Buying an SUV can be expensive. However, it is possible to find a great
used
SUV for less than $15,000, according toU.S. News.
Here are some of the SUVs that made it onto their list.The 2009 Toyota 4Runner sells at $10,389-$16,708
The Toyota 4Runner is a midsize four-door SUV. It features all the bells and whistles of a midsize luxury SUV, and it's available for less than $15,000. It boasts of a spacious interior and offers three rows of seating. The second-row seats provide a space for five, and the third row adds that to seven, but it's slightly cramped.
The 4Runner has both V8 and V6 engines and can accelerate from 0-60 in 8.2 seconds. It has a maximum towing capacity of 7,300 pounds. It is an affordable midsize SUV that could be a good fit as a
family vehicle
. According to rankings byU.S. News
The 2012 Toyota Highlander is another affordable 3-row SUV
The 2012 Toyota Highlander is another excellent midsize four-door SUV. It has a perfect blend of power (3.5L V6) and
fuel efficiency
(18/24 mpg city/highway). Like the 4Runner, it features three rows of seating and has a nice, spacious interior. The third row helps deliver enough room for seven people but is still cramped, although easy to access.For a family car, you also want safety features in your SUV. It comes with standard safety features. These standard features include traction control, keyless entry and ignition, head-protecting curtain side airbags, and a tire-pressure monitor. According to
U.S. News
, it was position 5 with an overall score of 8.4 out of 10. Prices range from $12,623 - $18,503.The 2013 Mazda CX-9 Offers is a powerful car
MORE:
Top 3 Affordable SUVs with Key Safety Systems
The 2013 Mazda CX-9 is a midsize four-door SUV that you should look for. It comes with a 3.7-L V6 engine delivering 273 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. It can tow up to 500 pounds, has sharp driving dynamics and delivers outstanding gas mileage at 17/24 mpg city/highway for the front-wheel drive.
The CX-9 is available with a nice interior that can but falls short for a family hauler. Although it's a three-row SUV, the rear seat row is small and best left for small children.
U.S. News
ranked the CX-9 as position 7 with an overall score of 8.2 out of 10. Unlike most other competitors in this list, it cost less to own the 2013 Mazda CX-9 with a price range of $12,174—$13,604.The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse is an excellent SUV
The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse gets an overall score of 8.1 out of 10 from
U.S. News
. Although it came in at position 8 on the list, the Traverse is an excellent family vehicle. It features a 3.6-L V6 engine that can make 281 horsepower. It is also a mid size SUV with plenty of room inside for passengers and their belongings.Overall, the Traverse delivers plenty of power and a strong engine, which is fine for towing 5,200 pounds. It has an average cost of $9,811-$12,115.
The above mid sized three-row SUVs are great for families. They offer plenty of room, high safety ratings, and an affordable price tag. The decision lies in your perspective on comfort, performance, or power. Of course, the best way to decide is to test drive, especially for a used car, and analyze which SUV fits your needs best.
When buying a car, consider checking insurance premium prices to make sure you get a good deal.
Jerry
compares quotes from up to 45 different insurance companies for you in under a minute, without any long forms to fill out.Used Cars
Lisa Steuer McArdle has more than 15 years of experience writing and editing in a variety of industries, including personal finance and insurance, breaking news, public relations, health and fitness science, and trade publications. She lives in Long Island, NY and enjoys the beach, staying active, reading, and spending time with her son and husband.