The Best Used SUVs Under $20,000

If you're looking for a used small SUV under $20,000, we've got some good news for you. There are lots of options, including efficient hybrids, family-friendly crossovers, and even a few powerful turbocharged models. We've done some legwork for you and put together a list of the best used SUVs you can get for under $20,000.

This list is based on Edmunds' ratings and inventory listings. We list a range of model years to consider. Prices will vary wildly by location, age and mileage. Make sure to get the car inspected by a mechanic if you have doubts about its condition. Read on for the best used SUVs you can buy while on a tight budget.

Mazda CX-5

You may need to look at slightly older CX-5s (or those with higher mileage) to find one under $20,000. But the CX-5 is a very appealing SUV throughout its most recent generation, which began in 2017. A new infotainment system was introduced in 2021, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available as early as 2017.

And the CX-5, no matter the year, is a lot of fun to drive. It offers great handling, and the available turbocharged engine is quite powerful. The upscale interior also helps the Mazda stand out from the juggernauts of the compact SUV class. The trade-off comes in size and space. There's less room for storage and passengers than in competitors, but that trade-off is worth it if you're looking for spirited driving in your SUV.

Average 2018 transaction price: $17,074
Savings vs. new: $12,826
Edmunds Rating (2022): 8.1 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 4.2 (out of 5)

• Shop all used Mazda CX-5
• Read our 2022 Mazda CX-5 review

Kia Soul

Whether you call it a crossover or a tall hatch, the Kia Soul stands out for both its looks and practicality. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on the base LX trim and stepping up to the third-tier EX trim gets you a lot of creature comforts, like heated seats, automatic climate control and a wireless phone charger.

The Soul was redesigned in 2020 and its on-road comfort improved. Its upright windshield means you're subjected to more wind noise than you'll experience in a more traditional SUV and tire noise is also noticeable. But the Soul is spacious thanks to its boxy shape; it has a roomier-than-usual second row and lots of cargo capacity under the squared-off hatch. Note that Kia's famous 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty only applies to the original owner. Once it changes hands, it becomes five years or 60,000 miles, so older models may not have that coverage.

Average 2022 transaction price: $17,061
Savings vs. new: $4,824
Edmunds Rating: 7.8 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 4.0 (out of 5)

• Shop all used Kia Soul for sale
• Read our 2022 Kia Soul review

Ford Escape

The Ford Escape is a great point A-to-point B SUV. It boasts a roomy passenger cabin, a smooth ride and an easy-to-use infotainment system. Its cargo capacity, at 34.4 cubic feet for the hybrid, doesn't match up to the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. But the appealing gas-electric powertrain gets an EPA-estimated 40 mpg in combined driving and is available on the SE trim. (Trim level names changed in 2023.)

That trim, which sits one above the base model, is the Escape's most appealing. It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an available package includes a host of advanced driver aids. These include adaptive cruise control and the ability to detect speed limit signs and adjust your speed accordingly.

Average 2020 transaction price: $18,265
Savings vs. new: $11,225
Edmunds Rating: 8.4 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 4.1 (out of 5)

• Shop all used Ford Escape for sale
• Read our 2022 Ford Escape review

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe shares a lot of similarities with the Kia Sorento, but we actually like the Santa Fe quite a bit more. You might need to get a slightly older Santa Fe, or one with higher mileage, to find one under $20,000. Even with that caveat, the Hyundai is an appealing midsize SUV thanks to its selection of advanced driver aids and upscale interior.

The Santa Fe was refreshed in 2021 and got a whole new set of powertrains, including a hybrid powertrain. The available 2.5-liter turbocharged engine is powerful and engaging, two things lacking from the engines in 2017-20 models. The touchscreen can be a bit laggy, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features throughout the whole generation. Keep in mind that you may need to download a software update to install Apple CarPlay on 2017 models. A brand-new Santa Fe was also introduced for 2024.

Average 2020 transaction price: $19,964
Savings vs. new: $15,711
Edmunds Rating (2022): 7.7 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 3.9 (out of 5)

• Shop all used Hyundai Santa Fe
• Read our 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

Kia Niro

The Kia Niro is more a crossover than a true SUV, but it offers a respectable 19.4 cubic feet of storage space behind the second row. You'll also find a lot of places to store small items, and the second row folds flat to create a level storage surface. Its standard hybrid powertrain (the Niro also comes as a plug-in or full electric) offers an EPA-estimated 50 mpg in combined driving, which is very fuel-efficient.

