Crossover SUVs get plenty of flak for being the middle ground between hatchbacks and “proper” SUVs. But for those looking for an urban roundabout, they do make a lot of sense. They’re easy to drive, practical, efficient, and generally easy to live with. But what if you want something more, something that feels genuinely upmarket without costing full luxury-car money? Well, you’re in luck.
The crossover market has steadily grown, and in 2026, you are spoiled for choice. Many crossovers deliver luxury features and premium tech at prices well below traditional luxury models. These range from those that prioritize plushness to some performance-oriented ones, and a few even stand out by offering a quirky character or adventure-ready appeal. Here are ten such dependable crossovers that feel far more luxurious than their price tags would suggest.
Models are listed in ascending order based on starting price, from the most affordable to the most expensive.
2026 Mazda CX-30
Starting MSRP: $25,975
The 2026 Mazda CX-30 is an entry-level crossover SUV that offers class-above features, and while it may lack many of the bells and whistles of proper luxury SUVs, there’s plenty to satisfy those on a budget. You can expect standard features like an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Alexa built-in, 11 speakers, and more. In its top-spec Premium trim, it has enough features to put it in line with higher-end models, like the Lexus UX. Although it does compromise a bit on cabin space, thanks to its car-like proportions and a sloping roofline.
Performance And Reliability
Another thing that makes the CX-30 unique in the segment is that it balances its bang-for-buck appeal with sporty performance, at least in the higher-spec trims that come with a 250-horsepower turbocharged engine with a zero to 60 miles per hour time of 6.2 seconds. Even in terms of dependability, the CX-30 offers good ol’ Mazda reliability along with lower-than-average ownership costs.
- Reliability And Quality Rating: 80/100 (J.D. Power)
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,836 (CarEdge)
Find 2026 Mazda CX-30 and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
2026 Subaru Outback
Starting MSRP: $34,995
The all-new 2026 Subaru Outback trades in its rugged station wagon looks for a compact SUV bodystyle. While we may not like the breakaway from that tradition, the new shape should make the Outback even better than ever. For instance, the taller and boxier roof gives the Outback more interior space, and the redesign now focuses on pairing its adventurous soul with some contemporary luxury. In higher trims, it even offers high-end features like a Harman Kardon premium audio system, ventilated front seats, and Nappa leather-trimmed seats.
Performance And Reliability
The Outback still retains its adventurous appeal, though. It gets a 260-horsepower turbocharged engine, paired with CVT and AWD, along with 8.7-inch ground clearance and selectable variable-terrain drive modes. That makes the Outback a capable light off-roader. J.D. Power gives it a “Great” reliability rating, and you can expect to spend around $600 a year on maintenance and repairs. In the long run, the Outback is estimated to be slightly more expensive than its rivals.
- Reliability And Quality Rating: 81/100 (J.D. Power)
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $607 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,633 (CarEdge)
Find 2026 Subaru Outback and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
2026 Mini Countryman
Starting MSRP: $38,900
The 2026 Mini Countryman proves that a Mini car need not be so mini, after all. Think of this hefty Mini as an extroverted crossover SUV, as it pairs urban practicality with the quirkiness we’ve come to associate with the brand. For example, its roomy interior features a quirky 9.4-inch circular display with Mini’s latest Operating System 9, a cloth-covered dashboard that hides LED lighting elements, and plenty of color options.
What we’ve always wanted from this brand were vehicles that take you out of the mundane and manage to slap a grin on your face in the process. The fact that Mini has managed to do this with a vehicle as homogeneous as a crossover is a testament to the brand’s ability to capitalize on styling and lifestyle.
– William Clavey for TopSpeed
Performance And Reliability
Mini claims that, despite being substantially bigger than the Cooper, the Countryman still retains that go-kart-like peppiness. It’s powered by a 241-horsepower engine shared with the BMW X1, though you can upgrade to the 308-horsepower all-electric SE ALL4 or 312-horsepower JCW Countryman for more power. Given the BMW connection, the Countryman should be reliable but come with higher maintenance bills compared to its Japanese rivals.
