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Identifying the First-Gen Ford Mustang
While brand new SUVs are climbing well past the $50,000 mark we’ve found five used SUVs that are nearly as good for under $10,000.
It’s Good to Be Practical
SUVs are all the rage today. They’re so prolific that it’s nearly impossible to go from point A to point B without seeing at least one if not dozens. That’s because they offer so many benefits over the conventional sedan or minivan. They’re spacious but not ponderous. They’re attractive while also being practical. In addition, they provide drivers with a higher seating position which tends to feel safer and allows for better overall visibility. Still, new models can be prohibitively expensive with many reaching well beyond $50,000. Good used models can be had for just a fraction of that cost though and they’ll offer much of the same practical benefits and some of the technological ones too. Let’s take a look at the top five used SUVs under $10,000 on sale today.
Subaru Forester
Long-held as one of the most versatile SUVs on the planet, the Subaru Forester offers an outstanding balance of performance and practicality. To start off, every single model features all-wheel-drive standard. That single facet should get the attention of anyone who deals with a snowy climate from time to time because Subaru has proven that its cars can get a grip in any weather conditions. Interior materials are above average and that same detail-oriented build quality is found throughout the rest of the SUV. The base 2.5-liter flat-four is mated to an admittedly outdated 4-speed automatic but overall the driving experience is fantastic aside from straight-line power. The Forester is well known for being comfortable and compliant even when the roads get rough. For those that need a bit more power in their lives, a turbocharged version of the same 2.5-liter engine is available, though on this budget, expect it to have a few more miles than its naturally aspirated sibling. Also, every Forester comes with a Bluetooth audio connection and an updated infotainment system as of 2013 so despite its age, buyers won’t be missing much in the way of technology.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevy Equinox might be the dark horse of this competition because its subtle styling does very little to advertise how nice of a ride it really is inside. Of course, that styling does indicate a level of luxury that’s beautifully complemented inside the cabin with soft-touch materials everywhere, numerous controls on the steering wheel, and the excellent MyLink infotainment system. On the road, very few SUVs in this price range are going to be as quiet or as comfortable as the Equinox. Chevrolet designed this SUV to be optimized for longer drives and it shows. Even base models have a reclining rear seat, voice controls, Bluetooth, a wifi hotspot, and integration with apps like Pandora. Find a higher trim level and you’ll get features like full leather upholstery, an upgraded sound system, remote start, heated front seats, and more. No, the Equinox won’t shock and amaze with daring styling, unreasonable amounts of horsepower, or exceptional fuel economy, but nobody will care about those things as they’re relaxing in one of the most comfortable SUVs on the road.
Kia Sorento
Over the last decade or so Kia has completely changed the way the public regards them and that’s been heavily influenced by the high-quality ownership experience had by buyers of the Sorento. In fact, it’s one of the very few SUVs available that can be had as either a five or seven-seater. That flexibility is great but the Sorento has so many more tricks up its sleeve. It’s available with full-time all-wheel-drive. It also comes with excellent standard features on the base model like LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, three different drive mode settings, and stain-resistant cloth upholstery. Depending on the mileage a buyer might want to target there are three different engine choices to fulfill different needs. There are also optional extras like leather seats, power lumbar adjustments, larger wheels, a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. What’s more, the Sorento is a good driver with a sophisticated and well-behaved chassis that rewards the pilot and occupants. Finally, consider the outstanding warranty that Kia provides. 10 years of powertrain coverage is no joke, and that backing has led to many used Kia’s being sold in outstanding condition.
Honda Pilot
To get into a Honda Pilot under budget it’s likely that buyers will have to buy a 2013 model or older but that’s not a problem for us because it’s such a reliable vehicle. In fact, of all the SUVs here, the Pilot is the one that we most often see with 200,000 miles or more on the clock. Available with front-wheel or all-wheel-drive, the Pilot is also one of the safest used SUVs on the road will full side curtain airbags and a four-star crash test rating from the NHTSA. Perhaps one of the biggest draws of the pilot is the fact that it’s simply so spacious inside. Honda was aiming for minivan levels of storage and they achieved what is ultimately a better looking and better-driving package. The other draw is the tried and true 3.5-liter V6 under the hood which is also one of the most fuel-efficient options in this comparison. When it comes to outright reliability it’s hard to beat Honda. When equipped with all-wheel-drive it has a towing capacity of 4,500 pounds which is more than enough for the weekend warrior with a few toys to haul around. Finally, the Pilot is a comfortable place to be.
Ford Flex
We were sad to see the Flex go when Ford axed it in 2019. It’s clearly one of the funkiest vehicles available under this budget but it’s also one of the more er… flexible ones. Like many of the options above, it’s available with front or all-wheel-drive but it features some interesting facets none of the others do. First, in terms of outright handling, there’s nothing here that can keep up with its nearly car-like balance and traction. That’s due to the fact that it sits on a modified version of the Taurus platform which we think is a big benefit. In addition, its 3.5-liter V6 is well known for its long-term reliability and smooth operation. The all-wheel-drive variant is very capable in conditions where it’s needed and of all the vehicles here, none offer the same level of second and third-row comfort as the Flex. Ford actually designed the Flex to give passengers the same feeling that they’d experience flying in business class. To that end, many Flexes have individual moon roofs above the second-row passengers and a single large moon roof over the third row. None of the seats in the Flex are particularly cramped either. Even tall individuals can fit in the third row for shorter trips without issues. Finally, there are tons of ways to configure the interior from full-on seven-seater to a single-seater with what feels like enough cargo room to carry a small bison.
