Best Used Compact SUV
The Best Used Compact SUV Available
You can have it all with the best used compact SUV. No longer do you need to choose between interior space and gas mileage. Today’s compact SUVs provide great room for the whole family while offering miles per gallon reminiscent of small cars. They are fairly affordable new, and even more so when purchased as used vehicles. There are quite a few stylish and reliable models from which to choose.
The Rundown
While some consumers are still leery of purchasing domestic vehicles due to reliability and quality concerns, many late models are award winning for safety and quality. The following used compact SUV list of the best domestic and import models may help you with your decision.

Chevrolet Equinox — The Equinox is certainly no dragster, even with the optional 6 cylinder engine. With one of the best fuel economies, however, this pokey tendency becomes a bit more tolerable. The SUV gets a respectable 22 mpg city and a phenomenal 32 mpg on the highway. There is no optional third row of seating, but the base price of just under $23,000 for a new model makes the used Equinox a tempting buy.
Ford Escape — This vehicle is probably not the best used compact SUV out there, but it has some attractive features. Everybody loves the SYNC technology. 2011 models come with MyKey and active park assist, which enables the vehicle to help you to parallel park. New car pricing starts at just over $21,000, which translates into an even more affordable used price.

Honda CR-V — The Honda is beloved for a few good reasons. It boasts a roomy trunk, spacious interior space, great gas mileage (21/28), and an attractive exterior. With a new price of around $21,000, it sounds like a great used buy as well. Kelly Blue Book does rate the vehicle with a higher resale value than many other models, however.

Toyota RAV4 — The RAV4 is a favorite in many vehicle rankings. There is good reason, as this SUV offers loads of benefits. The optional 3rd row is not adult-friendly, but a great fit for children, seating 7 total. The available V6 engine provides plenty of power for those who need it. It accomplishes this with an EPA estimated fuel economy of 22 city/28 highway and a new price tag starting at around $22,000.
The Best Used Compact SUV
The winner in this line-up as the best used compact SUV is clearly the Toyota RAV4. The family friendly, yet fuel sipping design is clearly a slam-dunk for this manufacturer, making it possibly the best used Toyota available. Used models with low mileage can easily be had for under $20,000. Leg room is a roomy 41 inches, while head room is 40 inches. This compact vehicle easily fits tall drivers as well. Cargo volume is substantial at 73 cubic feet behind the front seats, 37 feet behind the 2nd row, and 12 feet behind the optional 3rd row. This model is definitely the best used compact SUV on the market today.
There are three factors which every new and used car purchaser should keep in mind. These aspects are cost, reliability, and suitability. If you keep these factors in the forefront of your mind while shopping, you should have no problem finding the best used compact SUV for your family.
Best Used Compact SUV – Toyota RAV4 Review Video
Image Source 1 By IFCAR (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Image Source 2 By Bull-Doser (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Image Source 3 By IFCAR (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Image Source 4 By IFCAR (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
My podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download