Ranking of affordable and reliable used SUVs in 2021

For most people, the ideal car is one that is inexpensive, but at the same time meets all the requirements and wishes.

In the case of machines, the price determines the quality to a large extent. Although there are some exceptions to this rule.

When buying an SUV, a person strives to get a reliable car with good cross-country ability. Everyone understands perfectly well that such cars cannot be economical in terms of fuel consumption. Here, the indicator of reliability, strength, ability to overcome difficult areas, while maintaining the integrity and problem-freeness of the main units, is much more important.

Many are interested in what inexpensive used SUV can be chosen among the options presented in the secondary market.

There are objectively many options. But not every model meets such requirements as a high degree of reliability, cross-country ability, service availability, etc.

There are cars that are inexpensive in price, but their service costs a pretty penny. It is not economically profitable to maintain such a car. There are frankly cheap cars, but at the same time, you should not rely on serious all-terrain capabilities, or you should not expect a long and confident service.

Therefore, the task was to find and select that budget SUV among used options that can best meet the basic requirements.

This is not to say that the cars are perfect. But if you buy them from a good owner, plus they are properly serviced, then the car will last more than one year, creating a minimum of problems and providing the necessary capabilities.

Choosing the most reliable and at the same time relatively inexpensive used SUVs, we included the following models in the list of applicants:

• Suzuki.
• Toyota.
• Jeep.
• Mitsubishi.
• Nissan.
• Chevrolet.

Someone managed to get into the top among SUVs with several cars at once. Also, different generations will be considered separately, since in fact they are different machines with their own strengths and weaknesses, features and technical characteristics.

Now you can take a look at used SUVs, which are perceived as the most inexpensive, but at the same time really reliable, durable and high quality.

Suzuki grand vitara

Opens the top among inexpensive but noteworthy used SUVs, a Japanese car from Suzuki.

Model Grand Vitara is mercilessly criticized for its appearance. But in the case of an SUV, this is far from the most important parameter.

Yes, the appearance is not ideal and no longer corresponds to modern trends. But if you're looking for a car with good off-road ability and don't want to spend a fortune, then this is a great choice. The car is quite high-torque, roomy, and boasts Japanese reliability.

Structurally, Grand Vitara is very simple. This is a full-fledged rogue, which compares favorably with competitors in terms of price. The body is frame, extremely strong. Long-stroke suspension. There is an excellent high power crawler gear. The car will be able to overcome difficult obstacles without any problems.

Mostly sold are 5-door versions with a roomy trunk and a comfortable interior. But there are also long 7-bed specimens, they are rare, but you can find them.

Under the hood, there are 4 gasoline engines, as well as a pair of turbodiesels. It is best to take a 2.0-liter 120 hp engine. from. The consumption will be about 12-14 liters per 100 km. Not much when compared to some of the competition.

The body of an SUV is resistant to corrosion, gasoline internal combustion engines with a good resource, and the transmission causes problems only if the operating rules are severely violated.

Jeep grand cherokee 2

Also, the American legendary car got into the top among inexpensive but high-quality used SUVs.

Despite the not the most extensive presence of the brand on the Russian market, Grand Cherokee is often found. There are no particular problems with spare parts. There are many offers among the counterparts of decent quality. You don't need to order original parts from the USA and wait for them for months.

Under the hood of an SUV, there are mainly gasoline internal combustion engines. There is also a rare diesel with which the car was supplied to Europe.

Motors have one important requirement - the quality of the oil. It needs to be filled in according to the schedule and kept fresh. And so the engines are unpretentious, reliable and with a decent resource.

Only automatic transmissions were installed on the model, but there were 4 types of them. There are no complaints about their reliability, but still the 5-speed automatic from Mercedes is recognized as the best box.

This SUV is not only good and inexpensive, but also durable and reliable, even in used condition after 10-15 years of operation. In many ways, the demand for the Grand Cherokee is provided by the elementary simple design of the chassis, motors and automatic transmissions.

If you want to take a car for regular off-road driving, then the used versions will probably have to change the front levers once a year.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Someone will say that this is the best budget used SUV in terms of reliability and quality, and in many ways it will be right. An excellent Japanese car, which, despite its venerable age, is still in stable demand in the secondary market.

