10 Legendary Used Luxury Off-Roaders That Cost Half As Much As A New Entry-Level Infiniti QX80

So, you want to go on an adventure, and you want to do it in style, but you don’t have $82,450 sitting around to spend on the new entry-level Infiniti QX80. Well, we’ve got good news for you: there are plenty of used luxury off-roaders to pick from, ranging from “surprisingly affordable” to “dirt cheap.” And we’re not talking about retired work trucks with leather seats. The list includes Land Rovers, Jeeps, and BMWs.

We’ve compiled ten capable off-roaders that don’t skimp on cabin creature comforts. Everything here is AWD with generous ground clearance, listed at going rates courtesy of AutoTempest and sorted from most to least expensive, so you should be able to find your own weekend warrior mobile no matter your budget.

10 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited: $39,000

A Jeep Wrangler is pretty much the opposite of a luxury off-roader. It’s stiff and cramped, and the doors pop off so you can swallow a liter of mud every time you hit the creek. The Grand Cherokee rides a little smoother, and the Grand Cherokee L (for Longer model) is one of the roomiest three-row SUVs on the market today. The L stretches over 17 feet in length, making it unwieldy in the city but a beast off-road.

If you have your doubts that a Jeep can qualify as a luxury off-roader, well, the cabin of the Limited trim comes with ambient lighting, so that settles the debate right there. Add to that heated seats (front and second-row), adaptive cruise control, and a panoramic moon roof. With all that being said, it is still a Jeep, and you’re going to be getting a bit more road noise than with some of the other SUVs on this list. But that’s hardly a deal-breaker if you’re looking for an adventure vehicle.

9 2019 Lexus RX 450h: $35,000

The 2019 Lexus RX 450h is good for moderate off-roading, with the main focus being comfort. It won’t skip creeks and jump stumps like a Jeep or a Range Rover, but it can handle rough dirt and rocks as smoothly as it would a paved road. If you’re looking for a daily driver that can handle some solid off-road duty now and then, the RX 450h is built for just that purpose.

The h in “450h” stands for hybrid, but be careful not to confuse this vehicle with the 2019 Lexus RX Hybrid. The RX Hybrid is bigger, with three rows, but with a lower-quality finish in the cabin, and it’s less fuel-efficient, owing to its bigger size. The 450h does around 28 miles to the gallon, combined, with the Hybrid doing around 27 MPG.

8 2015 Lexus GX 460: $27,500

The 2015 Lexus GX 460’s main draw is the smooth-riding V8 powertrain and absorbent suspension. Drivers typically report that when the suspension is set to Comfort mode, the SUV rides just as easily on paved roads as it does on gravel, rocks, and potholes. Sport mode offers a tighter feel if you find yourself bouncing a bit much on broken roads.

The cabin has drawn comparison to competing Cadillacs and Audis, with drivers generally reporting that the interior is cushy but doesn’t really do anything you won’t see in a dozen other luxury SUVs from this era. But if you ask us, there’s never a reason to complain about leather-upholstered, power-adjusted heated and ventilated seats. Keep an eye out for models with dual-screen rear-seat entertainment systems, a two thousand dollar upgrade on release.

7 2015 Land Rover Range Rover 5.0L Supercharged: $25,000

The Land Rover Range Rover is a defining vehicle of the SUV segment, and a 5.0-liter V8 model is a nice little piece of history to snatch up at this price. The base 2015 model earned middling reviews for its under-powered V6, but the supercharged 8-cylinder variant was very much appreciated in its time. With a V8 under the hood, this beast can hit 60 mph in under six seconds.

The Range Rover is definitely one to test-drive before you buy. If the previous owner neglected some basic maintenance, deteriorated air springs can have you chattering your teeth the whole way home. Replacing the springs isn’t the most expensive fix, but it’s not one that you want to leave unattended.

6 2018 Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum: $25,000

Any version of the 2018 Volvo XC90 is a solid, versatile SUV that can handle pavement and dirt alike. The T6 is the one you want for performance, though, as it packs a supercharger driving the horsepower up to 316 over the base 250 hp. This is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and hits 60 mph in 6.1 seconds.

