10 Used Luxury SUVs That Won't Be A Maintenance Nightmare

There are countless reasons you choose the SUV you choose, with some shoppers preferring the fastest machine for their dollars, others preferring the roomiest and others still opting for the most luxurious possible drive. Regardless of how your personal priorities stack up, reliability is likely high on your wish list. A few manufacturers, including Acura and Lexus, have earned prized reputations within the luxury SUV space for delivering reliable operation for the long haul. Others, like Toyota and Audi, have entries on our list that are prized for proven power.

Other used luxury SUVs on our list are even starting to climb in value as a growing number of shoppers put increased value on older, simpler technology. Buckle up: we're about to outline 10 of the best used choices from $9,000 to $90,000 for shoppers after an upscale and comfortable SUV that won't be a maintenance nightmare.

2021+ Cadillac Escalade ($60,000-$90,000)

(5th Generation)

2024 Cadillac Escalade Black Front Angled View

By the time the fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade rolled around for the 2021 model year, GM had decades upon decades of mass-production experience building the 4x4 powertrains, platforms, engines and technologies within it. It's one of the only luxury SUVs on our list built by an automaker that's also dominated the pickup and large SUV market for generations.

Quality and reliability scores suggest that this experience has translated well to the latest-generation Escalade, which is highly-rated by J.D. Power and currently has no issues logged on CarComplaints.com. At this price point, you'll have no trouble finding a second-hand unit with plenty of factory warranty remaining-- as well as loads of room and towing capacity. Set your budget between $60,000 to $90,000 for one of these.

2008-2021 Toyota Land Cruiser ($35,000-$70,000)

(2nd Generation)

Toyota-Land_Cruiser-2013-Exterior 4

If you're looking for a wholesome SUV that's big, comfortable, very proven and easy to service, consider a 2008 to 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser. Set your budget to between $35,000 and $70,000 and have a browse of your favorite used car marketplace. Power comes from the mass-produced 5.7-liter V8, also used in the previous-generation Toyota Tundra, which traces its roots back to 2007.

While more modern options are more powerful and easier on fuel, the owner community knows how solid Toyota truck powertrains tend to be when they've been in production for this long. If the Land Cruiser fits into your budget, and you're OK with the performance figures, this should prove a capable SUV that's easy to live with for years to come. There hasn't been a significant number of Toyota Land Cruiser complaints on CarComplaints.com in decades, either.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 8th Gen Front View

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2022+ Genesis GV70 ($40,000-$60,000)

(1st Generation)

2024 Genesis GV70 Interior

Korean luxury automaker Genesis is no stranger to awards for quality and dependability. Their GV70 SUV launched for the 2022 model year, meaning that second-hand units have popped up readily in the used marketplace. Set your budget between $40,000 and $60,000, and you'll find plenty of options, some with very low miles and plenty of warranty remaining.

The twin-turbo V6 is thirsty, but it's an award-winning engine with plenty of mass-production experience behind it from other Hyundai and Kia models. Ditto the drivetrain. Notably, since its launch, the GV70 has earned high scores from J.D. Power for Quality and Reliability each year. Scheduled maintenance is covered for the first 3 years or 36,000 miles, making it even easier to take care of your GV70.

2020-2023 Lexus GX 460 ($40,000 - $50,000)

(2nd Generation)

2023_Lexus_GX_460_1

The Lexus GX is a highly familiar name from one of the world's leading builder of luxury SUV models. Replaced by an all-new model for the 2024 model year, the previous-generation GX had a long life dotted with facelifts and updates that left the underlying platform and engine untouched. This one's got great aftermarket support, a tremendous online owner community, and huge desirability for its old-school, low-tech approach.Again, long-running Toyota truck powertrains are popular for their reliability and serviceability, but the 4.6-liter V8 you'll find here is particularly thirsty and not so powerful. If that's no sweat for you, look for 6,500 lbs of towing capacity, generous space, and a strong Quality and Reliability score. Set your budget for $40,000 to $50,000 and check out a 2020-2023 model to take advantage of the facelift applied for the final few years of this generation's production - which tend to be the most reliable, by the way.

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2018-2024 Infiniti QX80 ($25,000 - $50,000)

(2nd Generation)

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Recent Infiniti QX80s aren't rated by J.D. Power for Quality and Reliability. Still, a recent increase in prices and search traffic, as well as the QX80's reputation as another large and long-running Japanese SUV with old-school tech under the hood help set it up as a safe bet. The last complete generation of the brand's biggest SUV was in production from 2011 to 2024, using a 5.6-liter V8 and 7-speed automatic transmission that were both highly proven from use in other Nissan and Infiniti applications.

