Best Used SUVs on a $25,000 Budget

There are a seemingly infinite number of options if you’re in the market for a used SUV on a $25,000 or so budget. Should you go for a nearly-new mainstream SUV or a slightly older luxury model? What trim should you choose for the money? What about hybrids? What about towing? What about 3-row seating? These are all questions you should ask yourself to determine your needs, but whatever you decide, there should be something for you on this list.

Here are 10 of the best used SUVs on a $25,000 budget.

1. 2018 Acura RDX

Elegant inside, stylish outside, and packed with technology, the 2018 Acura RDX puts luxury touches on a capable compact crossover with a standard 279-horsepower V6. Also standard: dual-zone climate control, a 7-speaker audio system, a 10-way power driver’s seat, and active noise cancellation. See 2018 Acura RDX models for sale

2. 2017 Buick Enclave

The 2017 Buick Enclave is the comfortable, spacious 3-row, 8-passenger crossover you’ve been looking for, especially if you’d like to seat adults comfortably in the third row. Our budget should secure the Enclave Premium, with top-of-the-line features and equipment. See 2017 Buick Enclave models for sale

3. 2017 Honda CR-V

It’s no surprise the 2017 Honda CR-V is on this list. A CR-V of some vintage is on nearly every SUV list precisely because it’s so good at so many things, making it the perfect daily companion to a wide array of people and lifestyles. Look for well-equipped EX-L models in this price range. See 2017 Honda CR-V models for sale

4. 2020 Hyundai Tucson

The 2020 Hyundai Tucson’s handsome styling and generous standard safety features draw you in, and the excellent ride quality, ample warranty, and overall efficiency keep you hooked. For our $25,000 budget, you should be able to find the midrange Tucson SEL with all-wheel drive (AWD). See 2020 Hyundai Tucson models for sale

5. 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

What SUV list would be complete without a Jeep Wrangler of some sort? Certainly not this one — the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offers seating for five but keeps the doors-off trail-ruggedness of the 2-door models. Our budget affords the Wrangler Unlimited in Rubicon trim, which takes the Wrangler’s already great off-road ability up a notch. See 2014 Jeep Wrangler models for sale

6. 2021 Kia Seltos

If you’d prefer something newer, smaller, and more efficient than most of the other options, the lightly used 2021 Kia Seltos might be the right fit. Most versions come with AWD and a robust set of safety features, but the S model that hits the sweet spot of our budget is also available with FWD if you don’t need the AWD. See 2021 Kia Seltos models for sale

7. 2018 Mazda CX-9

If you like a capable, sporty SUV but could do without the brand baggage of some luxury marques, the 2018 Mazda CX-9 puts a lot of premium content and design into an otherwise mainstream package. Our $25,000 budget should get you a well-equipped Touring trim or even the loaded Grand Touring. See 2018 Mazda CX-9 models for sale

8. 2015 Toyota Highlander

The 2015 Toyota Highlander isn’t exceptionally luxurious, but it is well-built, reliable, feature-rich, and perfect for families. It’s also available as a hybrid within our budget, with a 28-mpg highway rating and 280 hp. Look for the Limited trim, the top model, with AWD and all the goodies in the Toyota arsenal. See 2015 Toyota Highlander models for sale

9. 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL 4Motion

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan brings German design and sensibility to the compact SUV realm, offering a change of scenery from the segment’s heavyweights like the CR-V and Toyota RAV4. For our $25,000 budget, the upper-midrange SEL with AWD is the likely sweet spot. See 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan models for sale

10. 2016 Volvo XC90

Bringing up the alphabetical tail is the 2016 Volvo XC90, a Swedish 7-seat SUV with understated style, excellent safety, standard AWD, and good efficiency. While the ultra-efficient T8 plug-in hybrid version doesn’t fall within our $25,000 budget, the 250-hp T5 and 316-hp T6 models do, with enough leftover for the R-Design package. That package includes full-LED headlights, corner-following, and Nappa leather seats, among other style and equipment upgrades. See 2016 Volvo XC90 models for sale