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Best Used Crossover SUVs for 2023


Senior Contributor Robyn Tellefsen Headshot
Robyn Tellefsen | Senior Contributor
November 14, 2023
Family unloading soccer equipment from the trunk of their blue Volkswagen SUV on a street.

Spacious, practical, and versatile.

Looking for a vehicle that handles like a car but has the spaciousness of an SUV? Check out the modern crossover SUV. Compared to a sedan, you get generous passenger and cargo space, higher ride height, and off-road capability—all in a size that can make maneuvering and parking a breeze. Many crossover SUVs are super comfortable to drive, with modern tech features to keep you and your crew connected on the road. From daily errands and carpools to weekend getaways and road trips, a crossover SUV can practically do it all.

We compiled a list of the 10 most popular used crossover SUVs with CarMax customers. Learn more about how our lists work.

Best Used Crossover SUVs for 2023

  1. Nissan Rogue

  2. Honda CR-V

  3. Chevrolet Equinox

  4. Toyota RAV4

  5. Ford Escape

  6. Mazda CX-5

  7. Jeep Compass

  8. Hyundai Tucson

  9. Subaru Forester

  10. Volkswagen Tiguan

1. Nissan Rogue

Red 2022 Nissan Rogue SV

The Nissan Rogue tops our list of the best used crossover SUVs, and it's easy to see why. With comfortable seating for five, a cargo-friendly cabin, and generous standard features, the 2019-2024 Rogue is a practical choice. You'll get 36.5 cu-ft of cargo space behind the second row of seats, and an impressive 74.1 cu-ft with the seats folded down (2021-2024 models)—plenty of room for all your gear. All 2019-2024 models have standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto integration, so you can stay connected on all your journeys. Plus, the ProPilot Assist suite of advanced driver aids — like adaptive cruise control, steering assist, and lane departure warning — can give you peace of mind on the road. Front-wheel drive is standard for all 2019-2024 Rogues, but all-wheel drive is available.

Research the Nissan Rogue.

2. Honda CR-V

Blue 2020 Honda CR-V Touring

With seating for five and lots of appealing features, the Honda CR-V also has thrifty fuel economy—the 2019-2024 model years with the 1.5L turbocharged engine and front-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined.

The standard Active Noise Cancellation system on 2019-2024 models ensures a quiet ride, so you and your passengers can get comfortable and enjoy the journey. And your taller passengers will thank you for the generous rear legroom—40.4 inches for 2019-2022 models (41 inches for 2023-2024). Heading out of town for the weekend? The 2019-2022 CR-V has a massive 75.8 cu-ft of cargo space with the seats folded down; the sixth-generation CR-V (2023-2024) bumps it up to 76.5 cu-ft.

Research the Honda CR-V.

3. Chevrolet Equinox

Black 2020 Chevrolet Equinox LT

Looking for a crossover that offers a smooth ride, precise handling, and a distinctive design? The Chevrolet Equinox delivers. The 2022 Equinox got an exterior refresh, with a revised grille and bumpers that stand out from the crowd. If you want some oomph under the hood, the 2018-2020 Equinox has an available 252-hp 2.0L turbocharged engine that makes 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. If you want to make fewer trips to the pump, look for a 2018-2019 Equinox with the available 1.6L turbodiesel engine and either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, which gets an EPA-estimated 32 mpg.

Across 2019-2023 models, you'll appreciate the intuitive infotainment system, standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto integration, and available Wi-Fi hotspot.

Research the Chevrolet Equinox.

4. Toyota RAV4

Blue 2018 Toyota RAV4 XLE

If you're looking for one of the best used SUV crossovers, don't miss the Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 offers a comfortable ride, a quiet cabin, and lots of room for passengers and cargo. This five-seater has 37.5 cu-ft of cargo space behind the second row, and 69.8 cu-ft when the rear seats are folded (2019-2024 models). Plus, the low cargo floor makes it easy to load up your gear for everyday errands and weekend adventures. If fuel economy is a priority, check out the RAV4 Hybrid—with the 2.5L engine, dual electric motors, and standard all-wheel drive, 2019-2024 models get an EPA-estimated 40 mpg combined.

Want to take your crew off the beaten path? The 2020-2024 TRD Off-Road trim boasts torque vectoring, off-road suspension, and plenty of style.

Research the Toyota RAV4.

5. Ford Escape

Black 2019 Ford Escape SEL

The Ford Escape is a practical crossover SUV with a spacious interior, comfy seats, and appealing tech features. On 2020-2024 models, you'll get 40 to 42.5 inches of headroom in the front and back seats, as well as 40.7 to 42.4 inches of legroom in the front and back seats—ample room for everyone to stretch out. Generous cubbies and door pockets let you keep your personal items close, and anti-tip tabs on all cup holders keep you and your passengers from spilling your drinks. You'll love the infotainment system on the 2020-2024 Escape, with easy-to-use navigation and a sound system that produces crisp, clear audio. For added confidence behind the wheel, 2020-2024 models include advanced driver aids like blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and forward collision mitigation.

Research the Ford Escape.

