Used SUVs That Offer A Luxury Feel Without The Price Tag
The used luxury SUV market has never been more compelling. With new luxury vehicles commanding eye-watering transaction prices, savvy shoppers are turning to the certified pre-owned market to get premium materials, advanced technology, and genuine prestige badges for a fraction of what they’d pay at a new-car dealership. The math is hard to argue with.
Premium interiors — think open-pore wood trim, Nappa leather upholstery, and hand-stitched headliners — along with class-leading driver-assistance tech are no longer out of reach when you shop used. Cars depreciate sharply the moment they leave the lot, which is exactly what makes the luxury segment so accessible on the secondary market. Not every model is a bargain, of course; stalwarts like the Lexus RX350 hold their value stubbornly. But plenty of others drop to genuinely attainable prices while still delivering the full luxury experience. Here are 10 used luxury SUVs that offer everything you love about a premium vehicle for a fraction of the original sticker price.
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
Average Used Price: $12,650
There may be a reason the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 sits at the foot of this list. It carries an average overall J.D. Power score of 76, with a quality and reliability rating of 71 out of 100. On the positive side, it scores a strong 81 for driving experience.
This model year had zero recalls on record. The most commonly reported issues involve mechanical components and panoramic sunroof sealants. Set those concerns aside and you’re rewarded with the quintessential Mercedes-Benz cabin experience — and, more importantly, an excellent driving experience.
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD
Average Used Price: $14,510
While several entries on this list offer an optional third row, the MDX is the only purpose-built three-row mid-size SUV here. Its proprietary SH-AWD system delivers confident on-road dynamics and is capable enough for light off-road use.
The interior is a technological showcase, with three separate screens: one dedicated to HVAC controls, a navigation display mounted up top, and a screen integrated into the partially digital gauge cluster. The MDX also claims the highest tow rating of any vehicle on this list.
2017 Porsche Macan Sport
Average Used Price: $15,300
Porsche has evolved in recent years from a pure sports car brand into a dominant force in the luxury SUV segment. That identity shines through in its compact entry, the Porsche Macan. Powered by a spirited twin-turbo V-6, it also brings genuine performance hardware like torque vectoring to the table.
Porsche is also renowned for offering one of the most configurable interiors in the business. You may need to search a bit to find a used example specced exactly to your taste, but the good news is that nearly every Macan you encounter will feel supple and genuinely luxurious inside.
2017 Audi Q5 3.0T Prestige
Average Used Price: $16,360
Audi has long favored supercharged engines, and the 3.0T Q5 is a prime example. Inside, expect a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, and a full infotainment system. The styling is a touch more classically Audi compared to current Q5 models, but it remains a handsome and well-built machine.
The interior also includes a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, and heated seats. Paddle shifters, adaptive cruise control, and a rearview camera round out the feature set. Audi offered a strong palette of exterior colors on this generation, so finding a combination you love shouldn’t be difficult.
2019 Infiniti QX50 Essential
Average Used Price: $17,210
Given how little changed following its redesign, the 2019 Infiniti QX50 holds up well as a used buy. It offers genuinely appealing interior materials and trim finishes, along with a solid range of color choices.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four uses Infiniti’s variable-compression (VC-Turbo) technology, continuously adjusting its compression ratio between 8:1 and 14:1 to balance performance and fuel efficiency on demand. The QX50 also boasts one of the higher tow ratings in its class.
2018 Cadillac XT5 Platinum
Average Used Price: $17,590
Successor to the well-regarded SRX, the Cadillac XT5 Platinum took everything that worked in that mid-size luxury SUV and brought it into the modern era. This trim level adds a magnetic ride suspension system that continuously adjusts damping to match road conditions and driver inputs.
The interior strikes a balance between physical controls and digital displays. It features an eight-inch infotainment screen and a partially digital gauge cluster. As the top Platinum trim, it also includes a Bose premium sound system and a panoramic sunroof.
2018 Lincoln MKC Black Label
Average Used Price: $20,350
The Black Label is the range-topping MKC trim and one of the last of its kind — Lincoln replaced the MKC with the Corsair starting in 2020. That’s no reason to overlook it, though. It carries classic Lincoln design cues like the winged front grille and the signature rotary gear selector mounted on the center stack.
It’s also more capable than its elegant styling might suggest. Cargo space checks in at 25 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 53 cubic feet with them folded. The cabin features an eight-inch infotainment display running the Sync 3 system.
2017 Lexus RX350 Sport
Average Used Price: $22,400
What more is there to say about one of America’s most beloved luxury SUVs? The RX350 features a timeless interior with an “L”-shaped design that sweeps from the center console up to the dashboard, framing the 8-inch infotainment display. Premium upholstery and trim are standard throughout.
The 2017 model includes Lexus Safety System+, which bundles pre-collision emergency braking, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The RX350’s enduring appeal comes down to its ability to blend refinement, reliability, and value into a single, well-rounded package.
2018 Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription
Average Used Price: $22,870
Finding a plug-in hybrid at this price point — especially one as refined as the XC60 T8 — is a genuine coup. The 2018 XC60 T8 can cover up to 18 miles on electricity alone and can top up its battery on a 240V outlet in roughly three hours. It also comes equipped with an adaptive suspension system for a composed, comfortable ride.
Aside from software updates, the cabin of this generation holds up remarkably well against newer Volvo XC60 models. It features a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a Harman Kardon audio system, and the distinctive Orrefors crystal gear lever.
2018 BMW X3 M40i
Average Used Price: $24,390
What could be better than a BMW under $25,000? A BMW wearing an M badge. The higher-performance variant of the X3 arrives with larger wheels, revised body cladding, and a substantially more potent inline-six engine that sets it apart from the standard X3.
The cabin features a 10.25-inch infotainment display, a Harman Kardon sound system, and ambient lighting. On the mechanical side, the M40i also brings an adaptive M suspension, upgraded brakes, and multiple drive modes spanning sport and comfort settings.
Sources: OEMs, KBB
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