What Makes These SUVs Future Classics?
Nostalgia washed over me like a tsunami of long-lost memories as I booted up Driver: San Francisco on my Xbox for the first time in over a decade. I found a seller on eBay offering a new, unscratched disc after learning the game was backward compatible on the latest console, and the copy finally arrived at my doorstep. As soon as I began traversing through the main storyline, I was astonished by just how well all of the vehicles included in the game had aged. Not only were the digital streets of San Francisco littered with beloved modern classics such as the second-gen Cadillac CTS-V, the Jaguar XFR, and the Ford Taurus SHO, but even the so-called “regular” traffic list was filled with cars tha that have since become cult icons. When compared with today’s typical North American traffic, even the often-overlooked cars like the Lincoln Town Car and the Cadillac DTS feel like incredibly special vehicles, with a unique charm that seems to have been lost in newer cars.
Now that many of the vehicles included in nostalgia-inducing racing games, such as Driver: San Fransisco and Test Drive Unlimited 2, are slowly reaching “modern classic” status, reflected in rising values and a growth of online appeal, I couldn’t help but notice a small group of cars that seem to still be overlooked today, much more so than the rest of Driver‘s lineup: the SUVs. Perhaps it’s because almost everything on the road seems to be an SUV these days why most people don’t yet see these vehicles as “collector worthy,” but these late-2000s/early-2010s SUVs represent some of the first mainstream luxury sport utilities from an era before they all (for the most part) became softened, watered-down crossovers meant solely for tackling daily family duties. With powerful V8 engines, capable four-wheel-drive systems, and comfortable, often prestigious interiors, many of these overlooked SUVs offer compelling packages for a wide range of car enthusiasts.
So I decided to put together a list of a few of these vehicles because, after a bit of research, I discovered that each and every one can still be purchased today, even in fantastic condition, for next to nothing (especially compared to their original values). The six SUVs that follow, in my opinion, represent some of the most overlooked value on the market right now, as future classics that buyers can actually enjoy driving daily without stressing about their value depreciating (although, to be fair, that stress might find its way back to you through repair costs). Each of these SUVs has achieved a point of post-irony fashionability where, even if they won’t necessarily turn heads around town, they will demonstrate a fine level of taste to those in the know, and will offer a truly high-class experience with enjoyable road manners for a fraction of the cost of newer, and often less exciting alternatives.
Audi via CarsWP.com
1. Audi Q7 4.2 (4L)
When you browse Audi’s U.S. website today, almost every model appears to be a crossover or SUV. Twenty years ago, however, Audi’s lineup looked very different. The 2005 debut of the 4L-generation Q7 marked Audi’s first SUV and laid the foundation for many successful models to come. When it debuted, it was praised by critics for its exceptional luxury, though its high fuel consumption was a notable downside. In exchange for its petrol-thirsty behaviour, however, buyers received a raucous 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8, producing up to 350 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. Paired with the legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system, a six-speed automatic gearbox, and four-wheel independent suspension (and optional air suspension), the first-generation Audi Q7 4.2 drives like an absolute dream, so long as you can stomach achieving just 12 mpg in the city.
Audi via CarsWP.com
Audi via CarsWP.com
Inside and out, the first-gen Audi Q7, especially in 4.2-powered guise and even more so when optioned with the S-Line appearance package, has aged incredibly well. Its design is far more charismatic than its more generic-looking successor, and its cabin doesn’t rely on massive screens and haptic touch buttons to feel “premium”—instead, it actually just feels premium, both to the touch and to the eye, thanks to the use of high-quality materials and Piech-era design that seems impossible to beat in terms of ergonomic ease-of-use. For what is essentially the spiritual forefather of the modern Audi SQ7, the 4L Q7 4.2 is a seriously underrated buy these days. For example, this 2008 Audi Q7 4.2 Premium with just 43k miles sold on Bring a Trailer last autumn for just $15,251… I think it’s fair to say that there’s a lot more than $15,000 worth of car here…
Mercedes-Benz
2. Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG (W164)
An icon of the beloved video game, Test Drive Unlimited 2, the Mercedes-Benz ML63 represents what I believe will one day be seen as the most desirable of all the AMG-ified Mercedes-Benz SUVs (aside from the G-Wagen, of course), thanks mainly to its incredible, naturally aspirated 6.2-litre M156 V8 engine, which churns out an amazing 503 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque—more than enough to rocket this 5,000+ lb behemoth from 0-60 in under 5 seconds. Of course, its engine is aided by an AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox, 4MATIC all-wheel-drive, massive brakes, and AMG Airmatic air suspension with adaptive damping, ensuring this hammer is as precise as it is powerful.
