German SUVs remain the standard for most buyers wanting to enter the luxury car market. Unfortunately, the market continues to struggle with rising starting prices due to the increasing cost of production, development, and distribution. Brands are also leaning more into luxury demands, resulting in more opulent product directions, which ultimately affects the price.
An affordable German SUV is essentially a juxtaposition when looking at the 2025 and 2026 model year catalog, but there are some examples that you can opt for at a lower rate compared to the entire market. If this is still way too much for your budget, there is some value in looking at the used market, where you can find exceptional deals thanks to the rapid depreciation rate that affects this market.
To provide the most accurate information possible, this article uses data sourced from various manufacturers and authoritative sources. Models are listed from the most expensive ot the least expensive.
2025 Audi Q5
Starting MSRP: $52,200
The recently revised 2025 Audi Q5 range currently starts at $52,200 for the base Premium trimline, but this can increase to $60,600 if you opt for the Prestige specification group before adding any options. According to Edmunds, you’ll find yourself spending $65,137 over a five-year and 60,000-mile ownership experience, with $5,691 accounting for maintenance, $2,832 for repairs, $28,149 for depreciation, and $11,500 for fuel.
J.D. Power currently estimates that the 2020 Audi Q5 range sells for anywhere between $18,341 and $26,962, depending on the condition, mileage, and specification. It awards this model year with a 75/100 consumer-verified overall score, including 74/100 for quality and reliability, 75/100 for the driving experience, and 77/100 for resale value. iSeeCars indicates that this model will lose $26,352 or 58 percent of its value after five years and 60,000 miles. When new, pricing started at $43,300.
2025 BMW X3
Starting MSRP: $50,900
The all-new generation 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive range starts at $50,900, followed by the $65,900 M50 xDrive semi-performance variant. With this being a new model, Edmunds doesn’t have any true ownership cost estimations for it. Looking at the 2024 model year with the same drivetrain tells us that you can expect to spend $6,754 on maintenance, $2,432 on repairs, and $11,978 on fuel.
While you may not agree with the way this thing was designed, you’ll definitely appreciate the way it drives. Because even in 30 form, the X3 feels every bit like a BMW.
– TopSpeed’s 2025 BMW X3 30 test
If you are happy to opt for a 2020 BMW X3, this will cost you anywhere between $18,341 and $26,962, depending on the specification, mileage, and overall condition. J.D. Power issues the model with a 79/100 consumer-verified overall score, consisting of 80/100 for quality and reliability, 81/100 for the driving experience, and 73/100 for resale. iSeeCars suggests that you can expect to lose $27,440 or 53.9 percent of its value over five years. When new, BMW started pricing for this generation at $41,950.
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC
Starting MSRP: $49,550
Mercedes-Benz kicks pricing for the GLC 300 off at $49,550. Additional models include the PHEV and AMG variants, so we won’t make mention of them here, as these are technically different model lines. According to Edmunds, you’ll find yourself spending an estimated $65,970 on the rear-wheel drive GLC 300 over five years and 60,000 miles, with $4,764 accounting for maintenance, $2,463 for repairs, $30,238 for depreciation, and $10,273 for fuel.
J.D. Power suggests that you can pick a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC up for anywhere between $19,628 and $48,658, but this includes the AMG derivatives. It issues the range with a 79/100 consumer-verified overall score, including 76/100 for quality and reliability, 82/100 for the driving experience, and 81/100 for resale. iSeeCars suggests that this model will lose $25,307 or 51.4 percent of its value within the first five years and 60,000 miles of ownership. Pricing started at $42,500 when it was new in 2020.
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB
Starting MSRP: $43,800
Pricing for the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 starts off at $43,800 before options and destination. Edmunds suggests that this model will cost you $59,453 to own over five years, which includes $8,189 on maintenance, $2,463 on repairs, $22,848 on depreciation, and $10,273 on fuel.
The 2020 GLB range currently sells for around $19,574 to $22,575, reflecting a considerable depreciation rate considering $36,600 MSRP when new. J.D. Power issues the model with an 81/100 consumer-verified overall score, which includes 82/100 for the driving experience and 79/100 for resale. iSeeCars indicates that this model loses $20,906 or 45.6 percent of its value after five years.
2026 BMW X1
Starting MSRP: $42,800
You’ll have to spend $42,800 if you want to get in the driver’s seat of a 2026 BMW X1 xDrive28i and $51,900 if you want the M35i sub-performance variant. Edmunds indicates that the base model will cost you $59,745 to own over five years and 60,000 miles, with general costs including $6,611 on maintenance, $2,434 on repairs, $24,366 on depreciation, and $10,273 on fuel.
A 2021 BMW X1 is likely to cost you anywhere between $23,437 and $26,652, according to J.D. Power, which also issues the range with a 76/100 consumer-verified overall rating. This includes 81/100 for quality and reliability, 73/100 for the driving experience, 67/100 for resale, and 80/100 for the dealership experience. iSeeCars suggests that this derivative will lose $21,554 or 50.4 percent of its value after five years and 60,000 miles of ownership. The base front-wheel drive model would have cost you $35,400 when new.