Like the Lexus RX 450h, this one is more suited to moderate off-roading than a full-time adventure. If you want to reach a distant campsite, handle winding roads with ease, and climb over gravel, sand, dirt, and mud, the XC90 will get you there with no problem, and the T6 will get you there in double time. But, even with nine inches of ground clearance, you’ll want to go around stumps, potholes, and big rocks, not over them.

5 2019 Volvo XC40 T5 Momentum: $24,000

If the XC90 is a bit large for your needs, the Volvo XC40 may be more suited to your purposes. Reviewing the 2018 model, we found it to be even more capable of handling rough conditions than its big brother. We took it over potholes throughout Chicago and soaked up the impact with ease. The lighter body weight helps to get the most out of the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, with a 6.2-second 0-60 mph sprint.

Inside, just like with the XC90, you’ll find a comfortable, high-end cabin that is maybe a bit dull. In many ways, Volvo is considered to be BMW without the frills, and the XC models do little to contradict that reputation. Eight-way power seats and a nine-inch touchscreen come standard, and the trim quality is impressive.

4 2017 Acura MDX With Technology Package: $18,000

7.3 inches might not sound like enough ground clearance for an adventure vehicle, but the Acura MDX is surprisingly capable of soaking up the bangs and bumps of broken roads. As we noted when we reviewed the 2017 model, it’s got one of the quietest cabins in its segment. The Technology Package includes navigation and blind-spot monitoring.

Towing is capped at 3,500 lbs, so while the MDX can handle some moderate off-roading and get you down to the lake without problems, it might not be able to pull a boat behind it. The Acura MDX is very capable as a camping vehicle but is mainly prized for its versatility and comfort.

3 2018 BMW X5 xDrive40e $16,500

Reviewing the 2018 BMW X5 Hybrid, we noted first and foremost that the cabin delivers exactly what you’re after in a BMW: high-end leather upholstery, comfortable and supportive seats, plenty of aluminum and wood, and a nice big display screen. As for hybrid performance, while the 2018 may feel a bit dated compared to some of the plug-ins we have today, it can still do 17 miles on the battery alone.

What really makes this one a trooper off-road is all the onboard gadgetry. The X5’s Performance Control and standard AWD will have your passengers thinking you must do this every weekend, even if it’s your very first time taking an SUV off the tarmac. Your only concern when driving a used BMW: maintenance is pricey, so as good a deal as $16,500 for a capable luxury off-roader may be, RepairPal estimates you’ll want to add another $1,166 a year for basic maintenance.

2 2015 Land Rover LR4: $15,000

Also known as the Land Rover Discovery, the LR4 may be just the thing you’re after if you want a dirt-cheap luxury off-roader with no concern for city streets. The biggest knock against this SUV is that it handles like a boat on paved roads, but it’s a beast on dirt, mud, and rocks. The interior is all wood and leather, side steps come standard, and you’ve got better smartphone connectivity than you might expect for a 2015 model.

If you’re not convinced when we tell you that the LR4 is not a daily driver, you may want to know that the SUV’s massive weight brings the fuel economy down to a measly 16 MPG. Not a big deal if you’re only taking this thing out on the weekends, but if you can afford to spend that much on gas for the morning commute, why are you looking for a good deal on a used SUV? The 2015 LR4 can tow up to 7,716 lbs, and you don’t get power like that without burning some gas.

1 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Pure Plus: $10,000

If the LR4 is a little more Land Rover than you need, the Range Rover Evoque is a little more manageable at a maximum weight of just 3,680 lbs and decent fuel economy of 21/30 mpg, city/highway. The suspension isn’t quite as absorbent as the LR4’s support system, and the ride is a bit more rigid, but with 8.4 inches of ground clearance and some next-level traction control tech, the Evoque is a mountain goat.

Inside, you’ll find the same high-quality cabin you’d find in any Land Rover. Leather seats, smartphone connectivity, and, in the Pure Plus model, navigation and keyless entry and ignition make for an SUV that doesn’t feel like a compromise despite its relative age. If you’re looking for an off-roader that feels more like a hatchback, the Range Rover Evoque is the little SUV that could.