Shopping for a Crossover SUV on a Budget? Check Out These Great Pre-Owned Options

Do you want to find your next crossover SUV at a low price with no strings attached? For New York residents wondering what used cars for sale Albany, NY drivers look for, allow us here at DePaula Chevrolet to help. Shopping for a car is many things, but easy isn’t usually one of those; without the proper guidance, some shoppers are unaware of where to look, and the decision of which automobile they want to purchase won’t be an educated one.

There are many types of cars on the market, but you may have been looking at crossover SUVs because of their reliable, cost-effective automobile built upon a unibody frame. Crossover SUVs have been popular for decades, and the most prevalent automotive manufacturers still produce high-quality ones; albeit, the term “crossover” may be absent sometimes, depending on where you look.

Given that there is more than a fair share of crossover SUVs on the market, you may wonder which ones are recommendable. Strengths and weaknesses are expected when you compare automobiles against each other, but we believe we’ve come up with a list of crossover SUVs that should be the first vehicles you look for when you begin shopping – or at least guide you in the right direction. This list will be a great stepping-stone into the world of crossover SUVs, so let’s get started.

The Mazda CX-30

Let’s start with a heavy hitter, but also one that has one of the most straightforward shopping experiences you can have. Have you seen the Mazda CX-30 in action? If not, it’s worth checking one out for a few reasons. But first, a little introduction to the CX-30. The Mazda CX-30 is still relatively new if you think about it: the first CX-30 model was released in 2019, and because of that, even the latest CX-30 model is still within that first generational batch we’ve been seeing. However, there is one exception.

The 2019 and 2020 CX-30 models, like those that came after it, come standard with a 2.5L I-4 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This is great because it gives every base model CX-30 from every model year by this point 186 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque to work with. Where models from 2021 and 2022, and even more recent models, differ is by offering a turbocharged 2.5L I-4 engine that dramatically boosts performance: the turbocharged powertrain gives the CX-30 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque; 34% more horsepower and 67% greater torque output.

Each of the powertrains for the CX-30 is fuel-efficient, but the turbocharged engine is undoubtedly the more fuel-efficient, with EPA-estimated ratings of 24 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. The base CX-30 comes with FWD, but AWD is available. Our favorite part about the CX-30 is how it’s one of the safest vehicles on the market, and it isn’t a coincidence: the Mazda CX-30 earned the Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2020 and the more recent 2023 model year. The real claim to fame in safety comes from the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, which the Mazda CX-30 won back-to-back years with the 2021 and 2022 models.

The Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V has a lengthy history; the first CR-V model was released in 1997. With more than a handful of generations of the CR-V released throughout the past 25-plus years, used CR-V models are a common sight, so it’s always a great place to start. Sure, the latest generation CR-V was kicked off with the launch of the 2022 CR-V, but even if you find a used model released at least three years ago, you’ll get an incredibly similar experience.

For example, 2020 CR-V models come with a standard turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine paired with a CVT and outputs 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. This is the same engine that comes standard with the latest model. The CR-V comes standard with FWD, but AWD is available. However, FWD models are undoubtedly more fuel-efficient; FWD CR-V models with the turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine get EPA-estimated ratings of 28 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. Later models add the CR-V Hybrid’s powertrain to the mix as an option to condense the lineup into one cohesive shopping experience; this makes sense as aside from the powertrain, there aren’t any notable differences.

In our opinion, the main reason anyone should consider the CR-V, especially if you’re driving with your friends or loved ones, is the incredible dedication to safety that Honda has given to the CR-V. There are a couple of reasons for this, including the Honda Sensing safety suite with a bevy of advanced safety features that have come standard with the CR-V since 2020, while older models offered it on trims above the base model.

The other reason you shouldn’t doubt the reliability of the CR-V is because of its five consecutive years of winning the IIHS’ Top Safety Pick award: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 models all received this award. Not good enough for you? The Honda CR-V also won the IIHS’ Top Safety Pick+ award three years in a row: 2015, 2016, and 2017 models. Ultimately, a fantastic buy for those who are interested in a Honda vehicle.

The Chevy Equinox

Our personal favorite is none other than the Chevy Equinox. Chevy is the longest-standing manufacturer we’ve mentioned thus far, and throughout all the trials and tribulations that come with well over a century of continued automotive excellence, the Equinox represents Chevy’s dedication to innovation. The Equinox is nearing its twentieth birthday, with the first Equinox being the 2005 model.

Chevy is well known for many of its products, especially its pickup trucks, but an entire side of Chevy exists in the realm of SUVs and, by extension, crossover SUVs. You may have never experienced a Chevy SUV or a crossover SUV, but the Equinox is a fantastic place to start. The Equinox is far from Chevy’s priciest SUV, making it an ideal starting place; Chevy Equinox offers some of the best value, stretching back years.

Something great about shopping for the Equinox is that a decent amount of models released in and before 2019, the 2020 Equinox downwards, can be equipped with a turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine outputting 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque paired with an indescribably-smooth 9-speed automatic transmission. The upgraded turbocharged engine you can switch to allow these earlier Equinox models to tow 3,500 lbs, making it one of the most versatile crossover SUVs we’ve mentioned.

Coming standard with Equinox models for several years, dating back to 2020 and before, is a turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission that outputs 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. The newest Equinox models, even the 2024 model, have a slight bump to 175 hp. This is one of the best reasons to purchase a pre-owned Equinox because not only does saving money on an older model mean you can get close to identical performance with the latest model, but you also have the choice to exceed it if you pay for the stronger turbocharged engine.

There are numerous other reasons why the Equinox is the better purchase for a crossover, especially since Equinox models have an excellent 63.9 cu.ft. of cargo space when the backseats are folded down and 29.9 cu.ft. when they’re up. This is more than the Mazda CX-30, and while it’s slightly less than the Honda Pilot, the aforementioned older models have better performance and a proper transmission too. Ultimately, the Equinox is the better buy for those looking for a used crossover SUV because it’s also the better overall vehicle.

A Combination of Performance, Safety, and Value

Your crossover SUV will be your go-to tool for all things travel-related, so it’s important you make the right choice. We’ve shown you that many crossover SUVs are available today, but now the question becomes: which crossover SUV is right for you? There’s hardly a wrong answer, but we’re giving this one to the Chevy Equinox for its stunning versatility that comes in at a shockingly cost-effective price.

The crossover SUV you choose will be a decision you shouldn’t take lightly because if you’re serious about spending your money, then you should choose to spend it wisely. At DePaula Chevrolet, we welcome you to come in and look at our extensive selection of pre-owned crossovers, and we’ll help you find an SUV that fits your unique driving needs and elevates your experience on the road.