These high-end SUVs from the 2000s are actually somewhat cheap in 2022.
North America has been SUV crazy for quite some time. In 2014, SUV and truck sales matched the sedan market, which, in itself, is quite the achievement. According to LA Times, SUVs eventually overtook sedans by 2017, representing over 60% of total sales. In 2019, SUVs outsold sedans two to one, and the speed at which they are rising shows no sign of slowing down.
Updated April 2022: SUVs have been on the rise for the longest time. During the 2000s, some quite impressive SUVs were built, some of which died off with time, and some that are still alive today. Due to the growing market of the SUV, we have updated this list to point out some of the best SUVs produced in the 2000s that are still high-end today, and perhaps more importantly, are relatively affordable.
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None of these should come as a surprise given how SUVs continue to deliver improved fuel efficiency, great styling, excellent performance, and advanced technology. Due to the growing demand for these vehicles, new models are always priced quite high, and not everybody can afford them. As a result, many tend to turn to the used-car market in search of affordable options. For those looking for reliable family and executive SUVs, but are limited by their tight budgets, the used-car market offers awesome used SUVs for as low as $5,000. To narrow it down further, we've compiled a list of high-end SUVs of the 2000s that are relatively cheap in 2022.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has roots that go back more than 40 years with the first consumer version released in 1979. While the vehicle spent most of its infancy in Europe, South America, and the Middle East, North America saw its first G-class model in 2002 as Mercedes-Benz G500.
How do you price an iconic vehicle like the G-class, which also has a history in the military? Well, $72,500 seems fair. In 2002, that amount brought home an impressive 5.0-liter V8 producing 292 hp and a monstrous 366 lb-ft. of torque, all connected to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Its cabin features a good mix of rugged looks and well-appointed walnut wood trim and leather. A used 2002 G-Class costs between $6,633 and $16,029, based on the condition of the vehicle, making it one of the best SUVs to buy used.
There's a lot to love about the 2004 Lexus LX470, and one is that it is based on the iconic Toyota Land Cruiser, one of the best Japanese SUVs built for off-road driving. The vehicle has been around since the mid-1990s, and it continues to win drivers' hearts thanks to its incomparable reliability and incredible performance. So, what does the disguised Toyota Land Cruiser come with?
For starters, the big engine, a 235 hp 4.7-liter V8, paired to a five-speed automatic transmission, full-time all-wheel drive, limited-slip rear differential, and an adaptive suspension. The 2004 LX470 also features a backup camera, and leather, heated seats. There's an air of opulence about it, a feeling of superiority over being in an average SUV. With a starting price of $64,175 when new, today pristine LX470 models sell for only around $15,840.
It's a bit surprising that Audi, with all its years of experience with the brilliant Quattro all-wheel-drive system, didn’t come up with an SUV earlier than 2006. The 2007 Q7 was equipped with goodies like full-time all-wheel drive, a self-leveling air suspension, and a 4.2-liter V8 with 350 hp and 325 lb-ft. of torque. Audi also built a V6-powered version, a 3.6-liter making 280 hp.
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The 2007 Q7 was built on a modified version of the Volkswagen Group PL71 platform, the same platform VW Touareg and the Porsche Cayenne are built on. Inside the cabin, customers are wowed with three options of wood trims, aluminum accents, and an intuitive infotainment system called Multi-Media Interface. There's also a power-controlled tailgate, a heated steering wheel, and of course, standard leather seats. The 2007 Audi Q7 is a well-built luxury SUV that has managed to stay strong all these years. A quick search on the internet reveals several examples retailing at $15,000 and below, while pristine examples sell for around 1$17,700.
The Discovery, based on the higher-end Range Rover Sport platform, but at a more mid-range price point, was introduced in 1989. Since parent-company Rover retired its Austin Rover model, many were quick to point out how the Discovery adopted many of the design elements and even many of the parts of the end-of-life Austin. The petrol-based engine was also taken straight from Rover’s 3.5-liter V8. The second generation came 10 years later and was dubbed "The Series II." There were considerable differences in this generation, one of them being that it was generally more aesthetically appealing.
