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Honda CR-V used SUV from 2005 driving in the mountains

Best Used SUVs You Can Buy For Under $5,000 According to KBB

When you start thinking about buying a new SUV for loading up all the kids and gear, you might want to stay within a modest price bracket. For under $5,000 you can actually buy any of the good SUVs on this list. According to Kelley Blue Book, these are the 10 best used SUVs for …

When you start thinking about buying a new SUV for loading up all the kids and gear, you might want to stay within a modest price bracket. For under $5,000 you can actually buy any of the good SUVs on this list. According to Kelley Blue Book, these are the 10 best used SUVs for less than $5k.

green 2005 Honda Pilot from the side in a press photo against a white backdrop is an example of a good used SUV according to KBB
2005 Honda Pilot | Edmunds

The 10 best SUVs for less than $5k

On the Kelley Blue Book list, there are 10 good used SUVs for less than $5,000. We’ll run through the lower half of the list first, then we will go through the top 5 SUVs one by one. 10th on the list in the 2007 Ford Escape. Then, the 2007 Nissan Xterra and the 2007 Ford Expedition. They take spots 9 and 8, respectively.

In 7th place is the 2005 Honda Element, which is special because of the rear seats that fold down into a bed for two. Then, in 6th place Kelley Blue Book puts the 2001 Toyota Highlander. Of KBB’s best used SUVs you can buy under $5,000, these are places 6 through 10. The rest are below, with a bit of helpful information about each one to help inform your decision.

Honda Element cargo area with two bikes fit neatly inside shows another good used SUV under $5,000 according to KBB
Honda Element | Honda

2002 Toyota Sequoia

The 2002 Toyota Sequoia is a big three-row SUV with a big V8 engine. According to KBB, the 2002 Sequoia holds true to “Toyota’s legendary reputation.” This is one of the best used SUVs you can buy for less than $5k in spot 5 on the KBB list. It holds up to 8 passengers and 128 cubic feet of cargo. It’s a good Toyota truck for families and holds up far into high mileage territory.

2005 Honda Pilot

Kelley Blue Book calls the 2005 Honda Pilot an SUV with a “silky smooth” V6 engine. It’s a high performing and fuel efficient family three-row SUV and it’s in spot 4. If you are looking for a good AWD family SUV, the 2002 Pilot is one of the best used SUVs you can buy for under $5,000.

A Honda Pilot on display at an auto show
A first-generation Honda Pilot | Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

The AWD Honda Pilot from the 2002 model year implements the innovative VTM-4 drive system. This adds automatic engagement when you need it. Plus, the 2002 Pilot has a manual locking mode which gives it an edge in terms of capability.

interior dash view of the 2005 Honda Pilot
2005 Honda Pilot Interior | Vehicle History

2003 Lexus RX 300

This a good versatile SUV and it takes the 3rd spot on the KBB list. It’s small and agile, yet doesn’t sacrifice on SUV cargo volume. It’s one of the best used SUVs you can buy for less than $5k. The 2002 Lexus RX 300 is also equipped with all-weather traction. If you want a good used SUV on a budget, the 2002 Lexus RX 300 is definitely one of them, according to KBB.

2006 Honda CR-V

For the number 2 spot of the best used SUVs you can buy for under $5,000 we have the 2006 Honda CR-V. Kelley Blue Book reports that “few vehicles do as many things as well as the Honda CR-V.” The Honda CR-V in almost any model year is a fantastic SUV. According to KBB, the 2006 Honda CR-V is a good used SUV for buyers on a budget.

2005 Honda CR-V driving on a gravel road is a good SUV for under $5,000
Honda CR-V | AutoEvolution

2004 Toyota RAV4

According to Kelley Blue Book, the 2004 Toyota RAV4 is the best used SUV you can buy for under $5,000. It is a tried and true reliable Toyota. This is a great car for a variety of uses. The new ones cost so much, so it’s no wonder why someone would prefer to buy an older used one for less than $5k.

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