MotorTrend Ranks The Best Used SUVs

Whether you’re looking to buy a luxury, performance, or comfortable gas sipper for an SUV, tons of great options have been produced over the past decade. MotorTrend recently detailed ten of the best for car shoppers. Let’s take a look.  

Chevrolet Trailblazer 

The magazine said the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer is one of the best used SUVs to buy because it offers a great-looking vehicle with plenty of technology, a roomy interior, all-wheel drive, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for around $15,000. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Trailblazer a Top Safety Pick+ designation, recognizing it as one of the safest vehicles on the road. The EPA estimates you’ll achieve 29 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway thanks to its efficient turbocharged 3-cylinder engine that produces 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque from a 1.2-liter with front-wheel drive, or 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque from the 1.3-liter with all-wheel drive.  

Honda HR-V 

Like the Chevy Trailblazer, the 2023-2024 Honda HR-V is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and gets 26 mpg city and 32 mpg highway from a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. With standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive, the HR-V retails for around $17,500 on the used market and offers buyers a comfortable subcompact with plenty of room for 5 passengers and all of their luggage.  

Lexus NX 

If you like the idea of a smaller SUV but want something with a little extra luxury, the 2023 Lexus NX is the perfect vehicle for you. With pricing around $30,000, you’ll get a very safe vehicle with an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation, and great fuel mileage with 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Buyers will be able to choose between gas-only, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The base engine is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, and it also comes in a hybrid version with 239 horsepower. The plug-in model offers 302 horsepower, and there’s a turbocharged 2.4-liter with 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard on some models, with AWD optional or standard, depending on the trim level.  

Lexus RX 

While the Lexus NX is a great bargain, the 2023 Lexus RX is loved by customers who need a luxury SUV with extra interior space. In 2023, the RX was fully refreshed as an all-new fifth-generation model. Like the other vehicles on this list, the RX received the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ award and sees 22 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway. Again, FWD is standard with AWD being an option or standard, depending on the trim. The base models feature a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 275 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque, while the hybrid model has a 2.5-liter motor with 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque. The top-of-the-line RX500h F Sport Performance has a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and electric motors, bringing a total of 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. MotorTrend estimates you’ll pay around $38,000.  

Lexus UX 

If that’s a little rich for your blood, the 2023 Lexus UX lets you experience high-end luxury for around $30,000 in a subcompact SUV with an incredible 43 mpg city and 41 mpg on the highway, and it’s an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. All UX models have a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson-cycle hybrid engine with 181 horsepower and standard FWD or optional AWD. Part of the appeal is reliability, standard luxury, and plenty of cargo space for buyers.  

Nissan Murano 

This list may seem very Lexus-heavy, but there are other great luxury options, such as the 2022-2023 Nissan Murano, which is available for roughly $17,000 and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. The EPA says the Murano is efficient thanks to its 3.5-liter V6 with 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque, and it returns 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. With a quiet, comfortable interior with lots of safety and technology, the Nissan gives you a great luxury experience that people will think you spent more money on than you actually did. Front-wheel drive is standard, and AWD is optional.  

Toyota Corolla Cross 

Another Japanese brand that rivals the Honda HR-V, the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is priced around $19,000 and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with EPA-estimated 31 city and 33 highway fuel mileage. Front-wheel drive is standard, but AWD is an option that is readily available on the used market. All models were powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produced 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. While the Corolla Cross is a smaller crossover SUV, it packs quite a bit of room and comfort into an economical package. Drivers note how easy it is to see out of the vehicle when driving,

which means a safer vehicle.  

Subaru Forester 

While there are plenty of great SUV options on this list, some people will always prefer vehicles like the 2022 Subaru Forester. With standard Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel drive, the Forester has a cult following as it is one of the most reliable and usable SUVs ever made. It is also one of the safest vehicles ever produced, as the Forester has been a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ every year since the award’s inception, and the 2022 model is the latter. The EPA estimates drivers will get 26 mpg in city driving and 33 mpg on the highway. For around $19,000, you will get a fantastic everyday SUV with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, more than some pickup trucks.  

Mazda CX-5 

Last but not least, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 rounds out this list of great SUVs that feel and drive like they’re more costly than they actually are. The CX-5 is a beloved crossover for buyers who prefer a more sporting attitude. Roughly $18,500 gets you a reliable SUV that’s an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and gets 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. While you get a little less fuel economy, the CX-5 is more lively and fun to drive than the other vehicles on this list, thanks to its specially tuned suspension and 6-speed automatic transmission. Like every other vehicle here, the CX-5 comes standard with FWD and has AWD as an option. The standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder has 287 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. In comparison, a turbocharged version of the engine delivers 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque with 87 octane (93 octane yields 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque).  

Alderman Automotive Has the Best Used Vehicles for You 

Alderman Automotive has a great list of used vehicles available to customers at any given time. With the Lucas Oil engine warranty, you can protect your engine for life and get a free replacement if anything goes wrong. Ask a sales associate or the finance department for more information.  

Why Choose Alderman Automotive   

At Alderman Automotive, we work tirelessly to give you the best possible price and service on every used car we sell, and our finance department will work within your monthly payment needs. Whether you are looking for a high-end luxury car or SUV, or if your budget is something under $15,000, we have a whole host of vehicles best suited for your wants and needs. Our state-of-the-art service department and helpful staff will ensure your vehicle is always in the best condition possible.