- Reliability And Quality Rating: 78/100 (J.D. Power)
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $880 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,073 (CarEdge)
Find 2026 Mini Cooper Countryman and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
10 Luxury SUVs With Surprisingly Affordable Maintenance Costs
Luxury SUVs don’t always come with sky-high upkeep. These 10 models deliver premium features with maintenance costs that won’t break the bank.
2026 Lincoln Corsair
Starting MSRP: $39,985
The 2026 Lincoln Corsair may be the smallest Lincoln you could buy today, but it is by no means budget-tier. It promises quintessential American-style pampering plushness, wrapped in sophisticated styling that looks a bit more European than American. Like its higher-end siblings, the Corsair brings plenty of luxury features, from two special interior themes to adjustable ambient lighting. It also features a duo of a 13.2-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, along with the available 14-speaker Revel audio system.
Inside, the Corsair’s cabin is elegant and well built, with plenty of premium, if not quite opulent, materials.
– Craig Cole for TopSpeed
Performance And Reliability
The Corsair does trade in its performance for plushness, though. Powered by a 250-horsepower engine with a choice between FWD and AWD, the Corsair isn’t focused on all-out performance, especially when compared to its European rivals. Still, it’s among the more reliable crossovers under $40,000, with a high reliability rating and slightly lower than average maintenance costs. Although it does get a low warranty score from CarEdge, so you should consider getting an extended warranty, just in case.
- Reliability And Quality Rating: 83/100 (J.D. Power)
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $11,886 (CarEdge)
Find 2025 Lincoln Corsair and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
2026 Buick Envision
Starting MSRP: $41,000
Like the Lincoln Corsair, the 2026 Buick Envision is another American compact SUV that prioritizes comfort over performance. So, it’s best to think of the Envision sitting somewhere between a Chevrolet and a Cadillac, with a price tag that undercuts its European rivals, like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. Still, it’s a handsome car with plenty of high-end features, including an ultrawide 30-inch diagonal screen, active noise cancellation, and heated and ventilated front seats.
Performance And Reliability
The Envision is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that produces a humble 228 horsepower, which is enough for a zero to 60 miles per hour time of 7.3 seconds. That’s adequate for everyday driving conditions. The Envision also promises to be highly dependable, thanks to a “Great” reliability rating from J.D. Power and an annual maintenance cost of under $250.
- Reliability And Quality Rating: 84/100 (J.D. Power)
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $233 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,087 (CarEdge)
2026 Volvo XC40
Starting MSRP: $41,195
If you’re looking for something unique that’s not only relatively affordable but also luxurious, the 2026 Volvo XC40 is one of the best options. It brings Scandinavian minimalism with well-appointed interiors and class-leading cabin space. While not as luxurious as the XC60 or XC90, the XC40 is still bang for your buck. It brings a vertical infotainment system, an available 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, an air purifier, and a panoramic roof, depending on the trim level.
Performance And Reliability
The Volvo XC40 comes with two turbocharged engine options: a 194-horsepower B4 engine with FWD and a 247-horsepower B5 engine with AWD. We’d pick the latter as it offers a better pep and a zero to 60 miles per hour time of 6.1 seconds. Where you might find the XC40 lacking is its fuel economy of up to 26 miles per gallon, which isn’t so great for the segment. Even in terms of reliability, it’s average, but the maintenance costs are slightly higher than average.
- Reliability And Quality Rating: 74/100 (J.D. Power)
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $769 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $12,800 (CarEdge)
10 Reliable Luxury SUVs You Won’t Regret Buying
What are some of the most reliable luxury SUVs avaiable? These ten top the list and offer the vareity to provide every driver with good choices.
2026 Audi Q3
Starting MSRP: $43,700
The 2026 Audi Q3 is properly luxurious, and the only reason it belongs in this group is its price tag. One look at the Q3, and you’d think it’s much more expensive than it is. That’s thanks to its Q5-inspired packaging, and in its 2026 avatar, it fixes many of the weaknesses of the old Q3. On the inside, the Q3 is more tech-forward, featuring things like a panoramic display with two screens, an available 420-watt 12-speaker Sonos audio system, acoustically laminated glass, and interior illumination themes.
