There’s nothing worse than buying a new vehicle only to have to scrap it a few years after you pull it off the lot. You want something that’s going to take you where you want to go, rolling past the junkyards, not into them!
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast who wants to off-road or a road-tripper living out of your rig, there are some cheap SUV’s out there that will last a lifetime without putting a massive hole in your wallet.
There are a couple surprises in this list, so let’s get into it. Here are 7 cheap SUV’s that will last you forever! Let’s go!
Honda CR-V – The Obvious Choice
These days it seems like every other car on the road is a Honda CR-V, and for good reason! On top of being Honda’s best-selling SUV, these Japanese juggernauts consistently last a lifetime! That means you’re seeing CR-V’s from this year, from last year, from 2010, from 2005, hell, probably a couple from the Stone Ages. And guess what? They’re probably all running just fine.
While your CR-V is probably not going to impress any supermodels, it’ll sure make you happy with how much you’ll save in the long run. These compact crossover SUV’s hide a 2.4-liter engine under the hood that’s hooked up to a 5-speed transmission, making the CR-V one of the most maneuverable machines in its class.
It also offers surprisingly peppy acceleration that’ll have you grinning as you sail past the sedans. Expect gas mileage close to 30 miles per gallon, no matter what generation you get. And best of all, you’ll be cruising in your CR-V until you’re ready to pass it on to your grandchildren. JD Power hit the CR-V with 5 out of 5 stars for reliability, and we here at Ideal definitely agree.
Next up, we got a great SUV for you if you’re thinking big!
Find a cheap Honda CR-V on AutoTempest!
Chevy Tahoe – Canyonero
The biggest beast on our list, the Chevy Tahoe just looks like authority. And you might even find that people pull off the road for you if you buy a Tahoe, because these bad boys are used as cop cars, not just because of how badass they look, but because they rock a 5.3-liter V8 capable of spitting out 320 horsepowerand a six-speed transmission. The Tahoe’s geared to chase down bad guys or pass the sucker in the slow lane.
Unfortunately, the downside of having an engine built for a giant steel bulldog is that the fuel economy is pretty subpar. But never fear! The Tahoe can still end up saving you money! 2010 models are selling for under $10,000 and are guaranteed to last forever!
The Tahoe also got a 5 out of 5 star rating for reliability from JD Power from 2010 to 2014, which means that this bruiser can take a beating! No, I’m not suggesting you go start punching your Tahoe to see if it dents. But I am suggesting that if you buy a Chevy Tahoe, you won’t end up with a dent in your wallet.
However, if you’re willing to sacrifice a little power for agility, the next SUV might be all you!
Find a cheap Chevy Tahoe on AutoTempest!
Acura RDX – High-Tech High-Mileage
Saying that the Acura RDX is an affordable SUV that lasts is, well, accurate. Get it? Acura, accurate. Oh, nevermind. Dad jokes aside, the Acura RDX is a car that your pops would approve of. It’s super safe, relatively inexpensive, and extremely reliable. It got stellar ratings in IIHS crash tests across the board, except for rollover tests, where scores fell only a little.
But the RDX isn’t just built for safety, it’s also a quick little devil that’s a blast to drive. Plus, it’s got an ultra-firm independent suspension that lets it turn corners on a dime. The firmness of the suspension does, however, make for a bit more of a rigid ride. So, if smoothness is your top priority, you may want to consider another option. If you’re looking for an affordable luxury vehicle that will last longer than time itself, definitely keep the RDX in mind.
As always, Acura has outfitted this ride with the finest luxury features: leather trim, a powered moonroof, and dual-zone climate control. And with its high degree of reliability, the RDX will be transporting you in comfort and style for the rest of your days.
Now, let’s talk about how you can get a Land Cruiser with Lexus luxury for under $9,000 that’ll last a lifetime. You heard me! Listen up!
Find a cheap Acura RDX on AutoTempest!
Lexus GX470 – Proud Prado
So, what if I told you that you can have all the luxury and performance that comes with buying a Lexus, all draped over a Toyota Land Cruiser? I bet you’re holding onto your wallet for dear life right now. But no! You can get all that and more for less than $9,000 with a Lexus GX470.
