying one.

This kind of bulletproof reputation goes a long way in both retaining value (good for resale) and helping to ease luxury SUV ownership costs over the long term. Edmunds estimates that it will cost you between $67,762 and $73,051 to own a 2022 RX 450h over five years. This includes maintenance costs of between $10,465 and $10,629, and repair costs of $3,989. Something like the 2022 X3 will cost you $11,690 for maintenance and up to $10,181 for repairs over the same time; that’s before stepping into M territory as well.

Thanks to its solid fuel efficiency, FuelEconomy.gov also estimates manageable fuel costs. FuelEconomy.gov estimates it will cost you $4.13 to drive 25 miles, $85 to fill the 17.2-gallon tank, and $2,500 a year for gas. This works out to spending approximately $1,750 more on gas over five years compared to the average modern vehicle.

For its luxury breeding, the 2022 RX 450h is also reasonably affordable to insure. Edmunds says it will cost you between $8,458 and $8,596 to insure over five years. This is an average; your driving record, where you live, and how much you drive will make a difference.

Premium Features Without The New-Car Price Tag

Shot of 2022 Lexus RX 450h interior showing front cabin

Close-up shot of 2022 Lexus RX 450h interior showing gear shifter and central console

Then there is the main draw of buying a luxury SUV: its interior. The 2022 RX 450h may be a few years old, but it does not feel dated inside. All the trims are well-equipped, with the entry-level trim getting NuLuxe-trimmed seats, dual-zone climate control, a power liftgate, power-adjustable front seats, and Lexus Safety System+ 2.0.

The RX 450hL adds a third row of seats if you need a bit more flexibility, while the F SPORT models are equipped with deeply bolstered sport seats, aluminum pedals, bespoke instrumentation, and exclusive interior trim. The F SPORT Handling models build on that with adaptive suspension, the Sport S+ drive mode, and a sharper electric steering setup that still provides the refinement the RX is known for.

Shot of 2022 Lexus RX 450h interior showing rear seats

At the top of the trims is the RX 450hL Luxury, and it is properly plush. It gets semi-aniline leather upholstery, genuine wood trim, ambient lighting, a panoramic glass roof, heated and ventilated seats, and a color HUD. Throughout the lineup, the technology has also aged gracefully, with an available 12.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, built-in navigation, wireless charging, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. Buying used here certainly doesn’t mean getting yesterday’s luxury; it means getting real luxury equipment for today’s mainstream SUV money.

The Last V6 Lexus RX Could Hold Its Appeal For Years To Come

Profile shot of 2022 Lexus RX 450h parked on road

The thing about a good used SUV is that it doesn’t need to be overly ostentatious to justify itself; the last V6-equipped RX is distinctive in all the right areas, but it also works very well as an everyday driver. In the 450h, you get 39.4 inches of headroom and 44.1 inches of legroom up front, and 38.2 inches of headroom and 38 inches of legroom in the back.

450hL models get up to 39.8 inches of front headroom and 41.14 inches of front legroom, up to 38.5 inches of second-row headroom and 30.9 inches of second-row legroom, and a slightly cramped 38.4 inches of headroom and 22.6 inches of legroom in the third row. You also get 32.7 cubic feet of storage space and a maximum tow rating of 3,500 pounds.

Close-up shot of 2022 Lexus RX 450h wheel

What makes the 2022 RX 450h particularly interesting is where it sits in Lexus history. The automotive world has rapidly moved toward smaller turbocharged engines and greater electrification, leaving very few vehicles that combine traditional character with modern efficiency. That is not a problem here.

Like other models that have relatively recently dropped naturally aspirated or special engines from their lineups (think the Lexus GX 460), they mark the end of an era and are starting to get more attention from those of us who appreciate what came before.

Front shot of 2022 Lexus RX 450h parked off-road

There is already growing interest in vehicles that preserve a certain sense of character, whether that is a naturally aspirated engine, a traditional drivetrain, or a vehicle that is simply built with refinement in mind rather than chasing headline numbers. The RX 450h is an unusual blend of old and new: a smooth naturally aspirated V6 paired with hybrid technology at a time when both are becoming difficult to find together.

We don’t think it will become a collector car overnight, but it is still something certainly worth considering. Some models become collectible because they are rare; others earn appreciation because they represent a way of doing things that is disappearing from the market; the RX 450h does the latter, and exceptionally well. The final V6 Lexus RX could end up being remembered as one of the SUVs that was easy to overlook when it was new, but one that is much harder to replace later down the road.