Best Extended Warranty Options
Get a free quote for any pre-owned small SUV that has run out of factory warranty.
Best Overall Warranty Provider
Endurance
Affordable Monthly Payment
CarShield
Best Warranty Provider for Used Cars
Carchex
Affiliate Disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may earn a commission when you use the services and tools outlined here for extended warranties, auto loan comparisons, and dealer inventory searches. These commissions come to us at no additional cost to you. Used vehicle prices and auto loan interest rates are subject to change.
Purchasing a brand-new SUV may not be the best option for you and your family. However, the pre-owned market has many options for more budget-conscious buyers. We listed five of the best used small SUVs that score highly in safety, reliability, comfort, practicality, and styling.
With regard to pricing, we came up with an average range for each small SUV here. Mileage and condition, as a general rule of thumb, will have the biggest impact on the asking price of a used vehicle. Remember to keep your eyes peeled for any potential red flags, and only purchase a pre-owned vehicle after test driving it first.
Our free and easy search tools show dealer inventory in your area and will allow you to interact with dealers on your schedule. Further down, we offer some insight into extended warranty providers for used vehicles and a helpful auto loan comparison tool with average interest rates for each lender.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek has entered its third generation with a stiffer frame, an all-new Wilderness variant, and updated styling cues to make it the most rugged in its lineage. However, the second-gen Crosstrek that went on sale from 2017 to 2023 has all the desirable attributes of the new model: 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive, and 20.8 cubic feet of trunk room. The 2020 Crosstrek, in particular, is among our favorites for having all the modern bells and whistles without the new car price tag.
Why We Chose The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek
The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek has LED exterior lighting, a rear-seat reminder, and a stop-start system to save fuel. It has a 152-horsepower 2.0-liter Boxer engine that won’t blow you away, but the Base and Premium variants have a standard six-speed manual (optional CVT automatic), a rarity in modern cars. Moreover, it has a consumer-verified 80/100 score from J.D. Power and a 4.3/5 rating from Kelley Blue Book.
Photos: Subaru of America, Inc.
Fuel Economy
Manual-equipped 2020 Subaru Crosstreks achieve an EPA-rated 22 in the city, 29 on the highway, and 25 combined. On the other hand, the CVT automatic has a wonderful 27/33 city/highway and 30 combined EPA rating. The Crosstrek’s fuel economy numbers, family-friendly styling, and standard AWD are reasons why we placed it on our five best small SUVs list for 2023.
Safety Ratings
The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star rating from NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick. CVT-equipped 2020 Crosstreks also received the brand’s EyeSight advanced driving assistance system that packages nifty hi-tech safety nets like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek Average Price
Prepare to spend $23,000 to $28,000 for a decently-equipped 2020 Subaru Crosstrek with low miles. The mid-tier Premium and range-topping Limited have niceties like bigger screens, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped tiller, and keyless entry. As a total package, the Subaru Crosstrek is one of the best used small SUVs available today.
2020 Honda HR-V
2023 saw the introduction of Honda’s second-generation HR-V after the Fit hatchback departed North America in 2020. The new HR-V has grown in size thanks to its eleventh-gen Civic architecture, but so has the price, making the first-gen 2020 Honda HR-V an excellent choice for a small, used SUV.
Why We Chose The 2020 Honda HR-V
The 2020 Honda HR-V has all the hallmarks that made the Fit a stellar choice. Honda’s innovative “Magic Seats” were standard, unlocking a surprising amount of cargo room that belies its compact footprint. It has a somewhat lethargic 141-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder with a CVT and front-wheel drive, but the HR-V was available with an all-wheel drivetrain for the 2020 model year.
Photos: Honda North America.
Fuel Economy
The 2020 Honda HR-V FWD achieves an EPA-rated 28 in the city, 34 on the highway, and 30 combined, excellent numbers if you need something fuel efficient. Meanwhile, HR-V AWD variants return an EPA rating of 27/31 city/highway and 29 combined.
