A budget of $5,000 can go farther than you might think in the used SUV market. Whether you’re looking for something small and efficient, big and capable, or just an affordable family hauler, there’s a used SUV out there for you.
Here are eight good used SUVs you can find on Autotrader for less than $5,000 in 2019.
2002-2007 Buick Rendezvous
The often-forgotten cousin of the Pontiac Aztek was the much better looking Buick Rendezvous, which was the first-ever Buick SUV. The Rendezvous is a great value now and it was a bit ahead of the curve on the luxury crossover craze offering car like road manners, pretty good fuel economy and three rows of seats. There was one engine option, which was a strong V6 and all-wheel drive was available. Find a Buick Rendezvous for sale
2002-2005 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer has been a popular family SUV since the early 1990s and the one to get on a budget of $5,000 or less is the short-lived third-generation model that ran from 2002-2005. This generation was significant for being the first Explorer to have its own dedicated platform rather than using the chassis of a Ford Ranger pickup with an SUV body. This Explorer was also marketed as the Mercury Mountaineer and the Lincoln Aviator, which are both more luxurious versions of the Ford. Find a Ford Explorer for sale
2001-2006 Acura MDX
The first-generation Acura MDX was a hit for delivering Honda reliability in a luxury SUV package. It was a 3-row crossover with standard AWD and a strong V6 as the sole engine option. The 2003-2006 MDX got a 20 horsepower bump over the earlier models. The AWD system had a lock mode equivalent of a locked rear differential meaning it actually had some pretty impressive off-road capability for an SUV mainly intended for street use. Find an Acura MDX for sale
1999-2003 Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is pretty ubiquitous now, but it was actually quite revolutionary when it first came out in the late 1990s. It wasn’t the first luxury SUV, but it was one of the first ones to go mainstream as a common family SUV with excellent road manners combined with SUV versatility. Available with a frugal inline four or a strong V6 and either FWD or AWD, the Lexus RX isn’t much of an off-roader, but it’s one of the best values in road-friendly crossovers available. Find a Lexus RX for sale
2000-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban
The Chevrolet Tahoe and the bigger Suburban have a reputation as being a do-it-all kind of SUV. It can tow just about anything, while carrying just about any family with everybody’s gear in tow. This is the first generation in which the Tahoe had a third row of seats available, but if you’re going to use that third row regularly, you’re going to want the bigger, roomier Suburban. For a tough Chevy truck in a family-friendly package, the Tahoe and the Suburban are great values in used SUVs. Find a Chevrolet Tahoe for sale or Find a Chevrolet Suburban for sale
2002-2006 Honda CR-V
The second-generation Honda CR-V was a step forward for the compact SUV with a more powerful engine that retained the same fuel economy as its less-powerful predecessor. It also has a more rigid chassis and new suspension to make it feel more solid on the road. When it comes to compact crossover SUVs, this Honda CR-V is a great value for anyone looking for an affordable, reliable commuter that’s good on gas or even a small family vehicle. Find a Honda CR-V for sale
2001-2007 Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is safe and reliable family transportation, plain and simple. It’s a no-nonsense midsize SUV that’s roomy on the inside and has impressive handling for a vehicle this size. This generation of the Highlander is proof that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a safe family hauler you can depend on. Find a Toyota Highlander for sale
1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee XJ had a very long production run for a reason. Jeep simply built a near-perfect SUV. This Cherokee was intended to be an SUV that you can comfortably drive on the street every day, but also do some serious off-roading with and that blend of on- and off-road prowess is exactly what it delivered. Most of these are four doors, but they were also available as two doors, offering something a little different. We strongly recommend the legendary 4.0-liter inline-six engine, which is famous for its durability. Find aJeep Cherokee for sale
