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Our used-car picks for the ten best crossovers
Introduction
You're looking for a used car. You need one that's dependable and economical. A sedan's not going to cut it, and the low gas mileage of a heavy truck-based SUV is out of the question. Enter the crossover suv: A happy compromise of the best of both worlds. Offering car-like handling and better fuel economy than an SUV, plus the utility of an SUV, the only question left is which used crossover to buy. We've crunched the numbers and listed our picks from 10 to 1 to help you reach your own happy conclusion, one of reliability, economy and good gas mileage.
By Vernon Heywood
Number 10: 2003-2005 Mitsubishi Outlander
Engine: 2.4-liter inline-4
Fuel Type: Regular
EPA fuel economy (city/highway): 19/25 (FWD, 5-speed manual)
Price range: $11,250-14,250
JD Power Dependability: 3 out of 5
Hey, we gotta start somewhere. The 2003-2005 Mitsubishi Outlander only scores a 3 and shares the distinction of highest annual fuel cost on our list, but $11,250 does offer comfortable midsize utility for those looking to dodge the minivan bullet. If the Mitsubishi Outlander looks appeal to you, and you can find a low-mileage version, you may have found yourself a used-car bargain.
Photo credit: Mitsubishi
Page 3Number 9: 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid
Engine: 2.3-liter inline-4
Fuel Type: Regular
EPA fuel economy (city/highway): 30/28 (FWD, continuously variable transmission)
Price range: $19,750-23,750
JD Power Dependability: 3.5 out of 5
The 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, along with most of our other used-crossover choices, nets a half-notch-above-average 3.5 reliability rating. What dropped the Escape to Number 9 despite being a hybrid (or rather, because it's a hybrid) is its buy-in price, nearly $8,000 more than most of the other used cars on this list .Of course, you do get an automatic transmission, decent SUV ride and handling with the Ford Escape Hybrid, and that fuel economy is impossible to ignore.
Photo credit: Ford
Page 4Number 8: 2005 Hyundai Tucson
Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4
Fuel Type: Regular
EPA fuel economy (city/highway): 20/25 (FWD, 5-speed manual)
Price range: $11,250-15,250
JD Power Dependability: 3.5 out of 5
The 2005 Hyundai Tucson is equal in nearly every aspect to the Mitsubishi Outlander, and it even has a slightly better reliability rating. But with the same reliability rating as the Ford Escape Hybrid, we still had to give the decision to the Tucson because of its value and safety, and the prohibitive pricing of the Escape Hybrid.
Photo credit: Hyundai
Page 5Number 7: 2005 Mazda Tribute
Engine: 2.3-liter inline-4
Fuel Type: Regular
EPA fuel economy (city/highway): 21/27 (FWD, 5-speed manual)
Price range: $12,250-$16,250
JD Power Dependability: 3.5 out of 5
Take the "Hybrid" out of the Ford Escape Hybrid and call me a Mazda, and I'm the same vehicle as Number 7. The 2005 Mazda Tribute is a rebadged version of the Ford Escape Hybrid, only $7000 less. The Tribute offers nimble handling and impressive fuel economy, even if it's not a hybrid.
Photo credit: Mazda
Page 6Number 6: 2001-2005 Toyota Highlander
Engine: 2.4-liter inline-4
Fuel Type: Regular
EPA fuel economy (city/highway): 19/25 (FWD, 4-speed automatic)
Price range: $12,250-19,250
JD Power Dependability: 3.5 out of 5
The 2001-2005 Toyota Highlander was an expensive proposition as a new vehicle, but as a used crossover, the Highlander is right in the ballpark. Starting at $12,250 the used Toyota Highlander runs around the middle of the pack. What weighs it down is the somewhat average -- by crossover standards -- fuel economy, which is still not far enough off to exclude it from the list and is probably accounted for due to it coming with an automatic transmission as standard equipment. The Toyota Highlander is a good quality vehicle that will treat you right.
Photo credit: Toyota
Page 7Number 5: 2001-2003 Toyota Rav4
Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4
Fuel Type: Regular
EPA fuel economy (city/highway): 23/29 (FWD, 5-speed manual)
Price range: $12,250-$15,250
JD Power Dependability: 3.5 out of 5
This is the second-generation Toyota Rav4, not the version that most closely resembles a cross-training sneaker. With less polarizing styling, average pricing and slightly better-than-average fuel economy, the 2001-2003 Toyota RAV4 is terrific little runabout with more emphasis on the runabout than the little.
Photo credit: Toyota
Page 8Number 4: 2005 Ford Escape
Engine: 2.3-liter inline-4
Fuel Type: Regular
EPA fuel economy (city/highway): 21/27 (FWD, 5-speed manual)
Price range: $11,250-15,250
JD Power Dependability: 3.5 out of 5
We're going to bring the 2005 Ford Escape back for one more encore. What makes this version better than the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid and Mazda Tribute? Pricing. Buying the used Ford Escape over the Mazda Tribute will save you around $1,000, and $8,000 compared to the Escape Hybrid. Bank the difference and use it to splurge on your next vehicle.
Photo credit: Ford
Page 9Number 3: 2001-2005 Subaru Forester
Engine: 2.5-liter inline-4
Fuel Type: Regular
EPA fuel economy (city/highway): 23/31 (AWD, 5-speed manual)
Price range: $9,250-16,250
JD Power Dependability: 3.5 out of 5
Bargain alert! The 2001-2005 Subaru Forester is the least expensive used car on our list -- nearly $2,000 less than the next least expensive. The 3.5 reliability rating isn't anything to brag about, but the fuel economy is decent and this is the only vehicle in the bunch that comes with all-wheel drive (AWD) standard. The added performance and safety the AWD adds is well worth adding the Subaru Forester to your consideration list.
Photo credit: Subaru
Page 10Number 2: 2004-2005 Toyota Rav4
Engine: 2.4-liter inline-4
Fuel Type: Regular
EPA fuel economy (city/highway): 21/27 (FWD, 5-speed manual)
Price range: $17,250-18,250
JD Power Dependability: 4.5 out of 5
Tops in reliability with slightly better fuel economy than our Number 1 pick. So how did the 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4 end up as the first runner up used crossover SUV? A $4,000 higher price for starters. But in addition to the higher price tag, like most of the other vehicles on this list, the starting price is for a manual transmission, unlike our automatic equipped chart topping vehicle. So the 2004-2005 Toyota Rav4 plays the bridesmaid used car.
Photo credit: Toyota
Page 11Number 1: 2002-2005 Honda CR-V
Engine: 2.4-liter inline-4
Fuel Type: Regular
EPA fuel economy (city/highway): 20/26 (FWD, 5-speed manual)
Price range: $13,250-18,750
JD Power Dependability: 4 out of 5
Without further adieu, we present the 2002-2005 Honda CR-V. At $13,250, it's slightly higher priced than average, but your left foot will thank you every time you sit in traffic thanks to the Honda CR-V being equipped with an automatic as priced. As you sit in traffic avoiding trips to the mechanic thanks to the second highest reliability rating on the list, your wallet will thank you too.
Photo credit: Honda