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Luxury SUVs are great, except when you want to sell one. Buying Used While a Land Cruiser will retain its value, and perhaps even increase in value, most 15-20 year old luxury SUVs have resale values that resemble Blockbuster’s. A $59,000 BMW X5 in 2004, for example, is now worth around $6,300 used. And it’s a killer V8-powered highway cruiser that can hold its own on plenty of off-road trails. You can buy a used super luxury SUV for less than $15,000. Here are a few that all have V8s, four-wheel drive, and still look modern.
Many dealerships use one of two books to appraise used cars. the Kelly’s Blue Book and the NADA, or National Auto Dealers Association, guide, are the two standards. Of course, there are plenty of other sites that offer values, but these two are still a good place to start if you’re looking to buy used. We’ve included both prices below so you can get an idea of what they’re selling for. Both books show that some of the best used vehicle values are used luxury SUVs. Of course, options, mileage, condition and even color will affect the price.
BMW X5 2004
Original price: $59,695
NADA: $6,300
KBB: $5,338
Somehow, the BMW X5 still looks relatively modern. While some Benzes have dissolved to look like modern minivans, the X5 still looks like a proper SUV. The 2004 version was the first to be updated since 2000 and it was the first to feature xDrive, the company’s new four-wheel-drive system. The 4.4-liter V8 made 315 horsepower and it was quick, clocking in around 7 seconds at 60 mph. The X5 was updated again for 2007, but those versions are considerably more expensive today for virtually the same performance. Although not all X5s are winners on the used market.
2006 Cadillac Escalade
The 2006 Escalade still looks like a true full-size SUV. At the time, it had all the luxury features you could imagine, such as adjustable pedals, power seats, multi-zone climate and navigation, but it also has a powerful V8 that puts out 285 horsepower. It can also seat eight people and make you look like one of the “Men in Black” in the right color. What makes the ‘Slade a winner in the used market, however, is that it won a JD Power award for reliability in 2006.
Its stablemate, the Yukon, also won JD Power’s Best Large Multi-Activity Vehicle reliability award.
Lexus LX470
NADA: $15,950
KBB: $16,416
The second generation of the LX appeared in 2002 and was updated with new lights and an updated V8 with variable valve timing which increased horsepower to 275 horsepower from 230 in older versions. This thing was huge, but it also ultimately had the power to match. Underneath it’s a Land Cruiser, which means it has some serious off-road chops, but it has a lower running board and air dam than the LC. Either way, JD Power named the LX 470 the most reliable luxury SUV in three years.
Porsche Cayenne S
Original price: $55,900
NADA: $10,325
KBB: $8,431
The Cayenne S features a V8 that made it the most powerful non-turbocharged luxury SUV at the time. With 340 horsepower and a top speed of 150, it was a sports car that could seat five people. Even though its interior was funky in 2005, as it looked like a 911, it’s hard to believe you can get so much performance for around $10,000. It’s not too much of a unicorn price either. Autotrader has several for sale around this price, although they have around 150,000 miles. But ask any Porsche fan and they’ll tell you that a Cayenne should last up to 200,000 miles without any “major” repairs and still be a bargain used.
Mercedes-Benz ML500 2006
Original price: $49,975
NADA: $9,950
KBB: $8,243
When the original M-Class came out, everything was fine. Instead of looking like a beefy SUV, the Ms looked more like candy. But in 2006, Mercedes-Benz updated the M-Class and it became a hit. The five-passenger M shared its chassis with the GL-Class SUV, bringing a more rugged vibe and better handling. It was also praised for its build quality at the time. In 2009, the M-Class was again updated and these look more contemporary, with second-hand prices to match. If you can find one, the ML63 AMG packs the most powerful normally aspirated V8 made to date.
RELATED: What’s the best high-mileage SUV?
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