Additional trims were also introduced, taking the Land Rover II up to four. The SE sits one trim ahead of the base model and sold for $38,685. For that price, drivers got leather over vinyl, wood trim, power seats, a 12-speaker sound system with a CD changer, a dual sunroof, heated seats, and a now-seemingly rudimentary GPS. The 2003 Land Rover Discovery was offered with diesel and gasoline engines. While pristine examples sell for up to $18,000, a good internet search can reveal some well-kept examples at around $8,500.
BMW introduced a sportier SUV in 2009 with several trim levels. At the top of the range was the potent 4.4-liter V8 xDrive 50i model. The more popular xDrive 35i had a reliable twin-turbo V6 paired with a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission to deliver a decent 306 horsepower. It's 2022, and the X6 xDrive 35i is still a beautiful SUV.
Inside, the cargo area is understandably smaller due to the coupe-like styling, which increases considerably with the second-row seats folded. However, What the X6 lacks in size, it makes up for with a host of neat features. The SUV features a high-end sound system, navigation, and a decent selection of wood trims. When new, a well-equipped 35i model sold for $52,500. Nearly a decade later, the 2009 X6 xDrive 35i is perfect for buyers who desire respect but cannot afford to pay for it. The fair market price range for this SUV ranges between $10,898 and $14,365.
Volvo introduced the XC60 in 2008 after the brand enjoyed plenty of successes on the larger XC90. Volvo targetted the market held by its German competitors, the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, and following its huge market success, the brand achieved its goal. The XCX60 went on sale in 2009, a year after its European debut. And ever since, the SUV has remained Volvo's bestselling vehicle. Just a year after launching, worldwide sales jumped 20% in 2011 to almost 100,000 units, representing almost a quarter of all Volvo sales.
Not only is the Volvo the most stylish in its class; but it's also packed with a massive list of exciting standard features. Such features include extremely high-quality leather, a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, park assist, lane departure, driver alert, distance alert, blind-spot warning, and whiplash protection among other features. With a cabin larger than that of Mercedes-Benz GLK and Acura RDX, the 2010 Volvo XC60 AWD T6 is one of the most luxurious used SUVs on the market today. It has a fair market price range of between $8,696 and $20,487.
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Currently, used 2007 Lincoln MKX 2WD prices range from $6,488 to $13,477, with mileage ranging between 70,000 miles and 200,000 miles. Featuring a 265-horsepower V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the Lincoln MKX comes in either front-wheel or all-wheel-drive options. It offers class-leading performance stats and fuel economy, too.
With a starting price of $34,795 for the front-wheel-drive option, the Lincoln depreciates fairly quickly. For the above used-market price range, you can get your hands on a piece of history, since the MKX is Lincoln’s first SUV. $13,000 buys used premium leather, genuine wood trim, reclining and heated rear seats, a peppy V6 engine, and a THX surround-sound audio system pumping out sound through 14-speakers.
Previously called the "QX80," Infiniti’s largest SUV is based wholly on the Nissan Armada. This was Infiniti’s first vehicle produced in the United States, the first generation making its debut in 2004. Developed exclusively for North America, Russia, and the Middle East, this 5,300-lb beast had a massive 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 315 hp and 390 lb-ft. of torque. It also featured a host of driving features from 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, brake assist, vehicle dynamic control, a backup camera, and a now-defunct rear-DVD entertainment system.
When new, the AWD QX56 had a starting price of $52,800. And unlike other SUVs with Japanese roots, this Nissan-Infiniti vehicle does not have a decent resale value. From $52,000, the used 2006 Infiniti AWD QX56 costs only around $10,995 in 2022. That's pretty nice for a vehicle offering high-end features such as a newer intelligent key system, which is actually still very useful 16 years later. The vehicle also has a pre-crash system and adaptive cruise control. The engine is built to last, and with 7-passengers to occupy the cabin, it has plenty of road trips still left in it.
At $35,025, Buick’s replacement for their outgoing SUVs—the Rendezvous and the less-famous Rainier—was the 2008 Enclave. It started off as a full-size SUV, sharing the same platform as other GM vehicles, such as the GMC Acadia and the Chevrolet Traverse. While it was later morphed into a 2-row mid-size SUV, the Enclave originally seated 7 passengers and featured a 3.6-liter V6 with 275 hp paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Enclave offers lots of standard features as is expected of a luxury brand. Some of the luxurious features include a power liftgate, premium leather, and six airbags. The mid-level CXL trim, however, is missing additional features like navigation, heated seats, a sunroof, 19” wheels, and the 10-speaker Bose audio system. The CXL trim is available in the used market for a price ranging from $4,900 to $13,985.
