Best Luxury SUVs Under $50k for 2024
The best luxury SUVs under $50k based on a data-driven analysis of each vehicle's reliability, resale value and safety.
Many lists ranking luxury SUVs under $50s may already exist, but those depend mostly on subjective editorial criteria. iSeeCars' Best Luxury SUVs Under $50k are ranked using a data-driven and objective methodology. By applying data science to over 330 million vehicles, iSeeCars analyzes each car to understand its reliability and how long-lasting it is, its safety, and how well it holds its value over time. Each luxury SUVs under $50 is compared to others within its own category, and the best one in a given category is the model with the best ratings across these three key areas, summarized by the iSeeCars Quality Score. Here are the top models in each luxury SUVs under $50 category:
The best luxury subcompact SUV under $50k is the BMW X1 (7.9 quality rating), with the BMW X3 being the best luxury small and compact SUV under $50k (8.6 quality rating). The Lexus RX 350 ranks #1 for the best luxury midsize SUVs under $50k (8.4 quality rating).
The best luxury large SUV under $50k is the Buick Enclave (8.5 quality rating) and the best luxury crossover SUV under $50k is the BMW X3 (8.6 quality rating). Topping the list for the best luxury three-row SUVs under $50k is the Buick Enclave (8.5 quality rating), while the Lexus RX 450h ranks first for the best luxury hybrid SUVs under $50k (8.6 quality rating).
The best luxury plug-in hybrid SUV under $50k (PHEV) is the BMW X3 (Plug-in Hybrid) (7.9 quality rating).
How We Rank These Cars
iSeeCars Best Cars Under $50k Rankings are calculated based on the latest research by our data science team and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
We analyze data from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with the NHTSA's Safety Ratings to give you an unbiased guide to the best vehicles in each segment.
After being evaluated, vehicles with the highest average scores earn a spot in the iSeeCars Best Car Rankings. (No final score is given to vehicles missing a score in any of the categories, but scores for other categories are still shown.)
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).