Reliable SUVs You Don’t Have to Pay Extra For: Don’t Be Fooled
Even though prices for new cars remain ridiculously high, there are some SUVs you might be able to get a deal on. These options from Infiniti, Hyundai, Volvo, and Mazda are either priced below MSRP or just about even with it right now. At this point in 2023, the average new car is 8.5% over MSRP. That makes many new vehicles out of budget for shoppers. However, these five reliable SUVs are breaking the mold and might be a good option for a bargain.
What’s a reliable new SUV under MSRP?
For a reliable SUV that you won’t pay extra for, the Infiniti QX80 is an excellent place to start. iSeeCars says the average MSRP for the QX80 is around $82,333, and the average cost shoppers actually paid was $81,292. Even though that is an expensive luxury SUV price range, you might be able to swing an even better deal with this knowledge.
The 2023 Infiniti QX80 is one of the most affordable large luxury SUVs but often gets overlooked for the competition. In the luxury SUV category, shoppers have high expectations for three-row SUVs. The QX80 has a high MSRP but doesn’t always offer as much as vehicles like the Lincoln Navigator or the Lexus GX. These vehicles are similarly priced but much more popular.
| Reliable SUVs – Model | Avg. MSRP | Avg. Price |
| Infiniti QX80 | $82,333 | $81,292 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | $51,551 | $51,289 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | $50,566 | $50,508 |
| Volvo C40 Recharge | $58,736 | $58,820 |
| Mazda CX-9 | $41,693 | $41,786 |
With great popularity comes great price increases, so some of these vehicles might not have been selling as quickly. After rapid changes in gas prices, vehicle prices, supply/demand, and other complications, automakers want to move these reliable SUVs off dealership lots before the newest version hits the pavement.
Why are so many of these reliable SUVs electric?
When high gas prices were a major issue last year, some reliable SUVs with electric or hybrid powertrains skyrocketed in price. Combined with the $7,500 federal tax credit, these EV SUVs were popular and hard to find. Now, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and Volvo C40 Recharge are more affordable than ever. While the Ioniq 6 doesn’t look like an SUV by any means, it falls in that category.
Out of the six vehicles priced at or below MSRP, four of those are electric or hybrid. After the most recent version of the Inflation Reduction Act went into play, the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 both lost the $7,500 credit. That means Hyundai had to drop prices or lose out on some sales.
Why are these reliable SUVs priced so aggressively this year? Thanks to that, you can get a brand new Ioniq 5 for $51,289 or the Ioniq 6 for $50,508. As new car costs remain high, some drivers have been paying under MSRP for a brand-new EV. The Volvo C40 Recharge is in the same boat, with shoppers paying very close to MSRP.
Don’t sleep on Mazda’s reliable three-row SUV
Finally, the Mazda CX-9 is another reliable new SUV you don’t have to pay extra for. While the average MSRP is $41,693, most folks have paid an average of $41,786. Mazda recently released the luxurious and impressive 2024 CX-90, which is on sale alongside the CX-9. Mazda has moved to discontinue the older SUV after this year, which could explain the lower cost. Even though the CX-90 hit the market in April, it makes sense that Mazda would be trying to move some of these CX-9 SUVs to focus on the newest version.
There are many reasons that can impact the price of new cars, trucks, and SUVs, but high demand and low supply are some of the biggest ones. More popular SUVs have been harder to find, and even once found, the cost is usually over MSRP. The national average for a new car right now is $42,645, but most folks pay over $46,265. If you’ve been waiting to get into a new hybrid or EV, now might be the time.
