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Identifying the First-Gen Ford MustangReliable Luxury Compact SUVs Under $30,000
Luxury Compact SUVs are increasingly popular, but the MSRP is not so much. We look at highly reliable luxury SUVs that fit your budget and style.
Drive Luxury for Less
As the compact crossover segment has exploded in popularity over the past few years, so too have the variety of options from every major manufacturer. Within that universe are the aspirational luxury models, the small entry-level SUVs from brands with serious cachet like BMW and Porsche. But a 2025 Porsche Macan starts around $65,000, which is frankly out of reach for many drivers. If you are in the market for a reliable luxury SUV at a faction of the price, then read on for some opportunities to save with a used car.
Thanks to the consumer-friendly math that is depreciation, you can get into a lightly used Macan for less than half that new model year pricing. Along with a host of other small crossovers, all of which earn high ratings in the reliability department. Let’s dig in.
2021 Lexus NX
Lexus has a reputation for reliability and that is proven out with the 2021 NX and its J.D. Power Quality & Reliability score of 88 out of 100, the highest of any crossover here. Though it comes in traditional gas-powered format, we recommend the 300h hybrid variant for its combined fuel economy rating of 31 mpg.
You can get into a 2021 NX 300h with around 50,000 miles for $30,000 or less with standard features like LED headlights, automatic climate control, and an 8” central touchscreen with smartphone mirroring. Higher trim levels offer niceties like climatized front seats and a Mark Levinson audio system with 14 speakers.
2019 Lincoln MKC
Along with a J.D. Power reliability score of 84, a 2019 Lincoln MKC in high-end Black Label duds can be yours for a reasonable $24,000 with around 41,000 miles. These range-topping MKCs feature the more powerful 2.3L turbocharged inline-4 rated for 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque along with standard AWD.
Other niceties include 19” wheels, an adaptive suspension, a panoramic moonroof, and Nappa leather that will be worth caring for properly. Audiophiles should look for a used MKC with the 14-speaker THX audio system, while all buyers will appreciate the 37” of second-row legroom and 53 cubic feet of cargo space with that row folded down.
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC
For around $26,000, there are used Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 crossovers for sale, like this 2022 model with just 20,000 miles on it. It comes with a 255-horse 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder and RWD for those interested in the improved handling experience this setup provides over the more common FWD configuration in this segment.
AWD is optional, but every 2022 GLC 300 comes with an 81/100 reliability rating, which is in the “Great” category, 18” wheels, heated front seats, a 10.25” central touchscreen, and a self-parking system. Optional content worth looking for includes a panoramic moonroof, a head-up display, and adaptive cruise control.
2023 Cadillac XT4
Cadillac’s XT4 is a reliability champ with a J.D. Power score of 85/100, which is doubly nice considering there are 2023 XT4s on the market for well under $30,000. A turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 is standard as is FWD, LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, and wireless integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Second-row legroom is impressive at 39”, though maximum cargo space is less so at 49 cubic feet. Like most of its cohorts, the XT4 offers AWD along with high-end touches like massaging front seats, a digital rearview mirror, a wireless phone charging pad, and a sunroof.
2023 BMW X3
Like the Mercedes GLC, the 2023 BMW X3 is a RWD compact crossover with the option for AWD. It sits in the Great segment for reliability according to J.D. Power and boasts a turbocharged four-cylinder making 249 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
In base sDrive30i trim, these X3s come with 19” wheels, auto-dimming side mirrors, a power-operated liftgate, triple-zone automatic climate control, and dual 10.25” cabin displays – one for the instrument panel and the other for infotainment. Lightly used 2023 BMW X3s can be found for around $27,000, but the more potent M40i variant with its 382-horse powertrain will of course cost more.
2023 Infiniti QX50
The 2023 Infiniti QX50 offers a torque-rich 2.0L inline-4 rated for 280 lb-ft and 268 hp along with 39” of rear legroom, and 64 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row. It also earns an 82/100 reliability score and a 2-year-old QX50 Luxe be found for around $28,000 with just 13,000 miles.
These Luxe trim lines come with a panoramic moonroof, leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, forward collision mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. Other standard content includes an 8” central display with wireless smartphone integration, while higher-spec QX50s offer 20” wheels, a Bose audio system, and heated rear seats.
2022 Acura RDX
Along with a J.D. Power reliability score of 81, the 2022 Acura RDX has a startlingly huge cargo hold at 80 cubic feet with the second-row folded own, the largest of any crossover on this list by far. Buyers can also find highly equipped used RDXs like this one with the Technology package and AWD for just $30,000 with 14,000 miles.
Highlighted features include its 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 making 272 hp, 19” wheels, a panoramic moonroof, a 10.2” infotainment touchscreen, front and rear parking sensors, and a 12-speaker audio system. For a bit more outlay, look for optional amenities like heated and ventilated front seats, a surround-view monitor, and 20” wheels.
2023 Buick Encore GX
The Buick Encore GX is admittedly more of a premium compact crossover than a full-boat luxury liner and is a bit underpowered compared to some of the other options on this list. However, the 2023 Encore GX offers stellar reliability with a score of 87/100 to go with value-packed pricing.
A top-line 2023 Encore GX Essence with just 12,000 miles – like this one – runs about $25,000. For that, buyers enjoy 18” wheels, a heated steering wheel, active noise cancellation, and wireless smartphone mirroring. The 30-mpg combined rating from its relatively small 1.3L turbocharged inline-3 powertrain in FWD guise is another reason to consider the Encore GX.
2021 Porsche Macan
The 2021 Porsche Macan is our most sporty recommendation for reliable luxury crossover transportation under $30,000 with its 81/100 J.D. Power reliability score. It also comes standard with AWD, a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and a boosted four-pot making 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque.
More powerful variants are available with as much as 434 hp that could be affordable with a bit of careful negotiation, but the base Macan is the value leader. It comes with leather and faux suede upholstery, a navigation system, triple-zone automatic climate control, and 18” wheels. The 53 cubic feet of maximum cargo space and 36” of rear legroom are about average for this group, but the available Burmester 16-speaker audio system and air suspension are anything but.
2022 Lexus UX
The Lexus UX is more of a sub-compact crossover, but is worth a look in 250h hybrid trim, like this 2022 model with 23,000 miles. That’s because these fuel misers deliver a combined fuel economy rating of 39 mpg from the standard AWD system making them one of the current best SUVs when it comes to gas mileage.
Granted, the back seat is small and cargo space tops out at 22 cubic feet, but reliability is in the Great category and as a Lexus, the UX 250h is nicely outfitted with features like 18” wheels, faux leather upholstery, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four USB ports, and adaptive cruise control.