Mercedes-Benz
Because it’s an SUV—and not a boxy, converted military vehicle like the G63—the ML63 still offers one of the least expensive ways to buy a factory M156-equipped AMG Mercedes. Even the R63, which is essentially a minivan turned race car, commands a much higher premium due to its distinctiveness and rarity. For example, even with just 44k miles on the clock, this 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG 4MATIC sold on Bring a Trailer for just $19,000 a few months ago. In contrast, W211 E63 AMGs of a similar vintage regularly command closer to $30k, and although those are certainly more desirable for driving enthusiasts who prefer the superior agility of sedans and station wagons, there’s no denying that the W164 ML63 offers a lot of car for the money these days.
Land Rover via CarsWP.com
3. Range Rover Sport Supercharged (L320)
Range Rover Sports are a dime a dozen these days in almost every major North American city. Beloved for its impressive all-season capability and its untouchable style, the downsized British brute quickly became one of the brand’s top-selling products. Although Range Rover Sport sales nearly doubled with the release of its second generation in 2013, which significantly modernized its appeal, there’s still considerable overlooked value in the model’s earlier first generation. Even just from a styling perspective, the L320 Range Rover Sport maintains the traditional, boxy, retro-inspired proportions of classic Range Rovers (much as the Lexus GX 550 does in today’s new-car market). Add to that it’s immensely capable off-road, available with remarkably potent powertrains, and exceptionally luxurious and comfortable inside, and the first-gen Range Rover Sport seems like one of the greatest SUV bargains of the modern era.
Land Rover via CarsWP.com
Although facelifted (2009+) supercharged L320 models can be had for surprisingly little money, packed with a 510-horsepower supercharged 5.0-litre V8, such as this 2012 example, which sold on Bring a Trailer for just $17,320, pre-facelift models offer even more bang for your buck. Equipped with a less powerful, but typically more reliable, supercharged 4.2-litre V8, this 2006 Range Rover Sport Supercharged sold on Bring a Trailer for just $6,577. Seriously, how many other vehicles with supercharged, 400-ish horsepower V8 engines could you find for that kind of money, let alone one with a cushy leather-laden interior and a capable four-wheel-drive system?
Hummer via CarsWP.com
4. Hummer H3 (GMT345)
Once thought of as the runt of the litter, the H3 was once Hummer’s smallest and lightest-duty offering. Although many critics disliked Hummer’s previous models, the H1 and H2 for being excessively large, the H3 offered a far more palatable package for city and off-road use. Compared in size to a Toyota 4Runner or a Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Hummer H3 was available as either an SUV or a pickup truck and was optimized for a traditional body-on-frame platform to ensure maximum capability as an off-roader or work truck. Hummer offered the H3 with two five-cylinder engines throughout its life, or, for buyers seeking more power, a 5.3-litre LS-derived V8 was also available. Even three-pedal lovers have something to drool over here, as five-cylinder-equipped models could be optioned with an Aisin-sourced five-speed manual gearbox—perfect for making the most fun out of off-road expeditions.
Hummer via CarsWP.com
Hummer via CarsWP.com
Hummer via CarsWP.com
Ultimately, the aftermath of the 2008 Financial Crisis killed the Hummer H3 and, by extension, the Hummer brand, which did not revive until its 2020 launch as a GMC-branded EV. Buyers now strapped for cash no longer appreciated the excessive fuel consumption and needless size of SUVs such as the H3, and so it became irrelevant for years. Nowadays, though, body-on-frame, off-road-ready SUVs are all the rage, and Hummer H3s offer uniquely styled, genuinely capable, superbly powerful, and surprisingly affordable alternatives to modern, retro-inspired SUVs such as the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and even the Toyota Land Cruiser. The last Hummer H3 that sold on Bring a Trailer, for example, was this 2006 model that sold for just $10,250… Compared to what similar vintage Toyota 4Runners sell for these days, the Hummer H3 is a seriously overlooked bargain.
