10 Reliable Used American SUVs That Are Surprisingly Affordable Today

The American SUV market is one that's been flooded in recent years with both good and bad models from every manufacturer under the sun. That can leave some wondering what to look for in their search for a second-hand SUV, and when doing so, there are two major factors to consider - price and reliability.

Luckily enough, these 10 American SUVs combine both of those elements to ensure that the buyer gets every ounce of their money's worth. Whether it's a large three-row Ford or a compact Buick, there are some under-appreciated gems in this bunch, meaning that a good deal is out there just waiting for someone to pull the trigger.

2020 Lincoln Corsair

Average Used Price: $20,060 | Reliability Score: 78/100

Lincoln Media Center

The recent decline of Lincoln really should be studied, because it's easy to tell that nobody could knock the brand for its looks. Whether it's the fact that Ford hasn't pushed the smaller SUVs as much as the much larger Navigator or the fact that the midsize and compact markets are just that oversaturated is up for debate, but make no mistake about it, the Corsair gives a great luxury feel at a reasonable price point.

Important Notes

• Before Ford's Blue Cruise system, there was Lincoln Co-Pilot, which offered things like Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Park Assist, and could be optioned for on the 2020 Corsair.
• Both front and all-wheel-drive models were released for the Corsair in 2020.
• Some Corsairs can be found with Active Noise Control for that added touch of luxury on long road trips.

The Corsair puts out 250 horsepower, which is nothing to scoff at. For space, it has nearly 40 inches of legroom in the back row, and still averages 25 miles per gallon. Of course, the elephant in the room is the average price, right at $20,000. However, it earns its spot on the list because some 2020 Corsairs can be found cheaper.

2022 Chevrolet Equinox

Average Used Price: $19,195 | Reliability Score: 85/100

Chevrolet Pressroom

Often, the best time to buy a certain model from a brand is after the new release gets a facelift, and that's exactly what the 2025 Equinox got this past year. In short, that caused the prices of some older models to take a hit.

Important Notes

• When it comes to performance, the Equinox isn't exactly the perfect picture of health with its 1.5-liter supercharged four-cylinder.
• However, that doesn't mean that the Equinox can't tow, just that it can't tow anything over 1,500 lbs, so don't load the trailer down.
• For those who are against massive screens in a cabin, the 2022 Equinox came standard with an unobtrusive 7-inch touchscreen display.

The last refresh was in 2020, and by 2022 all the kinks had been worked out of an already reliable car. Thus, if someone is dead set on buying a Chevrolet, this specific model year of the Equinox might be as good as it gets. With creature comforts like lane-keep assist, front collision alert, and automatic emergency braking as standard, the Equinox shows why Chevy has been living towards the top of the American SUV market for quite some time.

2021 Jeep Compass

Average Used Price: $17,141 | Reliability Score: 79/100

Jeep

For those who remember how hideous the Jeep Renegade was, think of the Compass and what would happen if the Renegade and the Cherokee had a baby. It's fairly compact, much like the Renegade, but offers a much more visually appealing styling, like the Cherokee. Most trims come standard with all-wheel drive and, above all else, it doesn't carry the same ridiculous price tag as some other vehicles with the Jeep logo slapped across the front.

Important Notes

• The Compass offers 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which is plenty of room for groceries, strollers or anything else that needs to take more than a back seat.
• Dual-zone climate control came as standard on the Compass - something that even 2025 models haven't made standard just yet.
• The offroad versions of the Compass are quite hardcore for their small size, offering Jeep's Active Drive Low 4x4 system on higher trims.

The best part about the Compass, though, is that it's a happy medium. You won't have to worry about people plopping random rubber ducks onto your car, but you also won't have to be seen in a Renegade, and that's a win for everyone involved.

2022 Buick Encore

Average Used Price: $16,214 | Reliability Score: 84/100

Buick

It doesn't get much more compact than the Buick Encore, but then again, not everyone has to carry around a family of six, do they? The Encore serves as a solid option for someone looking for the added practicality and ride height of an SUV for the price of a fairly luxurious sedan. Not only that, but the Encore can also keep up with those sedans in terms of luxury itself.

Important Notes

• While GM's entries on this list don't skimp in terms of looks, they do skimp under the hood. The Encore boasts just a 1.4-liter turbocharged three-cylinder at its heart.
• With that small powertrain and wheelbase, though, comes solid fuel economy. The Encore nets over 30 miles per gallon on the highway.
• For bigger shopping trips or cross-country moves, the Encore's passenger seat actually folds flat for a bit of added extra storage.

As one of General Motors's sub-brands, the Encore shares its platform with a few other GM models like the Chevy Trax. However, the interior has been tweaked a bit, along with some styling modifications to the exterior, to make one handsome little car. Painted black, there may not be a compact SUV out there that looks that much better, and especially not at this price point.

2018 Ford Explorer

Average Used Price: $15,597 | Reliability Score: 80/100

Ford Newsroom

While the Encore may not be ideal for carrying around the entire family, the Ford Explorer is. However, with that extra space comes extra costs, and these cars hold their resale value surprisingly well. To get one that comes in substantially under the $20,000 mark with some more competitive creature comforts, buyers will have to look outside this decade in their search.

Important Notes

• With its size, the Explorer does muster 290 horsepower as standard, which is enough to tow the everyday trailer wherever necessary.
• The Explorer could be optioned with a 12-speaker Sony sound system for a fairly premium audio experience.
• With a curb weight of 4,443 lbs., the Explorer is certainly one of the larger and 'in charge' options to make this list.

Since we're all being honest here, though, that doesn't mean that there aren't low-mileage examples of seven-year-old Explorers out there. Often, these cars are purchased to cruise around suburbia and are well-maintained and looked after. It's hard to go wrong with a platform that's been around for so long, and that puts the Explorer in a pretty favorable spot on this list.

