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$20,000 used to be enough to buy a pretty nice brand new car. These days, as car, truck, and SUV prices climb, $20,000 may limit some of your choices. That doesn’t mean you can’t still get a good SUV for under $20,000. In fact, some of the best used SUVs are under $20,000. Here are the five best SUVs you can buy for under $20,000 according to U.S. News that will still have everything you want and need. 

You don’t have to blow your budget to get what you want in an SUV. These are the five best used SUVs under $20,000 that you can buy right now.
2021 Mazda CX-3 | Mazda

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 is one of the best used SUVs under $20,000

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 is a crossover SUV that you can get for under $20,000. It’s got great gas mileage; the 2016 Mazda CX-3 can get 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

There’s room for five in the CX-3, though U.S. News notes that the backseat is fairly cramped. Still, for $19,790, it’s not a bad deal. 

The 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid is a great SUV with a reasonable price 

U.S. News points out that hybrids generally cost more than fuel-powered vehicles, but with the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek, you can get a great hybrid at a reasonable price. The 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid typically sells for $16,992 at most.

The 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek comes standard with all-wheel drive. It gets 29 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway, so you’ll save money on gas, too. 

The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe is a top-notch used SUV for a great price

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money but you want a decent SUV, the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe is a great choice. It comes with two or three-rows, which make it a good choice if you regularly cart around a bunch of people. 

The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe comes with a rear camera and a touch-screen infotainment system, which is pretty advanced for a seven-year old car. At $17,371, you won’t be disappointed in the Santa Fe.

The 2014 Subaru Forester is another 2014 Subaru on this list, with good reason

It’s no surprise that there are two Subarus on the list of best SUVs under $20,000. Subarus are solid vehicles with a rugged appeal. 

One of the best things about the 2014 Subaru Forester is its space. You can easily fit five people in the Forester. The most you should pay for a 2014 Subaru Forester is $19,059. 

The 2015 Kia Sportage is a sporty SUV for under $20,000

U.S. News describes the 2015 Kia Sportage as “nimble,” and its sporty appearance adds to its appeal. It has a 180-hp engine and enough room for five. 

If you want a touch of luxury, you can spring for heated seats in the 2015 Kia Sportage. A premium trim will also come with a 7-inch infotainment system. You can get all this for $18,746. 

No matter which used SUV you’re considering, you’ll want to do thorough research before committing. Make sure you know what common problems are with the model that you’re buying and how much average maintenance and repairs cost. Check safety ratings, crash test ratings, and which safety equipment comes standard. 

You should also get the SUV’s history report, which can tell you important information like whether the vehicle has been in an accident before. It’s also a good idea to have your own mechanic inspect the car, just to make sure there’s nothing wrong with it that isn’t obvious during a test drive. (And also, make sure you do a test drive.)

With any of these five SUVs, you have a lot of choices and a whole variety of options. Whether you want something sleek or sporty or known for safety, there are loads of great SUVs under $20,000 to choose from.

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Why the 2021 Mazda CX-3 Can’t Compete Against the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek