These Luxury SUVs Can Be Bought for Less Than an Economy Vehicle
Luxury SUVs look fancy, but many lose their value fast. Some are now cheaper than a small economy car. Big price tags don’t always mean big resale value, so let’s look at 35 luxury SUVs that’ll set you back the same price as an economy car.
2008 BMW X6
BMW’s X6 tried to be a sporty coupe and an SUV at the same time. The result? A weird-looking car with cramped back seats and a high price tag when new. Add in transmission problems and expensive repair bills, and it’s not worth less than a little hatchback.
2004 Porsche Cayenne
The Cayenne was once the “you made it” SUV. But now, it’s more of a “you better have savings” SUV. From cooling pipes and plastic bits, the repairs on this car cost more than the whole car’s value. Sure, it still has plenty of power, but the resale price has fallen off a cliff.
2007 Volkswagen Touareg
Volkswagen’s Touareg had luxury features, great build quality, and a high price. It also came with pricey repairs, weird electronics, and a V10 diesel option that terrified mechanics. Buyers chose much simpler SUVs, so you can now get a Touareg for pennies.
2010 Buick Enclave
Buick pitched the Enclave as a quiet, luxurious ride for the whole family. Yes, it delivered on the comfort, but it bombed on the reliability. Transmission trouble and timing chain issues forced resale values down so hard that you can buy one for less than the price of a good washing machine.
2007 Lincoln Navigator
The Navigator was the SUV you bought to be noticed. It looked fierce with all that chrome. But the gas bills, suspension, and endless electrical issues scared off buyers. It’s an absolute bargain now - if you don’t mind 12 miles per gallon and the occasional shop visit.
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The trim on the Cherokee attracted a lot of attention. And, for a while, it was THE most luxurious SUV around. Sadly, a complex air suspension, electrical issues, and the thirsty V8 engine sent running costs through the roof. It was way too much of a headache for most buyers.
2008 Cadillac SRX
The SRX promised all the luxury of a Cadillac in a smaller package. What buyers actually got was an SUV with cramped cargo space, a weird dashboard, and engine issues. You can just imagine the repair costs and why people stopped buying them.
2011 Infiniti QX56
Drivers who wanted a living room on wheels chose the Infinity QX56. It was the epitome of luxury. But it also guzzled gas like crazy and suffered from brake and suspension problems. Buyers quickly moved on to more efficient SUVs, and prices tanked.
2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350
Not even a Mercedes badge could save the ML350 from losing value. The electronics acted up, transmissions were expensive, and maintenance was anything but cheap. These days, you can get one for less than what you’d pay for a Honda - and that’s saying a lot.
2003 Range Rover HSE
The Range Rover HSE was peak luxury in its day - and peak maintenance costs too. These Range Rovers are notorious for air suspension failures, electrical issues, and high repair costs. Values have dropped so much that some models are now cheaper than their last set of tires.
2008 Audi Q7
The Q7 had a lot to offer - space, style, and a badge people loved. Unfortunately, it also featured complex electronics, high repair bills, and a V6 engine that consumed a lot of oil. Buyers quickly moved on to less stressful SUVs, and the resale value plummeted.
2007 Volvo XC90
You can tell a lot about an SUV by its resale value. And in the case of the Volvo XC90, it hinted at high ownership costs and too many problems. Many owners discovered that safety doesn’t always mean cheap. It’s a pity, because the XC90 was both classy and safe.
2009 Mitsubishi Outlander GT
The Outlander GT was Mitsubishi’s attempt at luxury. It had leather seats, decent tech, and all-wheel drive. However, the brand struggled significantly in the U.S., which negatively impacted its resale value. The noisy engine and so-so quality only made it less luxurious.
2010 Lincoln MKT
Lincoln’s MKT had an odd, hearse-like design that was a hit or miss with Lincoln fans. Buyers either loved or hated the SUV that mixed luxury with practicality. It had too many expensive fixes for turbos and transmissions. Many now sit in used lots for the price of a mountain bike.
2007 Cadillac Escalade
The Escalade might have been the king of bling at one stage, but it has fallen hard in older model years. The gas mileage is terrible, parts wear out quickly, and repair costs are no joke. You can easily find high-mileage ones for under $10k these days.
2007 Hyundai Veracruz Unlimited
Hyundai aimed for Lexus levels of comfort with the Veracruz Unlimited. It had a quiet ride and plenty of cool features, but the brand’s luxury image just didn’t catch on. Newer SUVs offered way more style and tech than Hyundai could keep up with.
