12 Best Used SUVs Under $15K That Are Totally Worth Buying

Anyone looking to build wealth should consider purchasing a used SUV. These incredibly popular vehicles can serve a variety of lifestyles and budgets, whether someone is looking for a reliable ride that will last them through their retirement or a student subsisting on instant noodles.

Based on average prices from CarGurus and owner and professional reviews from Edmonds, these are 12 used SUVs worth considering for consumers on a tight budget.

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Average Sale Price: $12,050

One 2015 Honda Pilot owner praised the vehicle's amazing performance, noting that it had 193,000 miles on it and still drove like a dream. While a different owner claimed it was the best overall vehicle they had ever had, with particular praise for its spacious cargo room.

RepairPal ranked the 2015 Honda Pilot as having above-average reliability for a midsize SUV, while also having lower-than-average annual repair and maintenance costs.

Average Sale Price: $14,490

Owners have praised their 2015 Toyota RAV4s for being super reliable and getting them where they needed to go, no matter what, for the long haul. They also lauded this SUV for its incredible versatility.

RepairPal raved that the 2015 Toyota RAV4 has excellent reliability for a compact SUV. According to them, its annual maintenance costs are nearly $100 cheaper than the segment average.

Average Sale Price: $13,658

One 2016 Mazda CX-5 owner stated that they're 80 years old, retired, and this vehicle has served them beautifully. They compared this compact SUV to sportier cars they had when they were younger, while offering good fuel economy and reliability for long road trips.

According to RepairPal, the 2016 Mazda CX-5 is exceptionally reliable for a midsize SUV; it breaks down less frequently while having less severe problems, and has cheaper-than-average repair costs for its segment.

Average Sale Price: $14,440

Some 2018 Ford Edge owners praised this SUV for being sporty, comfortable, and practical. One owner happily reported that their vehicle has never needed a repair.

Edmond's professional reviewer lauded this midsize crossover SUV for having superior ride quality compared to other vehicles in its segment, being spacious enough for families, and for its combination of fuel efficiency and performance.

Average Sale Price: $13,850

One 2015 Toyota Venza owner raved that this vehicle was superior to any other popular SUV or crossover they had ever driven due to its combination of comfort, luxury, and safety. Another owner praised its incomparable overall quality, from its quiet ride to its flawless engine and drivetrain performance.

A whopping 66% of 2015 Toyota Venza owners gave this SUV a perfect five-star review on Edmonds. RepairPal also ranked it as having excellent reliability for a midsize SUV, requiring significantly fewer repairs than the average vehicle in its class.

Average Sale Price: $14,385

Numerous 2016 Mazda CX-9 owners praised this SUV's top-notch manufacturing quality and reliability, as well as its comfortable driving experience, and stylish interior and exterior.

According to RepairPal, the 2016 Mazda CX-9 offers better reliability than the average full-size SUV. Its average maintenance costs are more than $130 cheaper per year, and it encounters fewer severe unscheduled repairs than the typical full-size SUV.

Average Sale Price: $12,657

According to RepairPal, the 2013 Toyota Highlander has excellent reliability for a midsize SUV. The frequency and severity of its unscheduled repairs and maintenance, as well as its average yearly costs in these areas, are cheaper and less frequent than the typical midsize SUV.

More than 50% of 2013 Toyota Highlander owners gave this SUV a perfect five-star review on Edmonds.

Average Sale Price: $14,168

Various 2015 Honda CR-V owner reviews praised this SUV's dependability, extreme reliability after hundreds of thousands of miles, and easy maintenance. Some were even surprised by its versatility, while noting that its fuel economy stayed consistent even after 80,000 miles.

RepairPal also ranked the 2015 Honda CR-V as being vastly more reliable than the typical compact SUV. They noted that its annual repair and maintenance costs, as well as the severity and frequency of its required unscheduled repairs, were all far less than average for the compact SUV segment.

Average Sale Price: $14,769

Hundreds of 2017 Subaru Outback owners reviewed this SUV on Edmonds, and a staggering 65% of them gave this midsize SUV a perfect five-star rating.

One owner compared the convenience and comfort of the vehicle's features to being on par with those of a $50,000 car. While another noted that they prefer driving the 2017 Outback over more prestigious offerings from manufacturers such as Land Rover, Audi, Volvo, and Mercedes.

Average Sale Price: $13,033

Some 2018 Hyundai Tucson owners lauded this SUV for exceeding their expectations with its propulsive engine, comfortable interior, and great overall value. Another owner praised how easy it is for elderly drivers and passengers to get in and out of, while noting its remarkable legroom and comfortable seats.

Average Sale Price: $14,622

One 2017 Honda HR-V owner raved about this subcompact SUV's overall style and fantastic gas mileage. Another owner stated that they were extremely happy with the HR-V after taking it on several long road trips. RepairPal ranked the 2017 Honda HR-V as the most reliable subcompact SUV in its class that year.

Average Sale Price: $14,758

Owner reviews for the 2017 Subaru Forester praised its quiet ride, outstanding gas mileage, and how confident and safe they felt driving it in inclement weather. They also praised its safety technology and considered it to be an ideal car for people with active lifestyles, and even after driving it for nearly 10 years, they still wanted to keep driving it.

The average used car costs around $25,500, making these affordable used SUVs smart money moves for car owners, thanks to their reliability and versatility.

With so many happy owners behind the wheel of these excellent SUVs, there's a good chance that budget-conscious consumers looking for a used SUV could really enjoy driving them, too.