2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Even in the middle of an economic recession, Mercedes managed to offer a great SUV. The second generation M-Class, which hit the market in 2008, was a notable upgrade over the outgoing model. Every inch of the SUV was completely upgraded and changed to reflect the new design philosophy. The engine was upgraded dramatically and the interior was a lot more luxurious as well. The M-Class from this generation has managed to increase in value because it offers a nice modern ride for the price (via Edmunds).
There was also an AMG model that’s worth considering that added ample horsepower into the mix. This SUV came out when the crossovers were more widely accepted and a lot of what you’ll find here you see on SUV models today. But the M-Class was still a very capable model as well with an all-wheel-drive system that was very advanced for the period.