Buying a car is rarely a straightforward decision, especially if you're a family trying to budget well enough that you don't overload yourself and your loved ones. There's also a ton of trade-offs if you're looking for an SUV in the sub-$20,000 pricing region. It's very tit-for-tat: one vehicle might be great on fuel economy but doesn't hold enough luggage, like, say, the Honda HR-V. One might be reliable, but it's too sluggish on the road, like the Toyota RAV4.Exhale, because the good news is that there's always a car that will exist at the price point that will work for you. One that doesn't make a family choose between practicality and peace of mind. Doing your research and making sure all of your boxes are checked is a huge part of the car-buying experience. Maybe find a dealer that has a good return policy? Why The Used Car Market Is Hot Toyota Hansel is so hot right now. Zoolander anyone? What's not funny is the fact that the used car market has been anything but predictable for quite some time now. The volatility has opened up incredible opportunities for some and left others scratching their heads in bewilderment. From supply chain issues to literal pandemics, if you can understand what's happening in the current landscape, then you're one step closer to finding what's right for you. Post-Pandemic Depreciation Creating Buying Opportunities Buick During the height of the pandemic, used car prices started off incredibly well priced (some luxury SUVs today are still well priced). Some would even say they were a steal. Then, as a result of the semiconductor chip shortage and supply chain disruptions, they surged to an all-time high. By 2021 alone, used car prices soared 35 percent in an area typically defined by depreciation, according to CarEdge. Currently, the average price of a used car sits within the $25,000 to $27,500 range, according to ACV Max and CarEdge. What $20,000 Gets You Today Vs. 2019 CarBuzz By comparison, the average price of a used car in 2019 was $5,000 less, which gave you access to reasonably modern, well-equipped vehicles. Thankfully, the pendulum has swung back in the car-buyer's favor with a dip in average used car prices of around 6.1 percent in 2025, according to GoodCar. At this point, you can find a vehicle with a reasonable mileage on the odometer of around 40,000 with all the tech and features you would want for $20,000. The Runner-Up: The Kia Telluride Kia The Kia Telluride is unmatched right now. They just revamped it for the 2027 model year, which kicks off the second generation. The news there, however, is that it no longer offers a V6 powertrain. Luckily, the Hybrid is more powerful, but if you don't want either the standard four-banger or the hybrid, then a used one might be for you. That said, looking for a used Telluride for $20,000 and under comes with some caveats. First-Gen Kia Telluride Performance Specs A Standard SUV With Luxury Features Kia We could write an entire separate article and have reasons why the Telluride is such a compelling choice. It is simply a money printing machine for Kia. It offers immense value at such a reasonable price point, new or used. The cabin is packed with the latest tech, some that's even exclusive, and even some amenities you'd expect from a luxury SUV, including: Seven to eight passenger seating 21, 46, and 87 cubic feet of storage 12.3-inch infotainment Available is a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system Available with a 10-inch heads-up display Available heated and ventilated front and second row seats with a dual-zone automatic climate control system and Nappa leather upholstery Why It Just Misses The Cut Kia The Kia Telluride's proverbial used Achilles' heel in this instance is the mileage. It's just frankly impossible to find one that's under 80,000 miles for $20,000. You can find them all day long for $20,000 and under, but you're looking at 90,000 plus miles. While the powertrain warranty does last for ten years, it has a secondary stipulation that it is only good for 100,000 miles. There are always extended warranties. The 2021 Mazda CX-5 - A Luxury Feel Without The Luxury Price Mazda There comes a point in every car buyer's journey that makes them decide: Is this worth the money? You sit in the cabin, feel the materials, take it for a test drive, and ultimately, it's how the car makes you feel at the end of the day. The 2021 Mazda CX-5 can meet your expectations, and even exceed them in some instances. It doesn't feel like you're compromising on your needs, especially because you'll still be able to look good doing it. Premium Interior Materials Mazda The premium interior materials are unending in the '21 CX-5. From the leather upholstery to the dashboard, it feels expensive. Yes, you can achieve that kind of interior quality for $20,000. The stacked features list includes: Available heads-up display 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto An Available 10-speaker Bose premium sound system Available power lift gate with rain-sensing windshield wipers and an auto-dimming rear view mirror Standard across all trims is adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and mitigation with pedestrian detection, among other safety features. We haven't even scratched the surface. Unbreakable Driving Dynamics Mazda If interiors aren't your thing (which, maybe they should because you'll be spending a lot of time there) and you're just here for the driving dynamics, then you're not to be disappointed. Mazda has built its entire brand identity around the concept of "Jinba Ittai," which is the philosophy of a rider unified with their horse. The CX-5 is arguably the best example of the aforementioned philosophy. A Four-Year-Old CX-5 Can Be Had For Less Than $20,000 Mazda Let's talk about pricing. According to Kelley Blue Book, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 currently has a fair purchase price starting at $18,650 for the base model. The Grand Tour Sport Edition comes in around $19,500. Even still, the top-of-the-line Signature Sport has a general asking price of $21,000. That means you can get all the features available for only $1,000 over budget. Undeniable Specifications Justin Kaehler | TopSpeed Are you going to be putting your CX-5's tread on a track? Probably not. Will it still give you the brisk and potent acceleration that you wouldn't expect from something as inexpensive as this? Absolutely! AWD Confidence And Decent Reliability Mazda You can find a 2021 Mazda CX-5 with Skyactiv all-wheel drive drivetrain. It really adds that extra punch in the corners, especially with torque vectoring. You can expect the AWD with the base engine to have the best MPG, with 24 in the city and 30 on the highway. When it comes to reliability, it's nothing to shake a stick at either, with RepairPal giving it a 4.5 out of 5.0 in reliability and an average cost of $447 annually in maintenance.Sources: Mazda, Kia, ACV Max, CarEdge, GoodCar, KBB