The Lexus brand holds value, certainly more than other luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW. It is a bit of a surprise to find this 2001 RX300 model in the four-digit price range. A quick internet search reveals several examples selling for $5,000 and below, the most expensive one costing only about $6,775. That’s an absolute steal on a high-end luxury SUV that was as iconic at its launch as it's a true Toyota on the inside—a relentless workhorse.
The RX was Lexus’s foray into the SUV segment in 1998. The first generation came with a 3.0-liter V6 borrowed from their luxury sedan, the ES300. The RX300’s base model was a thing of real luxury. The standard for the RX300 was ivory cloth, walnut trim, cruise control, power seats, and premium audio with 7-speakers. For a little extra, the vehicle gets a sunroof and heated seats.
Lincoln’s Aviator was released by the parent company, Ford, in 2002 and retired just 3 years later. The Aviator was released to fill the void between the Ford Mountaineer and the behemoth Lincoln Navigator; however, it failed to impress. It didn’t take Lincoln long to re-enter the segment with the MKX in 2007. The all-wheel-drive Luxury-trim Aviator was priced at a respectable $39,661 and had a fair bit of nice touches taken from its elder brother, the Lincoln Navigator. These include a DVD player mated to a THX-certified music system, heated and ventilated seats, along with a 4.6-liter V8 engine with a 302 hp and 300 lb-ft. of torque.
Sharing a platform with the Ford Explorer, the Lincoln Aviator had nearly everything expected of a high-end luxury SUV. While the Aviator’s Luxury trim missed some of the niceties of the more upscale Premium trim, a used 2005 Lincoln Aviator Luxury AWD can cost as much as $11,000 and as little as 4,500.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been around for a long time. The vehicle was first introduced in 1993 and has grown to become a near icon. It is an old enough vehicle to have gone through five generations. Unlike other SUVs in the market at the time, which used the body-on-frame production method, the Grand Cherokee was an early adopter of the unibody chassis. One of the biggest advantages of the structure was a more rigid vehicle that could stand the test of time. While the Jeep brand has gone through many parent-company changes in the last 25 years, it's remained true to its design philosophy with its signature front grille, commanding look, road presence, and comfortable interior.
Since its inception, the second generation has been a fan favorite among enthusiasts. Its Limited trim was priced at $34,635 when new and came with a 4.0-liter V6 producing about 200 hp and 230 lb-ft. torque. For those willing to keep the SUV on road, a two-wheel-drive option was also introduced in 2000 and offered 30 additional horses. Standard features on the Limited trim include better leather than the lower-end Laredo, dual-climate control, an upgraded stereo, and memory seats. For off-road enthusiasts, the Grand Cherokee offers solid performance in sand, gravel, and snow. And the 2000 offering is available in the used car market for right about $6,000.
The Cadillac SRX came into existence in 2003 as a handsome crossover that shared a platform with its sedan siblings, the CTS and the STS. As a result of the styling and chassis, the SRX had a sportier appeal to it than some of the other GM SUVs at the time. The base engine was a 3.6-liter V6 producing 255 hp; however, the 4.6-liter Northstar V8 with 320 horses is where the real power dwells.
For the 2006 model, Cadillac equipped the SRX with a power liftgate and a few cosmetic options on the interior. Navigation remained standard on the V8 trim and is the better option, given the fuel economy doesn't differ significantly enough to forgo the additional 65 horses. Another good reason is that Cadillac discontinued the V8 in the second and final generations of the SRX, making the V8 a rarer breed. In 2022, the SRX V8 from 2006 can be picked up for as little as $5,500. It is an old luxury SUV that drives and handles like a sedan.
It's a Porsche, so, a 2004 model selling for nearly $15,000 is understandable. First introduced in 2002, the Cayenne was the first SUV offering from the luxury sports car manufacturer. And it became an instant hit. Being the first four-door Porsche clearly got people flocking to dealerships, ready to drop over $50,000 for the Cayenne S and a mind-boggling $88,900 on the Turbo trim.
