With the blossoming popularity of crossovers and SUVs, the used-car market is full of excellent, small options. If you’re in the market for a used small SUV, we recommend stretching your search back to the 2017 or 2018 model year, as that is when many small SUVs began to take hold in the market. While a used SUV doesn’t offer a new-car warranty, later-model options may be available with certified pre-owned (CPO) warranties, and some may have few enough miles that their original warranties may be valid.
Whether we’re talking about an Acura, and Audi, a GMC, or a Volvo, new SUVs are better than ever, but they’re also more expensive than ever. The following are our choices for the best used small SUVs on the market today. We’ve included vehicles in a variety of sizes and price ranges to fit nearly any need and budget.
The Best Used Small SUVs in 2024
- 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. Else, the CR-V is a comfortable, practical, and reliable SUV. The CR-V’s 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space makes it the class leader, and it's 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 is particularly quick, but both yield strong fuel economy estimates. The CR-V comes standard with a 5-inch infotainment touchscreen and is available with a 7-inch touchscreen that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The CR-V is also available with a host of terrific driver-assistance features as a 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, Honda’s smallest crossover SUV is surprisingly big on space, providing 58.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. With the rear seats up, the HR-V has two rows of seating with plenty of headroom and legroom. The HR-V also has a trick up its sleeve in the form of the Honda Magic Seat, which provides multiple cargo/passenger configurations. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto weren’t available when this generation of HR-V launched, but they were finally added for 2019.
The HR-V’s 141-hp engine won’t blow your hair back, but it does return highway fuel economy that’s on par with the 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 is not particularly sporty, but it puts on-road comfort above all other concerns. Higher trim levels of the HR-V have a somewhat frustrating infotainment system. As a result, you may want to stick with the base trim, with its simple controls.
2019 Jeep Renegade
Best for: Those who actually care about off-roading
The Jeep Renegade doesn’t look like many other subcompact SUV models, and it can do some things that other small SUVs can’t.
The Renegade’s tall, boxy layout provides solid driver visibility and a commanding view of the road. At 50.8 cubic feet, other small SUVs provide better cargo space. But the Renegade's squared-off rear hatch opening means you can 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 it’s an optional feature, so check the 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 has its strong points, but also some weaknesses. The Renegades’ nine-speed automatic transmission also hunts for gears at times.
If you are looking to get off the beaten path, check out the Renegade Trailhawk. It’s a higher-priced trim level but comes equipped with skid plates, an upgraded four-wheel-drive system, and increased ride height.
2017 Kia Sportage
Best for: Those who want to stand out in the parking lot
The 2017 Kia Sportage has styling that’s cutting-edge, even today. The Sportage won’t blow you away with regard to fuel economy or cargo area, but it does 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 provides strong acceleration.
The Sportage has a handsome cabin with a sensible layout, capped by a standard 5-inch touchscreen. Some models are available with a larger touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Sportage has 60.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which is about average for the class. The second-row seats are 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 Mazda CX-3. It has surprisingly taut, responsive handling that will rival some sporty hatchbacks, particularly starting with the 2018 model year, when Mazda incorporated its G-Vectoring Control technology into the CX-3. Its 146-hp engine provides decent acceleration and impressive fuel economy. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) version returns 29 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. The AWD model is nearly as fuel-efficient, returning 27 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined.
The CX-3 has a cabin that punches well above its weight. The upscale, simplistic layout of the dash feels more like that of a sports car. The CX-3 comes standard with a partial-touchscreen infotainment system. When the car is parked, it is touch-operated. When in motion, it is 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 Mazda CX-5 trades 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 will still look fresh and sophisticated today (and likely for many years to come). The design is clean and contemporary, though the large C/D-pillars hamper rear/side driver visibility.
The CX-5 is tight on cargo space, but more than makes up for it with its cabin quality. The seats are comfortable, and fit-and-finish is top-notch. The MazdaConnect infotainment system includes a rotary dial in the center console, emulating those of luxury brands. The CX-5 has stout acceleration, combined with handling abilities you’d sooner find in a luxury SUV. For 2020, Mazda also made its suite of advanced driver assistance 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 Nissan Rogue. It’s one of the only compact SUVs that is available with a third row. If you only need two rows, the Rogue’s 70 cubic feet of cargo space is one of the best in the class. The third row is tight, but useful in a pinch, while the first and second rows provide plenty of head- and legroom.
The layout of the controls in the Rogue is intuitive, with radio and climate dials where you expect. There’s 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 some safety tech, including adaptive cruise control and emergency braking.
2017 Subaru Forester
Best for: Buyers who prioritize space and simplicity
The Subaru Forester is all about practicality. It comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), an off-road-capable 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and has an outstanding 74.7 cubic feet or cargo space. The Forester’s function-first design provides plenty of headroom and legroom in both rows of seating. The dash design isn’t particularly modern, but provides 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. The Forester comes standard with a touchscreen infotainment system and is available with driver-assistance features such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, automatic reverse braking, and blind-spot monitoring.
2017 Toyota RAV4
Best for: Anyone looking for a good all-rounder
The RAV4 has an impressive 73.4 cubic feet of cargo space and one of the most spacious rear seats of any compact SUV. You can even get a motion-activated power liftgate on the range-topping Platinum model. This makes it an ideal ride-sharing car, as well as a great option for four adults on a road trip. It's also a dependability rock star, one of the best used SUVs on the market.
The RAV4 comes standard with a 176-hp four-cylinder engine. It makes for a good combination of acceleration and fuel economy. The 2017 model year was the first year Toyota included Safety Sense as standard equipment. This comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features includes forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beam headlights. If modern safety features are a priority, check out any 2017-or-newer RAV4.
Other small SUVs in this price range to check out include the Jeep Cherokee, Ford Escape, and Hyundai Tucson, but avoid the Chevrolet SUVs for poor quality. These include the Chevy Equinox and Chevy Trax.
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
Best for: Those who want a practical small SUV with a bit of European flair
The Volkswagen Tiguan has a few things going for it. For one, it’s 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 ten years as it does today. It also offers a good turbocharged four-cylinder engine, available 4Motion AWD, and a comfortable ride.
But what makes the Tiguan special is its available third row of seats, something that is virtually unmatched in the compact SUV segment—typically, shoppers have to move up to a midsize SUV or a minivan to get that. Additionally, Volkswagen shortened its warranty term for the 2020 model year, so if you buy a 2019, you can still benefit from the impressive six-year, 72,000-mile warranty, ranking as one of the best in the industry.