Chances are, if you’re an American, the thing you really want to park in your driveway is a crossover or SUV that looks aggressive but car-like. The utility vehicle segment has evolved over the past few decades, to the point where some automakers, including the likes of Ford, have abandoned sedans and hatchbacks in favor of a range of SUVs. and large trucks. Not everyone can afford to spend $45,000 on a brand-new SUV, but the good news is that there are plenty of good options on the used market, even at around $10,000.
We challenged Automatic log editor to find a great, versatile used crossover or SUV for $10,000 or less, and here’s what we came up with. We’ve broken it down by size starting with the smallest options, and when there are specific models or options to look for, we’ll try to explain why that matters. Each entry includes a link to our classified ads, where you can narrow down your choices using location and sliders for price and distance. Pay attention to deal ratings to make sure you’re getting the best price possible.
If you are better served with a coupe, sedan, hatchback or wagon, click here to view that listing. Or, if your tastes are approaching the edge of the automotive segment, check out Our used car spotlight series where we highlight interesting and sometimes forgotten cars of the past. For the rest of us who prefer a closer approach to the popular trend, the options below boast at least average expected confidence scores (in most cases). case is better than average) and have been sold in sufficient quantities to have several options near you.
It is worth mentioning that used car prices are currently higher than usual. Some of the vehicles recommended below can be difficult to find under $10,000 with low mileage and/or desirable options. That means buyers may have to shop longer than they might expect or go further than they want to get. best deal. Or, alternatively, just spend a little more money they want to get exactly what they’re looking for.
2013-2016 Kia Soul – Small crossover model
We started the party with the smallest of the utility vehicles on our list. NS Kia Soul is an oddball duck and we’re pretty sure the people who bought it liked it that way. It doesn’t fit into any particular category; it’s not clearly a hatchback and it’s not clearly an SUV. It fits somewhere between established segments and does so with a style unlike anything else. NS soul doesn’t offer all-wheel drive, so if that’s the case, we’ll introduce the next car on our list. What it does offer is a sporty look and feel, good interior space thanks to its boxy design, a wide range of engine and transmission options, and decent efficiency and reliability scores.
Find a Kia Soul for sale near you
Honda CR-V 2006-2011 – Compact crossover model
You may have seen this one coming. NS Honda CR-VA, along with its biggest rival, Toyota RAV4, is a perennial bestseller in America, and for good reason. It’s reliable, it’s realistic, and a fair valuation won’t break the bank. NS RAV4 It’s also a solid choice in the used compact crossover segment, but we generally prefer Honda’s sportier driving dynamics, quality interior components, powerful engine, and overall refinement. CR-V. Just about any year is a solid choice, so just find one near you with the options you want, range, and prices you can afford.
Find Honda CR-V for sale near you
2008-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee – Midsize SUV
NS Jeep Grand Cherokee Probably the vehicle most people think of when they think of a typical SUV. The entire segment was invented by Wagoneer of the 1960s, defined by Cherokee launched in 1984 and improved by more advanced products Grand Cherokee first launched in 1993. We’re calling the third generation version specifically and narrowing it down even further for 2008-2010, benefiting from a mid-cycle refresh with updated styling and content. The interior is more refined (slightly). Several engines were offered, the most popular being the proper 3.7-liter V6, the upgraded and desired 4.7-liter V8, and the powerful 5.7-liter Hemi. If you’re looking for power, the 2009 and 2010 Hemis offer 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. In all forms, the all-wheel-drive Grand Cherokee is more capable off-road than any of its major competitors.
Find a Jeep Grand Cherokee for sale near you
2007-2008 Lexus RX 350 or 400h – Mid-size luxury crossover (two rows of seats)
The Lexus RX essentially invented the premium midsize crossover segment when it first debuted in 1999 in the United States. It’s the automaker’s best-selling vehicle, boasting stellar reliability scores throughout the production run, a luxurious and classy cabin, and quiet and elegant driving dynamics. . All RX models have been proven to be durable, but soon RX 300 and RX 330 versions that have used timing belts need to be replaced when the service schedule calls for it. Later RX 350 has a new, 270-horsepower, more powerful engine and uses a maintenance-free timing chain for its entire life. NS RX 400 hours Using a hybrid powertrain boosts both power and performance, but the battery can be a costly replacement if it fails.
Find a Lexus RX for sale near you
2007-2009 Acura MDX – Mid-size luxury crossover (three rows of seats)
Before we get into anything else about Acura MDX, it’s important to note that we’re narrowing this specific recommendation down to the 2007 to 2009 model years. These are the last three years Acura has fitted them. MDX with a five-speed automatic transmission before replacing it with a newer six-speed transmission. While that additional transmission improves efficiency somewhat, early versions of the six-speed are known to have reliability issues and can be very expensive to repair or replace. It is safer to use the five-speed version. With that said, the Acura MDX embodies a solid compromise between luxury, ability, dynamics and efficiency.
Find Acura MDX for sale near you
2009-2012 Ford Flex – Large crossover (three rows of seats)
We mourn Flex’s go through with a sincere eulogy when we found out that the 2019 model year would be the last. The Flex has always been an exciting vehicle with a versatile and spacious interior thanks to its boxy exterior, the optional powerful EcoBoost V6 engine, all-wheel drive and a unique style. Easily lined up in front of three-row crossovers like the Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Pilot, the Flex is an attractive option for families who want the spaciousness and versatility of a pickup truck but don’t like the idea of owning a minivan. Sliding door home appliance that they grew up with. The chasm that the third row of seats fold into is even reminiscent of a pickup truck, resulting in cargo space there that’s larger than usual for a three-row crossover.
Find a Ford Flex for sale near you
2003-2009 Lexus GX 470 – Large luxury SUV (three rows of seats)
NS Lexus GX has proven to be one of the most reliable vehicles sold in the US over the past few decades, regularly hitting relatively high mileages without major repairs, despite its 4.7-liter V8 requires periodic belt changes at specific intervals. It is also built on a very sturdy chassis shared with the Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser Prado sold in markets outside the United States. It offers seating for seven passengers with a slightly small third row that can be flipped down from the sides of the cargo area. In practical terms, the LX 470 isn’t as big on the inside as it looks or some full-size car crossovers. The V8 engine, five-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive system are durable but rather inefficient.
Find a Lexus GX for sale near you
2008-2015 Nissan Armada – Large SUV
The largest vehicle on our list is the Nissan Armada, a full-size SUV that shares the same chassis and powertrain as the Titan pickup truck. It’s powerful 5.6-liter V8 means the Armada is a towing vehicle, and its life-sized three-row interior makes it desirable for motorists. growing family. It won’t be an economical car to drive, though, so if space and power aren’t absolutely essential, one of the smaller V6-powered cars we’ve featured above, like the Ford Flex or Acura MDX, might be a better choice.
