With the average price of new cars reaching nearly $50,000 in recent years, consumers are definitely feeling the strain, especially if they’re in the market for a crossover or SUV. But thankfully, the used car market is flooded with options, and if you’re on a tight budget—to the tune of $10,000 or less—there are some great examples to choose from. Not only that, but the price drop from a new to used SUV is pretty substantial.
We searched the CarGurus used car listings for SUVs that are no older than the 2010 model year, with a firm $10,000 cap. Though, not every candidate is right there—we made sure to add a few that are at the $8,000 or less price point, too.
Be sure of your own priorities before you start your search. If advanced safety tech like lane-departure warning or comfort features like heated seats are important to you, you may find that that rules out certain model years or trims. Though, otherwise, luckily most are well-equipped with alloy wheels, navigation systems, bluetooth, and other modern niceties. Let’s run through them.
The Best Used SUVs Under $10,000 in 2025
- 2011 Acura MDX SH-AWD
- 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4WD
- 2011 Ford Edge Sport
- 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD
- 2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD
- 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4L AWD
- 2010 Nissan Murano SL AWD
- 2013 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited
- 2010 Toyota Highlander V6 4WD
- 2013 Toyota RAV4 Limited
2011 Acura MDX SH-AWD
The Acura MDX is a midsize SUV, slotting above the RDX in the brand’s lineup, with lots of standard features and third-row seating. It offers a good mix of practicality and upscale comfort without costing as much as many of its rivals from luxury brands such as Audi, Lexus, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo.
The 2011 MDX was available only in the SH-AWD trim, though there were upgrades available in the form of three feature packages—Technology, Advance, and Entertainment—each building on the previous package’s amenities. The MDX came with leather upholstery and real wood interior trim, and the various packages offered upgrades such as a multi-view backup camera, a moonroof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, and a rear DVD entertainment system.
A 3.7-liter V6 engine came standard across the board, rated for 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque and paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. All-Wheel drive (AWD) came standard, too, in the form of Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (branded “SH-AWD”) system, which incorporates torque vectoring for improved handling. This system is designed more for on-road driving, however, so you won’t get the off-road capability of some luxury SUVs, like those from Land Rover.
As always, potential buyers should keep in mind that the financial commitment continues even after the car is paid off. In the case of the MDX (and most luxury vehicles), you’ll need to be aware that Acura recommends premium fuel, and fuel economy ratings came in at a mediocre 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.
2010 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4WD
The Chevrolet Tahoe has been on the market for ages, long enough to make the often-cross-shopped Buick Enclave look like a newcomer. Tahoe is a trustworthy name for families who want a big, capable SUV with plenty of room and straightforward styling. The 2010 Tahoe has three rows of seating regardless of trim—with seating for up to nine passengers—and upscale fit and finish. Keep in mind, however, that third-row legroom is a bit tight, and cargo space is noticeably less than in the longer Chevy Suburban, although nobody is going to confuse a Tahoe with a hatchback. Standard features for 2010 include a power-adjustable driver’s seat, USB port, heated side mirrors, roof rack, and a trailer hitch with wiring.
The Tahoe features a 5.3-liter V8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, rated for 320 hp and 335 lb-ft of torque. Regardless of trim, rear-wheel drive (RWD) comes standard, and four-wheel drive (4WD) is available. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 15 mpg city/21 highway for the RWD Tahoe and 14 city/20 highway for 4WD models. The 5.3-liter engine is also flex fuel-capable, meaning it can run on E85 (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) or regular fuel.
Because it’s based on a truck platform shared with the aforementioned Suburban as well as the GMC Yukon/Yukon XL and Cadillac Escalade, the RWD Tahoe tops out at 8,400 pounds of towing capacity, which far surpasses most of the used car-based crossovers you’ll find at this price point.
2011 Ford Edge Sport
The Ford Edge is a two-row midsize SUV that was sold alongside the three-row Ford Explorer and the smaller Ford Escape. The Edge got a nice refresh for 2011, with updated exterior and interior designs and a new powertrain lineup. Standard features include reclining front seats, a 4.2-inch LCD display, and an auxiliary input jack.
The Edge Sport trim we found in our search of CarGurus used SUV listings bypasses the base 3.5-liter V6 engine (shared with the Ford Fusion sedan), which itself provides a respectable 285 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. Instead, the Sport gets a 3.7-liter V6 from the Ford Mustang, producing 305 hp and 280 lb-ft. Both get six-speed automatic transmissions.
A 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine also became available in the 2011 model year. FWD came standard on most models, but higher-level Edge trims were available with AWD.
2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD
The Honda CR-V is one of the oldest and most respected names in the compact crossover SUV segment, and if you can find a clean used example in your price range, it’s always a great choice. The CR-V was redesigned for the 2012 model year, so it’s a significant upgrade over CR-V models that are even just a year or two older. It features a multi-angle backup camera with guidelines and Bluetooth compatibility.
