Luxury SUVs naturally come with a higher MSRP than mass-market variants. According to Statista, the average price of a brand-new full-size luxury SUV is $115,387, while mid-sized variants are around $72,393. This is relatively high, as the average new vehicle in the States goes for around $48,000.
Time and depreciation, however, have leveled the playing field, making these high-end vehicles more accessible to the public. If you are not too bothered about owning a second-hand car, the market has a lot to give second-hand wise. With that being said, you need to ensure that the vehicle in question is also reliable among other personal preferences.
This is where our 10 SUVs come in, as these are some of the most luxurious SUVs that are crazy cheap and notoriously reliable. All of these luxury SUVs should be available for under $25,000 with a bit of a look online.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced directly from the manufacturer’s official websites, along with other authoritative sources, including Consumer Reports, Kelley Blue
Book, CarEdge, and J.D. Power. All the entries on this list are ranked in order from least to most reliable.
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20 Most Reliable SUVs According To Consumer Reports
Be it a new or used car, reliability is an important metric to consider, and here’s how some of these latest SUVs fare for predicted reliability.
10 2019 Infiniti QX50
Reliability Rating: 75 Out Of 100
Used Price: $19,000
While being a compact luxury SUV, this is Nissan’s luxury division Infiniti in this segment, and it is a good pick. The five-seater seems much more spacious and well-designed than the “compact” badge would lead you to believe. It also features a beefy 3.5-liter V-6 engine option that produces a healthy 325 horsepower, and 267 pound-feet of torque. This compact SUV received a “great” reliability rating from J.D. Power, as the 2017 model scored 82 out of 100, while CarEdge has given the luxury SUV a full five out of five reliability rating.
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Like the slightly bigger QX60 counterpart, the 2024 QX50 has a starting MSRP of $41,000, while 2019 models can be found for as low as $20,000– less than half of what a new model costs. The annual upkeep of the QX50 is a modest $1,000, less than even an average luxury sedan.
9 2019 Infiniti QX60
Reliability Rating: 76 Out Of 100
Used Price: $20,000
The Infiniti XQ60 is a three-rowed luxury SUV that can be equipped with adequate powertrains, providing a sporty yet luxurious ride for up to seven passengers. A 2019 model can be picked up for as little as $20,000, with good examples spanning into the 30s. J.D. Power ranked the QX60 as a reliable luxury SUV, giving it a 78/100.
With the 2024 QX60 models having a starting MSRP of $49,650, picking up a model that is a few years old is not a bad idea. Car Edge estimates that the QX60 will only cost you $10,805 in 10 years for maintenance and ownership costs, whereas the average luxury SUV will set you back $5,000 over that.
8 2019 Acura RDX
Reliability Rating: 77 Out Of 100
Used Price: $20,000
Despite being a slightly smaller version of the Acura MDX mentioned on this list, the RDX combines comfort, safety and sportiness into a convenient and luxurious five-seater. The RDX utilizes a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, very similar to the MDX, that produces a slightly lower 279 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Despite not being as sharp as its MDX counterpart, the RDX is powerful enough to provide a spirited and predictable ride. J.D. Power gave the MDX a ranking of 77 out of 100 for the 2018 model, and Consumer Reports rewarded the RDX with a four out of five verdict.
The base 2024 RDX has a starting price of $44,350, and is powered by a 2.0-liter engine that outputs just shy of 280 horsepower. $22,000 can land you a very good 2018 or even a 2019 RDX model today.
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7 2018 Volvo XC90
Reliability Rating: 77 Out Of 100
Used Price: $23,000
The Swedish badge is synonymous with safety, but they combined this with luxury in its full-size XC-90 SUV. The seven-seater line-up benefits from the T6 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that returns a decent 250 horsepower. 2018 XC90 models received adequate reliability ratings from J.D. Power, scoring almost 80 out of 100. Consumer Reports also deemed the vehicles to have slightly above-average reliability.
