These Used SUVs Are the Best Ones You Can Buy

The SUV craze started in the 1990s, and has never really slowed down, gobbling up market share and draining demand for the once-dominant sedan in the process. While the humble beginnings of the SUV included truck-based models like the Ford Explorer and Ford Bronco, the segment has evolved to range in size from subcompact crossovers to full-size rugged haulers. Whatever your driving preference, there is an SUV model to suit your needs. And because there are so many SUVs to choose from finding the best used SUV can be difficult.

To help used car shoppers find the best SUVs, iSeeCars analyzed over 12 million cars and narrowed down the Best Used SUVs across all sizes. The winners are the SUVs that are the longest-lasting, hold their value the best, and have the highest average safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Here are the best non-luxury SUVs by size:

Best Used Subcompact SUVs

Subcompact SUVs are the most recent entrants to the SUV segment, many coming to market around 2014 or later. Subcompacts are the smallest SUVs available, making them the perfect choice for drivers wanting something more spacious and flexible than a small sedan while still being easy to park and drive.

1. Mazda CX-3

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The Best Used Subcompact SUV is the Mazda CX-3. The Mazda CX-3 made its debut in the newly established subcompact SUV vehicle segment in 2016. The CX-3 offers the sporty driving dynamics and attractive styling characteristic of the Mazda brand and a long list of standard safety and infotainment features. The small but mighty CX-3 also earns the Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS, the Institute’s highest honor.

2. Subaru Crosstrek

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The Subaru Crosstrek earns second place for the Best Used Subcompact SUV. The Crosstrek offers standard all-wheel drive, which is rare for the small SUV class. It has perfect safety scores and includes many driver assistance features, earning it the title of Safest SUV in our subcompact category. Safety features like blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert became available on higher trim levels beginning with the 2016 model year vehicle.

3. Honda HR-V

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The Honda HR-V ranks third. Along with displaying Honda’s strong reputation for reliability, the HR-V leads the segment in cargo space with 24.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat, and nearly 59 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The HR-V also is one of the most efficient models in the class with a combined MPG of 30.

4. Chevrolet Trax

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The Chevrolet Trax ranks fourth. The easy-to-maneuver Trax is among the most affordable vehicles in its class and it has ample head and legroom despite its small size.

5. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

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The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ranks fifth. Highlights of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport include a lower-than-average starting price for the class and more cargo space

For more vehicles in this category, refer to the iSeeCars list of Best Subcompact SUVs.

Best Used Small and Compact SUVs

Compact SUVs are versatile vehicles that offer enough space to haul a family and cargo while still being easy to maneuver and providing effective fuel economy.

1. Jeep Wrangler

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The Best Used Small SUV is the Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep Wrangler earns a high score for its proven durability and stellar value retention, both of which are boosted by its capability across all terrains. It also has above-average cargo capacity for the small SUV class.

2. Subaru Outback

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Despite its official designation as a crossover wagon, the Subaru Outback is often compared to compact SUVs, and earns the distinction as our runner up in the Best Used Small SUV category. The Subaru Outback has proven to be a long-lasting and safe vehicle with high value retention. It is also the iSeeCars pick for the Best Family SUV in the compact category. It is praised for its car-like driving dynamics, standard all-wheel drive, and class-leading cargo space. The Outback also earns the Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS.

3. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

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The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, which is the four-door variant of the first-ranked Jeep Wrangler, ranks third. The Wrangler Unlimited has 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats, while the standard Wrangler has just 12.9 cubic feet. The Unlimited also has added seating capacity for five passengers compared to the Wrangler’s four.

4. Subaru Forester

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A second Subaru, the Subaru Forester ranks fourth. It is among the most spacious in its class, offering 31.1 cubic feet of cargo space and 76.1 cubic feet after folding down the rear seats. It also provides comfortable seating for five passengers with ample head and leg room. Like all Subarus, and unlike most SUVs, it comes standard with AWD and has above-average fuel economy for the class. Beginning with the 2019 model year, the Forester comes with standard safety features including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning.

5. Honda CR-V

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The small but mighty Honda CR-V ranks fifth. Along with being the most reliable compact SUV, the Honda CR-V is also one of the most spacious vehicles in its class, offering a cargo capacity that’s on par with larger midsize SUVs. It also provides excellent fuel economy, earning an estimated 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway for its front-wheel drive models. All-wheel drive fuel economy only decreases slightly at 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. It comes standard with a continuously variable automatic transmission and a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. A suite of standard safety features are available, which include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. These features became standard for the 2020 model year.

For more vehicles in this category, refer to the iSeeCars list of Best Small SUVs.

Best Used Midsize SUVs