Performance And Reliability
The new Q3 shouldn’t disappoint in terms of performance, either. It features a 225-horsepower turbocharged engine with a seven-speed DCT and Quattro AWD, promising a zero to 60 miles per hour time of 5.5 seconds. Although being an Audi, you can expect to pay a premium for maintenance and repairs. For example, ReparPal estimates an annual repair cost of a little over $900, which is on the higher side compared to other models on this list.
- Reliability And Quality Rating: N/A (J.D. Power)
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $915 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $12,641 (CarEdge)
2026 Lexus NX
Starting MSRP: $46,120
The 2026 Lexus NX is the model to get if you don’t want to compromise reliability while still getting more luxury per dollar. Like any Lexus ever made, the NX offers a premium interior, complete with seating for five, upscale furnishings, and an impressive feature list. Depending on the trim and options selected, you can expect leather seats, heated and ventilated seats, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, and a 14-inch touchscreen. All while still enjoying class-competitive headroom and legroom.
Pop open a door, and you’ll see that the NX’s cabin is nicer in person than it looks in photos.
– Craig Cole for TopSpeed
Performance And Reliability
With the NX250 no longer available in 2026, the current gas-powered base NX comes with a 275-horsepower engine with an eight-speed automatic and AWD, with a zero to 60 miles per hour time of 6.6 seconds. You can also go for hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains if you want more efficiency. In any case, you can expect excellent reliability and a 10-year maintenance cost that beats the segment average by a whopping $4775.
- Reliability And Quality Rating: 85/100 (J.D. Power)
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $327 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,678 (CarEdge)
2026 Genesis GV70
Starting MSRP: $48,985
When it comes to delivering class-above luxury without breaking the bank, leave it to Genesis to deliver, and the best example is the 2026 Genesis GV70. It promises a premium European luxury crossover feel without the price tag, without sacrificing curb appeal and performance. Its luxury interior features modern tech, like a 27-inch OLED display, panoramic sunroof, Bang & Olufsen audio system, three-zone climate control, and more, depending on the trim. If you want the best bang-for-buck luxury crossover SUV under $50,000, the GV70 is hard to beat.
Because Genesis offers way more amenities and is far more luxurious on the inside than any of its competition, it’s just an amazing all-rounder.
– Chris Chin for TopSpeed
Performance And Reliability
The GV70’s standard powerplant produces 300 horsepower, but you can upgrade to the optional 375-horsepower twin-turbo V6, too. Both engines are paired to an eight-speed automatic and standard AWD, promising a zero to 60 miles per hour time of at least five seconds. The GV70 also ranks highly in terms of reliability and maintenance costs, with its ten-year maintenance costs beating the industry average by almost $3,000.
- Reliability And Quality Rating: 81/100 (J.D. Power)
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,511 (CarEdge)
10 Luxury SUVs That Aren’t As Expensive As You Think
Uncover 10 luxury SUVs that deliver elegance and performance without a sky-high price tag. Elevate your drive affordably.
2026 Acura RDX
Starting MSRP: $51,800
The 2026 Acura RDX may be breaching the $50,000 barrier, but that extra dollar is definitely worth the balance of performance, value, and luxury that this crossover SUV brings. Sure, its interior may not be on par with the likes of the X3 or the GLC-Class, but it also starts thousands of dollars less than them. For the price, you get a spacious interior, along with a 10.2-inch display, Wi-Fi hotspot, an available 12-speaker ELS audio system, and more. Oh, and the dash has plenty of buttons for those who enjoy a more analog feel.
Performance And Reliability
The Acura RDX is powered by a 272-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC engine, mated to a 10-speed automatic and AWD. It can sprint from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6.2 seconds. The only downside is that its exhaust note comes more from the speakers than the powertrain. Still, it promises the reliability and low maintenance costs you’d expect from an Acura, making it a sensible choice at this price point.
- Reliability And Quality Rating: 77/100 (J.D. Power)
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $571 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $10,565 (CarEdge)
Source: Manufacturers, J.D. Power, RepairPal, CarEdge, EPA