10 Top Luxury SUVs Under $30,000

2016 BMW X1 white ・ Photo by BMW

What makes a good luxury SUV? Is it the way it drives, the quality of its interior, and the features that it comes with? Is a traditional luxury badge a top priority, or stretch-out interior space?

The best luxury SUVs combine all or most of those attributes. But you can get a number of compelling luxurious SUVs under $30,000, as long as you’re willing to give up some of those qualities or opt for a used vehicle. We’ve rounded up a varied collection of standout choices — five brand-new vehicles that pack a lot of luxury into a relatively affordable price, and five pre-owned models from luxury brands that are especially strong values on the used market.

1. 2020 Buick Encore GX

The all-new 2020 Buick Encore GX is a subcompact crossover with more luxury than you usually find in such a small SUV. Buick introduced the idea of a luxurious subcompact crossover with the first Encore in 2013, and the new Encore GX modernizes the vehicle’s styling and safety technology. (It’s sold alongside the original Encore, which is slightly less expensive but about the same size.)

The Encore GX starts at $24,100, and you can upgrade to its top-of-the-line Essence model without crossing the $30,000 threshold. The Encore GX looks more expensive than its low price and, like other Buicks, promises a quiet ride and user-friendly controls. But if you like power and spaciousness in your luxury SUV, this three-cylinder subcompact might not be your first choice.

Photo by General Motors

2. 2021 Kia Seltos

Another subcompact crossover that doesn’t feel like a tiny subcompact is the all-new 2021 Kia Seltos. Classy styling inside and out, and lots of luxury features for the money, can make it a great luxury SUV under $30,000. The Kia brand is even less upscale than Buick’s, but the Seltos makes up for that with strong substance — including a roomier interior.

The Seltos starts at just $21,990, and available luxury features for less than $30,000 include a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, leatherette upholstery, a 10-way power driver’s seat with heating, a navigation system, Bose audio, and dressy 18-inch alloy wheels. You get all those on the $27,890 SX model, along with the zestier of two engines: a turbocharged 1.6-liter making 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This still isn’t a luxury SUV in every way, but it looks great and lets you check every box without breaking the bank.

Photo by Kia

3. 2020 Hyundai Tucson

A half-size larger than the Seltos, the 2020 Hyundai Tucson offers even more space and an even quieter ride while keeping prices well south of $30,000. The upper-trim Tucson Limited model comes loaded with luxury features at $29,250, including genuine leather upholstery, heating for the seats and steering wheel, a hands-free power liftgate, and an Infinity sound system.

The Tucson doesn’t exactly drive like a luxury car, but the Limited model’s 181-horsepower four-cylinder engine is smooth and quiet, and this compact crossover rides and handles well. If your definition of luxury means lots of goodies, the Tucson delivers them at an excellent price tag. You also get a strong safety record, a usefully spacious interior, a long warranty, and — just like you’d get from BMW — three years of free maintenance.

Photo by Hyundai

4. 2020 Mazda CX-5

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 is a competitor to the Tucson that trades some features for a more upscale feel to its driving experience and its interior. Mazda has long been known for its sporty handling, and its latest models also provide a great deal of polish — excellent suspension composure, well-muffled noise, and upscale styling inside and out.

The CX-5 is also a compelling value for the money. The Touring model costs $26,370, and that price includes heated leatherette front seats. For genuine leather, power seat adjustments, a sunroof, and Bose audio, you can consider stretching your budget to the next-up Grand Touring model ($30,310). Alternatively, you could get the smaller, lower-to-the-ground Mazda CX-30 with all the available trappings for under $30,000.

Photo by Mazda

5. 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

For many people, European heritage is a key factor for a luxury SUV. The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan compact crossover brings the styling of an Audi — it’s also part of the VW corporate umbrella — to affordable price points. What’s more, unlike early Tiguan generations, today’s model brings stretch-out interior space. There’s even an available third-row seat for seven-passenger capacity (in a tight pinch). The Tiguan may not have a dazzlingly luxurious interior, but its agile handling and clean design show clear German pedigree.

What’s more, you can get the Tiguan with a respectable array of high-end features for less than $30,000. The SE model, $27,095, includes leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, and an array of safety features. A $30,000 price cap even leaves enough room for the optional panoramic sunroof.

Photo by Volkswagen

6. 2018 BMW X1

When you’re ready to trade new-car smell for a luxury badge, the BMW X1 stands ready to deliver. It’s a subcompact crossover with more room and more SUV-like styling than most similarly small competitors, and it’s also more affordable than other BMW SUVs. Based on our searches, you should be able to get a used 2018 X1 (or at least a 2017) for under $30,000.

The X1 isn’t one of the vault-like rear-wheel-drive-based BMWs, but it retains the brand’s technology, style, and handling agility. Acceleration from its 228-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine won’t blow you away, but you’ll appreciate its thrifty 26 mpg in mixed driving.

Photo by BMW

7. 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Alfa Romeo isn’t one of America’s staple luxury brands, and that can be good news for the informed consumer. The frequently overlooked Alfa Romeo Stelvio luxury crossover is widely available for less than $30,000 on the used market, with lucky buyers getting a lively 280-horsepower four-cylinder engine, extra-responsive steering and handling, and the styling of an Italian exotic.

One other reason for the Stelvio’s low price is suspicion about Alfa Romeo’s reliability. Any luxury car brings the potential for costly repairs if something goes wrong, but we’d look for warranty protection on a used Stelvio to be extra careful.

Photo by Alfa Romeo

8. 2017 Lincoln MKX

If big and relaxing matters more to your luxury SUV experience than flashy and sporty, the Lincoln MKX is a standout choice. This mid-size crossover is the luxury version of the popular Ford Edge, but with more elegant styling, richer interior materials, and more available features.

The MKX was redesigned and vastly improved for the 2016 model year, and we find even newer models for under our $30,000 price cap. Count on cushy seats, generous space for five passengers and their cargo, effortlessly powerful V6 engines, and a smooth, quiet ride.

Photo by Lincoln

9. 2016 Volvo XC90

If you want extra-rich interior decor or you want seven-passenger seating, the 2016 Volvo XC90 is one of our favorite choices. This mid-size crossover is available with three rows of seats (including a decently usable third row), and since its 2015 redesign, it has offered widely acclaimed styling inside and out. Clean yet elegant, and blending opulent materials with high-end technology, the XC90 is a family favorite whose curb appeal extends far beyond the school pickup lane.

We found well-equipped 2016 and even 2017 XC90 vehicles with the mid-level T6 engine — a turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder making a lively 316 horsepower. This isn’t exactly a performance car, but you can get this leather-lined SUV up to speed in a hurry.

Photo by Volvo

10. 2015 Infiniti QX80

For extra space and greater hauling capabilities from a luxury SUV under $30,000, we recommend the Infiniti QX80. You can likely get a 2015 or newer model within this price bracket, featuring sumptuous leather seating for up to eight passengers and a 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 engine, capable of towing up to 8,500 pounds. Just set aside some money in your fuel budget, since EPA estimates the QX80 will manage as little as 15 mpg in mixed driving.

If you want to save more money or get a newer vehicle, you could opt for the Nissan Armada — which shares its basic design, much of its interior, and many of its materials with the QX80. We found leather-upholstered 2018 Armadas listed for less than $30,000.

Photo by Infiniti