Shoppers looking for a luxury-SUV will most likely score the best deals on the secondhand market since the average vehicle only retains 37% of its retail value after the first five years. But if you absolutely need to experience that new-car smell, there are plenty of upscale SUVs that won’t break the bank.
Here are the 6 cheapest luxury SUVs you can buy.
cheapest luxury SUVs
1. Lexus UX: $32,300
Despite a low ride height and hatchback proportions, the 2020 Lexus UX is a subcompact crossover that caters to the luxury crowd. Its interior is nicely appointed and outfitted with numerous standard features.
What the Lexus lacks in cargo storage and engine refinement it makes up for with engaging driving characteristics and affordability. The UX is considerably cheaper than more traditional alternatives such as the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40 but still maintains an upscale aura.
Although the 2020 UX is too weird looking and hatchback like for some SUV shoppers, it has more than enough content and style to entice everyone else.
This is one of the cheapest luxury SUVs you can buy.
2. Volvo XC40: $33,700
With plenty of techs paired with a fun-to-drive nature, the 2020 Volvo XC40‘s fresh and spunky looks are aimed directly at the hip and luxury-minded buyers. The interior offers comfort and spaciousness along with a decidedly Swedish atmosphere found in all of today’s Volvos.
The front-wheel-drive T4 is powered by a 184-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four; the T5 model unlocks a more potent 248-hp turbo-four and standard all-wheel drive. The supportive seats are comfortable for extended stays and both rows are spacious.
There’s also abundant cargo stowage and plenty of bins and auxiliary repositories to keep things. If dynamic driving is a priority, the BMW X1 and the Jaguar F-Pace are top considerations, but the XC40’s handsome looks and well-executed packaging make it a strong contender in the flourishing subcompact class.
This is one of the cheapest luxury SUVs you can buy.
3. Mercedes-Benz GLA 250: $34,250
The Mercedes-Benz GLA was one of the first subcompact luxury SUVs to arrive in America when it debuted for the 2015 model year. For 2020, it still has some appealing attributes, such as an attractive base price and pleasing performance.
But there are also some significant drawbacks that you’ll need to consider.
First and foremost is the GLA’s stiff ride quality that can be intrusive on rough pavement. It’s jarring for any vehicle and is especially troubling for a Mercedes. The GLA is also a bit tricky to drive in traffic; the engine can be slow and inconsistent to respond when you want to accelerate. Then there’s the GLA’s interior, which isn’t particularly luxurious or roomy.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Mercedes will likely introduce an all-new GLA in the next year or two, and we expect it to be significantly improved.
But if you can’t wait, we recommend checking out some rival SUVs that are newer and more appealing overall such as the BMW X1, the Mini Countryman, and the Volvo XC40.
This is one of the cheapest luxury SUVs you can buy.
4. Audi Q3: $34,700
Audi Q3 is one of the first to combine such compact dimensions with a premium off-roader aesthetic. This formula has worked wonders for Audi, with more than 1.1 million (and counting) sold since it arrived in 2011.
For context, Audi’s TT sold a little over half that amount during two decades on sale.
However, this second-generation Q3 joins a marketplace that’s a world away from the one that the first-generation car occupied back in 2011, with rivals such as the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA, Range Rover Evoque and the award-winning Volvo XC40 all hungry for a slice of that same premium family SUV pie.
This is one of the cheapest luxury SUVs you can buy.
5. BMW X1: $35,200
The 2020 X1 is BMW’s Mighty Mouse crossover, small but both effortlessly playful and uncompromisingly practical. It’s powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that revs eagerly and smoothly with good fuel-economy ratings and plenty of power.
The cabin is spacious for such a small crossover; four adults will ride in comfort, with room to spare for their luggage in the capacious cargo hold. It’s this perfect blend of sport and function that has earned it back-to-back-to-back 10Best awards.
This is one of the cheapest luxury SUVs you can buy.
6. Cadillac XT4: $35,695
The 2020 Cadillac XT4 is a visually distinctive subcompact luxury crossover, but it’s also less luxurious and refined than most rivals. Still, it has a smooth-running engine and delivers a fun driving experience.
The XT4’s interior has plenty of passenger space and room to store cargo, but the interior has unremarkable materials and inferior build quality versus classmates. Thankfully, the smallest Cadillac SUV has an infotainment system that’s stocked with content and a host of standard safety and driver assists. While its flashy façade and engaging dynamics are appreciated, the 2020 XT4 should be more sophisticated for the price.
This is one of the cheapest luxury SUVs you can buy.