Looking for a Luxury Mid Size SUV (~ $200K) – Advice Needed

Lfakeshan on 16/03/2025 - 20:53
Last edited 16/03/2025 - 22:24 by 1 other user

Hey everyone, Missus is in the market for a luxury mid-size SUV with a budget of around $200K and would love some recommendations. We’re not very car-savvy, so any advice would be really helpful!

Here’s what she's looking for:

  • Daily driver (mostly city/highway use, no off-roading)
  • No kids, so I don’t need a ton of cargo space
  • Looking for a balance of sportiness and comfort – something fun to drive but also refined
  • Open to any brand – not tied to BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, etc.
  • Petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric – open to all options
  • Brand new.

I’d appreciate any insights on what models to consider and any must-have features or options. What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Automotive Car SUV

Comments

  • Ineedadeal on 17/03/2025 - 00:10

    confused about the "dont care about space " but.. look at the audi sq8

  • haha on 17/03/2025 - 00:27
    +2

    Get a Lexus NX 350h
    Mid size SUV
    Hybrid is cheap to run
    Reliable too

  • mashi on 17/03/2025 - 00:33

    AMG GLC 43 or X4 m40i

    • xylarr on 17/03/2025 - 13:37
      -2

      Make sure you get a high yield, investment grade AMG though.

  • Brouw3r on 17/03/2025 - 02:14
    -1

    Land Rover Defender 110 seems to be the flavour of the month, possibly for good reason?

    • coffeeinmyveins on 17/03/2025 - 09:13
      +1

      Gross.

      depreciation and it'll fall apart in 2 years. Land Rovers are rubbish vehicles. But they are the weapon of choice for the Mosman Mummy.

  • tyvod on 17/03/2025 - 05:49
    -1

    If you are really dropping $200k for an suv, you must go for a proper sized SUV or else you will be 'wasting' your money. My pick would be Toyota Landcruiser or Porsche Cayenne. Mecan is poor man's Cayenne so don't get it if you are after luxury.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 17/03/2025 - 09:13
      +4

      at least spell Macan properly if you're going to diss it.

  • Mregmi on 17/03/2025 - 07:30
    +1

    Someone who can afford $200k for a car shouldn't be in ozbargain.

    • boomramada on 17/03/2025 - 10:17
      +1

      I know a Dr with a 400k car regularly checks Ozb for Domino's pizza deals
      Which makes OP is just a wanna be lol

  • ForkSnorter on 17/03/2025 - 07:57
    +1

    I would get a 1997-2002 Subaru Forester. They're pretty cute if you pick the right one. You could probably get one for $2,000, and pocked the remaining $198,000. It would have a lot of mileage on it though.

  • FlyingMiffy on 17/03/2025 - 07:59
    -2

    Not sure where all the haters are coming from. Last i checked, the majority of ozbargainers seem to earn well over 200K a year on a poll…

    Anyways, at 200K there are quite a few options. If cargo space is not a concern, would you consider a non SUV?

    • coffeeinmyveins on 17/03/2025 - 09:12

      because everyone should be driving a 20 year old grey or white toyota camry according to these penny pinchers.

      • CaptainJack on 17/03/2025 - 15:51
        +1

        If you're not a car person, that's a lot smarter than spending 200k on something you won't even enjoy.

    • ForkSnorter on 17/03/2025 - 09:14
      +1

      That sounds like people picking the >$200k poll option to troll. Those polls are never accurate.

      Just look at the median Australian income.

      Some facts:

      The median Australian annual income for all workers (main job) was $67,600 in August 2023, and this had risen to $72,600 in August 2024.

      Keep in mind, this is the median figure, so half of all workers earned less than this.

      For full-time employees, the median annual income was $83,200 in August 2023, and $88,400 in August 2024.

      Again, 50% of full-time workers earned less than this.

      Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics.

      I don't know what kind of demographic Ozbargain Forum users represents, but seeing as a lot of them are probably penny pinchers, I wouldn't expect them to represent only the wealthy half of Australia, and even if they did, the overwhelming majority would still be on less than $200k.

      • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 09:56
        +1

        For full-time employees, the median annual income was $83,200 in August 2023, and $88,400 in August 2024.

        Key word - median. I am sure a large portion of income in Sydney would be much higher than the median. Well, graduates are starting at 90+bonus these days. 83k is not even enough for tax bill in Sydney for a comfortable living.

      • changyang1230 on 17/03/2025 - 15:07

        The issue is that Ozbargain is unlikely to be a representative sample of Australian population as a whole.

      • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 11:51

        $200k pretax income is barely enough to keep a house in good state then there are other expenses on top.

        • gardening is $100odd every fortnight, averaged out. More frequent in summer, less so in winter.
        • cleaning is $200-300 per fortnight
        • someone to cook is $200 a week.
          Those alone would set back $800/month or app $40k year. Then schooling chews up another $70k year per kid (fee, transport, lunch, extracurricular activities).
        • annual holiday slaps another $70k.
        • other household expenses $100k
        • mortgage (sky is the limit)

        Post tax expense is in the sub $500k mark for an average middle income family in Sydney and a proper luxury vehicle is not very affordable. Well, car line at Shore, Scots etc are predominantly common cars and Bentley is a rarer one amongst all.

        • ForkSnorter on 17/03/2025 - 12:10
          +4

          cleaning is $200-300 per fortnight

          Most people do their own cleaning.

          someone to cook is $200 a week.

          You have a chef come to your house? Surely it would cost more than that.

          Those alone would set back $800/month or app $40k year.

          $800/month isn't $40k per year.

          Then schooling chews up another $70k year per kid (fee, transport, lunch, extracurricular activities).

          Probably cheaper for public school.

          annual holiday slaps another $70k.

          I spent $3k on my last holiday.

          other household expenses $100k

          Not sure what this includes.

          mortgage (sky is the limit)

          Sounds like most of the expenses you listed are optional. Choosing to cut them out would probably enable the household to be mortgage-free in no time.

          • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 14:19

            @ForkSnorter: Sorry. $800/week, not month. And it is someone to cook (think of non working mums/dads in the local area). Whilst they can all be done without being outsourced, at what cost? (Time wise)

            Will not disagree with each one of the points, but merely pointing out what a middle income household expenses would look like. Because $200k for a SUV is not a small amount, equally, not completely off tangent.

            This is also not what the wealthy spend as well as it is a different league altogether. E.g. a household spending $10k a year for energy bill (mainly heating/cooling) before installing their solar.

          • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 14:26

            @brendanm: Right on the point.

            $400 for someone to cook is about right. Run of the mill stuff just to avoid having over salted/oily stuff from the local takeaway shop (works out much cheaper). 2 days a week for two hours. Whatever cooked, eaten for the day/night and fridged for the next day. That covers 4 days of the week.

            Cleaner is ok. 2 people 2 hours. Probably on the cheaper end of the scale.

            But $200k SUV is definitely not luxury, nor special.

            Edit - $400/week for cooking. Stuffed up with fortnight/week.

              • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 14:40

                @brendanm: Assuming that you are not from Sydney.

                "definition of "middle income" is massively out of whack, unless you don't understand the definition of either mean or median."

                Graduates in Sydney are hitting the $90k (averages out to be 10-12 hours a day) mark before bonus and already on the right hand side of the national median. Was $60-70k some years back.

                  • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 14:43

                    @brendanm: "Even to assume that the majority of people in Sydney are on $90k+ is insane, and incredibly out of touch."

                    Well, this is not even factoring a lot of smaller business taking cash on the side. The sparky that did the work for our cable said he takes home $200k a year and it's tough with 3 kids.

                      • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 14:46

                        @brendanm: "I'm sure that's what everyone in Sydney is doing 🙄"

                        That's why Sydney is the worst hit in housing affordability.

                        Agree that it's not Rosey in Sydney, merely to highlight what expenses might look like.

                        $200k car is definitely not a unicorn.

                  • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 14:45

                    @brendanm: "Also 10-12 hours a day to make $90k is garbage, not even $30 an hour." This is not uncommon, the rate is much higher overseas and longer hours. Longer term return with $1 million pay cheque over the coming 20 years.

                      • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 14:48

                        @brendanm: Yes. Most capped at $500k and find it hard to move on from there coz Australia is small and those top jobs are not available.

                        We have lost a lot of talent with people finding it better value to spend time overseas.

        • R4 on 17/03/2025 - 18:11
          +2

          someone to cook?