The EX-L found in the CarGurus used car listings represents the CR-V’s top trim level for 2012 and comes decked out with leather upholstery, heated front seats, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a premium audio system with seven speakers and a subwoofer.
Every 2012 CR-V is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. This setup is rated for 185 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. With FWD, the 2012 CR-V is EPA-rated for 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, and with AWD, those numbers each drop by one mpg.
2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD
The Honda Pilot is one of the better choices of this era if you need an affordable midsize SUV with three rows of seating. It comes standard with features like remote power door locks and dual-zone automatic climate control. Our example is a mid-tier EX-L trim, which gets features like power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a backup camera.
The Pilot’s VTM-4 AWD system is also a bit more capable than the AWD systems that were available on most of the Pilot’s contemporaries, but this is no Jeep Wrangler.
Every 2011 Pilot features a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, rated for 250 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. FWD is standard, though it’ll probably be worthwhile to look for an AWD model. Fuel economy ratings are a little lower than average, at 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway with FWD, and one mpg less for each measure with AWD.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4L AWD
Though the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is related to the Kia Sorento, was on the market before 2013, that particular model year marked the first for the Santa Fe Sport. Its divergence as a separate model distinguished the five-passenger body style from the seven-passenger offering. Standard features for the Santa Fe Sport include cloth upholstery and an auxiliary input jack, and common options include an 8-inch infotainment display, a panoramic sunroof, and heated leather seats.
The Santa Fe Sport model we found for sale has the base engine—a 2.4-liter four-cylinder—paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and rated for 190 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. FWD came standard, but it should be easy to find a used model equipped with AWD. Higher trim levels were available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated for 264 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. The EPA rated the base engine for 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway when powering a Santa Fe Sport equipped with AWD.
2010 Nissan Murano SL AWD
The Nissan Murano’s best attribute is its surprisingly upscale interior, and its comfortable ride is a close second. The Murano is one of the larger models on this list, but it still seats only five passengers across two rows, so it’s more spacious inside than most of its competitors. Standard features include keyless entry, push-button start, and reclining rear seats, and the SL trim we found in the CarGurus used car listings adds a power-adjustable driver’s seat and a leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls.
Every 2010 Murano comes powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, which is rated for 265 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque and paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). FWD is standard, but AWD is available. EPA fuel-economy ratings are 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway regardless of drivetrain.
2013 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited
The third-generation Subaru Forester (2009 to 2013 model years) is deceptively roomy inside. From the outside, it would appear that this is your average crossover-type vehicle, competitive with cars like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Open the liftgate, though, and you’ll find that the Forester offers an apartment-sized cargo area and tons of headroom for even the tallest passengers.
Also, unlike most of its competitors, the Forester isn’t going to make you weed out the bottom-feeder FWD examples, many of which are built to service rental fleets and allow auto manufacturers to advertise artificially low entry-level prices. All Subaru Forester SUVs are AWD, and all of them from this generation have essentially the same engine, at least in the United States, where we only got the gas-powered 2.5-liter, either in naturally aspirated or turbocharged form on the XT trim levels. In terms of value, your best best in this price range is the 2.5i Limited trim level.
As if the practicality of space and AWD weren’t enough, the Forester also has an enthusiast aftermarket going for it. You can build a pretty mean overlanding buggy with a third-generation Forester for not a lot of dough.
2010 Toyota Highlander V6 4WD
The Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV that offers five- and seven-passenger configurations, so it’s a great choice for most families as a minivan alternative. Standard features include cloth upholstery and an adjustable steering wheel; upper-level trims offer up features like a power sunroof, heated side mirrors, heated front seats, keyless entry, and push-button start. The Highlander is comfortable and practical, with plenty of space inside.
Though the 2010 Highlander’s base configuration has a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and FWD, rated for 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, there are better options to be had for a great price. Consider seeking out the available 3.5-liter V6 and AWD configuration, good for 270 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. However, several combinations of engine and drive type are available. A six-speed automatic transmission comes with the four-cylinder, and a five-speed automatic comes with the V6.
The base combination has EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, though V6 and AWD numbers drop to 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. An AWD Highlander Hybrid was also available for 2010, with an EPA-rated 26 mpg combined, but it might exceed a $10,000 budget.
2013 Toyota RAV4 Limited
The Toyota RAV4 was redesigned for the 2013 model year, so it’s a great choice if you need an affordable compact SUV with seating for five but still want some fairly modern features and amenities.
This generation featured a 6.1-inch touchscreen, a backup camera, Bluetooth, and a steering wheel with integrated audio controls. Our research found a Limited model for sale within our price range, with upgrades such as a power liftgate, heated front seats, and premium upholstery with leather interior trim. However, some modern features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and adaptive cruise control, are still MIA.
The 2013 RAV4 gets just one powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated for 176 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. FWD is standard and AWD is available. With AWD, EPA fuel economy ratings come in at 22 mpg city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined.