A used 2018 Volvo XC90 can be picked up today for as little as $25,000, while more equipped trim levels can take you way up to $30,000. This SUV combines reliability, comfort, and luxury into a safe and attractive package.
6 2018 Lexus GX 460
Reliability Rating: 78 Out Of 100
Used Price: $24,500
The Lexus GX 460 is a luxury SUV that blurs the line between the mid-sized and full-sized classes. Being a size down from the bigger LX570, the GX benefits from the same 4.6-liter naturally aspirated V-8 that produces just over 300 horsepower. This engine has been kept for even the 2024 generation. The older generations have been rewarded with excellent reliability ratings from J.D. Power, 89 out of 100 to be exact. New models such as 2018 are slightly behind, with a still decent score of 77 out of 100.
The redesigned 2024 model starts at $64,250, but pre-owned models can be found as cheap as $10,000. We recommend the 2018 models, as they boast brilliant reliability scores and modern driving aids for just under $25,000.
5 2019 Acura MDX
Reliability Rating: 79 Out Of 100
Used Price: $25,000
This midsize offering from Acura is Honda’s luxury group division three-rowed SUV. The 2018 model benefits from a 3.5-liter V-6 that produces a healthy 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. This power is transmitted through the revered Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, along with a sturdy yet light chassis that provides a comfortable yet sporty ride. On top of this, the MDX boasts adequate reliability ratings from J.D. Power, 79 out of 100 for the 2018 model to be precise and a four out of five from consumer reports.
A 2024 Acura MDX has a starting MSRP of $50,150, while a 2019 model can be picked up for as little as $21,000.
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4 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC
Reliability Rating: 79 Out Of 100
Used Price: $26,500
This mid-sized luxury Mercedes GLC comes from the foreign manufacturer in its typical coupe crossover body style. Mercedes provides a variety of engine options, such as a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the GLC 300, or a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 that puts out 362 horsepower. Kelly Blue Book ranked the GLC highly with a 4.7 out of five rating. Consumer Reports gifted the GLC a four out of five as well.
There are many pre-owned opportunities for any Mercedes SUV, but the Luxury GLC can be picked up for as low as $20,000 for a 2018 model, ranging highly depending on trim level and specs.
3 2015 Lexus NX 300
Reliability Rating: 83 Out Of 100
Used Price: $17,000
The Lexus NX 300, also known as the LX 200t in other countries, is a compact five-seater luxury SUV that has everything from a smooth powerplant to a comfortable and well-built interior. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder provides a sufficient 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, accommodating both sportier and economical needs. Like many other Lexus models, the NX is based on a Toyota model, this time being the world’s best-selling SUV, the Toyota RAV4. The mid-2010 models received a perfect ranking from Consumer Reports and 83 out of 100 from J.D. Power.
Today, a used NX example can be yours for as little as $15,000. We recorded the 2015 or 2018 models, as they received the best scores in all the departments. These should not set you back more than $23,000, which is considerably cheaper than the 2024 model.
2 2018 Cadillac Escalade
Reliability Rating: 84 Out Of 100
Used Price: $24,000
The Luxury Escalade SUV from Cadillac sets the bar up very high for other full-size sport utility vehicles. A powerful and robust 6.2-liter V-8 drives either the rear wheels or all wheels. J.D. Power rewarded the Cadillac with a very generous 84 reliability rating for the 2018 model.
The might Escalade has a starting price of $81,895, but a 2018 model can be bought for as little as $25,000. It does not get more luxurious or more robust than the Escalade, having heightened reliability to top it all off.
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1 2018 Lexus RX
Reliability Rating: 87 Out Of 100
Used Price: $25,000
Sitting proudly at the top of this list is the Lexus RX, a hybrid luxury SUV that combines its 3.5-liter V-6 engine with three electric motors to produce 295 horsepower, along with an outstanding 30 MPG fuel economy. This luxury SUV received an amazing 86 out of 100 for reliability, along with a perfect verdict from Consumer Reports.
While new models can get way over $50,000, a bit of searching should grant you a 2018 RX model for as low as $24,000.