Safety Ratings
The 2020 Honda HR-V has a five-star rating from NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Moreover, Honda Sensing came standard in the EX trim and included active safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision mitigation, and more.
2020 Honda HR-V Average Price
The 2020 Honda HR-V will run between $21,000 and $27,500 for a low mileage unit. The base HR-V LX will usually run the lowest. By contrast, expect the Sport and EX trims to retail for higher as those trim levels often had more equipment like larger alloy wheels, smartphone connectivity, a moonroof, and heated front seats.
2019 Kia Soul
The newer, third-generation Kia Soul is now on the market, making the second-gen 2019 variant ripe for the picking as an affordable and safe small SUV. Admittedly, the styling is not for everyone, as the Soul rings up some unique vibes with its boxy demeanor. However, if you are a fan of quirky vehicles, pre-owned second-generation models of the Kia Soul will give you plenty of bang for the buck.
The base 2019 Kia Soul has a standard six-speed manual and a 130-horsepower four-cylinder engine. The Plus and Exclaim trim levels had additional powertrain options, including a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 201 horsepower.
Why We Chose The 2019 Kia Soul
When it was new in 2019, we appreciated the generous amount of standard features for the price. The base Kia Soul was standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera, automatic headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trim levels were standard with larger alloy wheels, upgraded upholstery, and modern driving aids.
When it comes to new Kia vehicles, the automaker’s 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is among the longest on the market. However, if you are the second owner of a Kia vehicle, that coverage drops to five years or 60,000 miles (what other manufacturers typically offer from the factory for powertrain warranties). However, there are options to bump that warranty back up if you decide to purchase a pre-owned Kia.
Photos: Kia Motors America.
Fuel Economy
2019 Kia Souls with the naturally-aspirated 1.6-liter engine achieve an EPA-rated 26 in the city, 31 on the highway, and 28 combined. The 2.0-liter engine returns an EPA rating of 25/30 city/highway and 27 combined, while the 1.6-liter turbo achieves a decent 26 in the city, 31 on the highway, and 28 combined.
Safety Ratings
The 2019 Kia Soul has a five-star rating from NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick. However, only the range-topping Kia Soul Plus with the Audio and Primo upgrades have advanced driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warnings, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision mitigation.
2019 Kia Soul Average Price
The 2019 Kia Soul is among the most affordable on our best used small SUVs list, with prices ranging from $13,500 to about $18,000 depending on mileage and condition.
2018 Mazda CX-3
The now-defunct Mazda CX-3 has given way to the CX-30 as the Japanese brand’s smallest SUV. When it entered the market in 2016, the CX-3 drew praise for its refined yet athletic styling, fun-to-drive demeanor, and wallet-friendly fuel economy. It’s not the most practical of the bunch, but the CX-3 has an optional all-wheel drivetrain to cope with the rough stuff.
Why We Chose The 2018 Mazda CX-3
Mazda retuned the suspension of the 2018 CX-3 to soften bumps and other road irregularities. Furthermore, Mazda added more sound insulation for a quieter cabin. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 146 horsepower, while the six-speed automatic was among the smoothest in its class at the time.
Photos: Mazda North American Operations.
Mazda CX-3 Fuel Economy
The 2018 Mazda CX-3 FWD sips fuel at an EPA-rated 29 in the city, 34 on the highway, and 31 combined. Meanwhile, AWD variants return an EPA-rated 27/32 city/highway and 29 combined.
Safety Ratings
The 2018 Mazda CX-3 has a five-star rating from NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick. However, only the CX-3 Grand Touring with the Premium Package has active safety features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning.
2018 Mazda CX-3 Average Price
The average price for a 2018 Mazda CX-3 is between $17,300 and $23,000. The base CX-3 Sport has 16-inch wheels, a push-button start, seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a six-speaker audio system. Touring and Grand Touring models will have more niceties, like 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, leather upholstery, and a premium audio system.
