8 new luxury SUVs for under $50,000

By The editor On Jan 6, 2020

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With so many great options on the market, 2020 is a great time to be shopping for a luxury SUV. Aside from the really big full-size SUVs, you can find a luxury SUV in any size with a starting price of less than $50,000. If you’re looking for 3-row seating, an exciting performance model or even a hybrid, we have a variety of luxury crossovers on this list.

Here are eight of the top choices in new luxury SUVs that you can find on Autotrader for less than $50,000 in 2020.

Acura MDX

The 2020 Acura MDX is on the practical side of midsize luxury crossovers. It has three rows of seats, a smooth ride and a budget-friendly price tag compared with most of its competitors. Its standard V6 engine delivers an outstanding blend of robust power and great fuel economy. The MDX also has more composed handling than you might expect for a vehicle this size, which pairs well with its stout engine. If you want to keep the price under the $50,000 mark, you’ll need to get the base model, but you can add Acura’s SH-AWD system.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

The 2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a compact SUV that is serious about performance. This is proven by its turbocharged base engine, which makes 280 horsepower. That’s a best-in-class power rating for a base engine in a compact luxury SUV. You can get the Stelvio in any trim other than the high-performance Quadrifoglio model for less than $50,000, and we recommend upgrading to one of the Ti models, which adds standard all-wheel drive and luxury features such as an upgraded 8.8-in infotainment system, a heated steering wheel and front parking sensors.

Audi Q5

The 2020 Audi Q5 combines engaging performance, a smooth ride and one of the nicest interiors in this class in one compelling compact SUV. It’s well-rounded and a good size, making it a good fit for a lot of drivers in the market for a luxury crossover. With a $50,000 budget, we recommend upgrading to the Premium Plus trim, which adds extra safety and technology features including the Audi Pre-Sense technology package, navigation and the fantastic 12.3-in virtual cockpit, which turns the instrument cluster into one big customizable screen.

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BMW X2

$50,000 might sound like a lot of money to spend on a subcompact crossover, even from a luxury brand, but if you get behind the wheel of a 2020 BMW X2 M35i, the price tag will make sense. The X2 is a great luxury SUV for its agile handling, nice interior and modern technology, but it’s at its best in its top trim with a 301-hp turbocharged engine, AWD and M Sport performance parts like brakes, suspension and exhaust. This little SUV flies from 0-to-60 mph in less than five seconds, plus it’s a practical crossover.

Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2020 Lexus RX is a fantastic midsize luxury crossover in its own right, and we think it gets even better when you upgrade to the RX 450h hybrid — it bumps up the fuel economy rating to up to 31 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway while also adding a few horsepower over the base RX 350. The RX Hybrid combines excellent fuel economy with an upscale interior and a smooth ride with little compromise, all for a reasonable price. If you want three rows of seats, you can get the RX 350L for less than $50,000, but not the hybrid version of the 7-seater.

Also read: Should you buy a car with all-wheel drive?

Lincoln Corsair

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair is a new player in compact luxury crossovers for 2020, and we’re impressed with its debut. It has a spacious, well-designed interior, impressive technology, a handsome look and sliding and reclining second-row seats, which is uncommon in this class. With a $50,000 budget, you can get a fancy Reserve model, which adds leather seating, navigation, a panoramic sunroof, Revel premium audio and more. You can even spring for the Reserve I package, which upgrades the safety tech and adds a few extra creature comforts, such as heated rear seats.

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

If you’re looking for one compact luxury SUV that does everything well, then the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class could be what you’re looking for. It has a lineup of impressive engines, a predictably posh interior and user-friendly technology. In classic Mercedes-Benz fashion, it strikes an excellent balance between a serene and comfortable ride in a straight line, with a dynamic and engaging drive when the road gets curvy. Standard kit on the base GLC 300 includes the Pre-Safe driver assistance system, heated front seats and a 10.25-in infotainment system, and you can add AWD while keeping the price under $50,000.

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Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 is a 3-row crossover with serious style and luxury. The base XC90 with seven seats and front-wheel drive comes in just under $50,000 after you factor the destination fee into the MSRP. That’s an outstanding value for a 3-row luxury SUV of this quality. The base Momentum trim comes well-equipped with 19-in alloy wheels, leatherette seating, real wood interior trim, a lane-keeping aid, a high-performance audio system and more. This Volvo is a bargain compared with similarly equipped 3-row luxury SUVs from its German rivals.

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