Leasing seems like a good deal until you realize you’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars on a luxury SUV that you get no equity in once your term is up. Sure, you could spend even more money to buy it at the end of the lease, but at that point you’ll be paying more overall than the car would have originally been sold for – not to mention the car’s value will be in the midst of its peak depreciation phase, as the three-year warranties are ending. Keeping all that in mind, we suggest cutting your losses in favor of buying a five-year-old used Infiniti QX80, for example, that’s already past the worst of its depreciation, and your name will be on the title.
All specifications have been pulled directly from the manufacturers. Used car prices can vary depending on where the vehicle is located, how many miles are on the odometer, the vehicle’s cosmetic and mechanical conditions, how many owners the car has had, and more factors.
The prices quoted in this article are averages, and may not represent exactly what you’ll pay for a used SUV. Photos may not represent the exact trim levels mentioned in this article.
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4Matic
Five-Year Depreciation: 48%
As another preface, all depreciation figures used in this article are sourced from CarEdge, and account for the model as a whole. The exact percentage could vary by trim level. That said, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class SUV has lost about half of its value over the last five years. Today, our CarBuzz Marketplace price trend data shows the GLS 450 as being worth an average of $38,601 — that’s not especially cheap, but it’s a bargain for a GLS SUV.
It’s powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 that makes 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, which sends power to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes-Benz says it can sprint to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. As far as reliability goes, the GLS 450 could be worse. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records 12 recalls and 37 owner complaints at the time of writing. Most complaints have to do with electrical problems, some of which have been solved by the recalls.
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 RWD
Five-Year Depreciation: 48%
If the GLS-Class is too flashy, too expensive to insure, or too expensive upfront, then the 2021 GLE 350 is worth settling for. Its base model has also lost about half its value over the last half a decade, leading to the average price of the GLE 350 RWD sitting at $30,900 just five years down the line.
Under the hood of this base model is a 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 that makes 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. We would be careful when buying one, though, since it has 22 recalls and 83 complaints, some of which pertain to serious issues like the engine misfiring, for example. If you can find one in good condition, though, you’ll enjoy active brake assist, blind spot assist, and other safety features. Optional equipment includes four-zone climate control, a Burmester 3D sound system, and more.
2022 Acura MDX Type S Advance
Five-Year Depreciation: 50%
Acura decided to take a gap year after its 2020 MDX while its teams prepared for the all-new model to launch for the 2022 model year. Therefore, we’ll highlight the first model year of the current MDX generation. The three-row premium family SUV took a turn for the better when it was refreshed, and now it’s less expensive with the Type S top trim level being worth around $40,000.
We know that’s about the same price as the used GLS-Class we talked about, but the MDX Type S is appealing for its 3.0-liter turbo V6 that makes 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. It’s also far more reliable; the NHTSA records the standard MDX variants as having two recalls and 139 complaints, while the Type S has one recall and only 22 complaints. Plus, it comes with perforated Milano leather upholstery, heated and ventilated, 16-way-adjustable power front seats, heated second-row seats, and more.
2021 Genesis GV80 3.5T AWD
Five-Year Depreciation: 52%
Genesis debuted the GV80 in 2021. It has since proven to be one of the brand’s most important models, and is currently the second-bestselling model in the Genesis lineup with 14,536 units sold in Q1 and Q2 2026. According to CarEdge, the GV80 loses about 52% of its value after five years; the 3.5T AWD trim embodies that figure, since our marketplace data shows an average value of $33,457 today.
This trim is powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that makes 375 hp which seems to be reliable so far. The 2021 GV80 has five recalls – three have to do with fuel leaks and/or fuel pump failure, which are reinforced by the model’s 55 owner complaints to the NHTSA. There aren’t enough complaints that we would call it a common problem, but it’s certainly one to be aware of. The GV80 makes up for it with Nappa leather upholstery, an available 21-speaker (and 17-subwoofer) Lexicon surround-sound system, and more.
