Luxury SUVs are among the fastest-depreciating vehicles on the road — and for savvy used-car shoppers, that’s actually great news. While the original buyer absorbs the steepest part of the value curve, a second owner can step into a genuinely premium cabin, with all the power and features that come with it, for a fraction of the new-car price. The catch? Not every depreciated luxury SUV is worth the gamble. Many well-known models, like the BMW X5, rank near the bottom for long-term reliability — meaning the savings on the sticker can quickly evaporate at the service counter. We dug through the used market to find luxury SUVs that have already shed the bulk of their original value and have the reliability record to back up the buy. These are our top picks for shoppers who want to save money up front and keep costs manageable down the road.
This list is organized by each model’s five-year depreciation rate from most to least value lost. Prices will vary in the real world.
Lincoln Aviator
Value Lost After 5 Years: 58%
2022 Lincoln Aviator Specs
Base Engine
3.0L Twin-Turbo V6
Current Used Value (Reserve trim)
$37,000
JD Power Quality and Reliability Score
75/100
Number of NHTSA Complaints
43
Number of Recalls
20
Starting our list of depreciated SUVs is the 2022 Lincoln Aviator. For this list, we wanted to include models from roughly the last 4–6 years that should have passed the peak depreciation phase. That said, CarEdge’s data shows the Aviator loses about 58% of its value after five years. Every model loses value at its own rate, and individual trims can hold value better than others. The current used value stated in the table above is supported by CarBuzz’s own price trends data — also in a chart below. It pertains to the Reserve trim, since that’s a fair middle ground to judge the model on.
We know it has more than its fair share of recalls. Ford’s recalls have been abundant across its lineup in recent years, and no model is spared. However, the 2022 Aviator’s recalls don’t all point to reliability-reducing issues — some are related to seat belts, windshield wipers, and similar items.
The 2022 Aviator is now worth about as much as a new 4Runner, yet it comes with far more comfort features. No matter which trim you end up in, you’ll be left with a true American luxury car. Features include a powered panoramic roof, a premium audio system with satellite navigation, ambient lighting, and a 360-degree camera.
Buick Enclave
Value Lost After 5 Years: 58%
2021 Buick Enclave Specs
Base Engine
3.6-liter V6
Current Used Value (Premium trim)
$25,700
JD Power Quality and Reliability Score
84/100
Number of NHTSA Complaints
21
Number of Recalls
2
The Buick Enclave is another American luxury SUV that’s proving to stay fairly reliable. After plenty of research on model years just past the worst of its depreciation curve, we found the 2021 Enclave is its best model year for reliability, value, and luxury features. CarEdge’s data shows that the Enclave loses about 58% of its value to depreciation after its first five years on the road, so used buyers can find them for relatively affordable prices — about $25,700 on average, according to our price trends data.
This model’s reliability is far better than the Lincoln we talked about, with only 2 recalls and 21 owner complaints recorded with the NHTSA. Both recalls are related to the airbags, which could prove dangerous if not addressed, even if they don’t affect day-to-day reliability. Nevertheless, JD Power’s quality and reliability score of 84 out of 100, combined with so few complaints, makes for a more trustworthy used buy.
As for luxury features, the 2021 Enclave keeps things relatively straightforward. Some would argue that Buick isn’t a “real” luxury brand anymore, since it can’t quite keep pace with the amenities offered by European rivals. However, this SUV comes with features like active noise cancellation, heated front seats, and rear park assist. Higher trim levels, including the Premium and Avenir, even add ventilated, massaging front seats.
Genesis GV80 SUV
Value Lost After 5 Years: 52%
2022 Genesis GV80 Specs
Base Engine
2.5-liter Turbo I4
Current Used Value (2.5T trim)
$34,700
JD Power Quality and Reliability Score
77/100
Number of NHTSA Complaints
41
Number of Recalls
4
Genesis has been beating traditional luxury brands at their own game lately with some of the best interiors on the market. One such model with a brilliantly comfortable cabin is the GV80 SUV (also available in coupe form with a sloped rear roofline). Taking depreciation and reliability into account, the 2022 model year is the best outcome. Its 2.5T trims are currently worth an average of $34,700, down from a $49,700 MSRP when new.
