Crossovers and SUVs have enjoyed massive popularity over the past decade or so, which means that the used-car market is full of excellent options to fit anyone’s taste. If you’re in the market for a used small SUV, we recommend casting your net wide enough to include the 2017 model year, as that is when many small SUVs began to take hold in the market.
Whether we’re talking about an Acura, an Audi, a GMC, or a Volvo, new SUVs are better than ever—though this carries a bit of premium price-wise. One way to get around this is to let someone else take the initial depreciation hit.
A used SUV may not offer a new-car warranty, but later-model options may be available with certified pre-owned (CPO) warranties. Some low-mileage examples might still be under for their original warranties, too. Here are our choices for the best used small SUVs on the market today, covering a wide price range and selection of automakers.
The Best Used Small SUVs in 2025
- 2018 Honda CR-V
- 2019 Honda HR-V
- 2019 Jeep Renegade
- 2017 Kia Sportage
- 2018 Mazda CX-3
- 2020 Mazda CX-5
- 2018 Nissan Rogue
- 2017 Subaru Forester
- 2017 Toyota RAV4
- 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
2018 Honda CR-V
Best for: Those who want a practical SUV but don’t need to move up to a midsize model
The Honda CR-V is another SUV that was redesigned in 2017, but its biggest improvement for the 2018 model year was the inclusion of a rotary volume knob for the stereo. The CR-V has long been known as a comfortable, practical, and reliable SUV. The 2018 model’s 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space made it the class leader, and it was also quite roomy for occupants, with plenty of first- and second-row head- and legroom.
The 2018 CR-V was available with either a 184- or 190-hp four-cylinder engine. Neither was particularly quick, but both yielded strong fuel economy estimates. It came standard with a 5-inch infotainment touchscreen and was available with a 7-inch touchscreen that included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The CR-V was also available with a host of terrific driver-assistance features as part of the Honda Sensing safety suite.
2019 Honda HR-V
Best for: Those who want a frugal SUV that’s also fun to drive
The HR-V is all about comfortable, spacious, no-fuss commuting. In addition to providing a comfortable ride, the 2019 version of Honda’s smallest crossover SUV was surprisingly big on space, providing 58.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. With the rear seats up, the HR-V had two rows of seating with plenty of headroom and legroom. The HR-V also had a trick up its sleeve in the form of the Honda Magic Seat, which provided multiple cargo/passenger configurations. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were added for 2019, sweetening the deal.
The HR-V’s 141-hp engine won’t blow your hair back, but it did return highway fuel economy that was on par with the Mazda CX-3, and Honda made tweaks to the 2019 model’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) to make it a bit more pleasing to operate. The HR-V’s ride was not particularly sporty, but it put on-road comfort above all other concerns. It's worth noting that higher trim levels of the HR-V had a somewhat frustrating infotainment system. As a result, you may want to stick with the base trim and its simple controls.
2019 Jeep Renegade
Best for: Those who actually care about off-roading
The 2019 Jeep Renegade didn’t look like many other subcompact SUV models, and it could do some things that other small SUVs couldn’t.
The Renegade’s tall, boxy layout provided solid driver visibility and a commanding view of the road. At 50.8 cubic feet, other small SUVs offered better cargo space, but the Renegade's squared-off rear hatch opening meant you could fit taller items in the back. The sole American SUV on this list got a handsome facelift for the 2019 model year, with more modern styling. It also arrived a year after the introduction of Apple CarPlay in the Renegade, although that was an optional feature, so check the specific vehicle's equipment list when shopping.
Powertrain options for the 2019 Renegade included a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 184 hp and a then-new 1.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine good for 177 hp. Each had its strong points, but also some weaknesses. The Renegades’ nine-speed automatic transmission was criticized for its tendency to hunt for gears.
If you are looking to get off the beaten path, check out the Renegade Trailhawk. It was a higher-priced trim level but came equipped with skid plates, an upgraded four-wheel-drive (4WD) system, and increased ride height.
2017 Kia Sportage
Best for: Those who want to stand out in the parking lot
The 2017 Kia Sportage had styling that was cutting-edge and remains so even by today's standards. The Sportage didn't excel with regard to fuel economy or cargo area, but it did have a terrifically balanced ride along with athletic handling. When shopping for a used Sportage, skip those with the base engine and instead seek out a Turbo model. Its 240-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine provided strong acceleration.
The Sportage had a handsome cabin with a sensible layout, capped by a standard 5-inch touchscreen. Some models were available with a larger touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The 2017 Sportage had 60.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which was about average for the class. The second-row seats were as spacious and comfortable as the front bucket seats.
