This is the best lightly used luxury SUV you can get under $40,000 in 2026

Published Jul 28, 2026, 12:30 PM EDT Tyler is an automotive journalist and content contributor at How-To Geek with over three years of experience covering the automotive industry. His work focuses on delivering clear, well-researched, and engaging content that helps readers better understand the vehicles they drive and the technology behind them. Before entering automotive media, he spent five years as an academic editor, developing a strong foundation in research methodology, factual accuracy, and structured analysis. This background informs his journalistic approach today, ensuring that every article balances technical insight with accessibility for a broad audience. Tyler specializes in automotive journalism, content strategy, and SEO-driven publishing, with a particular interest in performance, reliability, and the cultural role of cars. He approaches automotive writing with a distinct philosophy: vehicles should be engaging and expressive, not merely functional tools. This perspective shapes his coverage and allows readers to connect with cars beyond basic specifications. 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. Few models represent that value better than the 2023 Genesis GV70. Thanks to steep early depreciation and one of the industry's best warranty packages, it offers premium materials, strong performance, and a genuinely luxurious driving experience for the price of a well-equipped mainstream SUV. For buyers shopping with a budget of around $40,000, it stands out as one of the strongest luxury SUV bargains available today. In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites, including the EPA, CarEdge, J.D. Power, and Edmunds. A 3-year-old Genesis GV70 can be had for much less than $40,000 Top-notch luxury at a surprisingly mainstream price With the price of new vehicles constantly on the rise, more and more buyers are finding that lightly used vehicles offer you a lot more bang-for-your-buck. The 2023 Genesis GV70 is the perfect example. While it is pretty similar to the newest model in terms of features and performance, it has depreciated to a point where you can save yourself thousands of dollars. The average 2023 GV70 can be had for a bargain Model Average list price 2.5T $35,407 3.5T $41,695 Genesis is a fairly young luxury brand, which means that depreciation still hits most of its models pretty hard in the first couple of years. This is why a 2023 GV70 can already be had for a pretty attractive price. When new, a 2023 model would have cost between $44,275 and $65,995 to start, depending on which trim you opted for. This means that you're saving yourself thousands of dollars by opting for a model that is only three years old. While we think that the twin-turbocharged V-6 in the 3.5T models is pretty attractive, we think that most buyers will be more than satisfied with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the 2.5T, which is a bit of an overachiever. We'd look for a model equipped with the Advanced Package, which adds things like a panoramic sunroof, sleek 19-inch wheels, and a premium Lexicon sound system. These models list for an average price of $35,705, meaning they cost about as much as a mid-range 2026 Toyota RAV4. In our minds, that is a pretty fantastic deal. Strong warranty coverage protects you in the long run Limited warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles Powertrain warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles Genesis has a warranty plan that outdoes every other luxury brand on the market. Not only is their bumper-to-bumper coverage superb, but their 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is unmatched. This means that your 2023 model should be covered for quite a while after you bring it home. Genesis also offers three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, meaning that the used model you nab will have been looked after by the professionals at Genesis, which adds some peace of mind. Genesis does old-school luxury better than most in the GV70 It focuses on comfort and class rather than flashy gimmicks Credit: Genesis Modern luxury automakers have gone in a bit of an odd direction lately. It feels like standing out with flashy and futuristic designs has become more important than making the driver and passengers feel comfortable. Genesis is one of the few brands with a more traditional approach, and the GV70 demonstrates this fantastically. Despite being generally more affordable than its rivals, it delivers an experience that is class-above. The Genesis is plenty practical and coddles every passenger Front row headroom 39.6 inches Front row legroom 41.3 inches Second row headroom 39.1 inches Second row legroom 37.2 inches Cargo capacity 28.9 cubic feet In terms of practicality, you're not going to be disappointed with the GV70. While its back seats don't offer quite as much legroom as some of its rivals, you can still fit adults in the back without any real complaints. Cargo capacity is pretty generous too, with more than enough room in the back for a couple of suitcases or a large grocery haul. We love the interior design of the GV70. We think that Genesis achieves quiet comfort better than most of the luxury compact SUVs on the market. When you remember that you're only paying between $35,000 and $40,000, it only feels better. Fine materials are used throughout, with every surface covered in nice soft-touch materials, regardless of which trim level you opt for. Infotainment and technology The 2023 GV70 comes equipped with a crisp and clear 14.5-inch infotainment screen which rises out of the dashboard. It pairs with a fully-digital gauge display on every model. We actually like this layout better than the single-panel, dual-screen setup that you get in newer model years. Things like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and on-board Wi-Fi are all standard. You also get a standard wireless smartphone charging pad. There are some desirable features to be on the lookout for when shopping for used models, including things like a heads-up display, a 16-speaker Lexicon sound system, and a 360-degree surround view camera. Even the turbocharged four-cylinder models feel perkier than you'd expect Genesis mixes performance and luxury better than most Credit: Genesis When buying a compact luxury SUV, you expect a certain balance between comfort and performance. Unfortunately, the performance side of things has become pretty artifical in a lot of modern luxury crossovers. While quick, most feel unengaging and, to be blunt, a little soulless. Genesis, however, has become the exception to this, with its driving dynamics being genuinely more entertaining than what you'd get from the likes of BMW, Mercedes, or Audi. Sleek, smooth, and quick off the line Base Trim Engine 2.5L Turbo Inline-4 Gas Base Trim Transmission 8-Speed Automatic Base Trim Drivetrain All-Wheel Drive Base Trim Horsepower 300 hp Base Trim Torque 311 lb-ft @ 1650 rpm Fuel Economy 22/28 MPG Make Genesis Model GV70 Segment Compact Luxury SUV The base powertrain in the GV70 is a turbocharged four-cylinder that is quite the overachiever. It makes 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, which is more than most of its rivals. If you're after something a little more raucous, 3.5T models come with a twin-turbocharged V-6 that puts down 375 horses instead. In either case, you get standard all-wheel drive and a traditional eight-speed automatic. Every model is satisfyingly quick. Four-cylinder models get up to 60 miles per hour in as little as 5.6 seconds, with V-6 models achieving the run in as little as 4.6 seconds. The Korean crossover is capable of cruising comfortably, with its ride quality being exceptional. Put it into a sportier drive mode and throw it through some corners, and you'll find it to be much more fun to drive than most crossovers. This 3-year-old luxury crossover offers you a ton of value For $35,000, you can get a pretty mundane new SUV, one that gets you from A to B without much drama. However, that same amount of money can get you much further on the used market. The 2023 Genesis GV70 proves this, offering exceptional interior luxury, handsome good looks, and performance that is arguably better than its German rivals. On top of this, the brand's incredible standard warranty means you'll be covered for years after your purchase. If you can put up with a few miles on the odometer, the GV70 is packed with value that is hard to ignore.