The Cayenne Turbo came equipped with a 4.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 450 hp, paired to a six-speed Tiptronic transmission, which was new to the SUV world. With this amount of power, the Cayenne managed the 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.5 seconds, leaving moms and dads far behind on the drive home from soccer practice. And for only around $14,000, the used car market presents the thrilling performance of a 2004 Cayenne.
Acura released the MDX in 2000 as a three-row SUV. The acronym stands for "Multi-Dimensional luxury," and it’s been a winner for Acura for many years. In its second year in production, U.S. sales grew by over 300% before settling for more modest numbers. The top-of-the-line first-generation Acura MDX, the Touring edition, retailed for $42,475 when new.
The price was clearly justifiable thanks to the long list of standard features. The top model had a navigation system, a DVD entertainment system for rear-seat passengers, ambient interior lighting, an 8-speaker sound system, automatic climate control, and speed-sensing wipers. The SUV also featured a class-leading Cabin in terms of comfort and space. Under the hood are a 3.5-liter V6 offering 240 hp and an all-wheel-drive system engaged when needed the most. This arrangement allows drivers to balance both performance and fuel economy. With all of the wonderful technology inside the cabin and under the hood, A 2004 MDX Touring Edition costs between $4,450 and $11,999
The Bravada is among the less-known Oldsmobile vehicles despite it being their first foray into the SUV segment way back in 1990. They went through three generations before retiring the entire brand in 2004. The 2000 Bravada was part of the second generation and differed significantly enough from the first generation. The 2000 model featured some equipment that came way ahead of time. From wood-grain trims and a leather-wrapped steering wheel to anti-lock disc brakes, and an early generation of what is now called traction control, the Bravada was beginning to punch well above its other GM counterparts in the segment.
The sole drivetrain in the second generation was the 4.3-liter V6 Vortec 4300 engine that produced under 200 hp, providing a fairly decent fuel economy. The Bravada all-wheel-drive retailed for $31,598, and given the brand is now retired, the value has dropped considerably. A well-kept example of the 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada AWD is now available for just around $4,376.
The $67,300 Range Rover HSE from 2005 was Land Rover's third-generation model. It was in this generation that the Range Rover truly began to move into the luxury space, given much of its gadgetry was shared with the BMW 7-Series, the E38, to be specific. As expected, the Range Rover was filled with excellent luxury features including heated seats, steering wheel, and mirrors. It also had tri-zone climate control and a Harmon Kardon stereo system.
In the used car market, surprisingly, this 2005 Rover competes directly with the likes of Lincoln Aviator but stands a mile apart in terms of performance and comfort. Although it experienced some reliability issues, at a price of less than $10,000, the 2005 Land Rover Range Rover HSE Dynamic is still one of the best luxury SUVs anyone can drive.
Cadillac launched the Escalade in 1998, and it became an instant hit among celebrities, including pop stars, sports personalities, and even politicians. The first generation was around for only a couple of years before GM gradually lengthened its lifespan between refreshes. The third generation, for example, was in the market from 2007 to 2014. For its first entry into the SUV market, Cadillac launched a 2-row, essentially rebranding the GMC Denali. It was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 with 255 hp.
Cadillac was among the first SUV makers to provide a Bose sound system in an SUV, although it was a long time coming, considering the music system was already around in some sedans at the time. The 2000 Escalade had its own charm of being the first in a long line of successful Escalades. And, on a long short, the vehicle might one day become a collectible, but before that happens, grab one for only around $6,000.
It was in 1996, based on the Ford Explorer, that the Mercury Mountaineer took aim at the luxury SUV segment. In a segment rife with a stiff competition where other automakers were offering higher-end luxury SUVs, Ford felt compelled to step up. The second-generation Mercury Mountaineer was priced at $38,140 and introduced some new design elements, which paved the way for future Mercury sedans. This generation further differentiated itself from the Ford Explorer by offering not only the traditional 4.0-liter V6 but also an optional 4.6-liter V8 mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Inside, the cabin had a touch of class with a rear DVD player, plush leather, rear vents, side curtain airbags, a wood-grain trim, and soft-touch materials throughout. With all these still on board, a 2005 Mountaineer costs slightly below $5,000.