Used suvs under $10 000 for sale

Average transaction prices for new cars are increasing year after year, so it’s understandable if you need a new crossover or SUV but just can’t justify a brand new one. Fortunately, there are plenty of good choices if you need to shop used—even some luxury SUV offerings.

To compile our expert-curated list, we searched the CarGurus used car listings for SUVs going back no further than the 2010 model year, and at $10,000 or less. Though there are plenty of good choices using just those criteria, we made sure to add a few options at $8,000 or less, as well. The used car options near you will vary, so this list doesn’t mean you can find these exact vehicles at these exact prices where you are. In other words, use the information in this list to help you navigate the used SUV listings in your area.

2013 Toyota RAV4 Limited

Used suvs under $10 000 for sale

Best for: Buyers who prioritize practicality
Years built: 1996-Present
Priced from: $10,000

The Toyota RAV4 was redesigned for the 2013 model year, so it’s a great choice if you need an affordable compact SUV with seating for five, but still want some modern features and amenities. This generation featured a 6.1-inch touchscreen, a reversing camera, Bluetooth, and a steering wheel with integrated audio controls. Our research found a Limited model for sale within our price range, with upgrades such as a power liftgate, heated front seats, and premium upholstery with leather interior trim.

The 2013 RAV4 gets just one powertrain, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated for 176 horsepower and 172 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) is available. With AWD, EPA fuel economy ratings come in at 22 mpg city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined.

Read our Test Drive Review of the Toyota RAV4
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2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4L AWD

Used suvs under $10 000 for sale

Best for: Great value
Years built: 2013-Present
Priced from: $10,000

Though the Hyundai Santa Fe was on the market before 2013, that particular model year marked the first for the Santa Fe Sport as a separate model, distinguishing the five-passenger version from the seven-passenger offering. Standard features include cloth upholstery and an auxiliary jack, and common options include an eight-inch infotainment display, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, and heated seats.

The Santa Fe Sport model found for sale in this example features the base engine—a 2.4-liter four-cylinder—paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and rated for 190 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque. Front-wheel drive came standard, but it should be easy to find a used model equipped with AWD. Higher trim levels were available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated for 264 horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque. The base engine in our example has EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway when equipped with AWD.

Read our Overview of the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
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2010 Toyota Highlander V6 4WD

Used suvs under $10 000 for sale

Best for: Families that need three rows of seating
Years built: 2001-Present
Priced from: $9,999

The Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV that offers five- and seven-passenger configurations, so it’s a great choice for most families. Standard features included cloth upholstery and an adjustable steering wheel, and upper-level trims offer up features like a power sunroof, heated side mirrors, heated front seats, keyless entry, and push-button start. The Highlander is comfortable and practical, with plenty of space inside.

Though the Highlander’s base configuration has a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and FWD, rated for 186 horsepower and 186 lb.-ft. of torque, there are better options to be had with a $10,000 budget. Consider seeking out the available 3.5-liter V6 and full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) configuration, good for 270 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. However, several combinations of engine and drive type are available. A six-speed automatic transmission comes with the four-cylinder, and a five-speed automatic comes with the V6. The base combination has EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, though V6 and 4WD numbers drop to 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.

Read our Test Drive Review of the Toyota Highlander
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2010 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4WD

Used suvs under $10 000 for sale

Best for: Traditional SUV capability
Years built: 1995-Present
Priced from: $9,999

The Chevrolet Tahoe has been on the market for ages, and is a trustworthy name for families who want a big, capable SUV with plenty of room and straightforward styling. The 2010 Tahoe has three rows of seating regardless of trim, with seating for up to nine passengers, and upscale fit and finish. Keep in mind, however, that third-row legroom is a bit tight, and cargo space is noticeably less than in the longer Chevy Suburban. Standard features include a power-adjustable driver’s seat, USB port, heated side mirrors, roof rack, and a trailer hitch with wiring.

The Tahoe features a 5.3-liter V8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, rated for 320 horsepower and 335 lb.-ft. of torque. Regardless of trim, rear-wheel drive (RWD) comes standard and 4WD is available. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 15 mpg city/21 highway for the RWD Tahoe and 14 city/20 highway for 4WD models. As it is based on a truck platform that it shares with the aforementioned Suburban as well as the GMC Yukon/Yukon XL and Cadillac Escalade, the RWD Tahoe tops out at 8,400 pounds of towing capacity, which far surpasses most of the car-based crossovers you’ll find used at this price point.

Read our Test Drive Review of the Chevrolet Tahoe
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2011 Ford Edge Sport

Used suvs under $10 000 for sale

Best for: Rugged good looks and lots of space
Years built: 2007-Present
Priced from: $9,999

The Ford Edge is a midsize SUV with two rows of seating, and it got a nice refresh for 2011, with updated exterior and interior designs and new powertrain lineup. Standard features include reclining front seats, a 4.2-inch LCD display, and an auxiliary input jack.

The Edge Sport trim found in the CarGurus used SUV listings bypasses the base 3.5-liter V6 engine, which provides a respectable 285 horsepower and 253 lb.-ft. of torque. The Sport, though, gets an even bigger V6, at 3.7 liters, and specs of 305 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. Both get six-speed auto transmissions. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine also became available in the 2011 model year. Front-wheel drive came standard on most models, but higher-level Edge trims were available with AWD.

