What Are the Best Used SUVs for $10,000?
What Car Shoppers Need to Know
- Due to the uncertain economy, many shoppers are turning to the used-car market for their next vehicle.
- You can get a safe, reliable SUV for around $10,000.
- We scoured Cars.com listings and found a decent list of used SUVs that have earned a safety award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
With an uncertain economy, many shoppers are turning to the used-car market for their next vehicle. Can you get a used SUV for around $10,000? Yes, and you can get a safe, reliable one, too.
Related: What Are the Best Used Cars for $10,000?
Cars.com scoured its current vehicle listings and found a short list of good SUVs with median list prices ranging from $9,000 to $12,000 as of March 2026. That means half the listed prices for that vehicle are above the median and half are below, so you should be able to get one for around $10,000.
Beyond price, we had a couple of other parameters for this list: We avoided any cars older than the 2014 model year, as such examples are likely to have higher mileage, worse crashworthiness and more age-related mechanical problems. Within those boundaries, we chose SUVs that have been found to be safe and reliable: Each vehicle must have above average reliability scores from J.D. Power and have earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award for their respective model years.
Best Used SUVs for $10,000
| SUV | Average Price | Average Mileage | EPA-Rated Combined Fuel Economy | IIHS Safety Rating | Shop for One Here |
| 2016 Chevrolet Equinox | About $10,000 | 96,677 miles | 18-26 mpg | Top Safety Pick | Shop |
| 2014 Mazda CX-5 | About $11,000 | 123,816 miles | 26-29 mpg | Top Safety Pick+ | Shop |
| 2014-15 Subaru Outback | About $10,000
|
126,935 miles (2014) /125,281 miles (2015) | 20-28 mpg
|
Top Safety Pick+ | Shop |
2016 Chevrolet Equinox
The five-seat Equinox compact SUV got refreshed exterior styling for 2016 along with more features that included a newly standard backup camera. Available safety features include a blind spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning and lane departure warning.
The base L trim level is only available with front-wheel drive, but LS, LT and LTZ trims all can have all-wheel drive. The 2016 Equinox gets power from a standard four-cylinder engine or an available V-6; both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Equinox stands out for its spacious cabin and cargo area.
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2014 Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 was an all-new compact SUV for the 2013 model year. The debut model was woefully underpowered, but the 2014 CX-5 addressed this major criticism with the option of a more powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder (the CX-5 otherwise had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder); it made a big difference without sacrificing fuel economy. Beyond that, the CX-5 was stylish and a little smaller than some other compact SUVs of its day, with an adequate rear seat and cargo area in its well-appointed interior. As with other Mazdas, the CX-5 distinguished itself with better handling — and a firmer ride — than most of the competition, and it has a multimedia system that trailed many rivals for overall usability.
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2014-15 Subaru Outback
Our recommendation spans two generations of the Outback mid-size SUV. The 2014 Outback wore a more wagonlike shape and used a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission or continuously variable transmission, or a 3.6-liter six-cylinder with a five-speed automatic; AWD was standard on both. A 2015 redesign brought some big changes, including more SUV-like styling, a standard backup camera and the loss of some transmission choices; all versions converted to a CVT for 2015. Buyers should look for cars with the optional camera-based EyeSight safety system that bundles adaptive cruise control, automated pre-collision braking and lane departure warning systems.
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Shop the 2015 Subaru Outback near you
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