Buying SUVs On A Budget: 10 Great Used Options

SUVs are diverse, and there are many options. So many options, in fact, that choosing one can be overwhelming. There are different sizes, brands, and models. To help you decide which one is right for you, we’ve created this list of the top 10 best used SUVs to buy while on a budget.

These options are affordable, yet dependable. Ranging from the GMC Yukon to the Kia Soul, there’s an SUV to meet your needs. We’ll take a look at cargo space, gas mileage, seating, engines, safety ratings, technology, MSRP, and more. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at these highlights.

The 2016 Honda CR-V

This model is great if you’re looking for the perks of an SUV but the gas mileage of a car. A used Honda CR-V gets 26 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. It has a 5-star NHTSA safety rating, it seats up to five people, and it’s equipped with plenty of cargo space despite its smaller size. This is a great deal if smaller SUVs are what you are looking for.

The 2015 Kia Sorento

This is a great option if you’re looking for small, 3-row SUVs. The 2015 Kia Sorento is available with either a four-cylinder or a V6 engine. It gets 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The smaller trim fits up to five people, but other trims can seat up to seven.

The 2015 Kia Sorento also has a 5-star NHTSA safety rating. You can also get this one in either all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive will give you a bit more safety, but the front-wheel drive version will be a bit cheaper.  A used Kia Sorento will also provide smoothness, and a gentle ride. This is great news if you’re purchasing an SUV for traveling purposes.

The 2013 Ford Expedition

We have a few large SUV options for those who want that truck-level performance. The 2013 Ford Expedition is our first one. This V8 is good for towing, and despite its large engine, it can still get up to 20 mpg on the highway. But fuel-efficiency is definitely something you want to consider when looking at larger SUVs because it can get pretty pricey with these larger vehicles.

A used Ford Expedition can carry up to eight passengers, and the smallest trim comes with 108 cubic feet of cargo space. But other trims get all the way up to 131 cubic feet of cargo room. So, it may be worth upgrading if you’re looking to haul lots of items or larger items. Overall, this large SUV is a great option if you need space and strength.

The 2014 GMC Yukon XL

While we’re on the topic of large SUVs, let’s look at a competing model. The 2014 Yukon XL is a great used GMC SUV option. It’s cheap, yet it’s capable. This model can hold up to nine passengers, it has a V8 engine, and it also gets up to 21 mpg on the highway.

You might pay a bit more than you would for the Expedition, but the Yukon XL will allow you to carry more passengers, and you get more cargo space. The Yukon has 137 cubic feet of cargo, so it’s a great option if you need to haul a lot of stuff. It’s definitely the better pick of the two, but the Expedition is still great if you’re trying to save money.

The 2017 Kia Soul

On the other hand, if you’re interested in super tiny SUVs, the Kia Soul may be for you. The 2017 model gets up to 31 mpg on the highway, and it has a 5-star NHTSA safety rating. On top of these advantages, the Soul is known to be a comfortable option.

Despite it being extra-small, a used Kia Soul provides up to 50 cubic feet of cargo space. This is great given its gas mileage and compact size, and it makes the Soul an all-around great SUV for traveling and wander lusting. To top it off, a used 2017 Kia Soul is an extremely affordable option as well.

The 2018 Hyundai Tucson

Back to our regularly small-sized SUVs, we’re looking at the 2018 Hyundai Tucson. For a smaller SUV, this one has a great safety score of 5-stars. It gets up to 30 mpg on the highway, it seats up to five people, and the top trims come with modern safety tech features such as blind-spot detection and emergency braking. This is part of what makes it such a safe option. And even though this safety tech is restricted to the higher trims, Apple CarPlay and heated seats are standard on all but the base trim.

The 2013 Chevy Suburban

We’re taking a look at one more large SUV, the 2013 Chevy Suburban. This one is pricey to buy new, but the 2013 version is affordable and packed with all you’ll need. With its two V8 engines, the Suburban is great for towing and can haul up to 9,600 pounds depending on the trim. Further, the Suburban can seat up to nine people and it has 137 cubic feet of cargo space. The best part is that this model can get up to 21 mpg on the highway, which is great for its size and strength.

The 2013 Honda Pilot

If you’re looking for an SUV that’s somewhere in between when it comes to size and mileage, the 2013 Honda Pilot is a great mid-sized option. With up to 25 mpg on the highway and eight available seats, this model balances fuel-economy and space. The LX base trim comes with a rearview camera and Bluetooth connection, which means you won’t have to pay extra for tech. A used Honda Pilot is a great option if you want affordability while also getting plenty of cargo and passenger space. And since the base LX trim has everything you really need, you won’t have to spend a premium on a higher trim.

The 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Finally, we’re at our favorite used SUV option. Here at Orange Coast, we love the Wrangler, and for good reason – there is simply no other vehicle out there that can match the capability of a used Jeep Wrangler. The only downside to the Wrangler is that it holds its value so well, so you’re not going to find a dirt-cheap option unless you go way back to the 90s. However, the 2012 model is still rather affordable.

Wranglers are great options for off-roading and can even handle light towing. The 2-door is more fuel-efficient, more affordable, and a better off-roader, but the 4-door will give you more passenger and cargo space. There are also a wide variety of different trims to choose from, with different features and levels of off-road performance.

Our Final Thoughts

Overall, there are many affordable SUV options, whether you’re looking for tiny, mid-sized, or large SUVs. The main thing to keep in mind is what you’re looking for and why. Do you want cargo space? Are you looking to tow a camper? Do you want something to get the kids back and forth to school? As you can see, there are several features to weigh, and each model comes with its own pros and cons.

We hope that this guide helps you see which models are worth your time. But if you want more help, feel free to drop by our Costa Mesa dealership to speak with the Orange Coast team. No matter what you need, we can help you find it. There are plenty of used models that get the job done without being as pricey as their newer versions.