2018 Mazda CX-3
Best for: Those who wish they were shopping for a hot hatch instead of an SUV
If your adventures are decidedly more on-road in nature, check out the 2018 Mazda CX-3. It had surprisingly taut, responsive handling that rivaled some sporty hatchbacks, particularly starting with the 2018 model year, when Mazda incorporated its G-Vectoring Control technology into the CX-3. The 146-hp engine provided decent acceleration and impressive fuel economy. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) version returned 29 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) model was nearly as fuel-efficient, returning 27 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined.
The 2018 CX-3 had a cabin that punched well above its weight, and the upscale, simplistic layout of the dash felt more like that of a sports car than a family hauler. The CX-3 came standard with a partial-touchscreen infotainment system. When the car was parked, it was touch-operated; when in motion, it was operated via a remote dial in the center console, similar to the systems found in luxury cars.
2020 Mazda CX-5
Best for: Those who like the CX-3’s style and handling, but need something bigger
Like its smaller CX-3 counterpart, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 traded in refined performance and upscale interiors. The CX-5 was redesigned for the 2017 model year, and by 2020, it had grown into a bargain luxury car. For a used compact SUV, styling-wise, a 2020 CX-5 still looks fresh and sophisticated today (and likely will for many years to come). The design is clean and contemporary, though the large C- and D-pillars hamper side and rear driver visibility.
The CX-5 was tight on cargo space, but it more than made up for that with its cabin quality. The seats were comfortable, and fit-and-finish was top-notch. The MazdaConnect infotainment system included a rotary dial in the center console, emulating those of luxury brands. The CX-5 had stout acceleration, combined with handling abilities you’d sooner expect to find in a luxury SUV. For 2020, Mazda also made its suite of advanced driver0assistance systems, known as i-Activsense, standard on all trim levels.
2018 Nissan Rogue
Best for: Families in need of a three-row SUV on a budget
Few compact SUVs pack as much cargo and passenger space as the 2018 Nissan Rogue. It was one of the only compact SUVs available with a third row. If you only needed two rows, the Rogue’s 70 cubic feet of cargo space made it one of the best in the class. The third row was tight but useful in a pinch, while the first and second rows provided plenty of head- and legroom.
The layout of the controls in the 2018 Rogue was intuitive, with radio and climate dials where you expect. There was a sizable jump in price from a 2017 to a 2018 Rogue, but for good reason. In 2018, Nissan added standard Apple CarPlay and a number of high-tech safety features. If these things are a priority, go for the 2018 version. If not, the 2017 model provides plenty of value and still has several desirable advanced driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control and emergency braking.
2017 Subaru Forester
Best for: Buyers who prioritize space and simplicity
The 2017 Subaru Forester was all about practicality. It came standard with AWD, an off-road-capable 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and an outstanding 74.7 cubic feet or cargo space. The 2017 Forester’s function-first design provided plenty of headroom and legroom in both rows of seating. The dash design wasn’t particularly modern, but it offered plenty of useful space for all of your gear.
Other models on this list have better fuel economy, especially when comparing the uprated 250-hp engine. This generation of the Forester came standard with a touchscreen infotainment system and was available with driver-assistance features such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, reverse automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring.
2017 Toyota RAV4
Best for: Anyone looking for a good all-rounder
The 2017 RAV4 had an impressive 73.4 cubic feet of cargo space and one of the most spacious rear seats of any compact SUV. You could even get a motion-activated power liftgate on the range-topping Platinum model. This made it an ideal ride-sharing car, as well as a great option for four adults on a road trip. It was also a dependability rock star, making it one of the best used SUVs on the market.
The 2017 RAV4 came standard with a 176-hp four-cylinder engine, which delivered a good combination of acceleration and fuel economy. This was the first year Toyota included standard Safety Sense, a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features that bundles forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beam headlights, among other things. If modern safety features are a priority for you, check out any 2017-or-newer RAV4.
Other small SUVs in this price range to consider include the Jeep Cherokee, Ford Escape, and Hyundai Tucson, but steer clear of Chevrolet SUVs of this era to avoid poor quality. These include the Chevy Equinox and the first-generation Chevy Trax.
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
Best for: Those who want a practical small SUV with a bit of European flair
The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan had a few things going for it. For one, it was a European crossover with European flair. Thanks to its VW badge, stylishly restrained interior, and classic exterior design, the VW Tiguan should look as great in 10 years as it did in 2019. It also offered a good turbocharged four-cylinder engine and available 4Motion AWD, and it provided a comfortable ride.
But what made the 2019 Tiguan special was its available third row of seats, something that was virtually unmatched in the compact SUV segment (typically, shoppers have to move up to a midsize SUV or a minivan to get that).
