What is the best used SUV under $5000?
Although $5000 doesn’t sound like much for a vehicle, it can get you a reliable used SUV that meets all your needs - if you know where to look.
From full-size SUVs that can easily tow a boat to compact grocery getters, there are tons of SUVs available for under $5000 – but only a few of them have stood the test of time. Even fewer have the type of reliability someone expects out of a daily driver.
So if you’re wondering what the best SUV for under $5000 is, read on. We’re going to cover the best SUVs for under $5000 in a variety of sizes and classes so that every buyer can find the best SUV to fit their needs and then some.
2002 Toyota Sequoia
Average list price: $4994
SUV Class: Full Size
Seating Capacity: 9
MPG: 13 City / 18 Hwy
The 2002 Toyota Sequoia is legendary for a number of reasons. It has a positively cavernous interior that easily seats 9 adults, a powerful V-8 engine, and a refinement that is steps above other vehicles in this class. What the Sequoia is really known for is its legendary reliability, with some models easily surpassing 300,000 miles with ease. For a used car shopper looking for one of the best SUVs for the dollar, you won’t get much better than a Sequoia, and with some searching you can find one for less than $5,000 with ease. These will generally come with higher miles, as they hold their value remarkably well but don’t worry about that. Once you have the vehicle checked out by a mechanic, you can feel confident that these big Toyotas just won’t quit.
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2002 Honda CR-V
Average list price: $3980
SUV Class: Compact
Seating Capacity: 5
MPG: 23 City / 28 Hwy
The CR-V was one of the very first compact SUVs on sale in the United States. Its combination of fuel-efficient engines, remarkably large interior and legendary reliability make the CR-V an easy choice for someone looking for a daily driver. The 2002 model is especially notable for its reliability and its roomy interior packaging that puts SUVs that are twice as large to shame. Notable features include a flat front floor and floating console, a handbrake that’s integrated into the dash, and a picnic table that folds out of the swinging back hatch. Yes, that’s right, a picnic table. It’s these little things that make the CR-V so awesome and why people buy hundreds of thousands of them on a yearly basis. You can easily find these for under $5k with relatively low miles and in good shape.
2006 Honda Element
Average list price: $4990
SUV Class: Compact
Seating Capacity: 4
MPG: 22 City / 26 Hwy
If you’re looking for something completely non-traditional, then the Honda Element may be for you. What you have here is a 4 seater SUV with clamshell-style doors and a waterproof, washout interior that’s perfect for people who regularly travel off the beaten path. Optional all-wheel drive is thrown in for days that have uncooperative weather. The interior of the element is massive while the outside remains completely manageable. Other standout features include a skylight for the rear passengers, color-coded dash panels, and a fold-down tailgate. All of this in a compact SUV that gets up to 26 MPG on the highway. Seriously, there really isn’t a handier or more reliable SUV that looks small and acts big. Count on these being desirable in the future as collector items.
THE BEST SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
2002 Lexus RX300
Average list price: $3701
SUV Class: Midsize Luxury
Seating Capacity: 5
MPG: 19 City / 23 Hwy
The RX300 was one of the originators of the luxury SUV movement that manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz capitalize on today. It was based on the bones of a Toyota Camry but took on the utility of an SUV while still representing the quality that Lexus has become famous for. Inside, there’s plenty of room for 5 people and all of their stuff but you and your passengers get to ride in the type of interior that would make a modern car jealous. Upgraded stereos, heated seats, and posh leather all made the RX feel special and worth its initial high price, while a standard V-6 provides ample power. 18 years later, plenty of RX300s are still daily drivers, which is a testament to the quality and engineering prowess of Lexus. You can pick one of these up, often from the original owner, for a shade less than $5000. Worth every penny if you ask us!
2004 Acura MDX
Average list price: $3995
SUV Class: Large Luxury
Seating Capacity: 7
MPG: 17 City / 23 Hwy
For buyers looking for something that is a bit larger than a standard SUV and provides sporty driving dynamics, the MDX is a great choice. These 7 passenger SUVs came with a powerful, 265 HP V-6 that is capable of towing 4500 pounds and provides an engaging drive. Furthermore, the MDX was also exceedingly reliable, pulled great crash test scores, and came with some seriously luxurious interior features. This vehicle is not quite as capable as a Sequoia but can do most family SUV duties with ease. For those looking at 3-row crossover from a company that basically invented the segment - look no further than the MDX.
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