Edmunds: Five great used SUVs for teens under $20,000

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This photograph provided by Chevrolet shows the 2022 Equinox tiny SUV. Luxury features and distinctive motor options assistance differentiate the Chevrolet Equinox from different compact crossovers. (Courtesy of General Motors via AP)

This photograph provided by Mazda shows the 2020 CX-5 tiny SUV. The CX-5 is sporty but besides scores good connected much sensible fronts similar clang testing. (Courtesy of Mazda North American Operations via AP)

This photograph provided by Subaru shows the 2017 Outback midsize SUV. The Outback's modular all-wheel thrust and elevated crushed clearance are adjuvant for some wintertime driving and occasional off-road use. (Courtesy of Subaru of North America via AP)

This photograph provided by Toyota shows the 2016 Highlander midsize SUV. Thanks to a comfy thrust and abundant modular features, a Highlander should service an on-the-go teen well. (Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. via AP)

This photograph provided by Jeep shows the 2016 Wrangler. A Wrangler has undeniable charm and is 1 of the fewer vehicles near that won't nickel-and-dime you with carnal comforts you mightiness not want. (Courtesy of Stellantis via AP)

This is the clip of twelvemonth erstwhile galore parents are reasoning astir buying a utilized conveyance for their teen drivers. The conveyance whitethorn beryllium a graduation acquisition oregon a needed acceptable of wheels for a summertime occupation oregon travel to college. These days, SUVs are a communal prime due to the fact that of their income popularity. But which 1 to get?

Edmunds’ car experts person rounded up 5 utilized SUV recommendations for your teen driver. We considered Edmunds’ evaluations of adjuvant qualities for teen drivers specified arsenic outward visibility, exertion features and driving satisfaction. We besides considered reliability information and clang trial results. Here are Edmunds’ apical picks for $20,000 oregon less. The prices listed are estimates of what you mightiness expect to wage astatine a nationwide dealership specified arsenic CarMax oregon Carvana.

Homegrown pick: Chevrolet Equinox

The last-generation Equinox is simply a apical compact SUV value. It’s affordably priced and has roomy seating, a creaseless thrust and utile tech features. The modular Teen Driver feature, for example, tin punctual young drivers to buckle up, and it limits stereo measurement and lets parents show driving habits. Downmarket interior prime and tiny cargo abstraction constrictive the Equinox’s appeal, but wide the Equinox is simply a no-nonsense choice.

Look for: Picking an Equinox is beauteous casual due to the fact that it didn’t alteration overmuch from 2018 to 2024. There’s a batch of Equinox inventory to prime from too. Consider a 2019-and-later exemplary to get a newer infotainment system.

2018-2022 Equinox pricing: astir $14,000 to $20,000

Sporty pick: Mazda CX-5

Lively handling and a high-quality interior marque the Mazda CX-5 a amusive compact SUV. And portion sporty show isn’t a precedence for astir parents, going with a CX-5 volition neatly circumvent immoderate complaints astir an SUV being boring to drive. Other precocious points see fantabulous clang trial information ratings and a precocious predicted RepairPal reliability score. Rear spot and cargo abstraction travel up abbreviated compared to rivals, but the CX-5 remains an fantabulous choice.

Look for: Mazda made immoderate improvements during this time. Young drivers volition apt admit the modular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration that became modular successful 2019.

2017-2020 CX-5 pricing: astir $16,000 to $20,000

Adventure pick: Subaru Outback

Is your teen an outdoorsy type? Someone who enjoys camping, surfing, snowboarding oregon biking? The half-wagon, half-SUV Outback shines here. It has modular all-wheel thrust for sure-footed traction successful unsmooth oregon bedewed terrain. Tall crushed clearance lets it spell places sportier SUVs can’t, portion its little extortion tallness makes for casual cargo loading. The Outback besides gets fantabulous information scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Look for: Subaru redesigned the Outback for 2020, but we deliberation an older Outback is conscionable arsenic good. Subaru made much precocious information aids, including automatic braking and adaptive cruise control, modular starting successful 2019.

2015-2018 Outback pricing: astir $15,000 to $20,000

Practical pick: Toyota Highlander

Your teen operator needs a larger three-row SUV? Consider an older Highlander. The 3rd enactment isn’t palatial, but it’s useful capable for a teen who mightiness request to shuttle siblings around. The 3rd enactment besides folds down to make ample cargo space. Crash trial scores and predicted RepairPal reliability are favorable too. The biggest ailment your teen mightiness person is that a Highlander is conscionable excessively sensible and boring.

Look for: the four-cylinder gets the occupation done, Highlanders with the much almighty V6 are amended astatine accelerating rapidly with aggregate passengers aboard.

2015-2016 Highlander pricing: astir $16,000 to $20,000

Wildcard pick: Jeep Wrangler

Like the Outback, the Wrangler isn’t rather an SUV, motortruck oregon wagon. It’s its ain category. Yes, a four-door Wrangler lacks overmuch of what different SUVs offer. It’s bouncy, loud, gulps substance and hardly impresses successful clang trial information oregon RepairPal reliability. But its affectional entreaty is undeniable. From its legendary off-road capability, and removable doors and roof, the Wrangler scratches a teenage itch for state similar nary other.

Look for: There are two-door and four-door versions of the Wrangler; young drivers volition apt bask the much idiosyncratic vibe of the two-door. Regardless of type, the Sport oregon Sport S trims connection the champion operation of features, amusive and frugality.

2015-2016 Wrangler pricing: astir $17,000 to $20,000

Edmunds Says

Whether your teen operator likes the outdoors, motorsports oregon simply having capable abstraction for friends and family, determination are respective bully choices for a utilized SUV to suit your teen’s needs and style.

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This communicative was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds.

Dan Frio is simply a contributor astatine Edmunds.

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