The machine is structurally simple and unpretentious. A real thoroughbred all-terrain vehicle. The only problem is that these cars are becoming less and less. But if you make an effort, finding a Pajero Sport in good condition is more than real.

The car received a frame structure, a continuous rear axle. Here's a hard-wired front-wheel drive. Everything you need for a fan of trophy raids, hunting, fishing, extreme off-road driving and other delights of life outside the asphalt.

Here you will not see a complex viscous coupling or any kind of electronic interlocking. Everything is done as simply as possible, and therefore extremely reliable. The classic on-frame all-terrain vehicle that will go where most are hopelessly stuck.

The question is which engine to choose for this inexpensive used SUV. Basically, in the Russian market, you have to choose between 2 internal combustion engines. This is a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder petrol unit, or a 2.5-liter turbodiesel. Both motors are extremely reliable and have a solid service life. In terms of economy, diesel is better. But in terms of reliability and ease of maintenance, the gasoline engine objectively wins.

It is unlikely that you can find any other box on an SUV, except for an automatic one. But it works confidently, for a long time and reliably.

The Pajero Sport was equipped with an Easy Select transfer case. And the choice is really simple. Here you can engage rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with a downshift.

A versatile off-road conqueror. Such a car is not bought to show off on city streets. This is a true hard worker who was created to help a person in difficult situations.

Nissan Terrano 2

If you are looking for a reliable and durable budget frame SUV among used options, then opting for the second generation Terrano from Nissan will be the right decision in many ways. Those who decide to choose such a car are unlikely to regret it. A real all-terrain vehicle. This is not a new Terrano that has become an urban crossover.

The machine is simple, reliable, practical and inexpensive. The model was focused on the European market, where Terrano 2 at one time enjoyed consistently high popularity.

The car is built on a high strength supporting frame. Under the hood, diesel internal combustion engines of 2.7 and 3.0 liters are mainly found. The younger engine initially produced 99 horsepower. But then they installed an electronic type injection pump, and the number of horses increased to 125.

Turbodiesel is outrageously simple and straightforward. Over the years, it has been proven that the motor is extremely unpretentious and easy to maintain.

Nissan Terrano is not chosen for city driving. Such a car is worth buying if a person actively drives outside the asphalt, loves fishing, hunting, or is completely engaged in extreme off-road driving. It is difficult to find the best partner in such matters. Permeability at the highest level. At the same time, prices for used Terrano 2 are more than modest in the Russian market.

Mitsubishi Pajero 2

Not to be confused with the Pajero Sport, as they are actually different models in the Japanese automaker's lineup. Pajero is positioned as a more expensive car, but at the same time off-road performance is at the same high level as that of Pajero Sport.

The second generation of Pajero is called by many the car that began the era of modern SUVs, and the model appeared back in 1991. Until now, the second generation is in demand in the secondary market. And all thanks to the exemplary reliability, excellent build quality, as well as the enviable all-terrain characteristics of the SUV.

The Pajero 2 has a good combination of off-road and urban driving parameters. The car handles superbly on the asphalt, keeps it confidently even at high speed. There is a decent level of comfort and safety. So on a Japanese SUV it is equally pleasant to drive on flat asphalt and on areas where the asphalt has never been laid.

All-terrain capabilities are manifested due to the frame structure, reliable all-wheel drive and transfer case.

The body was originally made with high quality, and therefore, even after 20-30 years of operation, serious problems with corrosion should not arise.

There are mechanical and automatic transmissions to choose from for the SUV. Moreover, both options do not create any special problems: they work stably and efficiently.

Under the hood is a 3.5-liter gasoline engine, or a pair of 2.5 and 2.8-liter diesel engines. Hardy, with a solid resource. All motors are capable of traveling more than 500 thousand kilometers before being overhauled.

Toyota Land Cruiser 100

A real legend that is not going to retire for many years. The car is incredibly reliable. A model for many SUVs.

Yes, the car will be quite expensive in the aftermarket. But this is justified due to the huge resource, excellent motors and driving characteristics.