          Where TF does that happen? I know some pretty wealthy people and none of them have cooks FFS!!

          This ain't Jakarta.

          $70k a year per child? Where are they going to school? Switzerland? My son went to a fairly elite private school and the most we paid in a year was $30k total.

          An utterly bizarre reply.

          Thank f*** I don't live in New Shanghai (the city previously known as Sydney). A total and utter shithole.

          • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 18:26

            @R4: https://www.shore.nsw.edu.au/enrol/school-fees

            On top of that various contributions, annual overseas program (yes, annual skiing program is an option), school bus, and other extra curriculum activities. Mid $60k.

            Some kids boarding is another sub $30k on top.

            Where TF does that happen? I know some pretty wealthy people and none of them have cooks FFS!!

            Hard to find, but generally Facebook ad. Usually get either stay home mums/dads or apprentice cook/chefs.

            Just to put things to perspective, national median housing price is mod $800k, Sydney is $1.5M. ask anyone in Sydney what $1.5M would buy - a shthole to be precise.

            So, $200k car is not uncommon.

            • onesandtwos on 17/03/2025 - 18:39

              @Flutterby: $200k car is not uncommon but people may choose to spend more than what is sensible. 2x$200k income household is not 'middle class'.

              https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/where-is-the-middle-i…

              • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 19:52

                @brendanm:

                1. I can assure you. Alot of those rolling around in 200k car is merely the Camry that you and I are willing to buy (can afford to buy). To be fair, aside from the GS350 as daily, the weekend toys sitting around is probably in the cir $200k mark, that's excluding the track day expenses. No where near the description of having debt upto the neck.

                Aside from buying it there's the up keep. Some buys a Lexus coz they think it is a luxury badge. The very reason that it remained as a trusted workhorse at home because it is reliable and Lexus customer service is second to none - pick up drop off when car is for service and leaves me with a loan car. Not many other (yes, Audi, BMW, and Merc) are willing to do that post the corporate plan/wrty period. Price paid is $600 a pop for a basic oil change and routine check up. I am sure this is frowned upon on ozbargain coz which idiot would pay more than $300 for such (DIY too for those penny pinchers).

                1. Let's put a side the super rich that waterfront houses are mere pocket change. A totally different league.

                2. There are many that tries to keep up with the jonses and has zero balance in their savings account. Those also complain the loudest when economy turn to sht.

                  • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 20:42

                    @brendanm: "multi million dollar house" guessing it is well into the double digits than merely a few million. Nothing is wrong with someone being financially comfortable and driving around on a picanto? And the point is?

                    "Pretty sad to lie and pretend to be rich on a bargain forum."

                    Thank you for calling me out and hope it has made your night. Frankly, I personally don't think I am anything close to being rich, nor foolish enough to considered a Lexus as luxury car per se.

                    Lexus is a Toyota, and it is perfectly fine.

            • R4 on 17/03/2025 - 20:26
              +3

              @Flutterby: Utterly bizarre.

              $1.5m for a shithole - in a total shithole of a city.

              Also utterly bizarre.

              • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 20:31

                @R4: It is. Many years under liberal's making and we are becoming more like the US with heavy reliance on privatisation.

                Personally, I am stuck in Sydney for various reasons. If anything, the Nordic social welfare (high tax too) is a much better system.

    • fredblogs on 17/03/2025 - 13:18

      If you earn 200k/yr you definitely shouldn't be spending that amount on a car…

  • kolorijo on 17/03/2025 - 08:12
    +3

    Genesis GV80

  • Danger on 17/03/2025 - 08:38

    One of my butler drives this. Highly recommend it but it's out of your budget.

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2024-lotus-eletre-s…

    • foxmulder on 17/03/2025 - 13:12

      Bruce Wayne, is that you? :)

  • ChrisLevo on 17/03/2025 - 09:02
    +3

    We love our Genesis GV70 2.5T RWD.

    Now 18 months old, and three of our friends have bought one after time in ours.

    Starting at $90k on-road for our base model, with 5 years free servicing, free loan car, roadside assist, GPS updates, etc. thrown in, it's a bargain IMO.
    Kia Stinger engine (the 3.5 AWD packs serious power, but with thirst to match) and transmission makes it a real sleeper, but great fuel consumption.

    Do some research on the car sites before you spend your money.

