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Hironori Kanayama CEO and President Honda cars Launched all new version of its sports utility vehicle CR-V on February 12, 2013

Honda and Toyota Have the Best Used SUVs You Shouldn’t Ignore

There are SUVs available at nearly every price point. Since SUVs are often so expensive, buying a used one can help save quite a lot of money. To help buyers find the best deal, Kelley Blue Book recently put together a list of the 10 best used SUVs for less than $12,000. Of the 10 …

There are SUVs available at nearly every price point. Since SUVs are often so expensive, buying a used one can help save quite a lot of money. To help buyers find the best deal, Kelley Blue Book recently put together a list of the 10 best used SUVs for less than $12,000. Of the 10 SUVs, only Honda and Toyota have multiple SUVs on the list with two each. Here’s a look at those four bargains from these two brands known for their reliability

The 2013 Honda CR-V

Kelley Blue Book pointed out that the Honda CR-V continues to be a popular compact SUV. It provides both fuel efficiency and plenty of cargo room. This compact SUV seats five people.

The 2013 model year is from the fourth generation of the CR-V, which was redesigned for model year 2012. This generation introduced a rearview camera along with improved crash protection. While it has a pleasant ride, the handling isn’t that agile, and it’s a bit noisy in the cabin. Consumer Reports gave it a reliability verdict of four out of five. Its average retail price, according to Consumer Reports, is between $10,000 and $14,375.

Other model years of the Honda CR-V are also reliable, affordable SUVs. While it looked at newer used vehicles, iSeeCars.com named the Honda CR-V one of its best five-year-old used cars under $20,000 and one of its best three-year-old used cars priced between $20,000 and $30,000.

The 2012 Honda Pilot

Kelley Blue Book called the 2012 Honda Pilot “reliable, comfortable, and practical.” With seating for eight people, it also has space for cargo as well. However, the third row is best for kids. While the handling isn’t super agile, it provides a comfortable ride.

The higher trims offer better interior finishes. It includes a number of convenience options, but make sure to look for one with a rearview camera. The 2012 Honda Pilot has a reliability verdict of three out of five from Consumer Reports. Its current price is between $9,300 and $14,425. The Honda Pilot was also named as one of iSeeCars.com’s best five-year-old used cars under $20,000.

The 2010 Toyota Highlander

Toyota has a reputation for reliable and high-quality vehicles, so it’s no surprise that a couple of Toyota SUVs made Kelley Blue Book’s list. The 2010 Toyota Highlander is a three-row SUV that can seat seven people. It’s a refined SUV with a comfortable ride and a quiet cabin.

The Highlander has two engine options: a four-cylinder or a six-cylinder engine. It also provides a choice between front-wheel and all-wheel drive with the V6. The four-cylinder engine is only paired with front-wheel drive. Consumer Reports rated the 2010 Highlander a five out of five for its reliability verdict. The 2010 Highlander now has a price ranging between $8,925 and $11,525, according to Consumer Reports.

The Toyota Highlander was iSeeCars.com’s runner-up for the best used SUV. It was also named as one of the best five-year-old used cars under $20,000 and one of its best three-year-old used cars from $20,000 to $30,000.

The 2013 Toyota RAV4

Kelley Blue Book found that the Toyota RAV4 offers plenty of room for passengers and their cargo. The RAV4 is a compact SUV and seats five people. It offers utility now and resale value later. The RAV4 was redesigned for model year 2013.

Consumer Reports found the 2.5-liter engine to be “energetic,” although the ride is a little “stiff.” All-wheel drive is an optional feature. The 2013 RAV4 has a reliability verdict of five out of five, and it has an asking price between $11,250 and $13,625.

When choosing a used SUV, it’s important to pick one that is known for reliability in the hopes that it will continue to have a long and trouble-free lifespan. Honda and Toyota brands are both known for making reliable vehicles, and this reputation is shown by the number of recommended “best used SUVs” from Honda and Toyota.

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