Porsche Cayenne: $56,010
The Cayenne looks like luxury on wheels, but it’s a sneaky wallet vampire. Between premium fuel, high insurance, and repair costs that make you cringe, the expenses add up fast. Owning one feels glamorous until you realize you could’ve taken multiple luxury vacations instead.
Porsche Macan: $48,653
The Macan is Porsche’s “entry-level” SUV, but nothing about its maintenance feels entry-level. Fuel isn’t cheap, and repairs come with a European price tag. Over five years, it’s less about daily commuting and more about daily calculating.
Jeep Wrangler: $38,276
The Wrangler is an adventure icon, but it’s also an expensive habit. Poor fuel economy, rugged wear-and-tear, and insurance costs add up fast. This vehicle will take you off-road, but five years of ownership will make your wallet feel like it’s been bouncing around on rocky trails, too.
BMW X5 XDrive40i: $48,456
The X5 is roomy, powerful, and fun to drive until you see the ownership bill. Premium gas, premium repairs, and premium everything else make this SUV a premium headache for your bank account. Five years in, you’ll wonder if it’s driving you or driving your wallet into the ground.
Genesis G80: $41,288
Genesis nailed the whole “luxury at a lower price” image, but the long-term costs of the G80 tell a different story. It is not very fuel-efficient, and it's not exactly inexpensive to maintain.
Jaguar XF: $41,288
Not only are repairs of the XF costly, but the fuel economy isn't anything to brag about either. The car looks good until your mechanic starts talking numbers you really don't want to hear.
Ford Mustang: $40,707
While the Mustang is super fun, the costs aren’t. Gas mileage isn’t its best feature, insurance tends to spike, and repairs aren’t always cheap. Years later, you might realize your “pony car” has eaten more hay than your budget could comfortably feed.
Volvo XC90: $39,308
The XC90 is safe, sleek, and sophisticated; just don’t ask what it costs over time. Repairs and maintenance creep up and fuel efficiency isn’t doing you many favors either. You’ll love the safety features, but hate that your savings account needs just as much protection.
BMW 330i: $37,889
The 330i provides that classic BMW driving thrill. However, you might not find owning it long-term as thrilling. Premium fuel, high maintenance, and the occasional surprise repair mean you’ll be opening your wallet often.
Audi Q5: $35,863
Don’t let the nice qualities of the Q5 fool you into thinking it’s budget-friendly. Gas, maintenance, and repairs are quite expensive. After years of ownership, you will feel like you have paid for an Audi twice: once at the dealership and again at the repair shop.
Cadillac XT6: $50,590
The XT6 is roomy, stylish, and definitely feels like a Cadillac. But owning one for five years isn’t exactly a bargain. It guzzles gas, and the maintenance bills are always a little higher than you’d like. It’s a comfy ride; just not quite as cozy for your wallet.
Dodge Durango: $38,495
The Durango offers a lot of space and has plenty of power. It is a large SUV that is ready for just about anything, but it takes a solid effort to keep it filled with gas. With its high cost of maintenance, that third row feels like an expensive extra.
Chevrolet Camaro: $32,495
Few cars make people do double takes like a Camaro, but the cost of ownership may not be worth it. Gas mileage is poor, insurance rates are high, and maintenance isn’t cheap either. Over five years, you’ll realize the thrill of the ride came with a slow drip financial sting that’s not fun.
Mercedes-Benz C300: $49,600
The C300 offers a smooth driving experience and upscale luxury, but the costs of operating it for five years may leave you reeling. Between premium gas, expensive parts, and those infamous Benz repair bills, the costs are quite a lot.
Lexus RX 350: $50,725
Comfort and quiet luxury? Check. Relaxing on your wallet? Not so much. Premium gas, dealer visits, and higher-than-expected maintenance will have you wondering where all your money went.
Acura MDX: $51,800
The MDX is Acura’s family-friendly luxury SUV. And while it looks sensible, the numbers don’t. Between gas, tires, and service, it adds up to costs that rival flashier brands. The car’s reliable, but don’t be surprised when that “smart” choice feels like it’s draining your bank account.
Nissan Armada: $58,840
Big SUVs mean big bills, and the Armada makes that clear. The fuel economy is laughable, and the tires are massive (read: expensive). In five years, you’ll wonder if you bought a vehicle or adopted a money-hungry pet.
