Five Best Used Luxury SUVs for Under $30,000

Crossover SUVs have replaced sedans as the default household vehicles, and for good reasons. They drive as comfortably as sedans but with wagon-like cargo-carrying ability. When the snow falls in Indiana, their available all-wheel-drive systems provide confidence. Luxury crossovers offer the same enhancements as sedans: more technology, nicer sound systems, and more attractive interiors with higher quality materials. You can obtain all this in a good used luxury crossover for about the price of a new non-luxury model at the lower end of the model line. For shoppers who have come to this realization, Alderman Automotive strives to have luxury crossover models in its inventory.  

$30,000 may not be your price ceiling, but it represents a good balance of affordability and quality for this market segment. In most cases, the models will revert to previous design generations compared to the current models. This means they will be new enough to feature most safety and driver assistance technologies found in most current models, but it may also result in smaller infotainment screens and possibly wired smartphone compatibility.  

2018 Lexus RX 

The Lexus RX line is credited as the first-ever luxury crossover, introduced in 1999. The 2018 model represents the fourth generation, one generation prior to the current model. It is powered by a 295-hp 3.5-liter V6. There is also a hybrid model that uses the same engine, achieving 30 combined mpg. Both figures drop by one mpg with AWD. While there is plenty of power available, the RX has always prioritized comfort over sporty dynamics. Standard safety technologies include a lane departure warning and accident-avoidance system, a pre-collision safety system, and a post-collision safety system, along with the expected airbags, ABS, and traction control systems. The RX exemplifies the Lexus reputation for quality and reliability. 

2020 Acura MDX 

The three-row MDX SUV is Acura’s largest model. It has a strong reputation for reliability and comfort. Value is also a factor, as it has often been both the highest-rated and least expensive in its class. The available Super Handling All-Wheel Drive lives up to its name with its ability to prioritize power to the outside rear wheel in a curve, making the large vehicle surprisingly nimble in turns. The Technology Package is worth seeking out for its ELS surround sound audio system. Power comes from a smooth 3.5-liter V6 producing 290 horsepower. Combined mpg figures mirror the 23/22 of the Lexus, while an available 321-hp hybrid model (using a 3.0-liter V6) increases the figure to 27 mpg with standard AWD and provides an impressive 524 miles of range. 

2018 Mercedes Benz GLE 

Obviously, there is plenty of brand cachet with Mercedes-Benz and its design cues, but there is also substantial substance. The 3.5-liter V6 produces 272 horsepower, and when properly equipped, the model can tow up to 7,200 pounds—far more than the Lexus or Acura mentioned above. Additionally, there is the GLE550e plug-in hybrid with 10 miles of EV-only operation and a combined 43 MPGe rating. While prior to the brand’s current interior aesthetic, the dash provides luxury in both appearance and features. The 2020 model’s reliability rating is actually higher than that of subsequent model years, according to Consumer Reports. 

2019 BMW X6 

The X6 is a crossover coupe, which means that its sloping rear roofline reduces cargo capacity. Still, the hatch provides far better access to the cargo space than a sedan. A good combination is the XDrive35i, which features a 300-hp version of the brand’s legendary 3.0-liter inline-six and all-wheel drive. The X6 offers sporty handling, though not quite at the level of the 5-Series sedan, due to its higher center of gravity. Reasons to choose the 2019 model over the 2018 include BMW’s Active Driving Assistant and Apple CarPlay compatibility.  

2021 Audi Q7 

This is another option for those who want a third row. The 2021 model year puts you in the current design generation. The Q7 delivers the beautiful and luxurious interior for which the brand is renowned, along with plenty of safety technologies. All models have Quattro AWD, and performance is adequate with a 248-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, and better with the 355-hp turbo V6. The larger engine achieves only one less combined mpg (20 vs. 21). 

There are other models worth mentioning. $30,000 could get you a 2018 Porsche Cayenne with all the sports car dynamics you expect from the brand. On the other end of the spectrum is the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus, a midsize model of the current generation that includes a 13.2-inch touchscreen in a very luxurious interior.  

This is an enjoyable category to shop, with plenty of enticing models from which to choose. Alderman Automotive’s inventory search makes it easy to shop as well. From this website, just select “Shop SUVs” from the Inventory drop-down, and use the sliders to show your price range. Then, you can click on “Make” to narrow down the brands you are interested in and get an immediate read on what is available. It couldn’t be easier, and the only thing more fun than viewing the cars online is checking them out in person at our Fishers location. If you don’t find what you want, check again in a few days because our inventory always changes.