Cadillac via CarsWP.com
5. Cadillac Escalade (GMT900)
Thanks to video games like Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition, TV shows like MTV Cribs and The Sopranos, movies like The Hangover, and countless rap music videos, the second-generation (GMT 800) Cadillac Escalade is one of the 21st century’s most recognizable pop culture icons. The generation that preceded it, the GMT900, built on its predecessor’s strengths across almost every measurable metric, yet despite its own pop-culture prominence, it never quite became the cherished icon the second-gen Escalade remains today. While that’s certainly a shame, it’s also a blessing in disguise for savvy buyers looking to purchase a luxurious, powerful, and spacious SUV for a reasonable price.
Cadillac via CarsWP.com
All GMT900 Escalades were equipped with a potent 6.2-litre Vortec V8 engine, except hybrid models, which paired two electric motors with a 6.0-litre V8. Equipped with the 6.2, these Escalades produce over 400 horsepower (23 more than the equivalent GMC Yukon Denali) and 417 lb-ft of torque. They were available with either rear- or all-wheel-drive, and all came paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Over the years, the GMT900 platform has proven immensely reliable, holding up even against the simpler, more old-school models that came before it. Plus, unlike first- and second-gen Escalades, the GMT900 still looks relatively modern, especially with a fresh set of OEM wheels. Despite this, they can still be had for a seriously low price. For example, this 2007 Cadillac Escalade AWD sold on Bring a Trailer last month for just $13,250.
VW via CarsWP.com
6. Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI (7L)
Sure, the VW Touareg might have been the Audi Q7’s baby brother on paper, but rest assured, these SUVs offer just as much, if not more, value for money these days than their enlarged, four-ringed counterparts. Although the first-gen Touareg was made available in North America with a whole slew of engine types, ranging from VR6 units to growly V8s and torquey turbodiesel V6 engines, none have become more coveted by Touareg cultists than the enigmatic 5.0-litre turbodiesel V10 powertrain (except for, perhaps, the 6.0-litre W12 that was available in overseas markets). Producing 553 lb-ft of torque out of the box, the VW Touareg V10 TDI once famously towed a Boeing 747, cementing its status as a master of both comfort and capability.
VW via CarsWP.com
VW via CarsWP.com
VW via CarsWP.com
Because VW’s turbodiesel engines are far more difficult to kill than to rack up mileage, worrying about finding one with ultra-low mileage isn’t a top priority. Even with less than 200k on the odometer, these V10 TDI Touaregs can be had for super cheap—this 2007 Touareg V10 TDI sold recently on Bring a Trailer for just $5,500… However, even if you are after something a bit fresher, your wallet won’t be hurting all that much more. For example, this 2008 Touareg V10 TDI with just 47k miles sold recently on Bring a Trailer for just $20,250. So, if you want a surprisingly luxurious, handsomely understated, and remarkably capable SUV with a freakin’ turbodiesel V10 under its hood, look no further than the first-generation VW Touareg.
Land Rover via CarsWP.com
Final thoughts
Together, these six SUVs represent a narrow but fascinating window in automotive history when luxury sport utilities were still unapologetically overbuilt, mechanically intriguing, and driven more by engineering ambition than by marketing campaigners. They predate the era of universal turbo-fours, disconnected driving feel, and design-by-committee styling, yet remain modern enough to be genuinely usable every day. Whether or not they ever reach blue-chip collector status is almost beside the point. Right now, they offer something far more compelling: character, capability, and respectable presence at prices that feel increasingly out of tune with what they deliver. For enthusiasts willing to look past the subtle wrinkles of aging (and fuel-economy statistics), these overlooked SUVs aren’t just smart buys; they’re reminders of what the segment used to be and what caused the world to fall in love with SUVs in the first place.
About the author
Cole Attisha
Staff Writer, Autoblog