The 5 Best Used Small Crossovers Under $20,000

The RAV4 is the vehicle that started the crossover craze back in the 90s, and the fact that it’s still one of the top rated models says something about it. The 2014 model specifically offers plenty you an excellent package. It’s comfy and roomy on the inside, has a car-like drive while still sitting up a little higher and benefits from Toyota’s reliability reputation. Base RAV4s come with cruise control, a backup camera, air conditioning, heated power mirrors, power door locks and one-touch power windows, USB and auxiliary inputs and a 6-speaker audio system.

Another relative old timer to the crossover segment, the Honda CR-V has been an excellent choice for well-over a decade. The 2012 model year is an excellent choice for anyone who has a family and needs a easy-to-live-with crossover that can handle the rigors of family life. The CR-V is as interesting as a washing machine, but when you need something that just gets the job done, it’s hard to do better. Base CR-Vs from 2012 come with cruise control, backup camera, 12-volt outlets, power locks and one-touch windows, remote window operation, heated power mirrors, USB and auxiliary inputs, speed sensitive volume control and a 4-speaker audio system.

This is really the only CUV you should consider if you actually enjoy driving. Mazda is known for sports cars like the Miata or the RX-7 but its attention to driving dynamics extends to its crossovers and SUVs as well. The CX-5’s first model year was 2013, and that’s a fine year to hunt down a used model from. The crossover handles curvy roads like a champ and is practical enough to handle what most people need from a vehicle day to day. Base models from 2013 come with 12-volt power outlets, cruise control, air conditioning, heated mirrors, power locks and one-touch windows, choice of a manual transmission, USB and auxiliary inputs, speed sensitive volume control and a four speaker sound system.

The Ford Escape has changed quite a lot over the years. Introduced in 2000, the model has slowly matured into an excellent budget-focused family crossover. The nice thing about the Escape is that it does everything well. It’s hard to point to any one thing because it’s so well rounded. It is spacious, reasonably attractive inside and out, offers a few efficient and power engine options and drives pretty well. Base model Escapes offer cruise control, 12-volt power outlets, air conditioning, one-touch power windows and doors, heated mirrors, speed sensitive volume control, an auxiliary audio input and a 6-speaker audio system.

If you want something that feels sporty and the Mazda doesn’t quite do it for you, check out the 2013 Kia Sportage. It's the first time the Sportage actually looked good. The car company so many people still associate with poor quality products has long since moved past that and has been making excellent vehicles for years now. The Sportage has followed this evolution and become a viable alternative to the class topping crossovers out there. It comes with a variety of engine options (the most engaging of which is the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder) and packs a lot of features into one compact package. The base model includes cruise control, 12-volt power outlets, USB and auxiliary inputs, air conditioning, power locks and one-touch windows, satellite radio and a 6-speaker audio system.