2021 Volvo XC90 T8
Five-Year Depreciation: 55%
The Volvo XC90 recently became the brand’s flagship model after the S90 sedan was discontinued. It’s fairly expensive today, with the Ultra trim starting at $71,045. Back in 2021, the top trim level was the T8 – buyers today can find an average example for around $28,000.
Choosing the T8 variant means getting a 400-hp plug-in hybrid system based around its 2.0-liter twin-charged four-cylinder engine. Increasing your budget by a few thousand dollars will grant you a 2022 model, which received a boost to 455 hp. Nevertheless, the 2021 model is just as luxurious with its leather upholstery, heated/massaging seats, and more. The NHTSA shows five recalls and 17 complaints for this model year.
2021 Cadillac Escalade Luxury
Five-Year Depreciation: 58%
The Cadillac Escalade was brand-new for the 2021 model year, which introduced new styling, updated tech, and more features at every level. Cadillac’s largest SUV hasn’t been refreshed since this update, so it still feels like new. Buyers in the market for a used three-row luxury SUV can expect to pay about $50,000 for the Luxury trim level.
It’s powered by a 6.2-liter gas V8 that makes 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque – the very same engine found in the Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, and Silverado 1500, which has become somewhat infamous for catastrophic failure over the last few years. There are 12 recalls and 82 complaints so far. However, it comes with optional Air Ride Adaptive Suspension that floats over potholes, an electronic limited-slip differential, leather seats, and more.
2021 Lincoln Aviator Black Label
Five-Year Depreciation: 58%
Lincoln joins the party with its 2021 Aviator, which reportedly loses an average of 58% of its value after five years on the road. The model was introduced for the 2020 model year, then Lincoln minorly changed the SUV for 2021. Today, our data shows the top trim level, the Black Label, as being worth about $37,700.
The Aviator is built on the same platform as the Ford Explorer, and the Black Label uses the Explorer ST’s 400-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 powertrain. The model was available in three themes, including Chalet, Destination, and Flight, which came with unique interior colorways. As nice as it all looks and sounds, the 2021 Aviator has 28 recalls to date, and 38 owner complaints to the NHTSA.
2021 BMW X5 M
Five-Year Depreciation: 59%
CarEdge‘s data shows the 2021 BMW X5 loses an average of 59% of its value after its first five years on the road. That value may vary depending on the trim level; the same source says the X5 M only loses about 44% of its value, but sales and value data suggest a number closer to 50%. That said, Kelley Blue Book values the model at $56,200 today.
This peak X5 model is equipped with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that makes 600 horsepower (or 617 hp with the Competition package). It comes with full Merino leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and more. That said, the 2021 X5 is affected by 12 recalls and 99 complaints.
2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Five-Year Depreciation: 67%
Alfa Romeo models depreciate more quickly than most brands, and the Stelvio is no different. Our trim of choice is the Quadrifoglio, which is currently worth about $31,800, according to Kelley Blue Book. It’s a smaller model that takes on rivals like the X3 M, but it does so with ferocity from a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that makes 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The NHTSA records five recalls for the Stelvio in general, and only four customer complaints. That’s potentially due to lower sales – only 4,529 units sold in 2021, so there aren’t many owners around to report issues.
2021 Infiniti QX80 Sensory
Five-Year Depreciation: 69%
The QX80 is Infiniti’s largest model. It received a major update for the 2025 model year, when it ditched its old reliable V8 engine for a twin-turbo V6. Despite its robust powertrain and rugged, truck-like capability, the model tends to lose value quickly. Our price trend data shows the 2021 QX80 Sensory with a value of $32,000.
We honestly miss this SUV’s 5.6-liter naturally aspirated V8. The VK56VD made 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, and could tow up to 8,500 lbs. There are little to no common problems with the engine. The 2021 model is only affected by three recalls and seven complaints. Choosing the Sensory trim means getting a more advanced climate control system and a 17-speaker Bose sound system in addition to the other trims’ intelligent cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision warning and more.
Sources: CarBuzz Marketplace, Mercedes-Benz, Acura, Genesis, Volvo, Cadillac, Lincoln, Infiniti, Alfa Romeo, CarEdge, NHTSA, Kelley Blue Book
