Top 10 Used Luxury SUVs Under $30,000

Looking for a dependable SUV with some flair? We’ve found the top ten used luxury SUVs under $30,000 that you can rely on for decades to come.

The Best Used Luxury SUVs Under $30,000

Recommending used luxury SUVs can be tough as many are well-known for deferred maintenance and huge repair costs down the road. With that in mind, you won’t see cheap luxury SUVs here that have a propensity for being expensive to maintain. You will find a group of the most reliable, well-regarded, and luxurious SUVs that $30,000 can buy. Here are some important notes about the cars you’ll see listed below.

While we use specific model years as examples, our recommendation applies more so to the entire generation that the model represents. Every vehicle below has less than 50,000 miles on the odometer too. They’re also fitted with technology that won’t look ridiculous or be vastly outdated in a few years’ time. Sure, no vehicle is ever going to be without flaws, but this list of excellent luxury SUVs under $30k is one that we’d happily recommend to just about anybody.

2019 Mazda CX-5

Kicking things off is a brand that we know and love, Mazda. The CX-5 features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s known to last. Buyers can even get a turbocharged version if they so choose. The interior is beautifully appointed and feels a lot more expensive than it actually is. High-quality materials are littered throughout the cabin and top trims rival models from Audi, BMW, and Volvo.

2018 Mazda CX-9

Those who want more space can look at the Mazda CX-9. No, it’s not as spacious as some of the vehicles on our list today but it has a lot going for it. First, it’s just as well appointed if not more so than the CX-5. On top of that, it shares great driving manners, just like the CX-5. We really love the optional second-row captain’s chairs and all of the technology packed into the CX-9.

2019 BMW X3

Right off the bat, some will wonder how we put a BMW on a list of reliable luxury SUVs. The truth is that while the brand’s high-end engines are notoriously expensive to maintain, their lower-end models tend to last well beyond 100,000 miles. We expect the same longevity from the BMW X3 with its four-cylinder engine. Of course, like every other modern BMW, this one is full of great features, luxurious materials, and thoughtful design touches that help it stand out in a crowd.

2018 Acura MDX

To us, it feels like the Acura MDX is flying under the radar so to speak. Its well-appointed features like adaptive cruise control, a power liftgate, and real wood trim make it feel expensive. Meanwhile, it also sports a trick AWD system that outshines all but the very best in the business. Fuel economy is a little on the low side, 18 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway, though so keep that in mind if you’re interested.

2020 Kia Telluride

After many months of being sold out and nearly impossible to find, a few used Kia Tellurides are popping up on the market under our budget. To put it lightly, this is one of the best three-row SUVs available today. Under the hood is a 3.8-liter V6 and inside of the cabin is a spacious well-designed environment that any family will love. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both standard features. A dapper exterior design is standard too.

2020 Hyundai Palisade

Those who like the Telluride but want even more luxury can look at the Palisade. While it might not be as stylish, it’s better to cruise in. The suspension is a little softer than its Kia cousin and the seating is a bit more cushioned as well. The Hyundai Palisade also benefits from Nappa leather, an in-car intercom system, and climate vents in all three rows.

2014 Porsche Cayenne

Possibly our favorite in this group of luxury SUVs is the Porsche Cayenne. It’s fast, it handles exceptionally well, it’s incredibly luxurious, and it’s actually quite reliable. The 3.6-liter V6 lacks the punch of the V8 cars but it’s also devoid of the turbocharger maintenance costs too. At the same time, it doesn’t give up any of the charm of the higher-end trims. For our budget you can get one with hill descent control, park assist, a panoramic sunroof, lane change assist and more.

2020 Lincoln Corsair

If there’s one car that was almost bumped off of our list it’s the Lincoln Corsair. It doesn’t have a giant infotainment screen and it’s only packing a 2.0-liter engine but those are the only real marks against it. The seating surfaces are high end and we think that the center control stack will hold up incredibly well over time. Additionally, the Corsair has the same impressive interior and exterior design of larger Lincolns like the Aviator and the Navigator. That small engine should last forever too.

2016 Lexus RX 450h

One brand that deserves a lot of attention in this space is Lexus. The RX planted the flag for luxurious crossovers and the Lexus RX 450h offers hybrid fuel economy, AWD, and leather upholstery. The interior design is sharp and futuristic too. Even the rear seats are molded with extra bolstering for better passenger comfort. The 2016 model also avoids the annoying trackpad interface with the infotainment system too.

2020 Lexus NX

That trackpad is present in the 2020 Lexus NX but it’s about the only drawback. Look past it and you’ll find an even more advanced and polished Lexus SUV with fit and finish rarely seen in a car at this price. It’s a little smaller than the RX but it’s more than spacious enough for four adults and its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is fun to wring out. The NX also benefits from a bunch of advanced safety features like lane-keep assist, forward collision mitigation, and more.

2013 Lexus GX 460

If there’s one luxury SUV on this list that we think could be worth more in the future than it is today, it’s gotta be the Lexus GX 460. This large SUV is also the most off-road capable one here. The 4.6-liter V8 under the hood is good for 301 horsepower. It might be a little older but it’s got adaptive suspension, optional navigation, crawl control, adaptive cruise control, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.