10 Best Used Compact SUVs Under $20,000

What’s not to love about a good compact SUV? Just the right amount of space for people and things without being bulky or hard to park, plenty of capability and utility without being grossly inefficient, and still relatively affordable. A good used compact SUV is a win-win-win.

Here are 10 of the best used compact SUVs you’ll find for less than $20,000.

1. 2019 Honda CR-V

10 Best Used Compact SUVs Under $20,000 - Kelley Blue Book (1)

The 2019 Honda CR-V was KBB’s highest-rated compact SUV when new, eclipsing even the RAV4 that’s second on our list — no small accomplishment, and one that’s based on its flexible, functional cabin, ease of driving, peppy engine options, and standard safety features. Shopping tip: Look for LX and EX models on our budget, with features like LED headlights, smartphone integration, and optional all-wheel drive (AWD).

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2. 2018 Toyota RAV4

10 Best Used Compact SUVs Under $20,000 - Kelley Blue Book (2)

For those who like the CR-V but prefer Toyota, the 2018 RAV4 is a very close second to the Honda, thanks to its standard Toyota Safety Sense-P suite on all models, Toyota reliability and ease of use, and the availability of a hybrid rated at 32 mpg combined. If you opt for the hybrid, you’ll get AWD by default.

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3. 2021 Mazda CX-5

10 Best Used Compact SUVs Under $20,000 - Kelley Blue Book (3)

Whether you’re a “Zoom-Zoom”-era Mazda fan or one who believes “Driving Matters,” you’ll appreciate the 2021 Mazda CX-5‘s incorporation of the brand’s fun-to-drive ethos into an eminently practical, stylish, and comfortable compact SUV. Look for Touring or perhaps even Grand Touring models on our budget.

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4. 2019 Subaru Forester

10 Best Used Compact SUVs Under $20,000 - Kelley Blue Book (4)

The 2019 Subaru Forester gets AWD on all trims. Our budget should afford up to the Limited trim, with features like leather upholstery, LED steering-responsive lights, a power rear liftgate, heated seats, and more.

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5. 2021 Chevrolet Equinox

10 Best Used Compact SUVs Under $20,000 - Kelley Blue Book (5)

If you’re a fan of American hardware, the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is a solid choice, with a roomy 5-passenger cabin and comfortable seats, including a reclining second-row bench. Ample standard safety and tech features mean even base models are a good value, but our budget should afford the nicely specified LS or LT models.

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6. 2020 GMC Terrain

10 Best Used Compact SUVs Under $20,000 - Kelley Blue Book (6)

Closely related to the Equinox, the 2020 GMC Terrain is a year older but slightly classier in design and equipment. Solid ride quality, available AWD on the SLE model that best fits our budget, and standard smartphone integration give the Terrain plenty of appeal to go with its rugged suburban style.

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7. 2020 Hyundai Tucson

10 Best Used Compact SUVs Under $20,000 - Kelley Blue Book (7)

The 2020 Hyundai Tucson might not have the name recognition or the long histories of the CR-V and RAV4, but it’s closing in on those stalwarts, narrowing the gap every year. The 2020 Tucson’s blend of an excellent warranty, handsome styling, and lots of standard features make it a solid value.

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8. 2019 Nissan Rogue

10 Best Used Compact SUVs Under $20,000 - Kelley Blue Book (8)

The 2019 Nissan Rogue is also available as a hybrid, is roomier than the CX-5, and is more efficient than an equivalent Ford Escape. For our money, the SL trim is available in hybrid and conventional form, with Bose audio, ProPilot Assist driver aids, leather details,and more.

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9. 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan

10 Best Used Compact SUVs Under $20,000 - Kelley Blue Book (9)

If you need to squeeze occasional 3-row use into a compact SUV format, the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan is a solid choice. Nearly sizing up into midsize territory, the Tiguan is spacious and comfortable, and it’s available in 2.0T SE or SEL trims on our budget, with or without 4Motion AWD.

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10. 2020 Ford Escape

10 Best Used Compact SUVs Under $20,000 - Kelley Blue Book (10)

Sleeker and sportier than just about anything on this list except the Mazda CX-5, the 2020 Ford Escape is also available on our budget in top-spec Titanium trim, or as a hybrid, or both. The hybrid gets standard AWD and 41 mpg combined, making it a great choice for commuters. However, even the non-hybrid is efficient at up to 30 mpg combined, or 28 mpg with AWD.

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10 Best Used Compact SUVs Under $20,000

2019 Honda CR-V
2018 Toyota RAV4
2021 Mazda CX-5
2019 Subaru Forester
2021 Chevrolet Equinox
2020 GMC Terrain
2020 Hyundai Tucson
2019 Nissan Rogue
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
2020 Ford Escape

10 Best Used Compact SUVs Under $20,000 - Kelley Blue Book (2024)