2009 Infiniti FX35
Infiniti’s FX35 looked like a sports car and drove well, too. But it was the poor fuel economy, cramped interior, and pricey upkeep that scared buyers off. Today, you’ll find the FX35 hiding in the classifieds for shockingly low prices.
2008 Lexus GX 470
The Lexus GX 470 was built like a tank and was great off-road. Age and the SUV's thirst for fuel have really hurt the resale value. Sure, it's reliable, but buyers want newer tech. Older models of the GX 470 now cost around the same as a mid-level economy car.
2008 Volvo XC60
Early models of the Volvo XC60 had way too many turbo issues, transmission problems, and very expensive maintenance costs. Depreciation hit hard, and now they’re often priced lower than brand-new economy cars that come with far fewer headaches.
2006 Lexus RX 350
The Lexus RX 350 is one of the more dependable luxury SUVs, but there is a definite oversupply that’s caused a drop in its value. Sure, they’re still comfortable and reliable, but they look outdated compared to newer cars that cost less.
2009 Buick Envision Plus
The Envision was Buick’s attempt at going global, but it never quite stood out in the crowded luxury SUV market. It had slow sales and lukewarm reviews, and prices dropped fast. It is a hidden bargain if you like a cushy ride, though.
2005 Lexus GX 470
This model of the GX 470 is even older than the 2008 model, but it is a gas-guzzling dinosaur by today’s standards. Prices have dropped extremely low due to the SUV's age and fuel costs, but off-road fans still scoop them up when they find them.
2009 Audi Q5
Audi’s Q5 had great handling and style, but its oil consumption problems and costly repairs knocked it down. Owners quickly realized that the badge doesn’t save you from big bills, and prices have fallen hard since its release.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited
The Santa Fe Limited had everything - leather, tech, and a smooth, comfortable ride. Sadly, resale value took a hit because Hyundai’s luxury reputation wasn’t fully formed yet. Now, it’s a bargain luxury-feel SUV hiding in the used car market.
2007 Acura MDX
Acura’s MDX was comfortable. However, these older SUVs often have transmission issues and require expensive timing belt replacements. Buyers quickly moved on to newer crossovers, leaving resale values plummeting. Today, you can pick one up for next to nothing.
2007 Lincoln MKX
The Lincoln MXK might have had lots of features, but it wasn’t enough for buyers to look past the reliability issues. Lincoln is known for its luxury rides, but it lost value as people looked for newer, more modern-looking SUVs.
2005 Saab 9-7X
The Saab 9-7X was a rare Swedish SUV with GM underpinnings. It was fun to own until Saab went under, making parts hard to find. That collapse took values with it. Today, it’s a curiosity you can buy for mere pocket change - if you can find one, that is.
2010 Land Rover LR4
Land Rover’s LR4 looked tough and had a fancy interior. But, Land Rover reliability jokes exist for a reason, and the LRs had electrical failures and suspension problems galore. You can easily buy one for less than a year’s worth of repairs these days.
2008 BMW X5
The BMW X5 is loaded with tech and fun to drive. But it’s also infamous for oil leaks, electronics trouble, and pricey parts. Older X5s have been hit especially hard by depreciation, making them really cheap to buy, but not cheap to own.
2008 Infiniti QX56
Infiniti’s QX56 used to be one of those luxury SUVs you had to have because of its gorgeous leather interior. But it’s not immune to rust, transmission issues, and poor gas mileage. As you’d expect, this caused values to drop like a rock.
2011 Kia Sorento SX Limited
Kia’s SUV was packed with features and a nice interior. But its older image kept the values low. Buyers never saw it as true luxury, and still don’t, so it’s a bargain for someone who doesn’t care about the badge. They’re incredibly cheap today.
2009 Saab 9-4X Aero
Just like the 9-7X, Saab’s 9-4X Aero was plagued by limited parts and a short production run. Sure, it was stylish, but buyers steered clear, and that means values dropped fast. You can still get one today, but it’s now a cheap, oddball that doesn’t sell well.
2009 Mitsubishi Pajero
Pajeros were absolutely everywhere at one stage. And it was a solid off-roader. But it just didn’t have that luxury feel that buyers expected. Add in an aging design and poor fuel economy, and prices fell quicker than you can say, “Mitsubishi.”
2008 Chrysler Aspen
The Aspen was a luxury take on the Dodge Durango, and it looked good! But it had poor fuel economy and high repair costs. If you’ve learned anything from this list, it’s that these issues cause the value of a car to drop significantly.
2004 Lincoln Aviator
Lincoln’s Aviator wasn’t just another SUV - it was powerful! But, like many other SUVs on our list, it, too, had reliability issues and high running costs that pushed resale values down. In fact, they were much lower than you’d expect for a Lincoln.