6. Mazda CX-5

Red 2019 Mazda CX-5 Sport

The 2019-2024 Mazda CX-5 is a sporty crossover SUV with sharp handling that makes easy work of twists and turns. The available 2.5L turbocharged engine provides plenty of power, taking the 2019-2024 CX-5 from zero to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds—pretty quick for an SUV (according to the manufacturer, when new). If you want maximum traction in a variety of road conditions, all-wheel drive is available on 2019-2021 models and standard across 2022-2024 models. And if you like a little luxury, you'll appreciate the CX-5's sleek exterior styling and upscale interior, with high-end materials that offer an indulgent experience. The cabin is hushed at highway speeds, allowing you and your passengers to chat freely and enjoy each other's company.

Research the Mazda CX-5.

7. Jeep Compass

White 2022 Jeep Compass Trailhawk

Looking for a used car that can handle trips off the beaten path? The Jeep Compass is a capable crossover SUV with solid off-road credentials. All-wheel drive is available on 2019-2022 Compass models, and it's standard on 2023-2024 models. AWD pairs with Jeep's Selec-Terrain® traction management system, which lets you choose between driving modes such as snow, sport, rock, sand, and mud.

The 2023-2024 Compass gained a standard 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 200 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque—ample power for all your adventures. For maximum off-road capability, look for the 2019-2024 Trailhawk trim, which boasts trail-ready features like advanced all-wheel drive, raised suspension, and underbody skid plates. No matter where you take the 2019-2024 Compass, you and your passengers can cue up your favorite playlists with standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto connectivity.

Research the Jeep Compass.

8. Hyundai Tucson

Blue 2021 Hyundai Tucson Sport

It's easy to relax in the 2019-2024 Hyundai Tucson, with its comfortable seats, minimal road and engine noise, and suspension that absorbs the imperfections of the road. You'll get standard Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto, and Bluetooth® connectivity on 2019-2024 models, as well as helpful driver aids such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist. Want to turn heads in the carpool lane? Look for the fourth-generation Tucson (2022-2024), with style updates that include a wide-slatted grille, a sporty tapered roof, and eye-catching doors that pop with bulges and wedges. Front-wheel drive is standard on the 2019-2024 Tucson, and all-wheel drive is available.

Research the Hyundai Tucson.

9. Subaru Forester

2022 Subaru Forester 2.5i

The 2019-2024 Subaru Forester is a spacious crossover SUV with standard all-wheel drive and impressive off-road capability. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, you can drive through snowdrifts and avoid most obstacles on dirt roads. You'll appreciate the tall windows and high roof, which provide great visibility and a spacious cabin. Plus, there's plenty of room to stow all your gear in the 2019-2024 Forester, with 35.4 cu-ft behind the second row or a whopping 76 cu-ft with the seats folded. And with the standard EyeSight® suite of driver aids, you can have peace of mind wherever the road takes you. Features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and forward collision mitigation with automatic braking. You'll also get standard Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto, and Bluetooth® connectivity on the 2019-2024 Forester.

Research the Subaru Forester.

10. Volkswagen Tiguan

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

Rounding out our list of the best used crossover SUVs is the comfortable and stylish Volkswagen Tiguan. You'll love the smooth and quiet ride, as the Tiguan glides over bumps in the pavement and keeps engine, road, and wind noise to a minimum. The 2019-2023 Tiguan can either seat five across two rows or seven across three rows. Got more gear than people? Look for a two-row Tiguan, which has 37.6 cu-ft of cargo space that expands to an impressive 73.4 cu-ft when the seats are folded. If you want to stay connected on the road, Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto, and Bluetooth® integration are standard on 2019-2023 models. For added confidence, standard driver aids on the 2020-2023 Tiguan include forward collision warning with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring.

Research the Volkswagen Tiguan.

With a smooth ride, roomy interior, and modern tech, it's easy to find a used crossover SUV that fits your lifestyle. From the feature-filled Nissan Rogue to the fun-to-drive Honda CR-V to the distinctive Chevy Equinox, crossover SUVs truly offer the best of both worlds.

Looking for more used SUVs? Check out these related articles:

Who We Are

At CarMax, we've been buying and selling cars since 1993, and we've made it our business to pay close attention to which cars customers like—and buy—the most. As the largest used car auto retailer in the United States, our overall sample size is large and reflective of the variety of years, makes, and models that we sell.

How We Rank Our Lists

To create our “Best Of" lists, our analysts look at CarMax vehicle and sales data over a recent 6-month period, from March 2023 through August 2023. Looking back over a 6-month period allows for the highest sample size possible while also providing up-to-date pricing information. Some articles may include data points with lower sample sizes.

Senior Contributor Robyn Tellefsen Headshot
Robyn Tellefsen | Senior Contributor

Robyn Tellefsen is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor with more than 20 years of experience covering lifestyle, personal finance, and more. Her work has appeared on sites such as Wayfair, Chase, SoFi, CareCredit, Brightspot, LoopNet, and others. When she's not writing, you can find her absorbed in the pages of a novel.

* Price excludes taxes, title, registration, and fees. Applicable transfer fees are due in advance of vehicle delivery and are separate from sales transactions.

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