Best Used SUVs Under $25K — IIHS Top Safety Picks Cross-Referenced with Consumer Reports

The “best used SUV under $25K” question gets confused by independent rankings that emphasize different criteria. Some prioritize fuel economy, others driving dynamics, others sales volume. This article cross-references three independent datasets — IIHS safety, Consumer Reports reliability, and KBB pricing — and identifies which used SUVs are under $25K AND earn top scores on safety AND earn top scores on reliability. The intersection is small and remarkably consistent.

The four winners from this cross-reference: 2019-2020 Toyota RAV4, 2018-2020 Honda CR-V, 2019-2021 Subaru Forester, and 2018-2020 Mazda CX-5. Honorable mentions go to the 2018-2019 Toyota Highlander and 2019+ RAV4 Hybrid (when prices permit). Below, each in detail with the data behind the recommendation.

Methodology

To make the cut, an SUV must:

1. Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick in the model year
2. Score 4 or 5 out of 5 on Consumer Reports predicted reliability
3. KBB Fair Purchase Price under $25,000 at typical mileage (50-80K miles for compacts, 70-100K for midsize)
4. No major outstanding recalls as of 2024 (or recalls that have been addressed)

Many popular SUVs fail one of these tests. Some examples:

• 2018-2019 Ford Edge: KBB-affordable, IIHS-good, but Consumer Reports rates only 3/5 reliability (failed test 2)
• 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox: KBB-affordable, but lower IIHS scores in some configurations and CR reliability 3/5 (failed tests 1 and 2)
• 2018-2019 Hyundai Tucson with 2.4L Theta: Theta engine class action settlement makes long-term reliability uncertain (failed test 4)

The four winners pass all four tests cleanly.

Toyota RAV4 (2019-2020)

The 5th-generation RAV4 (2019+) earned IIHS Top Safety Pick all model years. Consumer Reports reliability:

• 2019: 4/5
• 2020: 5/5
• 2021: 5/5

KBB 2024 retail at 60K miles:

• 2019 LE FWD: $22,500
• 2019 XLE AWD: $25,800 (over budget at higher mileage)
• 2020 LE FWD: $24,500

EPA combined: 30 MPG (FWD), 28 MPG (AWD). RAV4 Hybrid (where in-budget): 40 MPG combined.

J.D. Power VDS 2024 ranks RAV4 in top-3 of compact SUV segment. Repair costs (RepairPal): $429/yr — among the cheapest in segment.

What to look for: Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 standard from 2019+ (forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, road sign recognition). LE trim is meaningfully cheaper than XLE/Adventure trims; the safety tech is identical across trims, so don’t pay XLE premium just for nicer alloy wheels.

Avoid: 2018 RAV4 (4th gen, lower IIHS scores than 5th gen). 2019 XSE Hybrid had a few recall items, all addressed.

Honda CR-V (2018-2020)

The 5th-generation CR-V continues the “if a Civic and a CR-V can’t do it, you don’t need it” tradition. IIHS Top Safety Pick (TSP+ on EX trim with proper headlights). Consumer Reports reliability:

• 2018: 4/5
• 2019: 5/5
• 2020: 5/5

KBB 2024 retail at 60K miles:

• 2018 LX FWD: $20,500
• 2019 EX FWD: $24,500
• 2019 EX-L AWD: $25,200 (just over)
• 2020 LX AWD: $25,000

EPA combined: 28-30 MPG depending on trim and drivetrain. Excellent for compact SUV class.

What to look for: 1.5T oil dilution issue (same as 1.5T Civic) — verify TSB compliance via service records. EX trim and above have Honda Sensing standard (forward collision, lane keep, adaptive cruise). Pre-2020 infotainment is dated; Apple CarPlay/Android Auto added 2017 (mid-cycle).

Avoid: 2017 CR-V (same generation, slightly worse Consumer Reports score and untreated oil dilution issues). LX trim before 2020 lacks Honda Sensing in many configurations.

Subaru Forester (2019-2021)

The 5th-generation Forester (2019+) earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ all model years — the strongest safety pedigree among the four winners. Consumer Reports reliability:

• 2019: 4/5
• 2020: 5/5
• 2021: 4/5

KBB 2024 retail at 50K miles:

• 2019 base: $22,500
• 2020 Premium: $24,500
• 2021 base: $24,800

Standard AWD on every trim — Subaru’s signature feature. EPA combined: 26-28 MPG (acceptable but lower than competitors due to standard AWD).

What to look for: EyeSight driver-assist standard from 2019+ (forward collision, adaptive cruise, lane keep, lane departure). Forester has ground clearance advantage (8.7”) versus competitors — useful for snow/light off-road. Cargo area is class-leading. CVT is reliable in this generation per Consumer Reports.

