SUVs Under $50,000: 8 All-New, Redesigned, or Refreshed Models

There are SUVs under $50,000 that offer ample luxury.

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If you're looking for a new vehicle with luxurious features and spacious accommodations, many SUVs under $50,000 fit the bill. For the 2022 model year, this segment includes some desirable choices.

Many SUV shoppers seek out models with the newest innovations. Typically, the 2022 SUVs that best meet this standard are either all-new or heavily revised. We've provided a list of these SUVs. Each model in our lineup is in one of these three categories:

  • All-new: That means the automaker introduced it as a 2022 model. Before this launch, it didn't exist
  • Redesigned: A redesigned vehicle gets enhancements from top to bottom, inside and out. These may include a new platform that changes passenger volume and cargo capacity. A redesign may also bring upgrades to an SUV's sheet metal, cabin, and powertrain
  • Refreshed: A refreshed vehicle gets significant improvements, but the changes aren't as far-reaching as those accompanying a redesign. For example, a refreshed SUV may get sheet-metal updates like a revised rear fascia

Each SUV in our lineup has a base MSRP of under $50,000, including destination fees. The models appear below in alphabetical order. Last but not least, we've limited our selections to SUVs with confirmed pricing.

2022 Acura MDX

How Does It Change for 2022?

Acura wholly redesigned the MDX for 2022. A high-performance variant also joins the roster: the MDX Type S.

The MDX is Acura's mid-size SUV, and it starts at around $49,000. It provides three rows of seating and accommodates up to seven passengers. Acura has fully redesigned the MDX for 2022, and the model enters its fourth generation. The MDX comes standard with satellite radio, heated front seats, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, forward collision mitigation, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assist.

This 2022 Acura MDX gets an all-new platform, body, and chassis, with design cues that include a wide, assertive stance and an upright face. In addition to a new double-wishbone front suspension, the Acura gets a new 10-speed automatic transmission, Increased passenger volume and cargo capacity, and wireless connectivity for the SUV's standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.

Acura

2022 Acura RDX

How Does It Change for 2022?

Acura refreshed the RDX for the 2022 model year.

The RDX is Acura's compact SUV. With a starting price of around $41,000, this luxury crossover is less expensive than competing models from brands like BMW and Porsche. The RDX provides 31.1 cu.-ft. of cargo space with all seats in place—that makes it a strong pick in its class for cargo capacity. Also, this little SUV excels when it comes to interior storage solutions—the front row offers a tiered center console that comes in handy when you're stashing smaller personal items.

The 2022 Acura RDX got a revised exterior design that aligns more with the brand's MDX SUV. Inside the cabin is a new enhanced active sound control system intended to keep road noise out of the cabin, standard wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration become standard, Amazon Alexa integration is standard, and wireless device charging is optional. Additionally, a retuned adaptive damper system is supposed to provide more responsive handling in Sport mode and a smoother ride quality in Comfort mode.

Audi

2022 Audi Q4 e-tron

How Does It Change for 2022?

The Q4 e-tron is an all-new model that debuts for the 2022 model year.

As electrified vehicles gain popularity, automakers add more of these models to their fleets. For the 2022 model year, Audi introduces the Q4 e-tron, an electrified luxury SUV that slots just below the Q5. The Q4 e-tron comes in two variants: one has traditional SUV styling cues, and the other—the Q4 Sportback e-tron—has a coupe-like roofline. Audi expects this SUV will have a driving range of about 250 miles, and pricing starts at $45,000.

The all-new 2022 Audi Q4 e-tron luxury SUV has an exterior design with sculpted surfacing and a muscular stance, a cabin that utilizes recycled materials and provides storage solutions like a cargo-area load floor you can customize, and a driver-oriented cockpit with a touchscreen conveniently angled toward the person behind the wheel.

BMW

2022 BMW X3

How Does It Change for 2022?

BMW refreshes the X3 for the 2022 model year.

The X3 is a compact luxury SUV that starts at about $45,000. It offers plenty of standard features and options that allow you to customize this SUV to match your preferences. All models have dual-zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration. You'll find an automated parking system, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and a wireless device charger on the options list.

