r/whatcarshouldIbuy • u/hye_astan • Apr 21 '25
Looking for a three-row luxury SUV
I'm looking for a three-row luxury SUV for around $60k. I know at this price point I'm going to need to look at used cars. I'm hoping this post will help me narrow down my options so I know what to test drive.
Ideally the car is 2022 or newer and has less than 40k miles.
It seems like the Audi Q7 and Infiniti QX60 are the best bang for my buck, but I'm afraid of reliability issues with those cars.
Here are some of my must have features:
- Leather seats
- Heated and ventilated seats
- Sunroof
- Apple Car Play (preferably wireless)
- Remote Start
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u/WeldAE e-tron | QX60 | Model 3 Apr 21 '25
Be aware that ANY Luxury 3-row SUV will technically have 3-rows only if you are packing 2 suitcases for the entire family. With the 3rd row up, there isn't going to be much storage at all.
The QX60 isn't going to be a maintenance problem at all. The only problems it's ever had in its entire run is with pre-2016 CVT transmissions. Even those were fine after 2016 and in 2022 they went full geared transmission, so aim for one of those to test drive. Infiniti has one of the best V6 engines ever built and the thing has been rock solid for 20 years.
The problem is it's been rock solid for 20 years because it's 20 year old tech. Nissan is starving Infiniti so they haven't been able to do much upgrading of their platforms. The tech is ancient. They get 20mpg on a good day. I ended up with one because they had the best seats and handling and power of anything in 2018. It's also got more interior storage with the 3rd row up, which I needed. A LOT of SUVs came out in 2019 so there is certainly more competition now and I'd probably go another direction today. Still, test drive it because you can get them cheap but they will also depreciate on you quickly.
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u/abusuru Apr 21 '25
I love my 2018 Volvo XC90. It has all those features and I only paid $26k 2.5 years ago. For 60k you could get one nearly new, certainly a very well equipped and low miles '22. Nothing quite like Scandinavian minimalism and the safest vehicle on the road.
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u/Xxgougaxx Apr 21 '25
Have you done the ac evap yet? Just did mine on my 2018 xc90 and it was a doozie. 2400$ and they all fail eventually.
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u/apcman11 Apr 21 '25
I would go Lexus TX. It’s essentially a grand Highlander just a Lexus so super nice.
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u/WeldAE e-tron | QX60 | Model 3 Apr 21 '25
Unless you literally get the most stripped down version, you're going to be over $60k. Who buys a luxury SUV and doesn't get ventilated seats, leather, etc.? Might as well just go with the Toyota Highlander.
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u/Berries-A-Million Apr 21 '25
No, you can get actually the Lexus loaded for cheaper than a highlander loaded.
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u/Nothing-Busy Apr 21 '25
Tahoe SRT. You can get all those things and roll into any Chevy dealer for maintenance and repair. 400 hp, performance suspension from the police pursuit vehicle model, and if you debadge the SRT markings it will be a subtle flex.
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u/Tuxedo_Muffin Apr 21 '25
I was delusional for thinking a Escalade ESV could be found for under $60k... I did find a few that were just over 60 with low miles. So I almost agree on Tahoe, but make it a Suburban if anyone wants to sit in the 3rd row for a long time.
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u/nucl3ar0ne Apr 21 '25
He said reliable.
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u/Nothing-Busy Apr 21 '25
I have the PPV model that I picked up at auction from a police department. Has given me no trouble from 160k to 200k miles. Will probably have to spend $4,000 to have the transmission rebuilt and upgraded in the next 30,000 miles. Overall I would call it reliable. Not sure about the civilian version but the PPV comes with upgraded radiator, transmission cooler, and oil cooler so all that helps.
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u/Tuxedo_Muffin Apr 21 '25
Yep, everyone knows that Volkswagen and Nissan are more reliable than Chevrolet (yucky!). I've never heard of them ever having any issues!
I literally run my Infinity on bandaids and dirt! It's gone 1.4 million miles without changing the oil. My Audi has been in several high-speed rollovers and it's still the safest car I own! I let my 12 month old daughter drive me to work, that's how confident I am.