Toyota Sequoia: $67,118
Toyota's large SUV is well-built, but it isn't exactly cheap to win. It consumes a lot of gas and the cost of maintenance is high. You’ll still have a solid SUV after five years, but your wallet may be lighter.
GMC Yukon: $70,495
Owning a Yukon means living large and paying large, too. Fuel stops are frequent, repairs aren’t cheap, and even tires seem like a luxury item. It looks and feels good, but after five years of receipts, you’ll realize that "big SUV energy" comes with a big expense.
Lincoln Aviator: $59,295
The Aviator is smooth and sleek, but don’t mistake it for affordable. Premium fuel and fancy maintenance will keep the bills steady and high. Five years in, and you’ll love the ride, but you’ll also know luxury SUVs like this one never come without financial turbulence.
Volkswagen Touareg: $49,495
The Touareg looks like a bargain luxury SUV. It’s sleek, powerful, and way more stylish than your average grocery-getter. But its issues with engines and electronics will keep your mechanic well-fed.
Chrysler 300: $25,000
The Chrysler 300 is a looker with its bold and stylish features. Unfortunately, it’s also a money pit. Gas mileage is average, repairs add up, and insurance loves to bump up the premium. Five years in and you’ll still enjoy the presence, but you’ll pay dearly for the privilege.
Volkswagen Atlas: $39,625
The Atlas is roomy, versatile, and family-friendly, but owning it isn’t the budget-friendly story you’d hoped for. Gas and service trips add up fast, and you’ll end up wondering if you should’ve gone smaller and cheaper.
Audi A6: $59,395
A6 has class and comfort, but don’t expect to live cheap. Premium gas is just the beginning. Repairs and maintenance will keep the costs climbing. You’ll love driving it, but you’ll be very aware that German luxury isn’t for penny pinchers.
BMW 540i: $65,800
Few sedans balance sporty and luxurious like the 540i. But it’s brutal on long-term costs. Premium gas, specialized parts, and service bills that make you wince add up fast.
Lexus GX 460: $61,590
GX 460 is rugged luxury at its best. What it doesn’t deliver is affordability. Fuel economy is terrible, and luxury maintenance isn’t small change. In five years, you’ll discover that adventure is great, but the price of entry is steep.
Dodge Journey: $25,170
Dodge Journey is affordable, roomy, and family-friendly. It looks like a smart buy at first, then reality hits. The engine feels underpowered, tech is from a time capsule, and electrical quirks never seem to quit. It may save you money upfront, but keeping it running is another story.
Infiniti Q50: $43,050
The Q50 brings luxury vibes at a lower price point, but the long-term costs aren’t exactly cheap. Repairs aren’t expensive and fuel economy isn’t great either. After five years, you’ll have enjoyed the plush ride while also realizing it quietly emptied your wallet one service bill at a time.
Mercedes-Benz M-Class: $48,300
The M-Class was supposed to be an entry point into the luxury SUV world, but then the repair bills start piling up. The air suspension fails, the electronics fail, and every repair costs a fortune.
Cadillac CT5: $49,090
This stylish sedan from Cadillac offers looks and performance. However, with each mile, it reminds you that “luxury” means “expensive.” Premium fuel, costly service, and fast depreciation quickly add up.
Volvo S90: $59,495
Volvo’s flagship sedan has comfort, safety, and Scandinavian style, but it isn’t cheap to maintain. Repairs and maintenance are frequent wallet tugs, and fuel economy isn’t great. Over five years, you’ll enjoy the plush interior, but you’ll also feel like you’ve been financing your mechanic’s vacations.
Jeep Grand Cherokee: $36,495
The Grand Cherokee is rugged and refined, but consumes fuel excessively and incurs high maintenance costs. In five years, your wallet will be begging for something less expensive to maintain.
Mercedes-Benz GLE: $63,000
The GLE combines luxury SUV vibes with performance, but that comes with price tags that never stop. You’ll love the drive every time, but after a couple of years, you’ll wonder if the prestige was worth the punch.
Toyota Tundra: $40,090
The Tundra is tough, but toughness does not equate to inexpensive ownership. Fuel economy is terrible and maintaining a big truck is never cheap. You'll adore its durability, but you will also be acutely aware that every gallon of fuel and every oil change has impacted your bank account.
GMC Acadia: $43,700
The Acadia is a fantastic vehicle for families, but family trips come with expenses. The fuel economy isn't the best, and the cost of upkeep accumulates quickly. After five years, you'll find that the extra cost of keeping this SUV happy could’ve paid for a vacation instead.
