There are a number of SUVs out there on the market, and many of them have something appealing or worthwhile for all types of drivers out there. But if you’re looking for a used car dealership that carries high-quality SUVs of a certain quality, there are going to be some specific models from certain brands you’re likely going to want to keep an eye on if you want something reliable, great on fuel economy, or extremely versatile when it comes to its feature set. For those kinds of drivers, we decided to compile a list of the top six used SUVs you should certainly consider shopping for if you’re looking for something that you know is worth the price of admission, comes with a lot of great features, and is also highly convenient for driving in and around the city with.
1 – Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 has been around for several generations and has become one of the best-selling compact SUVs on the market, and with good reason. It has a solid foundation of offering a complete assortment of worthwhile features across the trim line, even without having to sell trim grades that are fully featured. The reason for this is that the RAV4 has hit the bullseye when it comes to offering SUV shoppers with a lot of dependability for a very modest price.
Now, just because the RAV4 is renowned for its dependability and compact accessibility doesn’t mean that it doesn’t compete with the best of the best when it comes to feature availability. It still offers a nice assortment of infotainment and performance scaling for prospective buyers. This includes hybrid powertrains for those in the market for a used SUV that is more range-based than performance-based. In that regard, the RAV 4 is a real winner.
Plus, you have a robust infotainment stack with newer generation models featuring an HD touchscreen that’s nine inches and larger, depending on model year and trim. There are also trim grades that range from starter trims up to off-road trims and even some luxury-lite trims, as well as a decent enough cargo space for both solo drivers and small families. So, if you’re in the market for something nimble enough to get around the city, just enough utility for weekend adventures, and fuel-focused with its available hybrid powertrains, then a used RAV4 should be at the top of your SUV shopping list.
2 – Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been around for decades and has built up a strong consumer base centered around those who want a large enough SUV that can fit a growing family but still yearn for a performance-based SUV for daily driving and off-road traversal. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is considered a midsize crossover, but it’s also available in a three-row variant known as the Grand Cherokee L. This gives you extra cargo and seating capacity.
Unlike some other economy-class midsize SUVs, though, the Grand Cherokee still appeals to those who like a vehicle that can move, which is why some older models are available with a HEMI V8, and newer models are available with a twin-turbocharged plug-in hybrid. This makes the Grand Cherokee quite appealing to shoppers who aren’t ready to give up the performance-themed lifestyle even while they may have to shop for a vehicle large enough for the family. But it’s not all about the performance with the Grand Cherokee.
Part of the appeal for the midsize crossover is that it’s also adept at venturing off-road thanks to its articulated suspension and fine-tuned drivetrain for 4×4 off-roading. This gives the Jeep Grand Cherokee a level of versatility that is hardly matched by some of its competitors for its price. Plus, you have a robust infotainment suite, lots of luxury-focused seating arrangements, and a range of trim grades to choose from for those willing to spend a bit more for an SUV that offers quite a bit in terms of luxury, rugged performance, and cabin convenience.
3 – Chevy Equinox
When you think of a pure middle-of-the-road, economy-class compact SUV, the Chevy Equinox may not immediately pop up on your radar, but it is the epitome of such a description. This is actually quite the compliment because it features everything you could want out of an affordable, compact SUV that is stylish, family-oriented, efficient, and properly stacked with all the necessary features you would need to enjoy daily driving. So long as you’re looking for something that gets the job done and looks good doing it, the Equinox doesn’t leave you hanging in any particular area.
If you want solid safety features, driver aids, and automated assistance, the Equinox comes with plenty of standard features and a robust infotainment stack. It has a decently sized touchscreen, wireless support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on more recent models, SiriusXM across the trim line, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot support. The affordability of the different trims also makes it easy to scale up or down based on what you need, so you never feel like you’re being left out.