2017 Cadillac XT5

Average Used Price: $15,231 | Reliability Score: 80/100

Cadillac

While the Equinox from earlier brought its styling from this decade to the table, Cadillac's subtle changes to the previous generation's exterior have propelled the XT5 into the 2020s. The styling still holds up really well today, even with the modern minimalist theme being so prevalent in newer releases. That does two things - it makes sure that nobody will scoff at you driving past (you're in a Cadillac, after all) and it keeps more money in the buyer's wallet.

Important Notes

• GM stopped playing around with the engines when it came to the XT5. It comes standard with over 300 horsepower from its 3.6-liter V-6.
• The power liftgate at the back of the XT5 has a memory function, so that it can be opened in small spaces without hitting, say, the roof of a garage.
• The towing capacity of the XT5 is around 3,500 lbs., making it one of the more utilitarian options in its class to pair with its luxurious namesake.

Additionally, Cadillac's average ownership group looks more like a retirement home than a middle school mom get-together, so plenty of well-maintained, lower-mileage examples are available from this specific generation of XT5s. A good price coupled with Cadillac's luxurious touch, what's not to like? It may not be an Escalade, but it's the Escalade's baby brother, and that's good enough.

2019 Buick Envision

Average Used Price: $14,236 | Reliability Score: 86/100

Buick

Remember when I said that General Motors is one of the major players in this division, if not the largest? That's because they have this many irons in the fire. The 2019 Envisionhas taken such a hit in the used market, and now might be the perfect time to take advantage of it.

Important Notes

• Envisions optioned with the turbocharged engine also received a nine-speed automatic transmission to boot.
• Yet again, GM refrained from making the cabin all about the infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen.
• For those who do a lot of city travel, the 2019 Envision was also offered with a hands-free parallel park assistance feature.

Caught between the economic benefits of buying Chevrolet or GMC and the luxurious options for the same cars that Cadillac churns out, Buick is often left to be the red-headed stepchild of the brand's immense portfolio, and while that may hurt when it comes to new vehicle depreciation, it certainly helps when looking to buy one second-hand. The 2019 Envision will drive identically to the same generation of Chevrolets or Cadillacs, but it will look better than the Chevy and be cheaper than the Caddy, and that's something to write home about.

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Average Used Price: $14,212 | Reliability Score: 81/100

Stellantis Media

The Grand Cherokee has been a staple of the American SUV market since its inception in the early 90s, and since then, Stellantis and Jeep have worked to improve it bit by bit with each iteration. If you're the kind of person looking for high-tech wizardry at an affordable price, this is not the car for you, though.

Important Notes

• Remember in the late 2010s when all three big American manufacturers tried their hand at pushing a small diesel engine into the U.S. market? That was true for the Grand Cherokee as well. Some of these were optioned with a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine from the factory.
• The Trailhawk model of the Grand Cherokee came with luxuries like air suspension, an electronic limited-slip differential and a sophisticated four-wheel drive system.
• The Grand Cherokee can tow up to 7,400 lbs., making it the perfect option to make the weekend haul right after picking the kids up from school.

This is a car for someone who may need to haul the family to school at 8:00 AM, only to go tow the boat with the same vehicle that weekend. The Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V-6, but now, even the trims with a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 can be found for less than $20,000, and if they haven't been beaten to death by now, they make for solid buys. The Grand Cherokee comes in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive trims as well, meaning that a buyer can realistically tailor their search for exactly what they need out of their family SUV.

2017 Dodge Durango

Average Price: $13,413 | Reliability Score: 81/100

Dodge

Sticking with Stellantis and their full-size SUVs, the 2017 Dodge Durango can be bought for a fraction of its original MSRP in 2025. Of course, as with any Dodge, the aftermarket support for these cars is off the walls. Interested customers can find everything from turbo kits to whatever cosmetic addition they wish to make, and if a buyer comes from a family in which the performance of their SUV matters, that could be a huge benefit.

Important Notes

• Believe it or not, customers who ordered their Durango from the factory could get paddle shifters without having to upgrade to the top trim level, because why not?
• Those shifters are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission across all the engine options.
• The Durango may take the cake when it comes to storage, as it boasts up to 85.1 cubic feet with the third row folded down.

Another thing to watch out for with the Durango lineage, though, is that Dodge is planning to bring the name back to its catalog, meaning that prices on older Durangos, and potentially ones from this decade, could be about to take a nose dive in terms of second-hand pricing.

2020 Ford Escape

Average Used Price: $12,289 | Reliability Scores: 79/100

Ford Newsroom

If for nothing but price alone, the 2020 Ford Escape offers the absolute most bang for anyone's buck when it comes to the used American SUV marketplace. The Escape is meant to be a budget car from the factory, and that holds true in the second-hand market as well. However, you won't know it at first glance. Its styling still causes it to blend in well with higher-collared cars around it, and being from this decade, the interior doesn't disappoint in that regard, either.

Important Notes

• The inline-three-cylinder platform feels much more at home in the Escape than other models on this list. In fact, the 180 horsepower in the Escape feels a bit more than what it is from behind the wheel.
• The Escape was offered in 10 different colors from the factory, ranging from the most basic of white paint jobs to a sort of Candy Apple red.
• With a plug-in hybrid option being available as well, the Escape stands to be the most economically responsible choice on this list.

Some might argue that the Escape is better suited further up the list due to its lackluster reliability score, but the counterpoint there is as follows: it's still too new to have a plethora of issues. Sure, there are one-off instances of people being let down by the Escape, but that's the case with every car. The Escape makes its living by being a budget-friendly option for those looking for an SUV. It's just a bonus that it looks as good as it does while doing so.