10 Slightly Used SUVs And Crossovers With A Five-Star Safety Rating (2024)

SUVs these days seem to be the jacks of all trades. They're roomy and attractively styled, and some automakers are even making performance variants. However, at the core of an SUV's list of things it needs to do well is safety because, at the end of the day, an SUV is still a family vehicle.

With all of these improvements over the years, it's understandable that prices continue to climb in the SUV market. New ones are getting harder and harder to attain, making buying used ever more attractive to prospective buyers. Buying used also doesn't mean you have to give up on safety.

Our following CarBuzz list aims to shed some light on 10 gently-used SUVs you can buy today that won't break the bank and will excel in keeping your family safe on the road.

1 2021 Chevrolet Equinox

Model Specs

The first SUV on our list of models with five-star safety ratings is the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. Introduced in 2005, the Equinox sits in the middle of Chevy's SUV lineup, between the compact Trax and the full-size Traverse. It has enjoyed moderate success in the midsize SUV segment for the last 19 years.

As for safety, the Equinox received a five-star rating for the 2021 model year. The 2021 Equinox is also one of the more reliable ones made, as model years 2018-2023 are considered the most long-lasting examples. According to Edmund, those in the market will be able to find a fair number of used 2021 Chevy Equinoxs for around $17,803.

2 2021 Ford Escape

Model Specs

The Ford Escape received a major model refresh for the 2020 model year, bringing the previously bland styling into the future. Much like the Equinox we discussed previously, the 2021 Ford Escape comes standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. As for power output, the 1.5-liter produces 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque.

The Escape also has an impressive safety rating. Its five-star safety rating, courtesy of the NHTSA, means it's one of the safest SUVs out there. Fortunately for those in the market, a 2021 Escape with good mileage costs less than $20,000 on average, with Edmunds reporting an average market price of $19,216.

3 2021 Honda CR-V

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Model Specs

Next up is the Honda CR-V, the brand's best-selling vehicle since 2017. It's easy to see why, as it shares a chassis with the Honda Civic and combines the practicality of a larger SUV with the ease of driving a car. Not to mention, it's pretty safe, too.

The 2021 CR-V comes standard with Honda's 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four motor. Much like our previous SUVs, it puts out adequate power numbers with horsepower coming in at 190 and a torque rating of 179 lb-ft. Because Hondas are generally regarded as more reliable, a gently-used 2021 CR-V will cost you a bit more, about $23,128 on average.

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4 2020 Ford Explorer

Model Specs

Our fourth entrant on our list is the second Ford to be featured. The Explorer has enjoyed icon status in the SUV world since its inception in 1991. Since then, it's been America's best-selling SUV thanks to its ability to be great on the road, off-road, and in between. Since it gained an optional third-row in 2002, it has become even more useful as a family vehicle.

The 2020 Explorer also has a respectable amount of power. The base 2.3-liter EcoBoost can produce 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, making for a rather quick ride. Prospective buyers interested in a safe SUV can expect to pay around $25,520 in today's market for a used 2020 Ford Explorer.

5 2020 Mazda CX-9

Model Specs

Often overlooked, the Mazda CX-9 was the Japanese automaker's flagship SUV until the introduction of the CX-90 in 2024. While it's been discontinued, it has been part of Mazda's lineup since 2007 and did relatively well in sales. It also won its fair share of awards throughout its tenure, showcasing its capabilities as a family hauler.

The 2020 Mazda CX-9 comes standard with a 2.5-liter SkyActiv turbocharged inline-four motor producing 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87-octane fuel. If you fuel up with 93-octane, those numbers go up to 250 horses and 320 lb-ft of torque. If you're in the market for a used 2020 CX-9, expect to pay around $23,273.

6 2020 Hyundai Palisade

Model Specs

The Hyundai Palisade debuted in 2020 to much fanfare and media attention. At the time, it was one of the most revolutionary designs to hit the mass market, and it was affordable, too. Over its five-year tenure, the Palisade has won several awards for safety and build quality.

Today, despite it only having five years under its proverbial belt, a used Palisade is cheap, but not as cheap as you'd expect a used Hyundai to be. Its 3.8-liter V6 with 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque isn't the most fuel-efficient, either. However, it managed to earn a five-star safety rating in its first year of life. Prices average at around $28,229 for a clean, low-mileage 2020 Palisade.

7 2020 Lincoln Corsair

Model Specs

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair adds a little bit of luxury to our list. The Corsair debuted in 2020 as a replacement for the MKC, Lincoln's more upscale version of the Ford Escape. The Corsair namesake has some history, most famously used by Ford's now-defunct subsidiary, Edsel, in 1958 on the Edsel Corsair.

Not only does the Corsair have Ford history, but it's also quite well-built. In 2020, it earned a five-star safety rating, thanks to improvements made by Ford on its 2020 Escape chassis, which the Corsair shares. At base level, Lincoln employs a 250-horsepower 2.0-liter EcoBoost motor with 280 lb-ft of torque. The average price for those interested in a used 2020 Corsair hovers around $23,667.

8 2019 Audi Q3

Model Specs

The Q3 is Audi's smallest SUV, belonging to the subcompact class. Introduced for the 2015 model year in North America, the Q3 has seen good sales figures and positive owner feedback. 2019 marked the introduction of the Q3's second generation, which improved most aspects of the underwhelming first generation, turning it into a good all-around subcompact SUV.

The Q3 employs a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four capable of 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque at base level. While its small stature may lead some to believe it's not the safest, that assumption is far from the truth. The NHTSA gave it a five-star safety rating.

9 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander

Model Specs

Surprisingly, a Mitsubishi made it onto our list. For the past couple of decades, Mitsubishi has recently become known for its cheap-and-cheerful cars like the Mirage. However, with cheapness and cheerfulness comes, well, cheapness. Many die-hard Mitsubishi fans have left the building due to this, especially after the demise of the Lancer.

However, despite its recently-garnered reputation, the Mitsubishi Outlander has proven itself to be quite safe. Earning itself a five-star safety rating, it's a great model to consider when shopping for your family's next SUV. It's underpowered, with only 166 horses and 162 lb-ft of torque from its 2.4-liter motor, but it's three rows and the agreeable average price of $21,074 make up for its lack of pep.

10 2019 Lexus UX 200

Model Specs

Our final entrant is the 2019 Lexus UX. One of the shining aspects of Lexus ownership is its Toyota build quality, which is world-famous for being one of the best. Another good aspect of being owned by Toyota is Lexus' penchant for safety. The 2019 Lexus UX is no exception to this rule, either.

The 2019 UX earned its five-star safety rating with flying colors, exceeding in almost every sub-category. However, while the UX is almost as safe as an SUV can be, it's quite slow. Its 2.0-liter inline-four only puts out 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, so you won't be beating many others in a dash for the merging lane.

Sources: Edmunds.com, Automobile-Catalog.com