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Drivers interested in a used, affordable SUV should pay attention to the Chevy Traverse. While the idea of a brand-new Chevy may be more appealing to some buyers, a used model can save you thousands of dollars, and Chevy makes several reliable models that are known to function well for years to come.

U.S. News ranked the best used crossover SUVs that you can currently buy for between $15,000 and $20,000, and two Chevy Traverse models earned high spots on the list.

A black 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, which is one of the SUVs with the most comfortable seats.
Chevrolet Traverse | Creative Commons

2016 Chevy Traverse

U.S. News ranks the 2016 Chevy Traverse as the third-best used crossover SUV you can buy in this price range. You can expect to pay somewhere between $15,556 and $19,352 for a 2016 Traverse. 

In its review of this vehicle, U.S. News drew particular attention to the Traverse’s best-in-class reliability. This is a major factor to consider when purchasing a used vehicle. Great reliability means that even though a 2016 Traverse may be about seven years old, drivers will still get a lot of value from it. 

The 2016 Traverse also stands out as a potentially great family SUV. With third-row seating, there are seats for seven to eight people, and the Traverse also has plenty of space for cargo. It also has a great reputation for its safety.

2015 Chevy Traverse

For the second-ranked car on the list, U.S. News chose another Chevy Traverse. The 2015 model earned a slightly higher score than the 2016 model, and shoppers can find Traverse models from this year at a price range of around $15,251 to $18,640.

Seeing as there is only one year difference between the 2015 and 2016 Chevy Traverse and there was no major redesign during this year, a lot of what makes the 2016 model great is also true for the 2015 model. U.S. News once again highlights how the reliability and cargo space are points of praise for the Traverse. 

Because the two Traverse models are so similar, you would not go wrong buying either one if you’re looking for a three-row crossover. The one thing that the 2016 Traverse has that the 2015 model lacks, though, is an available Wi-Fi hotspot.

That was a feature that was new for 2016, and for the right buyer, this might be the deciding factor between the two model years. On the other hand, though, the 2015 Traverse stands out for its slightly cheaper price.

Other great used crossovers U.S. News Recommends

Two Chevy models earned spots on the U.S. News list, but there were plenty of other good SUVs that also deserve attention. At the top spot on the list, U.S. News placed the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, which can be bought for a starting price of roughly $15,699.

The list also includes the 2019 Tucson as the fourth-best SUV, but it is more expensive at $19,113. While the Tucson is a great crossover, it is worth noting that these Tucson models are only available with two rows of seating. If the third row is important, the Traverse would be the better option. 

Another high-ranking crossover SUV is the 2017 Ford Escape, which placed fifth on the list. Buyers can likely find a used 2017 Escape for about $16,121 to $19,841. Much like the Hyundai Tucson, the Ford Escape is a compact SUV.

This means that it likely has better-feeling handling than a larger Traverse, but it also only has five seats. Big families would still be better with a three-row option like the Traverse.

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