Top 10 Best Used SUVs Under $20,000 For 2025
Is it even possible to find quality used SUVs under $20K anymore, especially in Long Island? When you shop at Used Car Superstores near NYC, the answer is "Yes." We carry hundreds of pre-owned and certified pre-owned vehicles, with crossover, off-road, hybrid, and electric SUV models making up more than half of our stock.
If you're a driver in the Tri-State area, scroll down for our list of the most dependable and inexpensive used SUVs to buy in 2025, like a 2017 Kia Niro that gets an EPA-estimated 50 MPG (Combined)1 or an all-electric Hyundai KONA for less than $20,000. See a model or two you like? Test-drive your favorites at one of our Long Island stores!
Best Used SUVs of 2025
- Most Affordable SUV: Kia Sportage
- Most Fuel-Efficient SUV: Kia Niro
- Best Compact SUV: Subaru Forester
- Best Midsize SUV: Toyota Highlander or Highlander Hybrid
- Best Full-Size SUV: Honda Pilot
- Best Crossover SUV: Mazda CX-5 or Honda CR-V
- Best Off-Road SUV: Toyota 4Runner
- Best Hybrid SUV: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
- Best Electric SUV: Hyundai KONA Electric
- Best 7-Seater SUV: Kia Telluride
Why Used SUVs Under $20K Are Smart Investments
Sport Utility Vehicles are beloved for their compelling blend of space and performance, none of which you'll lose when shopping for used SUVs under $20K – or even used options under $15K! Regardless of its price tag, a well-built SUV can offer the same cabin comforts and engine power as a new one.
Say you've got your eye on a Kia but can't decide which model to take home: Within minutes of visiting one of our nearby Used Car Superstores, we can steer you toward the best used Kia SUV under $20K with the technology you want most.
Looking for Best Used SUV Under $20,000 in Long Island?
Other dealerships market themselves as pre-owned retailers, but our dual locations in Long Island are fully focused on affordable used SUVs. We specialize in used vehicles under $25K, though many are priced below $20,000. Many of our sport-utes are certified pre-owned, meaning they've passed rigorous multipoint inspections; the majority have been driven fewer than 100,000 miles.
Reliable Used SUVs Under $20K
The Top 10 list at the top of this page reflects expert picks for the most reliable used SUVs under $20K, but that doesn't mean other brands can't perform just as well or better. A pre-owned Chevrolet Trax is an excellent commuter car, while a used Buick Encore is a popular choice for families.
Although the Nissan Rogue didn't make our Top 10 list (it was edged out for Most Affordable SUV by the Kia Sportage), models produced in or after 2021 are solid choices for individuals or families who need a reliable used compact SUV under $20K. If you frequently transport teens and prefer a slightly larger vehicle that gives everyone more legroom, a used midsize SUV under $20K, like a Hyundai Santa Fe or Subaru Outback, might fit the bill.
CPO SUVs Under $20K
Certified pre-owned vehicles are the crème de la crème of used cars. These models undergo thorough inspections, often have high reliability ratings, usually come with manufacturer-backed warranties, and tend to have fewer accidents and miles under their belts. Whether you're scouring online ads for the perfect compact, midsize, or used full-size SUV under $20K, our retailers near NYC offer top options.
A gently used Mazda CX-5 is well-suited for weekday errands, a pre-owned Honda Pilot offers three rows of cabin comfort, and many of our used Kia vehicles for sale come with such high-end technology – you'll feel like you're driving a luxury model.
How To Identify the Best Used SUVs Under $20K
We wish that a simple Top 10 list could guarantee you a quality car, but numerous factors can affect a vehicle's dependability and lifespan. Anytime you're browsing a used SUV's specs, whether at our Used Car Superstores locations in Long Island or at another dealer, pay attention to the automotive markers below. Even if you've narrowed your choices to a reputable automaker and an award-winning variant, these key characteristics can help you avoid overpriced lemons and put you behind the wheel of a long-lasting automobile. You could even screenshot this list so you'll always know what to look for:
- Model years with a high reliability rating from trusted sources like KBB® and Consumer Reports
- Odometers with fewer than 100,000 miles
- One-owner vehicles with impeccable maintenance records, including oil changes at all recommended intervals
- Vehicles that hold high resale values and are less expensive to repair, according to experts like RepairPal.com
- CARFAX® Vehicle History Reports™ showing two or fewer minor accidents
- Safety systems like Electronic Stability Control, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, and a Blind Spot Monitor
This list is extremely helpful when searching for used SUVs under $20K, but we also want to be completely transparent: Following our guidelines doesn't guarantee a lifetime of dependable performance. For example, past owners may have skipped maintenance appointments or used aftermarket parts for repairs. Before you buy even the most reliable used cars, ask a certified mechanic to thoroughly inspect it.
Choose Used Car Superstores for Used SUVs Under $20K
We proudly stock hundreds of used SUVs under $20K at our stores near NYC. Our Nassau County store is just an hour and fifteen minutes from midtown Manhattan and the perfect excuse for a weekend trip to your favorite Long Island beach! Want to start your research now? Click over to customer-favorite pages like our Kia vs. Hyundai review.
Last but possibly best, our Long Island stores are always looking to expand our used vehicle inventory, so if you need a quick and easy way to sell your car in NY, Used Car Superstores is your answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the cheapest used SUVs to buy in 2025?
The most affordable used SUVs are those that hold their resale value well and continue to perform at high levels long after they're driven off the lot. In 2025, some of the cheapest SUVs include the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, and Subaru Forester. You can find even better deals on these and other SUVs with our Used Car Superstores specials – just as us how!
What is the most reliable used SUV?
The most reliable used SUVs tend to be manufactured by Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru, but specific model years of other Kia, Nissan, and Hyundai variants have also proven themselves to be dependable sport-utes, especially given their powertrain updates in the past five or six years. Visit Used Car Superstores, and we'll point you toward our most reliable SUV options.
What are the best small SUVs to buy used?
The best small, or compact, used SUVs in any dealership's selection tend to be a Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, or Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. However, nameplates alone aren't enough to ensure reliable performance. Factors such as a vehicle's mileage, accident and maintenance history, and reliability ratings should be examined before making any pre-owned car purchase.
1Based on EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and your vehicle's condition. See www.fueleconomy.gov.