The Best Luxury 2-Row SUVs for the Money in 2017

Here Are the Top Contenders From the U.S. News Best 2-Row Luxury SUV for the Money Awards

“Affordable luxury” is something of an oxymoron, but it is also something consumers seem to desperately want, so auto manufacturers do their best to provide it.

If you narrow your affordable luxury search to luxury SUVs with two rows, you may find yourself in a sweet spot, where prices aren’t outrageously high, but luxury and prestige are pulled into the foreground. Generally speaking, if you’re shopping in this category, you can expect comfortable and well-made interiors with a lot of standard connectivity and safety features, about 300 horsepower, and highway mpg in the mid-high 20s. 

Winning our award for Best Luxury 2-Row SUV for the Money means providing plenty of quality, comfort, and style with a low initial price and low long-term cost of ownership. Quality is judged based on our rankings of luxury SUVs with two rows. These ranking are based on published reviews by credible automotive publications, along with safety and predicted reliability data from other sources.

We named the 2017 Lexus RX 350 this year’s winner. Click through to see how the other competitors compared. 

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• Read the 2017 Lexus RX 350 Full Review
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No. 5: 2017 Volkswagen Touareg

MSRP: $49,495 (Details Below)

A long list of standard features, a perfect safety score, and an elegant interior and exterior design come together to present the 2017 Volkswagen Touareg as a stylish, family-oriented luxury SUV. That said, the Touareg’s V6 engine is underpowered at 280 horsepower, and because it is only available on all-wheel drive, fuel economy is poor, too, at just 23 mpg on the highway. 

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2017 Volkswagen Touareg

Maximum Cargo Capacity: 64 Cubic Feet (Details Below)

A rearview camera, navigation, and a suite of driver-assistance features are now standard in the 2017 Touareg. Test drivers like the infotainment system, which works smoothly and is easy to use, partially on account of the physical buttons that complement the touch commands. The interior boasts accents of wood and chrome over a simple dashboard layout. Build quality inside is superb, drawing comparisons to more luxurious brands like Audi. All models come with an 8-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, and 18 gigabytes of storage space for music. 

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No. 4: 2017 Infiniti QX70

MSRP: $45,850 (Details Below)

If (relatively) affordable fun is a factor in your 2-row luxury SUV purchase, you’d do well to consider the Infiniti QX70. Its 325-horsepower engine feels strong and lively, and it’s mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. Some say that transmission is a little reticent to downshift during acceleration, but the QX70 gets up and moving all the same.  The QX70 offers excellent handling for a vehicle of its size and shape. Steering is tight and communicative, with minimal body roll during cornering. Because of the stiffness required for such a nimble suspension, the QX70 has a ride that might be too harsh for some drivers. 

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2017 Infiniti QX70

Maximum Cargo Capacity: 62 Cubic Feet (Details Below)

The QX70’s interior is a great place to be if you’re driving. Rear seats are on the small side, but those in the front are supportive for spirited driving while being comfortable enough for long hauls. There are LATCH connectors in the rear, but they’re crammed into the seats and difficult to access.

Interior materials are excellent, but the design appears ready for an update. 

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No. 3: 2017 Cadillac XT5

MSRP: $39,395 (Details Below)

The Cadillac XT5 is a brand-new model with a nice cabin, large rear seats, and a long list of features. Test drivers aren’t crazy about the XT5’s 3.6-liter engine, however. Despite producing a respectable 310 horsepower, the engine feels dull and sluggish. Maybe there is a compromise: You’ll get an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway. Those are solid numbers for a vehicle this size. 

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2017 Cadillac XT5

Maximum Cargo Capacity: 63 Cubic Feet (Details Below)

The materials used in the XT5 interior are top rate. Front seats are nice and supportive, though on the narrow side. Leatherette upholstery comes standard, but there are several colors of leather seats available as options. Rear passengers may find legroom and headroom a little on the short side, but the good news is the rear seats can both slide and recline, so rear passengers can find a position that works best for them. 

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No. 2: 2017 Lincoln MKX

MSRP: $38,260 (Details Below)

The 2017 Lincoln MKX is one of the most affordable vehicles in its class. An available twin-turbo V6 boosts horsepower from 303 horsepower to 335. With the more powerful engine, fuel economy dips to 16 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway, which is not good. But all that, plus outstanding safety scores, helped the MKX win our 2017 award for Best Luxury 2-Row SUV for Families. 

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2017 Lincoln MKX

Maximum Cargo Capacity: 68.8 Cubic Feet (Details Below)

Most reviewers recommend you treat yourself to the 22-way multicontour massaging front seats. It’s a unique option, and worth it, especially if you make a lot of long drives. But even if you pass on the massage option, the MKX’s front seats are comfortable and spacious. The rear seats are ideal for taller passengers, with plenty of room to sprawl out or sit up straight. A full set of LATCH car-seat connectors are provided in the outboard rear seats, and you won’t have to hunt for them. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the MKX’s LATCH system its second-highest rating for ease of use. 

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No. 1: 2017 Lexus RX 350

MSRP: $43,120 (Details Below)

With an outstanding overall score in our rankings and a starting price of $43,120, the 2017 Lexus RX 350 is one of the top-rated SUVs in its class. Available in front- or all-wheel drive, with a 295-horsepower engine, a long list of standard features, and up to 27 mpg on the highway, the RX 350 is versatile overall performer with a long-ago earned reputation for strong build quality and reliability. 

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2017 Lexus RX 350

Maximum Cargo Capacity: 56.3 (Details Below)

The rear seats in the RX 350 are comfortable and spacious, with plenty of room for legs and heads. That comes at the expense of some cargo space, however. With the rear seats up, there is only 18.4 cubic feet of space, and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.  Those are low numbers for the class. Test drivers also complained about a difficult-to-use infotainment system. An 8-inch display comes standard, and there is an optional 12-inch display. 

• See 2017 Lexus RX 350 Photos
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• Read the 2017 Lexus RX 350 Full Review
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More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report

To see the other Best Cars for the Money, check out our Best Cars for the Money slideshow. Also, see how they stack up in our new car rankings. When you’ve decided which vehicle is right for you, use our Best Price Program to save the most money on your new car purchase.