Avoid: 2018 and earlier (4th gen — lower CR scores and worse IIHS results).

Mazda CX-5 (2018-2020)

The 1st-generation CX-5 facelift (2017-2024) earned IIHS Top Safety Pick / TSP+ across these years. Consumer Reports reliability:

• 2018: 4/5
• 2019: 5/5
• 2020: 5/5

KBB 2024 retail at 60K miles:

• 2018 Sport: $19,800
• 2019 Touring: $22,500
• 2020 Touring AWD: $24,500

EPA combined: 26-28 MPG (FWD), 26 MPG (AWD).

What to look for: CX-5 wins on driving feel — the steering, suspension tuning, and body control are class-leading. Interior quality (especially Touring/Grand Touring trims) is closer to luxury than its competitors. i-Activsense suite (forward collision, adaptive cruise, lane keep) standard from 2019+ on most trims.

Avoid: 2017 (slightly older safety tech), Sport trim if you want adaptive cruise (Touring trim and above).

Honorable mentions

Toyota Highlander (2018-2019)

Older midsize with 3rd row, IIHS TSP, CR 5/5 reliability. KBB ~$23-25K at 70-90K miles for mid-trims. Excellent for families needing 3rd row at this budget.

RAV4 Hybrid (2019-2020)

If you can find one in budget: 40 MPG combined, identical safety scores to gas RAV4, often $1,500-2,500 premium that pays back in 4-5 years on fuel.

Honda Pilot (2018-2019)

3-row midsize. CR 4/5 reliability. KBB ~$24-25K at 80-100K miles for LX or EX trim. Less reliable than Highlander but more interior space.

Cost of ownership comparison

5-year cost (purchase + fuel + maintenance + insurance + depreciation) for typical 12,000 miles/year, per AAA + RepairPal data:

Vehicle	5-year cost
2019 RAV4 LE FWD	$36,500
2019 CR-V EX FWD	$37,800
2019 Forester base	$38,200
2018 CX-5 Sport	$35,800
2018 Highlander LE	$42,500
2014 Equinox LT (cheaper purchase, expensive ownership)	$39,500

The compact “winners” cluster around $36-38K total cost. The Highlander costs more (larger, less efficient). The Equinox example shows how cheaper purchase + worse reliability ends up costlier — this is a recurring pattern with lower-rated vehicles.

Pre-purchase checklist

For any of the four winners, the pre-purchase inspection (PPI) checklist is similar:

1. Carfax + AutoCheck — clean title, no major accidents, regular service intervals
2. TSB compliance — for 1.5T Honda, verify oil dilution TSB applied
3. Tire condition + age — tires older than 6 years should be replaced regardless of tread depth
4. Brake pads + rotors — visible inspection; PPI mechanic can measure
5. CVT/transmission fluid color — should be pink/red; brown indicates overdue change
6. Coolant condition — clean, no oil contamination
7. AC operation — both heating and cooling work properly
8. All electronics function — infotainment, all power options, all driver assists active
9. Test drive 30+ minutes — highway speeds, hard acceleration, rapid stops, turning radius

A reputable independent mechanic charges $100-200 for PPI. Always cheaper than buying a problem.

What about 2021-2022 models?

If your budget stretches to ~$28-30K, 2021-2022 versions of all four winners come into reach with lower mileage and slightly newer safety tech. The 2022 CR-V is still the 5th-gen (last year before 2023 redesign); 2022 Forester is mid-cycle refresh; 2022 RAV4 added more standard tech; 2022 CX-5 is end of run before 2023 refresh.

For pure value-per-dollar in 2024, the 2018-2020 generation at 50-80K miles remains the strongest choice under $25K. The newer years aren’t dramatically better, just newer.

Bottom line

The four cross-referenced winners are the answer to “what should I buy?” for the under-$25K used SUV question. RAV4 and CR-V for absolute reliability and resale, Forester for AWD and snow capability, CX-5 for driving feel. All four pass all four tests (IIHS, Consumer Reports, KBB, recall status). All four cluster around the same total cost of ownership. Picking among them is more about preference (AWD? cargo size? driving feel?) than about hidden differences in long-term reliability or safety.

For sedan equivalents at lower price points, see the Camry and Civic analyses — same data sources, same methodology, smaller vehicles for those who don’t need the SUV size or AWD.

SUV accessories worth buying day-one

Three accessory categories return outsized value on most used SUVs: weather-tight floor mats, cargo organization, and a roof crossbar system. These three picks are vehicle-agnostic and ship with universal-fit options:

For most used-SUV buyers, the WeatherTech + Trunkcratepro pair is the minimum upgrade kit. Add the Thule crossbars only if you actively haul bikes, kayaks, or cargo boxes — otherwise they’re aerodynamic drag you don’t need.