The $25,000 Choice: 5-Year-Old Luxury Or Brand-New Base Model

When you're in the market for your next car, it's understandable if you want to spring for a new one. After all, buying new cars has its perks. For starters, you don't have to worry about how the previous owner, or owners, treated the car. A badly maintained car can be a disaster down the line, and repair bills can stack up fast. In addition, used cars usually show signs of being "lived in", and for some folks, this might make buying used a non-starter. However, should you be able to surmount the fears of bad past maintenance and slightly broken-in seats, buying used can be quite a lot kinder to your wallet thanks to the magic of depreciation. Take the 2021 Lexus UX 200, for example. Its current average used price sits right around what a brand-new Mitsubishi Outlander Sport costs. It makes you wonder: just how much more car can you buy if you sprung for the used Lexus over the new Mitsubishi? The Pricing Breakdown 2021 Lexus UX 200 Exterior Nori GreenLexus Let's start with the used Lexus. Back in 2021, when our UX 200 first hit showroom floors, Lexus was commanding a base price of about $33,000 without any destination fees, taxes, or options factored in. In reality, most folks would throw an option package or two at their new Lexus, which would bring the price up to roughly $37,000 or so. However, these days, its used price is much lower. According to current pricing trends, a 2021 UX 200 costs approximately $24,495 for one in average condition with average odometer mileage. Related The $35,000 Used Luxury SUV With A Cabin More Luxurious Than Your Home This used luxury SUV is reliable, luxurious, and affordable all in one package. We'll break down its depreciation in real dollars. The '21 UX 200's former base MSRP of $33,000 equates to around $41,055 in today's money, a 20-or-so percent increase over five years thanks to inflation. So, its current $24,495 used price is, in reality, a 41 percent savings in real dollars just five years after it was new. It's important to note that Lexus models tend to cling onto their values more than nameplates built by other luxury-oriented manufacturers, making that 41 percent savings all the more attractive. 2019 Lexus UX 200 finished in green with tan interiorLexus Let's take a look at how the 2021 Lexus UX 200 stacks up to some of its competitors: 2021 Lexus UX 200 2021 BMW X1 2021 Audi Q3 2021 Volvo XC40 Current Average Used Price $24,495 $20,639 $20,303 $18,336 Original MSRP (2021) $33,000 $35,400 $34,000 $33,700 Here's How The Mitsubishi Fits In 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 3rd Gen (XD) Facelift SUVMitsubishi For $500 more than a used 2021 Lexus UX 200, you can have a brand-new 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Its base MSRP before any taxes, fees or destination charges are factored in sits right at $24,995. Not to mention, that price is also for a stripped-out, base-spec iteration. That means there are no leather seats, no sunroof, no premium audio and, even worse, no dual-zone climate control, meaning you'll have to argue over who can be comfortable all the time. The Difference Is Noteworthy 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 3rd Gen (XD) Facelift SUVMitsubishi So, let's set the stage here. Both the 2021 Lexus UX 200 and the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport occupy the subcompact crossover SUV segment. Both cost roughly the same amount of money, with just a few hundred bucks separating the two. They also offer fuel efficient powertrains, all-wheel drive, and an assortment of standard and optional amenities. However, regarding the latter point, the Lexus ekes out a substantial lead. The Mitsubishi 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 3rd Gen (XD) Facelift SUVMitsubishi We'll kick things off with the Mitsubishi. Its base-level trim is coined the "S 2.0 AWC". The three-letter acronym at the end of its namesake stands for All-Wheel Control, a fancy term for all-wheel drive. Because the base trim comes with all-wheel drive as standard, the Outlander Sport does not offer a front-wheel drive option. Its powerplant is a 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine without a turbocharger, and it utilizes a CVT. 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Engine Details 2.0L NA inline-four Power 148 hp Torque 145 lb-ft 0-60 mph 9.3 seconds Curb Weight 3,120 lbs *Specs courtesy of Mitsubishi 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 3rd Gen (XD) Facelift SUVMitsubishi When it comes to features, the stripped-out Outlander Sport comes with exactly what you need, and nothing you don't. All seating surfaces are trimmed in cloth with manual adjustments, and a layer of leather-effect plastic is strewn over the dashboard, center console, and door cards. Related Best SUVs Of 2026 Under $25k Cheap doesn't mean nasty, and these SUVs prove it. The usual standard power features, like electric windows, locks, and mirrors, are also offered as standard fare. An eight-inch touch-operated infotainment screen takes center stage inside the cabin, which takes advantage of both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 3rd Gen (XD) Facelift SUVMitsubishi Because it's positioned as the sportier, smaller iteration of the standard Mitsubishi Outlander, the Sport model features one or two active lifestyle-oriented features. On top of the all-wheel drive system, it also boasts 8.5 inches of minimum ground clearance meant for triumphing over small ruts. As for safety, it comes with Mitsubishi's standard driver assistance suite that includes forward collision mitigation braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights, among others. The Lexus 2019 Lexus UX 200 finished in green with tan interiorLexus As you can imagine, the '21 Lexus UX 200 offers quite a bit more in the standard amenities department than the stripped-out, base-level Mitsubishi. Like its adversary, the UX 200 comes standard with a 2.0-liter engine sans turbocharger. However, it loses one point to the Mitsubishi right off the bat due to its lack of all-wheel drive as standard kit, as Lexus opted to offer the subcompact luxury crossover SUV with front-wheel drive as standard. Related The Japanese Luxury SUV That Outsold Every BMW Model In America If you're looking for a new luxury SUV, then this Japanese challenger is so good it managed to completely embarrass the commanding BMW brand in 2025. However, the meat of the reason to choose a used Lexus UX 200 over a new Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is what you get inside. As standard, you get a leather-effect-wrapped steering wheel and seats, a definite plus over the Outlander Sport. In addition to the synthetic cowhide, you're also granted standard dual-zone air conditioning, adaptive cruise control, and a powered driver's and passenger's seat. 2021 Lexus UX 200 FWD Engine Details 2.0L NA inline-four Power 169 hp Torque 151 lb-ft 0-60 mph 7.9 seconds Curb Weight 3,307 lbs *Specs courtesy of Lexus The Breakdown Now that the main differences are hashed out, we'll take a more concise look at what you gain by going with the used Lexus over a new Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: 2021 Lexus UX 200 FWD 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport S 2.0 AWC Price $24,495 $24,995 Standard AWD No Yes Standard Seating Material Premium synthetic leather cloth Heated Seats No No Adaptive Cruise Control Yes No Bluetooth Connection Yes Yes Standard Audio System 6-speaker premium Lexus system 4-speaker system Infotainment Screen Size 7-inch 8-inch Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Compatible Yes Yes Maximum Cargo Space N/A 49.5 cu ft Maximum Towing Capacity 2,000 lbs 1,500 lbs Fuel Economy (City/HWY/CMB) 29/37/32 MPG 23/29/26 MPG *Specs courtesy of Lexus & Mitsubishi With everything laid out before you, it's easy to see which one is the better bang-for-your-buck. The Lexus simply offers more kit, power, fuel economy, and style. Not to mention, being a Toyota product, it's much more likely to be reliable than the Mitsubishi. So, if you've found yourself looking for some sort of small crossover and are deciding between new or used, let our example serve as a template for your decision. Sources: Lexus, Mitsubishi

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