Top 10 used compact SUVs for under $20K

Adapting to evolving consumer requirements, the humble Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) has changed in many ways over several decades – as you’ll see from the latest and greatest contenders for the recent carsales Best Small SUV 2023 award.

When these vehicles first emerged in the USA over 30 years ago, they were cumbersome and often inefficient. Transporting groups or large families was their purpose, but they weren’t much fun to drive and heavy on fuel.

Value remains a major prerequisite for today’s SUV customer, but even compact models can be expensive, forcing people buying new ones into some unpalatable compromises. So why not look at a model that’s been run-in but certainly isn’t worn out?

Small and mid-size SUVs typically have engines of 2.0 litres or less and run economically on petrol or diesel. Most ‘affordable’ SUVs will also include features that a decade ago would have been seen only in a luxury model.

Most in our selection achieved a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating when they were released, or at least a four-star rating.

The models we’ve chosen are typically less than seven years old, but some are a lot newer and carry the bulk of their manufacturer’s warranty.

Most drive via the front wheels but some have all-wheel drive and a couple come with diesel engines.

Best of all, our choices typically sell for under around $20,000.

Confusion about Ford Australia’s on-then-off-then-on-again association with the Escape nameplate has affected used values and that brings good news for buyers.

The ZG-series Ford Escape sold in Australia from early 2017 came in a range of versions, with two turbo-petrol engines and a turbo-diesel matched as standard with AWD and an automatic transmission.

Finding a Trend version with the diesel engine for under $20K may take some hunting but the effort will be worthwhile, especially for those who travel a lot or tow a trailer of up to 1800kg.

Fuel consumption on the highway and not fully laden is miserly, helping drivers who tread cautiously on the throttle to push consumption below 6.0L/100km.

You won’t find leather or a sunroof in an Escape Trend, but everything inside the cabin is good quality and even early examples should not as yet be showing wear.

More details on buying a used Ford Escape

USED VEHICLE RATING:
Design and function: 15/20
Safety: 16/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for money: 14/20
Wow factor:12/20
Overall score: 72/100

The Subaru XV you buy at $20,000 might be slightly more than five years old, but with Subaru’s legendary reputation for durability, the numbers on the odometer will be more relevant than those on the compliance plate.

Features in the original G4X model sold from 2011 are adequate without becoming sumptuous and clever use of available space provides plenty of storage nooks.

Those who are keen on some adventurous driving will be happy to learn that the all-wheel drive XV with its tall stance and minimal overhangs is as competent off-road as it looks and can take its owners places that might strand the larger Outback.

The only real blight on the original XV was its underpowered 2.0-litre boxer engine, and enthusiastic drivers might prefer a six-speed manual transmission to the CVT auto, which you should still be able to find at around our price point.

More details on buying a used Subaru XV

USED VEHICLE RATING:
Design and function: 15/20
Safety: 16/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for money: 13/20
Wow factor: 13/20
Overall score: 72/100

Larger and more conventional than the award-winning Kona small SUV, Hyundai’s Tucson Active X is a mid-size SUV that will deliver the interior space and comfort to satisfy most in the market for a compact front-drive SUV.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine produces a healthy 121kW and is usually teamed with Hyundai’s well-sorted six-speed automatic. However, some searching might turn up a manual.

Features at Active X level include part-leather seats with electric driver-side adjustment, smartphone mirroring, automatic headlights with ‘see me home’ capability and folding, heated mirrors.

The wheels are 18-inch with 225/55 tyres and, atypically for this category, Hyundai supplies a full-size alloy spare. Although sharing much of its architecture and mechanical attributes with the Sportage, Hyundai’s five-year/unlimited-km warranty doesn’t quite match Kia’s.

More details on buying a used Hyundai Tucson

USED VEHICLE RATING:
Design and function: 15/20
Safety: 16/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for money: 15/20
Wow factor: 12/20
Overall score: 73/100

With some searching it is possible to find a compact SUV with all-wheel drive AND a turbo-diesel engine for less than $20,000. Even then, when choosing a 2016-18 version of the Sportage Si, you don’t need to suffer something that has travelled ridiculous distance or been trashed by uncaring owners.

Accommodation will be basic but still spacious, with three at a squeeze in the rear seat but sprawl space for two. Equipment includes six-speaker sound with multiple device integration, dual-zone air-con and rain-sensing wipers.

Economy is the key reason for choosing a diesel and the Si will reward owners with average consumption in the vicinity of 6.5L/100km.

Virtually all of them will still be covered by Kia’s seven-year warranty, which is not subject to a kilometre limit.

More details on buying a used Kia Sportage

USED VEHICLE RATING:
Design and function: 15/20
Safety: 16/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for money: 16/20
Wow factor: 12/20
Overall score: 74/100

Although often upstaged by the outstanding CX-5 medium SUV, the smaller Mazda CX-3 offers its own approach to low-cost SUV design, with performance and versatility at considerably less money.

A variety of used CX-3 variations will slip under the $20,000 price bar, but for its combination of fun, performance and equipment we like the Maxx Sport. These are most commonly found as a front-wheel drive with six-speed manual or automatic transmission but do pop up as an auto-only AWD.

