10 Cheapest 4×4 SUVs You Can Buy Used

4×4 SUVs are currently one of the most sought-after vehicles in the market. However, if you want to buy one today, you might have to part with one of your kidneys especially if you are looking for something as good as a Range Rover or Bentley Bentayga.

The SUV is currently everyone’s favorite car thanks to its enticing mix of practicality, performance, and utility that makes it the best package in the market. You get to carry your family comfortably as you would do in a sedan or van if you get a seven-seater and still butcher the trails like a Jeep once you head down to the farm or countryside.

Thankfully, if you turn your eyes to the used car market, you can get to enjoy most of the goodies you’d get in a modern 4×4 SUV albeit for a cheaper price. These 10 are among the few that will give you the best bang for your buck.

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10

Geo Tracker ($1,300)

Via-Mecum-Auctions

When Chevy introduced the Geo sub-brand, the company intended to manufacture the cheapest SUVs from this brand. And that is exactly what they did with the Geo Tracker. Before the Geo Tracker, Geo had already made a name for itself with the Metro that was a dinky economy car.

RELATED: Geo: The Brand That Dared To Make Badge Engineering Cool

Via-Wikimedia-Commons

The tracker thus followed suit with a petite size that didn’t inspire that much off-roading confidence. But you would be shocked once this tiny monster hit the trails. The Geo Tracker is extremely capable off-road. This rebadged Suzuki Sidekick can be bought for about $1,300 today.

9

2002 Isuzu Trooper ($ 3,000)

Via-Wikimedia-Commons

Before Isuzu pulled out of the US market, the brand tried manufacturing several new marques to lure Americans back to it. But most of their productions didn’t inspire the market until the Isuzu Trooper was launched. This mighty capable SUV went on to become a very popular choice in the ‘90s.

Via-Cody Shell YouTube

Today, probably thanks to Isuzu’s absence in the US market, you can get a Trooper in perfect working conditions for about $3,000. This leaves you with plenty of money to add some extra goodies to this already capable machine.

8

2006 Lada Niva ($7,000)

Via-Mecum-Auctions

USSR cars have not had the best reputation. That is why it’s rather odd to have the Lada Niva included in this list. However, this Soviet-made machine is a proper off-roading machine.

Via-HotCars

The Lada Niva was introduced in 1977 with one purpose in mind, off-road supremacy. There were many villages scattered around motherland Russia at the time. These villages were surrounded by harsh terrain that made it impossible to get from one village to another. The Niva was thus packed with the capability of plowing through the snow in winter and mud throughout the rest of the year to make the villages accessible. As a result, it became the people’s car, packed with futuristic technologies at the time such as independent four-wheel suspension. If you want one today, you have to part with about $7,000.

7

Suzuki Samurai ($ 10,000)

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The Suzuki Samurai had a rollercoaster of a sales life in North America. The marque started strongly before demand dwindled into oblivion later. But regardless of this flaky sales performance, the Suzuki Samurai is still considered a small but mighty machine.

RELATED: A Detailed Look Back At The Suzuki Samurai

Via-The Gearhead Project

The Samurai got its origins from the ‘60s Kei car. The idea, therefore, was to design and build a marque that could deliver exemplary off-road performance but in a small and fun package. So, outside America, the Samurai was sold as the Jimny. This 4×4 became an immediate hit in Japan and North America. $10,000 can get you a Samurai in proper working condition today.

6

Jeep Cherokee (XJ) ($13,800)

Via-Insane Terrain YouTube

The Jeep Cherokee XJ is arguably one of the most underrated vehicles when it comes to influence. This is the marque that formed the mold into which modern SUVs would be carved. It was the first 4×4 SUV in the world to combine a practical, comfortable interior with a platform that was designed for all-terrain performance.

Via-off Road Xtreme

At the time, many looked down upon this marque compared to its rugged cousin, the Wrangler. However, once they got a taste of what the XJ had to offer, the buyers came in droves. Nearly 3 million Jeep Cherokee XJ were sold in its production run. You can get one of the 3 million today for about $13,800.

5

1991 Mitsubishi Pajero ($ 15,000)

Via-HotCars

Most recently, Mitsubishi’s SUV lineup has been tainted by the company’s odd decision to use the Eclipse nameplate. But before this confusion eclipsed the brand, no pun intended, Mitsubishi used to produce some very capable SUVs. The Mitsubishi Pajero was one of them.

Via-Dailymotion

This nameplate is still on sale today. The 2nd generation Pajero, however, stands out as a classic and rally-winning 4×4. After it was introduced in 1982, the Pajero quickly proved its worth as a capable and rugged off-roader that could compete and win in the highest stage possible, the Dakar Rally. Today, a second-gen Pajero in good shape will set you back around $15,000.

4

Subaru Forester ($15,000)

Via: Wikimedia Commons

The Subaru Forester is one of Subaru’s most popular models. This marque was initially launched as the company’s bread and butter wagon before it morphed into a desirable crossover SUV. The Forester is oddly based on the Subaru Impreza. It is packed with great practicality mixed with unparalleled off-road capabilities thanks to Subaru’s revolutionary Symmetrical AWD system.

RELATED: The 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness Edition Is A Capable Little Crossover

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That’s why the Forester has been on sale since 1997 to date. If you want the best bang for your small buck, then the 1st and 2nd generations would be the best picks. About $5,000 can get you one in good condition. However, newer models can go as high as $15,000, albeit with better off-roading and interior goodies.

3

1989-1995 Toyota 4Runner ($16,000)

Via- Wikimedia Commons

The Toyota 4Runner is another incredible SUV that has survived to date. Earlier generations of the 4Runner were the purest form of SUVs you could get. That’s because they were nothing more than a pickup truck with a fully enclosed bed.

Via-Tai Solutions

Having a pickup truck base gave the earlier generations 4Runner a ton of off-road performance compared to rival 4x4s. That Toyota Hilux platform could take a thorough beating while still donning a comfortable interior that would make for a civilized ride around town. If you search well, you can get a 1989-1995 Toyota 4Runner in proper working condition for about $16,000.

2

2015 Nissan Xterra ($19,000)

Via-Wikimedia-Commons

The Nissan Xterra is a rugged and robust body-on-frame 4×4 SUV from Nissan that didn’t compromise in bringing unparalleled off-road performance. The Xterra has enjoyed a long production run with the first generation going on sale in 2000. The 2nd generation made its debut in 2005 before the marque was discontinued in 2015.

Via-Nissan Media

The Xterra is based on the Nissan Frontier’s truck platform. It is offered with a rear locking diff, a feature that is usually reserved for the most hardcore off-roaders. Earlier models of this incredible marque go for about $5,000. If you’re interested in the newer, 2015 marque, then about $19,000 would land you something nice.

1

Subaru Outback ($ 21,000)

Via-Chatham Parkway Subaru

The Subaru Outback was created to become the off-road loving brother to the incredibly famous Subaru Legacy. The success of this marque thus revolved around it being an extremely capable off-roader. And when it was launched, it became an instant hit.

Via-Wikimedia-Commons

The Subaru Outback was at first a trim package for the Legacy. It gave it a durable interior and tough body cladding for proper off-roading. In 1996, the Outback received a lifted suspension to make it even more daring on the terrain. With time, this marque became the best buy with the best value for money. A modern example will set you back about $21,000. Older generations on the other hand go for about $5,000.