The Best 5-Year-Old Compact SUVs To Buy Ranked By Price

Compact SUVs
, in general, are great for families on a budget. Whether you buy new or used, you get the capabilities of an SUV without having to spend big SUV money. Some compact SUVs, of course, are more capable than others, but by and large, the majority of these small ‘utes compile everything you would need for a daily driver.

One of the greatest, earlier, examples of a compact SUV is the Jeep Cherokee XJ. It technically is not the first compact SUV to ever exist, but it helped make the blueprint for what modern compact SUVs are today. The XJ was rugged, capable, off-road ready, and approachable in its size.

Whatever your needs are, SUVs are the way to go if you want something capable, comfortable, and safe. If you don’t want to drive a brand-new car off the lot and just want something that will get you from A to B with the capability that you need, we’ll let you know what the current asking price of these five-year-old compact SUVs are, and their features.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturers and other authoritative sources, including Edmunds. The models below have been ranked based on their starting MSRP.

10

2020 GMC Terrain

MSRP: $16,561

The original asking price for the 2020 GMC Terrain wasn’t entirely unreasonable. The base model SL started at around $26,000. The Denali cost almost $40,000. Now, you can pick up an SL with the standard 1.5-liter four-cylinder. If you want more power and features, you can opt for the more expensive Denali, featuring the 2.0-liter four-cylinder.

Performance Specifications

Depending on what trim level you choose, you can go fancy, fancier, or fanciest. The fanciest is by far the Denali. The Denali comes stacked with heated/power-adjustable front seats, a Bose premium sound system, and a wireless phone charging pad. It also comes with larger 19-inch wheels.

9

2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

MSRP: $16,489

This is the second generation Volkswagen Tiguan that originally got its start for the 2018 model year here in the U.S. The 2020 model year comes in five trim levels with the base model originally starting at $25,965 and a current market value of $16,489.

Performance Specifications

You can get this with just one turbocharged inline four-cylinder, but you can choose between front and all-wheel drive. There’s nothing entirely special about the Tiguan’s interior, but that’s what makes it a Volkswagen. It’s utilitarian to a tea, with no outlandish styling or trimming.

8

2020 Mazda CX-5

MSRP: $16,681

The CX-5 had its ten-year model anniversary last year. The 2020 model is part of the current second generation that started in 2017. The 2021 model received a revamp to its headlights, among other refreshed features. Mazda CX-5s have always been known for fun driving ability for not a lot of money.

Performance Specifications

The CX-5, like most Mazda‘s at this point, comes in two powertrains. You can choose between the non or the turbocharged 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine. In comparison, the non-turbo can be a bit of a snooze with a 0 to 60 time of 8.1 seconds, while the turbocharged version can get you there in 6.1 seconds.

7

2020 Jeep Compass

MSRP: $16,667

The Jeep Compass is still chugging along with a 2025 model year. If you don’t want a brand new one, you can pick up the same generation for a couple of thousand dollars less. Every compass comes with one powertrain that is lauded as lazy by most outlets that have tested it.

Performance Specifications

The Compass comes for the 2020 model year and comes in six different trim levels, including a trail-rated Trailhawk. The Trailhawk comes with tow hooks, a two-tone color scheme, all-terrain tires, and a reflection-resistant hood paint job.

6

2020 Nissan Rogue

MSRP: $14,813

The first generation of the Nissan Rogue started way back in 2008. This is the second generation that was in production from 2014 to 2020. This model year comes in three trim levels, with the SL coming with a Bose premium sound system and a power liftgate.

Performance Specifications

With such a wide variety to choose from in the compact segment, the Rogue’s four-cylinder unfortunately doesn’t have a ton of power. What it lacks in power, it makes up for in great fuel economy and great crash test scores from NHTSA and IIHS.

5

2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

MSRP: $14,263

Comparatively, the 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has been on sale for a shorter period of time, since 2018 in fact. The 2020 model comes in five different trim levels, with all of them incredibly reasonably priced. We’ve quoted the base, but the SEL top-of-the-line is not much more.

Performance Specifications

The design language is hotly contested among car enthusiasts as it gives off Aztec styling on the back end with modern separated daytime running lights with the headlamps on the front end.

4

2020 Chevrolet Equinox

MSRP: $14,231

The Chevrolet Equinox has been a long-standing staple in the Chevrolet. The latest Equinox has dropped recently for the 2025 model year, but this was the third generation on sale from 2018 to 2024. The 2020 model came in four trim levels that were all reasonably priced.

Performance Specifications

Like any Chevrolet, the LT is the best bang for your buck. You can add or subtract any fancy or non-fancy packages you would like and get the best suite of safety features. There were two powertrains and two drivetrains to choose from, with the latter being a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and an all-wheel drive drivetrain.

3

2020 Hyundai Tucson

MSRP: $13,796

This is the third generation Hyundai Tucson. It’s one of the few ones on this list that received a mid-generation refresh. This generation received “good” crash test ratings from IIHS with one marginal score for the side crash.

Performance Specifications

The interior might not look it, but this generation of any Hyundai is when they really started to pack it with features and technology. The upper trim levels get an eight-inch infotainment screen with a standard navigation system. Unlike a lot of compact vehicles on this list, this generation Tucson only came with one powertrain.

2

2020 Kia Sportage

MSRP: $13,579

Thankfully, the class action lawsuit for the Kia Sportage’s now-defunct Theta II engine does not affect the 2020 model year. This is the fourth generation of the Sportage. It really started to take shape as a sportier-looking compact SUV at this stage. This is also the face-lifted version with a few more amenities.

Performance Specifications

The Kia Sportage also has one of the quickest engines on this list, with a 0 to 60 time of 6.7 seconds. While it is one of the least expensive vehicles on this list, for reference, they originally were quite pricey, especially for the top-of-the-line.

1

2020 Ford Escape

MSRP: $12,686

The Ford Escape started out back when Mercury was still in business. This 2020 model year is the start of the fourth generation. It had a pretty significant facelift in 2023, but this is also the generation where we have started to see hybrid and plug-in-hybrid vehicles.

Performance Specifications

The base engine is a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline three-cylinder engine. You can, however, opt for the much more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that outputs an impressive 250 horsepower.