2020 Toyota C-HR
Toyota discontinued the C-HR in 2022 to make room for the Corolla Cross, a crossover variant of the evergreen Toyota Corolla. In hindsight, it’s probably not hard to see why the C-HR was discontinued, and it’s more of an honorable mention on this list of best used small SUVs. We joined a host of other reviewers and automotive publications in pointing out how the C-HR was probably not Toyota’s best effort, despite the unique styling.
Why We Chose The 2020 Toyota C-HR
Toyota’s reputation for reliability is our main reason for including the C-HR, along with its available safety features and dynamic styling. Data from J.D. Power shows C-HR buyers liked how the vehicle stood out from the crowd and may have gravitated toward the C-HR as there was nothing else like it at the time. That eye-catching styling comes at a price, as the C-HR has less cargo and passenger space than what would be considered acceptable for a small SUV.
Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Toyota C-HR Fuel Economy
Compared to others on this best used small SUVs list, the C-HR lags behind in fuel economy. EPA ratings are 27 in the city, 31 on the highway, and 29 combined with its standard front-wheel drivetrain and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Safety Ratings
The 2020 Toyota C-HR has a five-star rating from NHTSA. Advanced driving aids like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking were standard on every 2020 C-HR.
2020 Toyota C-HR Average Price
The average price for a 2020 Toyota C-HR can run below $23,000 and up to $25,000 for a low-mileage unit. The base C-HR LE has 17-inch steel wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic LED headlights, an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, and smartphone connectivity. Meanwhile, the XLE and Limited trims have larger alloy wheels, leather upholstery, and push-button start.
Best Warranty Options for Pre-Owned SUVs
Best Extended Warranty Options
Get a free quote for any pre-owned small SUV that has run out of factory warranty.
Best Overall Warranty Provider
Endurance
Affordable Monthly Payment
CarShield
Best Warranty Provider for Used Cars
Carchex
The likelihood is high that any pre-owned SUV will have run out of its factory warranty. While dealers may provide a brief in-house warranty following the sale, it’s not the same as having factory-level coverage. Depending on your driving habits, an extended warranty can protect you from expensive, unforeseen repair bills. Top extended warranty companies offer customizable coverage plans, from full bumper-to-bumper to powertrain only. Likewise, top providers will offer additional benefits like roadside assistance.
After conducting thorough market research and competitive comparisons, our team picked the providers listed above, along with a small handful of others, as the best used vehicle warranty companies today. If you are considering an extended warranty, ask for sample contracts upfront and look for the area where the claims process is explained in detail. Avoid contracts that are not transferable or cannot be canceled easily. To help get the most out of any extended warranty, see these insider tips from a repair shop owner.
Auto Loan Rate Comparision Tool
It’s a good idea to secure your own financing before you visit the dealership. The calculator below will help get you started.
Compare Auto Loan Rates
Compare which options fit your budget, credit score, and term length.
- All
- 24 to 84 months
- 36 to 72 months
- 3 to 84 months
- Up to 84 months
- 48 to 84 months
- 12 to 84 months
- 36 to 84 months
- All
- 500
- 510
- 550
- 575
- 580
- 620
- 680
Refinance Loan
Cred Score
Rate Term
APR*
- Below-average credit scores accepted
- Great interest rates
- Smooth and easy online experience
Used Car Loan
Cred Score
Rate Term
APR*
- Great for customers with limited/no credit
- Offers special military rates
- A+ BBB rating
General Loan
Cred Score
Rate Term
APR*
- Get approved in as little as 60 seconds
- All credit types gladly accepted
- Absolutely no obligation
Refinance Loan
Cred Score
Rate Term
APR*
- Average monthly savings of $150
- Work with personal loan concierge to compare options
- A+ BBB Rating
Refinance Loan
Cred Score
Rate Term
APR*
- Average savings of $111/month
- Secure, fully online platform
- Refinancing available for cars, trucks, or SUVs
Refinance Loan
Cred Score
Rate Term
APR*
- Specializes in auto refinancing
- A+ BBB Rating
- No application fee
Refinance Loan
Cred Score
Rate Term
APR*
- Average monthly savings of $145
- Online application
- Browse loan options found specifically for you