The 2022 GV80’s reliability is holding steady so far, but there are a few concerns worth raising. It has an active recall for a fuel leak affecting 94,760 units, in addition to two separate recalls from 2023 and 2024 regarding fuel pump failure. That said, there aren’t enough owner complaints about any single serious issue to steer us away from the model entirely. If you purchase a certified pre-owned example, it will still be covered by Genesis’s warranties, which rank among the best in the industry.
We could sit here and list every single luxury feature the GV80 comes with, but that would take days. Instead, here’s what our expert drive tester had to say about it:
“The absolute standout feature of the GV80 is the interior. It’s what makes this SUV look and feel like a luxury car from the moment you open the door. It doesn’t matter which trim you go for because the full lineup is nicely appointed. It’s not a matter of whether you want luxury, but of just how much luxury will make you happy.” – Nicole Wakelin, CarBuzz (2025 Genesis GV80 Drive Review)
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class SUV
Value Lost After 5 Years: 48%
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class Specs
Base Engine
3.0-liter Turbo I6
Current Used Value (GLS 450)
$54,800
JD Power Quality and Reliability Score
83/100
Number of NHTSA Complaints
10
Number of Recalls
5
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class SUV is still in the middle of a sharp value drop, but we chose it as its best model year for the reliability it brings to the table. It hasn’t been on the road long enough to reveal long-term issues, but there’s sufficient data to justify its place on this list. JD Power awarded the 2023 model year an 83 out of 100 for quality and reliability, and it has logged only 10 owner complaints with the NHTSA.
There are a handful of recalls to be aware of, covering fuel pump failure, faulty software that could cause the vehicle to stall, and an improperly secured electrical connection. As long as previous owners addressed these recalls when they were issued, there shouldn’t be much to worry about today.
It goes without saying that the S-Class of SUVs is one of the most luxurious models on this list. Even the GLS 450, which is currently valued at an average of $54,800, comes with a generous suite of standard luxury features:
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Power Liftgate
- Remote Start via mobile app
- 4-zone automatic climate control
- Panorama roof
- 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia display
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster display
Lexus LX
Value Lost After 5 Years: 33%
2020 Lexus LX Specs
Base Engine
5.7-liter V8
Current Used Value
$66,800
JD Power Quality and Reliability Score
N/A
Number of NHTSA Complaints
1
Number of Recalls
0
No luxury SUV comes close to matching the J200 Lexus LX’s combination of reliability and comfort for what it’s worth on the used market. The current LX generation is as luxurious as ever, but the old LX 570 has more than proven itself as one of the most dependable luxury models available — its 5.7-liter V8 is borderline bulletproof. The 2020 model year is our top pick, as it carries no recalls and only a single owner complaint at the time of writing. This Lexus doesn’t depreciate like a falling rock, either; it retains an average of 67% of its value after five years.
That said, it’s still a worthy option on the used market, with values averaging $66,800. A combination of legendary reliability and genuine comfort helps prop up its resale price. Some standard features include:
- Four-zone automatic climate control with interior air filter, smog sensor, and automatic recirculation mode
- Nine-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System
- Adaptive Variable Suspension with Active Height Control, and Crawl Control with Turn Assist
- Perforated leather interior trim
- Panoramic View Monitor and Multi-Terrain Monitor
How Each Model’s Main Rival Stacks Up
2024 BMW X5 Turquoise Front Angled View DrivingBMW
Select rivals for each model are as follows:
Model
Rival
Lincoln Aviator
BMW X5
Buick Enclave
Acura MDX
Genesis GV80
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
Audi Q7
Lexus LX
Cadillac Escalade
While some of the models already selected for our original list also compete with one another, the rivals shown in the table above reflect a bit more diversity. Each rival either doesn’t depreciate enough or isn’t reliable enough — usually the latter — to earn a spot in the original five-model list.
The BMW X5, which rivals the Aviator, loses about 59% of its original value after five years, putting it on nearly the same depreciation footing as the Lincoln. However, it falls short on reliability; CarEdge’s data shows the X5 costs about $6,116 in maintenance and repairs over its first five years. The Acura MDX loses about 50% of its value in five years, meaning it holds value better than the Enclave — though the 2022 MDX earned only a 73/100 in quality and reliability from JD Power.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, Audi Q7, and Cadillac Escalade depreciate by 48%, 57%, and 58%, respectively. All three lose value more quickly than their mentioned competitors, and could also cost more to maintain, carry more recalls, or generate more customer complaints.
Sources: Lincoln, Buick, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, BMW, Acura, Cadillac, Audi, CarEdge, NHTSA, JD Power