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Starting MSRP: $41,500
Pricing for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 starts at $41,500. This is the only non-AMG engine option available, but you can have it with the brand’s all-wheel drive 4Matic system. The base front-wheel drive model is likely to cost you around $56,956 to own over five years and 60,000 miles, according to Edmunds. This includes spending $7,029 on maintenance, $2,463 on repairs, $22,429 on depreciation, and $9,908 on fuel.
Opting for a 2021 model year Mercedes-Benz GLA will have you spending around $25,675 to$39,437, but again, this includes the AMG derivatives. J.D. Power awards this model with an 80/100 consumer-verified overall score, consisting of 78/100 for quality and reliability, 84/100 for the driving experience, 81/100 for resale, and 79/100 for the dealership experience.Expect this model to lose $20,721 or 48.2 percent of its value within five years of ownership. When new, you would have paid $36,230 for the base 250 model.
2025 Audi Q3
Starting MSRP: $39,800
Before the arrival of the new-generation 2026 Audi Q3, the 2025 variant is still available to the American market, with a $39,800 MSRP. Opting for the Premium Plus model increases the price to $42,600. Edmunds indicates that the Q3 will cost $54,257 to own over five years and 60,000 miles, with common costs including $5,931 in maintenance, $1,898 in repairs, $20,750 in depreciation, and $10,108 in fuel.
You won’t notice much of a difference by stepping down into a 2020 Audi Q3, as this is a crossover that has barely changed over the last half-decade. In doing so, J.D. Power indicates that you’ll only spend between $20,665 and $28,062, depending on the mileage, condition, and specification. It also awards the model a 71/100 consumer-verified overall score, consisting of 69/100 for quality and reliability, 71/100 for the driving experience, and 76/100 for resale. iSeeCars indicates that this model will depreciate by $18,827 or 50.3 percent over five years and 60,000 miles. Pricing started at $34,700 when it was new, reflecting one of the least drastic price increases on this list.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Starting MSRP: $38,300
Volkswagen starts pricing for the Atlas Cross Sport SE off at $38,300, making it the most competitively priced German SUV in this segment. Opting for the flagship SEL Premium R-Line increases its base MSRP to $53,620. Edmunds indicates that you’ll spend $44,738 while owning the base SE model. $3,710 of this accounts for maintenance, $909 for repairs, $16,929 for depreciation, and $10,108 for fuel.
J.D. Power estimates that you can pick a 2020 model year Atlas up for as little as $16,385 to $30,282. It awards this model a 73/100 consumer-verified overall score, including 68/100 for quality and reliability, 80/100 for the driving experience, 79/100 for resale, and 70/100 for the dealership experience. iSeeCars highlights that the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport is likely to lose $19,079 or 51.3 percent of its value in depreciation after five years. This was a $30,545 MSRP model when new, before the brand scrapped the base S derivative.
2026 Volkswagen Tiguan
Starting MSRP: $30,805
The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan starts pricing at $30,805 for the entry-level S model, but you can find yourself paying as much as $43,085 for the SEL R-Line Turbo. Edmunds suggests that the base S model will cost you $37,610 to own over five years and 60,000 miles, with $3,715 accounting for maintenance, $909 for repairs, $13,342 for depreciation, and $8,016 for fuel.
Pick up the pace, and it seems to comfortably hug the road and even encourage some sprightlier driving, with nicely weighted and accurate steering, a solid on-center feel, and mid-corner composure.
A previous-generation 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is set to cost you anywhere between $16,986 and $28,598, depending on the condition, mileage, and specification. J.D. Power awards this model with a 76/100 consumer-verified overall score, consisting of 76/100 for quality and reliability, 73/100 for the driving experience, 86/110 for resale, and 70/100 for the dealership experience. The 2021 Tiguan is likely to lose $14,087 or 47.8 percent of its value after five years. When new, the base S model would have cost you $25,245.
2025 Volkswagen Taos
Starting MSRP: $25,495
The Volkswagen Taos is the cheapest new German SUV that money can buy today, with the range starting at $25,495 for the base S derivative. This increases to $35,195 if you opt for the flagship SEL.
Volkswagen only introduced the Taos to the U.S. market in 2022. This model year will cost you anywhere between $15,670 and $25,106, depending on the specification and condition. It holds a 76/100 consumer-verified overall score from J.D. Power, which includes 72/100 for quality and reliability, 83/100 for the driving experience, 84/100 for resale, and 71/100 for the dealership experience. iSeeCars suggests that this model will lose $12,019 or 48.1 percent of its value after five years. When new, Volkswagen started pricing at $23,495.
Sources: Edmunds, J.D. Power, and iSeeCars