Luxury SUVs have become increasingly expensive, with many new compact models now pushing well beyond the $50,000 mark before options. That has made the lightly used market especially appealing, where three-year-old examples can deliver virtually the same technology, comfort, and performance for thousands less than their original sticker price.

Buying a luxury sedan is usually the easy part. The bigger question comes later, when maintenance bills, repairs, and ownership costs start to add up once the warranty runs out.