Once upon a time, SUVs were primarily targeted toward families, with the occasional outdoor enthusiast thrown in for good measure. Today they may be your first choice if you’re looking for extra cargo space, better capability in foul weather, or even if you just want a better view of the road. If you're shopping used, all that can come at a surprising bargain for the savvy shopper.

Best used SUVs under $30,000

Jump To: Used subcompact SUVs | Used compact SUVs | Used two-row midsize SUVs | Used three-row midsize SUVs | Used electric SUVs

If that sounds like you, we're here to help. We're looking at 2022 models mainly because a lot of three-year leases are ending so you'll be seeing these models appearing more and more on used car lots. You might even find some with a manufacturer's certified used car warranty for a little extra peace of mind. We cross-checked the pool against our Edmunds Expert Ratings to find vehicles that topped our testing and evaluation. We took a look at our consumer ratings to make sure owners were satisfied as well.

Best used subcompact SUVs

Used 2022 Volkswagen Taos

Volkswagen added the Taos to its lineup in 2022, and right away it became one of our favorite extra-small SUVs. It covers the basics with plenty of passenger and cargo space. That's backed up with tons of tech and modern safety features. Best of all, the Taos, like most Volkswagens, is genuinely fun to drive, a rare commodity among subcompact SUVs. We do wish that the transmission shifted more promptly, and it's noisier than we'd like out on the open road, but overall Volkswagen has built a solid little SUV.

Edmunds Rating: 8.1 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2021): 3.0 (out of 5)

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Read our 2022 Volkswagen Taos review

Used 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer

A year after its initial introduction, the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer remains a top pick among extra-small SUVs. Credit for its high ranking goes to its cool and modern exterior and an interior that feels both high-tech and high-quality. You'll be surprised by the amount of cargo and passenger space inside, and if you like off-road adventures, the Activ trim gives the Trailblazer better ground clearance and a different suspension to, well, blaze trails. Keep an eye out for models with the 1.3-liter turbocharged engine, which has a bit more spring in its step than the base model.

Edmunds Rating: 8.0 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 4.1 (out of 5)

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Read our 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer review

Best used compact SUVs

Used 2023 Mazda CX-50

Mazda introduced the CX-50 as a successor to its still popular CX-5. It brings a more refined driving experience to the table while adding the passenger and cargo space the CX-5 lacks. Available with a turbocharged engine, the CX-50 has plenty of punch, and the Meridian trim gives this small crossover surprisingly good off-road chops. We love everything about the look and feel of the high-quality interior, but we do wish the touchscreen function applied to more than just smartphone mirroring. Note that although this is technically a 2023 model, it went on sale early in 2022.

Edmunds Rating: 8.1 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2023): 4.1 (out of 5)

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Read our 2022 Mazda CX-50 review

Used 2022 Honda CR-V

There are plenty of good reasons why the Honda CR-V is probably already on your shopping list if you're checking out compact SUVs. It's a nearly ideal blend of the kind of practicality, comfort, utility, features and performance that you'd expect in this type of vehicle, which is why it is consistently at or near the top of our rankings. Every 2022 CR-V comes standard with a full array of driver assist features, a claim few other automakers can make. There's also a hybrid, although we think that version works best if you're primarily driving in the city.

Edmunds Rating: 8.1 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 4.5 (out of 5)

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Read our 2022 Honda CR-V review

Best used two-row midsize SUVs

Used 2022 Honda Passport

If you need more space for people or cargo, a midsize two-row SUV is a great choice, and the Honda Passport might be the best choice of all. Essentially a two-row version of the popular Honda Pilot, the Passport has tons of interior space, with a cargo area that tops nearly everything else in its class and a rear bench wide enough for three to sit comfortably. The interior has all kinds of storage areas of varying sizes, and the all-wheel-drive models have surprising rough-road capability as well. It'd be nice if the audio system was easier to use and if the standard driver assist systems were more accurate, but otherwise the Passport's tough to beat.

Edmunds Rating: 8.1 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2021): 4.6 (out of 5)

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Read our 2022 Honda Passport review

Used 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Just because a two-row SUV is big doesn't mean it can't be fun to drive. Case in point: the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. This two-row version of the Volkswagen Atlas has a sleeker roofline but still offers tons of cargo and passenger space inside. Best of all, it's pleasant to drive, with handling that's surprisingly agile for such a big vehicle. Granted, some materials inside feel a bit lowball, and we wish it had more power. But those demerits aside, the Atlas Cross Sport is a good-looking and solid choice for a big two-row SUV.

Edmunds Rating: 7.9 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 3.8 (out of 5)

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Read our 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport review

Best used three-row midsize SUVs

Used 2022 Kia Telluride

It's hard not to be impressed by the Kia Telluride. It boasts an impressive list of standard features, excellent tech, and a high-quality cabin that easily seats adults even in the third row. Behind that third row, there's also decent cargo room. It's comfortable and quiet on the road, and we like how its standard advanced driver assist systems work. We wish it had better small-item storage inside, but we still liked the Telluride enough to name it our Edmunds Top Rated SUV in 2020, a title it held for two more years. Note that the Telluride remains popular so some prices are still high on late models, but if you stick to lower trims you can find plenty under $30K.

Edmunds Rating: 8.4 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 4.1 (out of 5)

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Read our 2022 Kia Telluride review

Used Honda Pilot

We mentioned the Honda Passport earlier, so it should come as no surprise that the Pilot, its three-row counterpart, also gets a strong recommendation. Like the Passport, the Pilot has tons of space inside, including a surprisingly roomy third row. There's good cargo space behind that row as well, and it comes standard with a full array of advanced driver assist systems. Higher trims feel downright luxurious thanks to the pair of captain's chairs in the second row, and we love how there seems to be a bin, cubby, nook or cranny for just about anything. The third row can be a little hard to access, and the forward collision warning can be too sensitive, but overall the Pilot is worth considering.

Edmunds Rating: 8.2 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 4.1 (out of 5)

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Read our 2022 Honda Pilot review

Best used electric SUVs

Used 2022 Kia Niro EV

Maybe you need the cargo space of an SUV, but you want zero tailpipe emissions. If that sounds familiar, you're in luck because there are plenty of electric SUVs available. One of our favorites is the Kia Niro EV. It has EPA-estimated range of up to 239 miles, but on the Edmunds Real-World EV Range Test, it scored a whopping 285 miles on a single charge. It supports DC fast charging for those quick top-offs when you're out and about, and it's even fun to drive. We'd like more cargo space, but that's about the only drawback to this fun and efficient little EV.

Edmunds Rating: 8.3 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 4.2 (out of 5)

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Read our 2022 Kia Niro EV review

Used 2022 Tesla Model Y

As one of the best-selling vehicles on the planet, the Tesla Model Y is an excellent choice when it comes to electric SUVs. It has an exceptionally roomy interior that belies its compact external dimensions, and the cargo space is among the best you'll find in any SUV this size regardless of powertrain. Tesla is famous for its touchscreen-reliant interiors, and the Model Y is no exception. Fortunately, the layout is easy enough to learn and use. Of course, the range is excellent, with Long Range models topping more than 300 miles on a single charge, and the Model Y has access to Tesla's Supercharger network that makes charging fast and simple. Note that later Model Y models remain pricey, but if you look for older models, you'll find a lot of excellent options under $30K.

Edmunds Rating: 8.1 (out of 10)
Average consumer rating (2022): 3.5 (out of 5)

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Read our 2022 Tesla Model Y review

Still not sure what works best for you? Then check out our article covering all of the best used SUVs.