3 Reliable Used SUVs Under $15,000 From Brands You Trust
New cars remain hard to find, which means used cars and SUVs are still expensive. Some reliable used SUVs under $15,000 might fit your needs from dependable brands like Honda, Mazda, and Toyota. These sport utility vehicles check all the boxes with good safety scores, reasonable fuel economy numbers, and affordable prices.
This Honda CR-V is a reliable used SUV for under $15,000
The Honda CR-V has a long history of being a reliable SUV. Edmunds recommends the 2013 Honda CR-V specifically as an option under $15,000. This Honda sport utility vehicle has high marks for reliability and good crash test scores. The 2.4L four-cylinder engine has 185 hp and gets 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive version gets 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2012 CR-V many “good” scores on its crashworthiness tests. In areas like the frontal, side, and combined side crash tests, the 2013 CR-V performed well. Some of the standard safety equipment on this SUV includes antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, and front/side airbags.
Current List Range: $7,795 – $24,895
Check out the Mazda CX-5 for a reliable used SUV under $15,000
Another reliable used SUV for under $15,000 is the 2015 Mazda CX-5. As with most years of the CX-5, drivers report that it is fun to drive and offers an engaging driving experience. With front-wheel drive, the 155 hp engine returns 26 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Those who opt for all-wheel drive saw 25 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
Some standard equipment on the Mazda SUV includes antilock brakes, stability, traction control, front-side airbags, and side curtain airbags. The IIHS gave the 2013 Mazda CX-5 SUV the Top Safety Pick award this year, giving it high marks in the important crashworthiness tests. On top of that, the CX-5 has comfortable seats and a good exterior style. Depending on what trim level you come across, many options come in under $15,000.
Current List Range: $10,595 – $23,998
Don’t overlook the 2012 Toyota RAV4 sport utility vehicle
Toyota is the king of reliable used SUVs for under $15,000, and the 2012 RAV4 is no different. Experts gave this sport utility vehicle high marks for reliability, and Toyota has a long reputation for reliability following it. Toyota equipped the RAV4 with 73 cubic feet of cargo space, and the low floor makes loading and unloading the SUV easier.
The 2.5L engine gets 179 hp and, when equipped with front-wheel drive, gets 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. With all-wheel drive gets 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The IIHS gave it good scores on most of the crashworthiness tests performed. On the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests, the 2012 RAV4 received many five-star scores.
Current List Range: $8,565 – $23,998
The list of reliable options under $15,000 isn’t very long, but it should give you an excellent place to start. If you can get into an option with lower miles that still comes in under budget, that is the ideal combination.
