Let’s face it, everybody loves a well-made luxury item in their life from time to time. Several of us enjoy getting from point A to point B in a luxury car but what none of us love is paying the huge price tags that come with said vehicles. Today, we’re going to break down ten of the very best used luxury vehicles on the market. Here’s the best part, they’re all under $30,000. Grab our used-car checklist and let’s go.
We kick things off with a car, which is probably the best-kept secret here. Built by a company that openly provides a killer warranty, the G70 is available with both a turbocharged four-cylinder and a twin-turbocharged V6. We suggest going for the latter as it can go toe toe-to-toe with big brand-name luxury sports sedans and feels great to drive. It’s also full of exceptional technology, high-quality materials, and lots of safety equipment like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
It’s true that Lexus isn’t a hardcore luxury brand like BMW, Audi, or Mercedes but the RX single handedly started a trend that deserves credit here. It made crossovers popular and did so in part by offering awesome luxury features in a comfortable and competent package. Within our budget you’ll find units that offer a 360-degree camera system, Amazon Alexa integration, three-row seating, 295 horsepower, and over 30 mpg combined. That’s a killer combination of features and doesn’t even include the fact that the RX is ultimately a Toyota product with that brand’s reliability history behind it.
On the flip side, most average folks would likely guess that Porsche isn’t anywhere near as reliable. They’d be wrong as the Cayenne wouldn’t be the brand-saving SUV if it failed owners with regularity. The third-generation model is also well liked and considered the most reliable of its ilk to that point in history. It’s also available for under $30,000 and comes with a V6 in most cases, rear or all-wheel drive, and heated seats.
The Tesla Model X might be the real halo car of the brand short of the Cybertruck now. Its famous Falcon-Wing doors are a statement piece and Tesla covers these cars with a lengthy battery warranty too. Those who are interested in an all-electric SUV should take a close look at it or even the smaller and wildly popular Model Y. Each one is compatible with Tesla’s Supercharger network and offers a futuristic look at motoring. The Model X offers up to 250 miles per charge even in used condition.
The RC is available within our budget as late as at least 2018. We especially like the RC F, a grand touring coupe that’ll hold its value better than the rest of the field. It’s available with everything from a four-cylinder to a V8. The former was originally priced at over $60,000 and comes with a 5.0-liter engine that makes 467 horsepower. It also comes standard with several soft-touch materials in the cabin and control switchgear that is damped for excellent feedback quality. The RC is far from a perfect car but its quality and reliability put it on this list.
If nearly new is your thing these next two cars should pique your interest. The Lincoln Aviator sometimes flies under the radar but it shouldn’t. It comes standard with a 3.0-liter V6, all-wheel drive, and a bevy of awesome luxury features. That includes tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a 10-inch infotainment system.
It might seem strange to see a Jeep on this list but we assure you that it has earned this spot. Go for the most expensive 2023 trim you can get at this budget though as the features will make it the luxury vehicle that it can be. The Laredo trim, for example, isn’t worth $30,000 used. The Limited and Altitude are both excellent choices thanks to great infotainment systems and excellent comfort features. Jeep also offers an L version with a longer wheelbase which has one of the very best third rows of any car in this class period.
Our last coupe on the list is the illustrious M4 from BMW. It’s a bit of a grand tourer like the Lexus RC F but it’s quicker, sharper, and more enjoyable to drive. 2015 year BMW M4 examples are available with a hard top or a soft top and come standard with a twin-turbocharged inline-six engine that makes at least 425 horsepower on tap and a top speed of 155 miles per hour. In pretty much every way it’s a two-door M3 which should tell you all you need to know about how historically great it is.
If you like the idea of the M4 but need more space for people and things, the Panamera is hard to beat. It’s from a marquee brand, it’s notably reliable, it’s relatively inexpensive compared to other Porsche models, and it’s darn quick. With $30,000 in the budget we suggest looking for a model from 2014 through 2016. Rear wheel drive is standard on most models, but all-wheel drive is also available. Buyers will get at least 310 horsepower from the base V6 but could boast up to 570 ponies under the hood depending on the trim.
The Volvo XC60 might not be the first vehicle you think of when the word luxury pops up but here’s the quiet part out loud, it’s a dark horse in this category. Most people think it’s worth more than it is and it comes full of clever features that one won’t find anywhere else. Volvo is synonymous with awesome little storage spaces, an innovative infotainment system, and excellent driving manners. The XC60 benefits from all of that and is also available for well beneath our $30,000 budget depending on the trim and condition.