Read our Test Drive Review of the Ford Edge
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2011 Acura MDX SH-AWD

Used suvs under $10 000 for sale

Best for: Affordable luxury
Years built: 2001-Present
Priced from: $9,999

The Acura MDX is a midsize SUV with lots of standard features and three rows of seating. It offers a good mix of practicality and upscale comfort without costing as much as many of its luxury brand rivals such as Lexus, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. It slots above the Acura RDX in the brand's model lineup. The 2011 MDX was available only in the SH trim, though there were upgrades available in the form of three feature packages: Technology, Advance, and Entertainment, each building on the previous package’s amenities. The MDX came with leather upholstery and real wood interior trim, and the various packages offered upgrades such as a multi-view reversing camera, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, and a rear-row DVD entertainment system.

A 3.7-liter V6 engine came standard across the board, rated for 300 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft., and paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive came standard, too, which is a nice touch. Fuel economy ratings came in at a mediocre 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, and potential buyers should be aware that premium fuel is recommended.

Read our Test Drive Review of the Acura MDX
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2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD

Used suvs under $10 000 for sale

Best for: Affordable practicality
Years built: 1996-Present
Priced from: $9,999

The Honda CR-V is one of the oldest and most respected names in the compact crossover SUV segment, and if you can find a clean used example in your price range, it’s always a great choice. The CR-V was fully redesigned for the 2012 model year, so it’s a significant upgrade over CR-V models that are even just a year or two older. It features a multi-angle reversing camera with guidelines and Bluetooth compatibility. The EX-L found in the CarGurus used car listings represents the CR-V’s top trim level for 2012 and comes decked out with leather upholstery and heated front seats.

Every 2012 CR-V is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed automatic transmission. This setup is rated for 185 horsepower and 163 lb.-ft. of torque. With FWD, it’s EPA-rated for 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, and with AWD, those numbers each drop by one.

Read our Test Drive Review of the Honda CR-V
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2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD

Used suvs under $10 000 for sale

Best for: Buyers who need three rows of seating
Years built: 2003-Present
Priced from: $8,000

The Honda Pilot is one of the better choices of this era if you need an affordable midsize SUV with three rows of seating. It comes standard with features like remote power door locks and dual-zone automatic climate control. Our example is a mid-tier EX-L trim, which gets features like power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a reversing camera. The Pilot is also available with 4WD, which is more capable than the AWD systems that were available on most of the Pilot’s contemporaries.

Every 2011 Pilot features a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, rated for 250 horsepower and 253 lb.-ft. of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, though it’ll probably be worthwhile to look for a 4WD model. Fuel economy ratings are a little lower than average, at 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway with FWD, and one mpg less for each measure with 4WD.

Read our Test Drive Review of the Honda Pilot
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2010 Nissan Murano SL AWD

Used suvs under $10 000 for sale

Best for: If seating comfort is a high priority
Years built: 2003-Present
Priced from: $8,000

The Nissan Murano’s best attribute is its surprisingly upscale interior, and its comfortable ride is a close second. The Murano is one of the larger models on this list, but still seats only five passengers across two rows, so it’s more spacious inside than most of its competitors. Standard features include keyless entry, push-button start, and reclining rear seats, and the SL trim found in the CarGurus used car listings adds a power-adjustable driver’s seat and a leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls.

Every 2010 Murano comes powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, rated for 265 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft., paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive is standard, but AWD is available. EPA fuel-economy ratings are 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway regardless of drive type.

Read our Test Drive Review of the Nissan Murano
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2016 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium

Used suvs under $10 000 for sale

Best for: Active families
Years built: 1998-Present
Priced from: $7,500

If your budget is a little lower than $10,000, you still have plenty of options, such as a Subaru Forester. The Forester isn’t upscale or glamorous, but it’s plenty capable both on- and off-road, and provides tons of functionality for a family of five, with reasonable pricing. Of course, if you prefer your camping adventures solo, the Forester is a good choice for you, too, with standard all-wheel drive and good ground clearance. Other standard features in this model year include a 6.2-inch touchscreen display, a reversing camera, and USB ports, and the Premium model found in the used car listings adds a sunroof, an upgraded seven-inch touchscreen, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.

At this price, you’re probably looking at a Forester with the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which is paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT and rated for 170 horsepower and 174 lb.-ft. of torque. An upgrade is available in the form of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, rated for 250 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. In base configuration, EPA mileage ratings come in at 24 mpg city, 32 highway, and 27 combined.

Read our Test Drive Review of the Subaru Forester
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What suv should I buy under 10000?

2010 Honda CR-V..
2009 Toyota RAV4..
2009 Honda Pilot..
2008 Toyota Highlander..
2011 Toyota Venza..
2009 Acura RDX..
2012 Chevrolet Traverse..
2012 Nissan Murano..

What is a good but cheap suv?

2022 Hyundai Venue | $19,000..
2023 Kia Soul | $19,790..
2022 Nissan Kicks | $19,800..
2022 Hyundai Kona | $21,300..
2022 Chevrolet Trax | $21,400..
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | $21,445..
2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer | $21,800..
2022 Honda HR-V | $21,870..

What is the most reliable suv for the money?

A Variety of New SUVs You Can Depend On. If you're going to spend your hard-earned money on a brand-new SUV, its reliability should be among your top priorities. ... .
2022 Buick Envision. ... .
2022 Chevrolet Equinox. ... .
2022 Lexus RX Hybrid. ... .
2022 Lexus RX 350. ... .
2022 Kia Telluride. ... .
2022 Chevrolet Blazer. ... .
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport..

What are the top 10 most reliable SUVs?

These Are The 10 Most Reliable SUVs You Can Buy In 2022.
8/10 Kia Telluride..
7/10 Nissan Rogue Sport..
6/10 Hyundai Santa Fe..
5/10 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport..
4/10 Toyota Highlander..
3/10 Lexus GX..
2/10 Kia Sportage..
1/10 Nissan Murano..