Equipment includes blind-spot detection and collision mitigation, while for convenience there are self-dipping halogen headlights and rain-sensing wipers.

Weighing 1200kg and with 110kW of power, the CX-3 manual is a nimble device, fun to drive and unlikely to cause grief at the petrol pump, where its 2.0-litre petrol engine uses 91 RON and averages around 7.0L/100km.

More details on buying a used Mazda CX3

USED VEHICLE RATING:
Design and function: 16/20
Safety: 17/20
Practicality: 14/20
Value for money: 15/20
Wow factor: 13/20
Overall score: 75/100

Tall and imposing yet still classed as a small SUV, the Nissan QASHQAI is slightly shorter overall and in its wheelbase than the Sportage yet from inside feels equally roomy.

Sticking to our $20K spend limit means the only QASHQAIs available without taking a risk on stupendous distance travelled will be a cloth-trimmed ST version, which are OK to own but lack some of the driver-assistance features found in the Ti.

Mechanically they are identical, with a 106kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine running on 91 RON petrol and, most often, Nissan’s well-liked CVT transmission.

The QUASHQAI with its high-set stance looks perfect to tackle a bush track, but don’t be deceived. J11 versions built for Australia were front-wheel drive only and with soft springs allied to low-profile tyres they can even struggle on bumpy bitumen.

More details on buying a used Nissan Qashqai

USED VEHICLE RATING:
Design and function: 15/20
Safety: 15/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for money: 13/20
Wow factor: 12/20
Overall score: 70/100

Bargain of this bunch, the MG ZS compact SUV has muscled its way into the new-car sales charts and established a strong presence in the used market as well.

‘Excite’ possibly isn’t the name most would apply to the entry-level ZS, but ‘Mildly Gratifying’ would be difficult to etch into an ID plate.

This 1.5-litre small SUV began life as a $23,000 bargain; well-equipped and interesting in appearance but let down by average ride/handling and a raucous engine that only offers 84kW and a clunky four-speed auto transmission.

That said, it has still managed to find owners who will overlook its faults and instead like all the features offered by the economical MG. Cars in this price range are also virtually new and will come with most of their seven-year warranty still intact.

More details on buying a used MG ZS

USED VEHICLE RATING:
Design and function: 12/20
Safety: 12/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for money: 17/20
Wow factor: 10/20
Overall score: 66/100

The Mitsubishi ASX has been around since 2010 and was sold in four ‘generations’ since then, including the XC over 2016-2019. When new in 2018, the front-drive LS variant was priced from $27,000 and five-year-old examples have held their values remarkably well.

Good ones do exist in the sub-$20,000 price bracket though, looking sophisticated on their distinctive 18-inch alloys with blacked out sills and roof rails.

Inside, where most buyers of compact SUVs will make their final decisions, the back seat is definitely better suited to a pair of occupants rather than three and boot space is a decent but not extensive 393 litres.

Where the 4.2m-long ASX loses badly to others in its class is in overall carrying capacity – a miserable 1193 litres – and towing capacity, which tops out at 1300kg (braked).

Warranty when new was five years but limited to 100,000km, so most cars that meet our spending criteria will by now be out of warranty.

More details on buying a used Mitsubishi ASX

USED VEHICLE RATING:
Design and function: 14/20
Safety: 15/20
Practicality: 14/20
Value for money: 12/20
Wow factor: 12/20
Overall score: 67/100

Consistent placings at the top of mid-size SUV comparisons make the Volkswagen Tiguan hard to overlook. However, the way these VWs hold value is better than almost everything in the category and sets a challenge to find one that will squeak below the $20,000 price cap.

The Tiguan that most closely fits the brief will be a front-wheel drive 1.4-litre turbo-petrol Trendline. These will normally include a six-speed DSG auto transmission, but sometimes come as a six-speed manual.

No complaints about the engine, which revs willingly and with 110kW performs more like a 2.0-litre. Load space is outstanding too, with a massive 1655 litres when the back seat is down and 615L with all seats occupied.

Trendline equipment includes various driver-assistance technologies including lane departure, distraction warnings and forward collision detection. For those petrified by the prospect of reverse parking, there is also automated steering.

More details on buying a used Volkswagen Tiguan

USED VEHICLE RATING:
Design and function: 17/20
Safety: 17/20
Practicality: 16/20
Value for money: 14/20
Wow factor: 12/20
Overall score: 75/100

When sold new in 2020, a Holden Trax LTZ would have been priced at over $30,000. Three years later the RedBook value for cars with 45,000-75,000km on their clocks barely reaches 40 per cent of that original cost and makes Holden’s short-lived small SUV a serious used market bargain.

Inside, the cabin might look constricted but boot capacity even with all seats occupied is a decent 387 litres – slightly more than the MG ZS that sits on a longer wheelbase.

Leather-look seats are heated, as are the mirrors. Rare for a car in this segment of the used market, the LTZ also includes an electric sunroof and rides on 18-inch alloy wheels.

Its 103kW 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine isn’t the most potent in its class but fuel consumption averaging 6.7L/100km will help the Trax earn its keep at every fill.

USED VEHICLE RATING:
Design and function: 14/20
Safety: 13/20
Practicality: 14/20
Value for money: 15/20
Wow factor: 10/20
Overall score: 66/100