    PS. I love the smell of leather :-)

  • CL123 on 17/03/2025 - 09:06
    -2

    My favourite car is the Range Rover Evoque but that is just purely from a looks perspective as I have never been in one let alone driven one.
    The Evoque is the smallest in the Range Rover range but I think they are all up there in price so might be worth a look.

    Personally I would not spend $200K just because you can. I would look at a range of cars you like the look of and the specs meet your needs and pay whatever it costs even if below that amount. I believe most high priced and luxury cars don't have long warranties and would probably be expensive to fix so maybe invest the rest and feel comfortable both in what you drive around in and being able to afford whatever happens in the future with it. Just my opinion.

    Let is know what you end up getting and your thoughts after purchase. Might be good to know if I ever win Powerball. LOL.

    • Brianqpr on 17/03/2025 - 10:37
      +2

      The stereotypical suburban yummy mummy car. Always white.

      • tenpercent on 17/03/2025 - 15:06
        +1

        Always white

        The yummy mummy, or the car?

  • coffeeinmyveins on 17/03/2025 - 09:12
    +2

    Everyone thinking OP is rich is potentially missing this key bit of information

    Missus is in the market for a luxury mid-size

    Some people get leveraged up to their eyeballs in debt to look cool.

    • tenpercent on 17/03/2025 - 15:07
      +1

      So he's not rich, he's p#ssy whipped?

      • coffeeinmyveins on 17/03/2025 - 15:44

        maybe. It's clear that he doesn't really care about cars and the wife wants one just to look good to her friends who are probably equally as in debt.

  • CaptainJack on 17/03/2025 - 09:21
    +2

    If was going to spend 200k on a vehicle it certainly wouldn't be a boring SUV.

    • boomramada on 17/03/2025 - 10:20
      +1

      If I'm OP and no kids, I would save bit more and get a GWAG lol

  • Archi on 17/03/2025 - 09:24

    KIA sportage, and you'll have a bit of change left over

    • MrThing on 17/03/2025 - 10:58
      -1

      He can buy a cheaper wife with the change

      • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 11:57

        Well, sometimes it's the other way around.

        • tenpercent on 17/03/2025 - 15:08

          sometimes it's the other way around

          He can buy change with a cheaper wife?

  • Thinkscape on 17/03/2025 - 09:25

    No kids, no cargo, daily driver and you’re looking to buy a wankpanzer? I’m confused…
    Why not a semi, or a cement truck?

  • Bob Svargis on 17/03/2025 - 09:26
    +1

    Not sure why you'd ask on a bargain site.

    Try a car site instead. People here generally care about VALUE, and $200K on a car does not represent value.

    • TailsK on 17/03/2025 - 09:40
      -1

      Maybe they're budgeting and that's their budget?

      • Bob Svargis on 17/03/2025 - 09:41

        Maybe - but why ask on a cheapskate site? Put some effort in and go to a car site instead.

        • TailsK on 17/03/2025 - 13:54

          This isn't cheapskate site?

  • TailsK on 17/03/2025 - 09:39
    -1

    What about a Range Rover Velar?

    • JimB on 17/03/2025 - 10:08

      A little too old now plus RR quality is terrible.

      • TailsK on 17/03/2025 - 13:54
        +1

        The other one that came to mind was the Lexus GX, but that is probably too big.

        • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 14:56

          RX is not a bad package.

        • JimB on 17/03/2025 - 15:13

          Great minds think alike.

          Look at my comment 4 hours before your recent comment.

          The GX550 would be my pick if you had to spend $150k on a SUV.

          • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 15:19

            @JimB: Or a Mitsubishi outlander phev. Good value for $75k. Haha. It doesn't have the badge (can be easily removed).

            Not many people looking for a badge would consider it tho.

            • JimB on 17/03/2025 - 17:17

              @Flutterby: Mitsubishi is good value but the interior quality isn’t very good compared to Lexus.

              I’m not sure the OP can afford even a new Outlander.

  • JimB on 17/03/2025 - 10:11

    Troll or no troll, it's an interesting topic.

    Personally, I have no interest in a sporty SUV. Too compromised.

    For that budget, I'd get a (low km/demo) RS6, M3 Touring or Lexus GX550

  • boomramada on 17/03/2025 - 10:28

    Poor man version of GLE 53 ?