The 2022 BMW X3 got a revised front and rear styling, including a new BMW kidney grille, new headlights, and redesigned front and rear bumpers. Inside an updated cabin, includes a new center console taken from the current BMW 4 Series. The M40i trim now comes with a mild hybrid system for improved fuel efficiency and the xDrive30e plug-in hybrid exits the lineup.

Buick

2022 Buick Enclave

How Does It Change for 2022?

For 2022, Buick refreshes the Enclave.

Three-row SUVs like the Buick Enclave will serve you well if you need a family-friendly vehicle with lots of passenger capacity. The Enclave seats seven and comes standard with features like a hands-free liftgate, leather upholstery, and heated front seats. Safety features like blind-spot warning and forward collision mitigation are also standard. When it comes to pricing, the Buick Enclave has a base MSRP of around $44,000.

The got an updated front and rear styling, including a new front fascia and hood, new LED headlights, a new grille, and a new rear fascia. Inside a revised interior includes a new steering wheel and a redesigned center console, a new optional wireless charger sized for larger phones and a rear power sunshade. Wireless connectivity Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is now standard, as well as a broader range of standard safety features.

2022 Genesis GV70

How Does It Change for 2022?

This small Genesis SUV is all-new, introduced for the 2022 model year.

Genesis entered the SUV game with its mid-size GV80. For the 2022 model year, the brand adds a new SUV to its lineup: the GV70. This luxury SUV shares some styling cues with its GV80 sibling, but it has a smaller footprint and a sportier roofline. Priced at around $42,000, the GV70 is the most affordable model in our list of new SUVs under $50,000.

The Genesis GV70 comes standard with LED headlights, a 14.5-inch touchscreen, wireless device charging, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, adaptive cruise control, and a hands-free liftgate. The new SUV also comes with forward collision mitigation and a blind-spot intervention system that steers the vehicle back into its lane if you try to make a lane change when there's a car in your blind spot.

Infiniti

2022 Infiniti QX55

How Does It Change for 2022?

The QX55 is an all-new model introduced for the 2022 model year.

Infiniti introduces the QX55 for the 2022 model year. This all-new luxury SUV is essentially a more coupe-like version of the brand's QX50 compact SUV. The Q55's cabin resembles the QX50's—but with less headroom due to this new model's sloping roofline. Also, the QX55 has less cargo space than the QX60; this new SUV has 26.9 cu.-ft. with all seats in place, while the QX60 has 37 cu.-ft. Pricing for the 2022 Infiniti QX55 starts at around $47,500.

You'll find a lot of standard features on the 2022 Infiniti QX55, including a split-screen infotainment system with an 8-inch display screen above a 7-inch touch screen, keyless entry and ignition, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, and in-car Wi-Fi. Other standard features include 20-inch alloy wheels, power liftgate, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, blind-spot warning system, forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning.

Infiniti

2022 Infiniti QX60

How Does It Change for 2022?

Infiniti redesigns the QX60 for the 2022 model year.

The Infiniti QX60 sails into its second generation, fully redesigned for the 2022 model year. This mid-size luxury SUV has three rows of seats and accommodates seven passengers. It gets a long list of upgrades, including a new exterior and a new nine-speed automatic transmission. With a base MSRP of around $48,000.

The 2022 Infiniti QX60 gets lots of new standard equipment, including a power liftgate, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, a heated steering wheel, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats. Inside the QX60 also gets a standard 12.3-inch touch screen infotainment system, keyless entry and ignition, satellite radio, in-car Wi-Fi, and leather upholstery. Standard safety features include a blind-spot warning, forward collision mitigation, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, and rear parking sensors.

Final Thoughts

The current crop of new SUVs under $50,000 includes everything from stylish coupe-like contenders to roomy three-row picks ideal for family travel. The models discussed above represent this category's latest and most recently revised choices.

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Warren Clarke
A car purchase is a big decision. And once you've made the purchase, you'll be faced with countless other choices that will affect your ownership experience one way or another. Throughout my career in the automotive industry, I've written everything from vehicle reviews to articles covering topics such as car insurance and leasing. My mission is to help you make the best decisions regarding your vehicle.