That’s right, all of the expert engineering that went into creating the most powerful and reliable SUV ever made by Toyota, combined with the comfort and style of Lexus luxury, and you could drive one home today without breaking the bank.
What’s even better? You won’t just be enjoying this sweet ride for a year or two, the GX470 runs like new well over 500,000 miles. Doesn’t matter if you take this thing off-roading through every mountain and forest on the globe, the GX470 doesn’t even know what a junkyard is!
Seriously, though, this ride is an off-roading monster with high-tech features like hill-descent control, and a super-advanced four-wheel drive system that can detect when any one of the wheels is slipping and automatically shift power to the other wheels to get you over any obstacle. You could probably drive this car through the Grand Canyon without a scratch. Wait, hold on, don’t try that.
But, for real, this is one of the most durable high-performance SUV’s on the market. And at a price like that? Can’t get much better. It’s so good, in fact, that our own resident off-roader, Squidd, bought one of his very own. Check out this video to see what he thinks of it!
Next up is a boat-sized SUV that actually gets some solid fuel economy.
Find a cheap Lexus GX470 on AutoTempest!
Toyota Highlander – There Can Be Only One
Another beastly SUV that will stand the test of time, even if you take it off-roading, is the Toyota Highlander. This land yacht has enough space to fit your whole family and your pet elephant. Want to leave the pet elephant home? Then fold down the seats into one of the Highlander’s many different configurations and suddenly you have room for pretty much anything else you can imagine.
But a car this big must be horribly inefficient when it comes to fuel, right? Wrong! The Highlander actually has surprisingly good fuel economy at 23 highway miles per gallon. Want to save even more on fuel? Toyota started making a hybrid configuration for this off-roading renegade in 2006. However, it should be noted that drivers have reported the hybrid version doesn’t perform as well off-road. So, if you’re planning to traverse the highlands in your Toyota SUV, better stick with the petrol engine.
However, with electronic traction and stability control, this machine was made to brave nature and take on the toughest terrains. And the best part is that the Highlander received near-perfect reliability ratings, so you can rip this thing off-road until hell freezes over.
Want a tech-savvy SUV with Bose noise cancellation? Let’s talk Buick!
Find a cheap Toyota Highlander on AutoTempest!
Buick Encore – Hear Me Out
The Encore is not your grandfather’s Buick! This compact SUV is booted up with top-of-the-line tech features, ample storage space for its size, and superb fuel economy for an SUV. Let’s look at all the bells and whistles the Encore has to offer. A Rear Cross Traffic Alert system that lets you know if you’re about to back up over the neighbor’s bike, blind-spot monitoring that helps you change lanes safely, a 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec engine with unreal fuel economy for an SUV, and it’s even got a Bose noise cancelling system in the cabin! Imagine driving in traffic and not having to hear all the road rage and car horns.
And even with all these gadgets, you can get one of these high-tech rides for under $8,000! But that’s not the only money the Encore will save you. With great ratings in reliability and 33 miles per gallon on the highway, this compact cruiser will save you a fortune on gas over its nearly infinite lifespan! Could your grandfather’s Buick do that?
But while we’re talking about reliable SUV’s, let’s talk about an affordable ride that’ll last you to… infinity.
Find a cheap Buick Encore on AutoTempest!
Infiniti FX – Special FX
There’s a reason Nissan named their luxury division “Infiniti”. It’s because if you buy an Infiniti FX, that’s the year it will break down on you. Infinity! In other words, never. And the FX isn’t just reliable, it’s also quick, powerful, and a ton of fun to drive.
When the FX was first released in 2003, Infiniti changed the SUV landscape forever by dropping an SUV body on what was essentially the same platform as their high-performance sedan, the G35. And by shifting as much weight to the wheelbase as possible, they created an SUV that can whip around corners and zip through traffic better than most sedans on the market. This ride really puts the “sport” in “sport utility vehicle”.
But that’s not all, the FX also has all the sweet luxury features that you’d expect from an Infiniti. A 300-watt Bose sound system, a rearview monitor, and a telescoping steering wheel are just a few of them. And, believe it or not, you could pull away in this righteous ride for under $8,000! Ridiculous!
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