A used QX80 will be easy to service in most locales, and setting your budget between $25,000 and $50,000 will open the door to plenty of 2018–2024 models, which benefit from the final facelift of this generation before it was replaced by an all-new QX80 for the 2025 model year.

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Jared Rosenholtz / Carbuzz / Valnet 

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2022 Nissan Armada Platinum review

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2018-2020 Acura MDX ($18,000-$24,000)

(3rd Generation)

2018 MDX Sport Hybrid-source

The third-generation Acura MDX arrived in 2014, got a facelift in 2017, and was replaced by an all-new model for 2022. J.D. Power's Quality and Reliability scoring sees all model years in this generation earn scores from average to great, and the MDX's strong reputation, loyal base of repeat buyers, and reputation for a no-nonsense ownership experience make it easy to recommend.

Built using highly proven parts and platforms, as well as one of the most mass-produced V6 engines on the road, setting your budget around the $20,000 mark should reveal a strong selection in the second-hand market. Other key draws to this generation MDX include a strong safety story and the available A-Spec styling package, which is popular with Acura's youngest shoppers.

2018 Acura MDX

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Like Honda, Acura has a good reliability reputation. For instance, the 2018 Acura MDX has an 81 out of 100 quality and reliability rating from J.D. Power. In Sport Hybrid guise, it also has 321 hp to play with. However, these Acuras have some questionable ergonomics and the older dual-touchscreen infotainment system that many find frustrating to use. If you can live with the dated tech, this is a decent used SUV.

2013-2015 Lexus RX ($12,000-$18,000)

(3rd Generation)

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The Lexus RX is another luxury SUV that's easy to recommend here. The third-generation machine launched in 2010, got a facelift in 2013, and was replaced by the fourth-generation RX in 2016. This relatively compressed model lifecycle meant Lexus updated the RX aggressively, with year-over-year updates stacking to continue driving value and keep it in the headlines.

All said, opting for a model in the 2013-2015 range should allow shoppers to benefit from the latest facelift and standard feature updates of the day, while keeping prices centered around $15,000. Search for a 2015 model if you're after the final production year of this generation, and its very latest updates.

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class on the sand

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2010-2015 Mercedes GLK ($10,000 - $12,000)

(1st Generation)

2010-2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class Rear Angle View

When it launched in 2010, the Mercedes GLK set itself apart from the masses with a boxy, blocky shape that flew in the face of ever-sleeker competitors. Beneath the sheet metal and its more traditional SUV shape, the GLK was also built using a wide range of major systems, including an engine, gearbox, infotainment and AWD systems, that were highly proven from many years of previous mass-production in earlier models before it.

Many owners say the GLK is the most reliable Mercedes they've ever owned, some crediting the extensive use of well-proven parts and systems that had largely been well-sorted for years. With some of the highest J.D. Power scores on the page, the GLK is an easy recommendation, especially a 2014 or 2015.

2011-2014 Porsche Cayenne ($10,000 - $20,000)

(2nd Generation)

2011-2014 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Front

The Porsche Cayenne first arrived in 2003, with the second-generation machine replacing it from 2011-2018, complete with a mid-cycle facelift in 2015. Around the same time, Porsche was making headlines as it climbed the ranks of the most dependable automakers in the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). By the time the 2014 Porsche Cayenne went into production, Porsche was building cars and SUVs that would earn it the second-place position among all automakers in the study, coming in just behind Lexus.

The nutshell? The 2011-2014 Cayenne was built during an era where Porsche put major effort into quality control, reliability, and dependability. Cayenne-specific scoring for Quality and Reliability fluctuate from year to year, but the 2011–2014 models combine Porsche's leading dependability scores of the day with reasonable second-hand pricing for an easy recommendation.

2016-2018 Audi Q3 ($7,000 - $10,000)

(1st Generation)

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This is a similar story to the Mercedes GLK, above. In 2015, Audi launched the Q3 here, built using an engine, driveline, infotainment system, and electronics that were highly proven from many years of mass-production and incremental enhancement in numerous Audi and VW models before it. The 2-liter turbo engine, for instance, is one of the world's most mass-produced and familiar.

Good ingredients make a good recipe, and both the Q3 and the corporate-cousin Volkswagen Tiguan are readily recognized as great buys in this segment because of it. For under $10,000, you'll find a Q3 of this vintage complete with AWD and strong Quality and Reliability scoring. Note that the Q3 was facelifted after just one year on sale, so opting for a 2016 Q3 (or newer) is your best bet.