The best used SUVs have a number of things in common. They’re safe. They’re fuel-efficient. They’re reliable. Furthermore, they retain their value, despite being relatively affordable. Here are the best-rated SUVs for your money. And we’ll explain why they made our list given all of the potential contenders.
Toyota Rav4
The Toyota Rav4 is a relatively affordable compact SUV by Toyota. It has very good gas mileage. It can get up to 35 MPG on the highway. It can tow up to 3500 pounds and has a large storage area in the back of the vehicle. The Rav4 line has had excellent safety features for a mid-market vehicle. Note that the car had a redesign in 2019 that improved its road clearance and made it small enough to easily fit in standard parking spaces. It ranks among the top 10 cars for retaining their value over a 5- and 10-year period.
The Subaru Outback gets high marks for retaining its value over time. They have an excellent safety record, as well. This SUV resembles a traditional station wagon but has much better fuel economy. It has all-wheel drive, so it handles well whether you’re driving on hot summer roads or ploughing through thick snow. It won’t give you seating for more than four to five people, but it has a lot of space in the back and most Outbacks have a storage rack on the top.
Ford Expedition
Ford Expeditions have been in production for more than a decade. They’re massive cars capable of hauling 8 passengers plus gear if you have the standard third-row bench seat. If you opt for the captain’s chairs, it still holds seven people. Depending on the model you choose, you can fold down the back seats to maximize cargo space. While it is compared to a bus in terms of cargo and passenger space, it has excellent handling on and off-road. It is comfortable, too. You even get a five out five safety rating with the NHSTA.
A Ford Expedition’s only flaw is its low reliability. These cars are prone to mechanical problems. Have any potential purchase inspected by a good mechanic. Be careful when you buy these cars because some model years have towing problems. However, a good Ford Expedition can tow a small RV trailer.
Mazda CX-9
The Mazda CX-9 is larger than the CX-5. It has a third-row seat, providing seating for up to 7 people. Yet it handles like a car, not a truck. (If you want a mid-sized sedan, we’d recommend the Mazda6 instead.) It comes with all the amenities you’d find in a luxury SUV at a lower overall price tag. More importantly, it received an NHTSA safety rating of 5 out of 5.
BMW X3
This luxury SUV is something most of us could only afford if we bought it used. It has a number of points in its favour. You can actually find diesel-powered BMW X3’s if you find a 2016 or later version. It has a powerful inline engine that is surprisingly reliable. This means the SUV can accelerate 0 to 60 in 3.3 seconds.