  • MyOtherOtter on 17/03/2025 - 10:34
    +1

    If it was me and had that kind of pocket change to spare, I'd be looking at the Polestar 3.

    Love the design aesthetic, reviews are very very positive in general, even with some of the downsides, and you can fully spec it up for just under $200K.

  • afah0447 on 17/03/2025 - 10:38

    Hell…just get one of those Lambo SUVs second hand if you really must flex.

    • MrThing on 17/03/2025 - 10:59

      In yellow

  • MrThing on 17/03/2025 - 10:53
    +2

    Im also looking for a 500k car, lets be friends

    • ShiKu on 17/03/2025 - 11:33

      They're too poor to be your friend if you're looking for a 500k car

      • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 15:29

        Well, in my case a $75k outlander PHEV. You guys are miles ahead.

        Give me a few mins and switch over to my WP account.

        • ShiKu on 17/03/2025 - 17:47

          If I had 200k to buy a new car, I'd keep my corolla and the 200k. OOP has more dollars than sense

  • areustillpretty on 17/03/2025 - 10:55
    +1

    Genesis GV80. Poor man's Bentayga.

  • davetschoy on 17/03/2025 - 11:21

    What about Zeekr Mix? Watch this https://youtu.be/JWnUry6mCxs?si=TfWopSDpzbgzXQib

  • redfox1200 on 17/03/2025 - 11:37

    why would you spend over a million on a car, thats extreme

    • boomramada on 17/03/2025 - 11:49

      If you have 5m in your bank or 10m in plastic bags, why not ?

  • meong on 17/03/2025 - 11:40
    +2

    someone reported this post "for Inaccessible to Australians" 🤣

    • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 11:56

      Targetted deal if posted in the deal section?

  • 2jzzzz on 17/03/2025 - 11:54

    Can you afford a Urus

    • Flutterby on 17/03/2025 - 11:56

      Nissy, you like?

  • netjock on 17/03/2025 - 11:58
    +2

    This is like those letters to the editor of the wealth section where they have 4 investment properties and want to see how they can access the pension.

    Best one is 4 investment properties and cash poor.

    If you can afford a $200k vehicle maybe time to hire someone to do the research for you.

  • 7ekn00 on 17/03/2025 - 12:22
    -1

    Recently purchased a Hennessey Jeep Trackhawk, 1200HP AWD is plenty of fun !!

    • MrThing on 17/03/2025 - 12:34
      +1

      a fool and his money is easily parted

      lol a jeep

      • 7ekn00 on 17/03/2025 - 13:40
        -2

        Yep, cause your the expert!

        sub 10s quarter miles are fun :P

        • Charmoffensive on 18/03/2025 - 17:06
          +1

          By "sub 10", do you mean that's how many metres it goes before it blows the head gasket?

  • BigBirdy on 17/03/2025 - 12:24

    I passed a Lamborghini SUV at the shops the other day. First thought was … wife would like that 👌

  • Jake D on 17/03/2025 - 12:25

    New missus

  • dragonxx on 17/03/2025 - 12:41

    Thread like this won’t be good for OP’s mental health!!!!

  • moo on 17/03/2025 - 12:47
    -1

    Toyota Landcruiser 300 GR Sports with all the trimmings :D

    • pulpfiction on 17/03/2025 - 15:25
      -1

      Haha this is an excellent and smart choice.

      • moo on 17/03/2025 - 16:17
        +2

        At least it will still be worth $100k the moment you drive out of the dealer yard…unlike other 'luxury' brands ;)

        • pulpfiction on 17/03/2025 - 20:43

          Haha sadly, they’re closer to 150+k now! That said, used low km is slightly higher than new. Total insanity…

  • Drakesy on 17/03/2025 - 12:50
    +2

    Honestly there's only two options

    Porsche Macan GTS - the only Euro i'd recommend, BMW, Audi, Mercedes all seem to fall apart.
    or
    Genesis GV80/70 EV and invest the rest knowing you bought a reliable Korean SUV that isn't European crap.

  • Poor Ass on 17/03/2025 - 12:52

    Asking in the wrong place

  • foxmulder on 17/03/2025 - 13:09
    -1

    From last year NZ road trip, I hired RAV4 hybrid and it was awesome. It save a lot of fuel.

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