That efficiency comes at the expense of power, though. The Niro is a slow vehicle, and accelerating onto freeways or passing other vehicles is laborious. However, technology is a strength of the Niro, which comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all models. To get desirable driver aids, look for the EX trim and higher. They're mostly grouped in available packages.

Average 2020 transaction price: $17,857
Savings vs. new: $15,711
Edmunds Rating (2022): 7.7 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 4.2 (out of 5)

• Shop all used Kia Niro
• Read our 2022 Kia Niro

Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V is a very small SUV that manages to make the most of its tight footprint. It features a Magic Seat, a heavily adjustable back seat that can create more legroom and storage space and make accessing small children much easier. The HR-V is also relatively roomy, offering comfortable seating for adults in both rows.

Its engine is lackluster but an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in combined driving helps soften the blow. Its 23.2 cubic feet of storage space makes it one of the roomiest all-wheel-drive pint-size SUVs available. The Kia Soul, known for its spacious cargo area, only beats the HR-V by a small margin, and it's front-wheel-drive only.

Average 2020 transaction price: $19,501
Savings vs. new: $11,039
Edmunds Rating (2022): 7.6 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 3.9 (out of 5)

• Shop all used Honda HR-V
• Read our 2022 Honda HR-V

Hyundai Venue

There's a lot to like about the Hyundai Venue. The base SE trim comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a couple of advanced driver aids like automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assistance. The pint-size SUV can carry 18.7 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seat up or 31.9 cubic feet with it folded.

The second-tier SEL trim adds some creature comforts, like automatic climate control, a couple of additional speakers, and blind-spot warning along with rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue isn't exactly fun to drive, but its EPA-estimated fuel economy of 31 mpg in combined driving is in line with the competition.

Average 2022 transaction price: $18,069
Savings vs. new: $3,481
Edmunds Rating (2022): 7.4 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 4.1 (out of 5)

• Shop all used Hyundai Venue
• Read our 2022 Hyundai Venue

Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks was introduced in 2018, but it received a refresh in 2021 that changed the exterior styling, made Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard, and slightly upgraded the materials featured inside the small SUV. The Kicks is fuel-efficient, with the 2022 model getting an EPA-estimated 33 mpg in combined driving. But it's slower than its competitors, going 0-60 mph in 10.7 seconds. And it lacks in the comfort department, with a spacious cabin but rather unsupportive seats.

But every Kicks comes with automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Upgrading to the midrange SV trim adds adaptive cruise control along with heated mirrors and keyless entry.

Average 2022 transaction price: $18,222
Savings vs. new: $4,998
Edmunds Rating (2022): 7.4 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 4.4 (out of 5)

• Shop all used Nissan Kicks
• Read our 2022 Nissan Kicks

Fiat 500X

The Fiat 500X stands out as an affordable, fun-to-drive SUV with lots of personality and standard all-wheel drive starting in 2019. It is quite small, however, with limited storage space for passengers and their gear. The 500X is a good choice if you're looking for something distinctive, fun, and with an exuberant interior, but it doesn't represent a significant upgrade in storage compared to a sedan. It has a bit less rear storage capacity (14.1 cubic feet) than a Honda Civic (14.8 cubic feet).

If you're looking for advanced driver aids, be sure to look for a 500X with the Advanced Driver Assistance Group installed. That package was available on all but the base Pop trim and is the only way to get desirable features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning and lane departure warning.

Average 2022 transaction price: $19,626
Savings vs. new: $12,214
Edmunds Rating (2022): 7.3 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 4.4 (out of 5)

• Shop all used Fiat 500X
• Read our 2022 Fiat 500X

Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage slots between the three-row Kia Sorento and a couple of smaller SUVs, the Niro and the Soul. It got a significant refresh for 2021 that makes it pretty appealing, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an 8-inch touchscreen.

But it's a bit smaller than rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, which means you get less storage space behind the rear seats. Its fuel economy is also disappointing, particularly on the SX Turbo trim.

Average 2022 transaction price: $18,974
Savings vs. new: $9,811
Edmunds Rating (2022): 7.2 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 4.4 (out of 5)

• Shop all used Kia Sportage
• Read our 2022 Kia Sportage

Edmunds says
If you're not sure one of these best SUVs under $20,000 is for you, check out our article covering all of the best used SUVs.