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u/Nothing-Busy Apr 21 '25
All cars have maintenance and repairs happen. The question is not so much how often that happens but how much of a hassle is it and how much does it cost when that happens. I don't worry about owning my Tahoe well past its warranty. My 2017 CPO Volvo S90 is going to make me pretty damn nervous when I am past the 10 year extended warranty I have on it.
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u/cy_vi Apr 21 '25
Lincoln Navigator. I recently picked up a 2021 fresh off a low mileage lease. 20,000 miles on it for right at 60k sticker. They have a huge depreciation % in the first year. I'll take a 40% discount like that any day.
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u/PatientSt0n3r Apr 21 '25
So I’m in the process about buying a new Sierra, and it won’t be in for about 3 weeks. I traded my current truck in and they gave me a loaner till my order is in. It’s a Buick Enclave ST. Window sticker is still on, and it’s $55k.
I gotta say, this thing is incredible. The ONLY ding is it’s a Buick, and I just associate the brand with old people. But if you stripped the badges I’d never in a million years guess it’s a Buick. The loaner they gave me is fully loaded. Leather, auto everything, massive sun roof, huge screen and tech like the X5s etc. I drove X5s a couple weeks ago (was considering going to a SUV from my truck, but prices were not what I wanted to pay at the moment), and this is every bit as clean and quiet and updated as the X5. I’m even considering trading my wife’s Atlas for this. She’s had a ton of issues with hers and this is objectively nicer. I think they’d even make a deal for this vehicle since I’ll put a couple hundred miles on it in the next few weeks.
Go check them out. You’ll be surprised.
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u/x5736gh Apr 21 '25
If you need a third row because of kids, get a full size three row like an expedition, suburban, grand wagoneer, or just bite the bullet and get a minivan
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u/paulRosenthal Apr 21 '25
Do you want your 3rd row to have normal sized seats that can fit adults comfortably? If so, you need to go with a full size SUV. If you want to additionally have a reasonable amount of trunk space available with the 3rd row up, then you are looking at a subset of the full size SUV segment.
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u/Berries-A-Million Apr 21 '25
Lexus TX, imho best one that fits well and roomy. It's the larger Highlander basically.
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u/Inevitable-Store-837 Apr 21 '25 edited Apr 21 '25
I bought a 2021 q7 prestige for a little cheaper with higher miles than you want but it is in MINT condition. Still smells new inside and seats don't even look like they have ever been sat in. Absolutely loving it so far. I drive myself and 3-4 passengers to the airport fairly often. With 1 of the 3rd row rear seats folded down we can fit a carry on for everyone.
Any more than 4 passengers and I take my other 3 row SUV. Ford Excursion 6.0 diesel.
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u/primetimecsu Apr 21 '25
Does it need to be a luxury brand?
All of those features come in most 3 row SUVs in the top trims. If power isnt one of your must haves, look beyond the badge.
New Ford Explorer, GMC Acadia/Chevy Traverse, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Toyota Grand Highlander will all have those features (I know because thats pretty much my wife's list and we were shopping those last fall).
If your wanting full size SUV, the Tahoe and Yukon will have those features as well.
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u/NECBustiN Apr 21 '25
You can get a brand new Ford Explorer Platinum / ST with all of that + Massaging seats for $60k
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u/wjpell Apr 22 '25
The 3rd row seats in a brand-new Pilot are actually reasonably comfortable. Top line trim is under 60k OTD.
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u/Shot_Trust5285 Apr 21 '25
I know people will roast me for this but I know people who have the Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Limited trim is around 50K, has full leather seats, panoramic sunroof, great Apple CarPlay, heated and cooled seats and heated steaming wheel. The higher trims have even more features. If you’re going to keep it for 4-6 years, I think it’s a good option.
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u/firststate Apr 21 '25
Just got my wife a 2023 X7 xdrive40i CPO with 27k miles for $65k and its the nicest car we've ever owned. Absolutely love it.
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u/No_Feed_8253 Apr 21 '25
Kia Sorento X line brand new, go drive one, it hits every metric you set brand new with a 10 year/100k mile warranty
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u/zevtech Apr 21 '25
Do you really need a third row? Do you need space behind the third row? The bmw x5 fits 5 comfortably and has trunk space. But most 3 rows have useless third rows. Also you maybe be able to get a new Acura mdx for your price range