Luxury SUVs scare a lot of price conscious buyers away, which is unfortunate. Their rich interiors, fully-loaded infotainment systems, and high-end brand names scream unaffordable. But, if you look closely, there is a lot of value hiding in the luxury SUV segment.
It may surprise you to find out that you can drive home a luxury SUV for under $40,000. We aren’t talking about one or two options either. Premium brands like Lexus, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Lincoln offer SUVs in that price range. Don’t just take our word for it. Read ahead to learn more about the most affordable luxury SUVs on the market right now.
2023 Lexus UX
Cost: starting at $36,4901
Hybrid lovers take note, the Lexus UX can be yours for under $40,000. The state-of-the-art luxury SUV boasts a powerful 181 HP engine that still manages to deliver above average gas mileage. A glance at the UX’s interior is all you need. Premium materials, dual-zone climate control, and power seats come standard, with a plethora of optional upgrades to browse.
As is the case with the luxury SUV segment, even the base trim comes with a premium safety and driver-assistance package. Automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist are standard. To put your mind at ease with the purchase, every 2023 Lexus UX is backed by a four year limited warranty, a six year powertrain warranty, and a year of complimentary maintenance.
2023 BMW X2
Cost: starting at $36,6002
The X2 is powerful, fun to drive, and more affordable than most people realize. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers up to 228-horsepower, and nobody has ever accused BMW of poor handling. It’s a luxurious driving experience at an attainable MSRP.
The base trim comes with an 8.8-inch infotainment display that’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ready. Optional upgrades include panoramic moonroof, a larger touchscreen display, and a Harmon Kardon speaker system.
2023 Audi Q3
Cost: starting at $36,4003
Audi overwhelms the segment by offering more standard features in the 2023 Q3 than most of its competitors. Even the base trim comes with all-wheel drive, LED headlights, an all-digital gauge display, and an 8.8-inch touchscreen display. The optional upgrades add even more value.
The 2023 Audi Q3 is the perfect fit for people on the hunt for a smaller than average SUV. Its turbocharged four-cylinder engine can deliver as much as 228-horsepower. It comes with a long list of safety and driver assistance features, including many premium features like blind-spot monitoring and automatic high beams.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Cost: starting at $38,5504
The 2023 GLA delivers the level of performance that fans of the brand have grown accustomed to. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is powerful. The interior is spacious and lined with luxurious materials. Buyers are given lots of available options to choose from, like upgraded dual 10.3-inch displays and the Off-Road Engineering package.5
The base trim GLA comes standard with automated emergency braking, but many of the more advanced safety and driver assistance features are restricted to the pricier trim. All models come with the same limited and powertrain warranties, both of which cover up to four years or 50,000 miles.
2023 Lincoln Corsair
Cost: starting at $38,6906
Last but certainly not least, Lincoln’s popular entry into the subcompact luxury SUV market. The Corsair boasts a lot of changes over last year’s model. The 2023 model boasts larger screens and a completely redesigned exterior.
Each comes standard with a 13.1-inch infotainment display, a 10-speaker sound system, and the option to upgrade to genuine leather. The brand has always been lauded for its exceptionally quiet ride, and this year’s Corsair is no different. The base trim comes with Lincoln’s Co-Pilot 360 2.1 driver assist system, which includes blind-spot detection, rear automatic braking, forward collision mitigation, and a lot more.
Put It In Drive
You may find yourself walking the BMW showroom afterall. The luxury SUV market offers so much more value than most car buyers believe. You aren’t just paying extra for a fancy brand name. Luxury SUVs offer more standard tech and safety features, better interiors, and much more power.
All of that is just words on a screen though. To really get a feel for a new car, you need to get in the driver’s seat and hit the gas. So make a list of potential new cars, book test drives at your local dealerships, and experience the value of luxury SUVs first hand.