Porsche’s best-selling Macan underwent a seismic transformation this year, ditching its array of petrol engines and in their place, a line-up of battery-electric drivetrains. The electric Macan promises up to 654km of range, depending on the variant, placing it right near the top of EVs with the longest driving range, while inside, top-notch materials and well-thought-out ergonomics make sitting inside the Macan feel pretty special
Like the Mazda twins, the Volkswagen Touareg is evidence that mainstream brands can play in the premium sandpit. Updated for model year 2024, the Volkswagen Touareg adds more equipment and for less money, the German brand slashing prices across the range. What was already a compelling package is now a whole lot more competitive.
FAQs
Which cars are eligible for this category?
Drive’s rules require that, for a car to be eligible, it must:
- Be all-new or significantly updated.
- Be on sale with customer deliveries commenced by 31 December 2024.
- Retail examples be made available for Drive to road test before that cut-off date.
- Pricing cut-offs exclude discounts and limited-time offers.
While our list of contenders is long and worthy, there were some notable omissions. The updated Mercedes-Benz EQB electric SUV, for example, did not arrive in time for judging, making it ineligible for this year’s award.
And it’s worth noting the price range of some models extends beyond our $150,000 cut-off. That means only the variants with retail prices less than $150,000 are considered for the Drive Car of the Year – Best Luxury SUV Under $150K category.
Before then, we will announce the finalists, all of which deliver comfort and practicality in equal measure with a focus on cabins that look and feel special. The contenders will also bring the latest in technology as well as a a powerful yet refined driving experience.
Best Used Luxury SUVs: Moving Upscale Without the Premium Price Tag
These newish luxury SUVs from Acura, Mercedes, and other automakers are worth considering.
Bob HernandezWriterMotorTrend StaffPhotographerManufacturerPhotographerRyan LugoIllustratorJan 30, 2025
It can be discouraging to see how expensive new luxury SUVs have become, but not all hope is lost. Beating the high prices by buying slightly used is a sound piece of advice. It’s only half the hack, though. Prospective purchasers also need to know how to traverse a confusing and intimidating used-car market. That’s where MotorTrend comes in—we can set you on the right path. Our roundup of the best used luxury SUVs includes small and midsize models, even a three-row. Keep reading to see which luxury SUVs made the cut.
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About MotorTrend’s methodology: We consider many of the same factors in our new-car rankings system. Our research focused on 3–5-year-old vehicles, which means we chose vehicles from the 2021–2023 model years. An above-average J.D. Power quality and reliability rating is a plus. Any vehicle we recommend must have earned an IIHSTop Safety Pick award or NHTSAoverall five-star safety rating and have some used-car inventory with under 80,000 miles (the upper limit on many automaker CPO programs).