In terms of performance, you’re not going to be burning rubber off the line in an Equinox, but you will have enough gusto to get you to and from your destination with ease. A more prominent focus of the Equinox is on its fuel economy and range. You still have available all-wheel drive for those of you shopping for a used SUV that can handle winter weather and rainy seasons well and still offers great traction and stability, whether for commuting or basic daily driving.
4 – Ford Escape
Like many other SUVs on this list, the Ford Escape has been around for many years and multiple generations. It’s an excellent pick for those shopping for a used SUV because an Escape is available across multiple trim variations for all different kinds of drivers. If you’re really looking for a great starter vehicle or something affordable as a secondary vehicle for the family, then a pre-owned Ford Escape is what you need to seriously consider for a number of reasons.
Models from as far back as 2008 offer a hybrid option in addition to the turbocharged EcoBoost powertrains, so if you’re more concerned about range over performance, the Escape definitely prioritizes fuel economy over speed. You still have some light towing capabilities and good all-wheel drive responsiveness, so it makes for a versatile compact crossover for a lot of different driving uses. Plus, it has a decent amount of cargo capacity if you need something to store your skiing equipment, hiking gear, or camping tools.
Another added bonus for shopping for a used Escape is that it has a fairly large touchscreen display since the 2023 model year outing. While you may end up paying more for a more recent model year, you will get a few extra features that give the Escape an edge over the competition. Plus, with the Ford Co-Pilot360 safety suite and driving aids and the finely tuned suspension for responsive handling, the Escape is one of those vehicles that is nimble and reliable thanks to its design, which is great for those doing a lot of long-range commuting or having to navigate bumper-to-bumper traffic within the city.
5 – Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 has been a best-seller in the region for many years after it came onto the market back in 2012. It’s one of the more recent additions to the compact crossover space, but Mazda has taken a lot of the ups and downs from competitors to make a sporty, reliable, and highly affordable SUV that has enabled it to become one of the best-selling in its segment, and with good reason. The CX-5 looks great, seats up to five people, and offers good fuel range for the amount of performance it garners from its 4-cylinder powertrains.
One interesting thing about the CX-5 is that it’s only available in all-wheel drive. So, while it may not garner the same level of gas mileage as other SUVs on this list that are available in front-wheel drive, the CX-5 makes up for it with its low, wide stance and extremely responsive handling. This fits in with Mazda’s aim to make vehicles that are not only extremely reliable but also extremely fun to drive. Plus, whether in rain, sleet, snow, or summertime weather, the CX-5 is designed to handle well in all types of weather conditions.
Second-generation Mazda CX-5 models from 2021 and later are also available with a beefy 10.25-inch touchscreen and a robust infotainment suite, so you get a lot of great interior cabin accouterments along with it being sporty and affordable. As a used compact SUV, you can’t really go wrong here with a CX-5 if you’re buying on a budget and looking for a great vehicle to accommodate your new career, college, or just for daily driving to work. It hits all the necessary check marks as a fun-to-drive, economy class SUV.
6 – Honda CR-V
Easily one of the best-selling and most popular vehicles on the market, and with good reason. The Honda CR-V has been on the market for decades, and over the course of its six generations, Honda has never passed up the opportunity to incrementally evolve the CR-V, sometimes in subtle ways and other times radically. The compact SUV is certainly a lot roomier than some of its other compact competitors, and this makes it a lot more suitable for those of you shopping for an SUV from a used car dealership that can also accommodate a growing family.
The added benefit of its fuel-focused powertrains in front-wheel or all-wheel drive also makes it highly capable when it comes to getting the most out of its fuel economy, and it offers a decent infotainment suite with all of the basics you’ve come to expect from a modern SUV. There’s nothing that the CR-V does exceedingly wrong or any area where it truly falls short. Sure, the base powertrain may leave something to be desired if you’re hoping for a compact with some good top-end performance, but if you’re shopping for a sensible pre-owned SUV, there’s no way to go wrong with a Honda CR-V.