The main engine has 8 cylinders, 4.7 liters of volume and 235 horsepower. There are no claims to reliability and cannot be. Combines with a 5-speed automatic transmission. To avoid problems, it is enough to periodically change the oil in the automatic transmission and internal combustion engine.

There should be no difficulties with the suspension during operation. Its 200-250 thousand km passes without problems. Then a standard repair, a few parts for replacement, and again for 100-150 thousand you can forget about serious expenses. Exceptions are versions with air suspension. It is better not to take such configurations.

Before purchasing an SUV, assess the condition of the body and frame. Some examples show severe rust.

Mitsubishi Pajero 3

A relatively inexpensive SUV worth looking at in the aftermarket. The model is quite fresh, and therefore attracts a large number of potential buyers.

Instead of the classic frame, a spar system is used here, which in the Japanese company is called an integrated frame. But in terms of all-terrain capabilities, this did not become an obstacle.

Even after 15 years of operation of the SUV, there are no problems with corrosion. This is largely due to the fact that high-quality galvanizing of the body is carried out from the factory. There are no weak points in the electrics either. The gearbox also raises no questions. The choice is offered by automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Four-wheel drive works well, almost never fails. One of the typical problems is considered to be rotting of the wiring passing under the bottom. But if you close it, then there will be no difficulties.

The SUV's suspension is independent. It provides a high level of comfort in city driving and copes well with driving outside the tarmac.

A question for engines on an SUV. The most common internal combustion engines are quite capricious. There are Japanese versions where a 2.5-liter diesel was installed. And American versions with a gasoline internal combustion engine with a distributed injection system. You can also highlight the rare 3.8-liter version, produced since 2004. This motor was then transferred to the next generation Mitsubishi Pajero.

Chevrolet Tahoe 2

This SUV has several excellent qualities at once. The car is large, roomy, and structurally simple. It quietly processes not even the highest quality gasoline, plus it has a decent level of equipment.

Spare parts for Tahoe SUVs are inexpensive. Although some details still have to wait.

The motors here, according to experts, are excellent, especially for the 5.3-liter version with 288 horsepower. The only drawback is a rather high tax, but on such an engine, a giant SUV can easily cover 500-600 thousand kilometers, while running on 92 gasoline and mineral oil. The engine is also structurally simple to the point of disgrace.

And the rest of the engines that were equipped with the 2nd generation Tahoe SUV do not cause any questions or complaints. The main thing is that the previous owner does not kill them, and this is difficult to do with a strong desire.

Nissan Patrol Y61

Another legend that becomes more and more accessible in the secondary market every year. But this does not lose its attractiveness.

Machine with excellent cross-country ability, reliability and build quality. But it should be noted right away that the TD42 will be the optimal engine. It is time-tested and does not cause any particular complaints. Has a solid resource. It is more likely that the whole body will be covered with rust than this ICE will break down. The rest of the motors are less reliable, although their resource is still solid.

Never buy a Nissan Patrol imported from Arab countries. Typically, these specimens have irreversible corrosion problems. The body will not be able to hold out for long.

Mechanical transmissions have a resource of over 500 thousand kilometers. The machine, if properly maintained, works more than 300 thousand km.

The suspension is exemplary. Something breaks here very rarely.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120

The car is not very cheap. But since we choose the most reliable and at the same time relatively inexpensive used SUVs, the Prado 120 deserves a place in the top 10.

In terms of reliability, the SUV is practically not inferior to 100, but corrosion is considered a weak point. At an advanced age, rust that has not been stopped in time cannot be cured.

There are no specific engine recommendations. You can take it in any configuration, but the most popular is the 4.0-liter gasoline engine, which can cover more than 500 thousand km without serious investments.

Resource and reliable gearboxes are installed on the SUV, and the 4АКПП sometimes serves more than the internal combustion engine. The 5-speed automatic transmission will easily overcome the 500 thousand km mark if the oil is changed at least once every 50,000 km.

Here are real SUVs. Moreover, they are relatively inexpensive in the secondary market.

Yes, it was possible to include in the list different models such as UAZ Patriot, Hunter, or Renault Duster SUVs. But domestic all-terrain vehicles have serious problems with corrosion, reliability, and build quality. They cannot be called the best. Duster cars are more urban crossovers than SUVs.