{"id":2173,"date":"2021-08-26T18:47:04","date_gmt":"2021-08-26T18:47:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automarketwatch.com\/?p=2173"},"modified":"2022-06-17T17:58:09","modified_gmt":"2022-06-17T17:58:09","slug":"dirt-cheap-used-suvs-under-15k","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automarketwatch.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/26\/dirt-cheap-used-suvs-under-15k\/","title":{"rendered":"Dirt Cheap Used SUVs Under $15k"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you tired of asking to borrow your parents\u2019 SUV to get to school? Maybe it\u2019s time to get your own wheels. Here are some used SUVs that won\u2019t leave you eating noodles from a Styrofoam cup.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

SUVs a College Student Can Afford<\/h3>\n

Nothing says \u201cindependence\u201d like having your own car. And with the uncertainty of having in-person college classes, you never know if or when you\u2019ll be ordered to move out of your campus housing. When you\u2019ve got your own SUV, not only is it easier to get to and from classes, but you can pretty much pack your dorm room in one of them, should the need arise.<\/p>\n

Here are some SUVs we found that go easy on college budgets. You can get most of these for under $15k, and if you\u2019re willing to go back a few model years, you\u2019ll find bargains for less than $10k.<\/p>\n

Kia Sportage<\/h3>\n

\"2015_kia_sportage\"<\/p>\n

The darling of value SUVs,<\/a> <\/strong>the Sportage offers many features for not a lot of money. Its roomy passenger cabin provides plenty of legroom and headroom, even in the back seat. And with 26 cubic feet of cargo space, there\u2019s plenty of room for your friends and all of your textbooks.<\/p>\n

Need more hauling space? Both rear seats fold, giving you nearly 55 cubic feet to fill.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re trying to stay under $15k, look for a 2014 or earlier model. You\u2019ll still get some good tech features, including a touchscreen infotainment system and plenty of safety technology.<\/p>\n

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport<\/h3>\n

\"2018-Mitsubishi-Outlander-Sport\"<\/p>\n

Like the Sportage, the Used Mitsubishi Outlander Sport<\/a><\/strong> comes standard with a lot of in-demand features like smartphone integration, driver assistance technology, and a premium audio system. Storage space is roughly the same as competitive models.<\/p>\n

It also comes with a spry 2.0L 148-horsepower or a 2.4L, 168-horsepower engine. Both are paired with Mitsubishi\u2019s CVT transmission and standard front-wheel drive. But the Outlander Sport delivers better fuel economy than many of its competitors, even if you opt for an all-wheel drive. This SUV nets an impressive 28 combined MPG (27 on the AWD model).<\/p>\n

Best of all, you won\u2019t have to go back too many model years to get a great deal. A 2015 Outlander Sport should be well within your budget<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Toyota RAV4<\/h3>\n

\"rav4<\/p>\n

The RAV4 leads the pack in cargo space (over 73 cubes with the rear seats folded down). And the low liftover height makes loading it a breeze. And while it\u2019s got a robust 2.5L engine, its gas mileage lags behind the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and the Kia Sportage. And suppose you\u2019re trying to keep the cost under $15k. In that case, you\u2019re going to have to get one that\u2019s 2014 or older, in which case you sacrifice a lot of popular features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You won\u2019t even find these particular apps in higher trims since Toyota pushed drivers toward their Etune smartphone system. If you\u2019re willing to give up these features for Toyota\u2019s reliability and the extra cargo space, you\u2019ll get a great deal.<\/p>\n