10 old SUV models with super cheap maintenance costs, familiar to Vietnamese customers

High-chassis SUVs, whether using body-on-frame or unibody chassis (often called crossovers), are very popular worldwide thanks to their functionality, safety and comfort.

In the US, SUVs account for 45% of the entire auto market and this "piece of the pie" is constantly increasing. Used SUVs are also receiving a lot of attention from customers in this market.

The article below lists 10 used SUVs that are reliable but affordable (only around $15,000 - equivalent to 350 million) and especially have the lowest maintenance costs posted by HotCars according to information compiled from Kelley Blue Book, CarEdge, Consumer Reports and JD Power.

This ranking is based on the average amount spent each year over the first 5 years as follows:

10. Ford Escape2015 - 454 USD/year

First on the list is the 2015 Ford Escape, a five-passenger SUV that comes with either a 168-horsepower, 2.5-liter engine or a 173-horsepower, 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine. The third-generation Escape scored 83 out of 100 for quality and reliability, and is known for its acceleration and visibility.

Today, a 2015 Ford Escape costs between $9,800 and $14,000 on the used car market. Since its launch in 2015, the Ford Escape has had an average annual maintenance cost of $454 over the first five years of ownership.

9.Hyundai Santa Fe 2015- 429 USD/year

The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size SUV/crossover manufactured in the US by the Korean automaker with a 5-seat configuration. The vehicle uses a 2.4-liter GDI engine or a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, which can produce power from 188 horsepower to 240 horsepower. This vehicle received a reliability score of 85/100 and is notable for its maneuverability and interior space.

Currently, a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe is sold in the US for between $13,000 and $17,000. In the first 5 years of ownership, the 2015 Santa Fe has an annual maintenance cost of $429 per year.

8.Subaru Outback 2015 - $427/year

The 2015 Subaru Outback is the fifth generation of this mid-size SUV. Customers can choose between a 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter Boxer-4 engine or a 256-horsepower, 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine. The 2015 Outback is rated 76 out of 100 for quality and reliability. The most outstanding features of this SUV are its power and interior space.

Currently, a used 2015 Subaru Outback costs between $14,000 and $20,000, depending on the model and engine type. Over the first five years of ownership, a brand-new 2015 Outback will cost its owner an average of $427 per year in maintenance.

7.Subaru Forester 2015- 416 USD/year

Smaller than its big brother Outback, the Forester has two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter Boxer engine that produces 170 horsepower or a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 250 horsepower. The 2015 Subaru Forester has an average reliability score of 77/100. The 5-seat SUV is highly rated for its engine and smooth transmission.

A 2015 Subaru Forester can cost anywhere from $11,000 to $17,500 on the used car market. The 2015 Forester’s average annual maintenance cost is $416 for the first five years, which is more economical than its Outback sibling.

6. Honda Pilot 2014 - $407/year

The Pilot is the largest of Honda’s SUVs. It comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 250 horsepower. The 2014 Pilot isn’t a fast SUV, but it’s highly rated for comfort and reliability. JD Power gave the Pilot an 84/100.

Currently, used car dealers are offering the 2014 Honda Pilot for sale at prices ranging from $12,000 to $18,000 depending on the model and condition of the vehicle. Despite being a large 7-seat vehicle, the 2014 Honda Pilot only has an average annual maintenance cost of $407 in the first 5 years.

5. Mazda CX-5 2015 - $390/year

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 is a five-passenger crossover with two engine options: a 2.0-liter SkyActive-G that produces 155 horsepower, or a 2.5-liter engine that delivers 184 horsepower. Although this Japanese car has an average reliability score of 80/100, its owners still praise the car's performance, engine smoothness, and spacious interior.

The 2015 CX-5 was sold in the US for $23,000. Currently, the 2015 Mazda CX-5 is priced from $12,000 to $16,000. In the first 5 years of ownership, a 2015 Mazda CX-5 has an average annual maintenance cost of $390.

4. Honda CR-V 2014 - $385/year

The 2014 Honda CR-V is a 5-seat SUV equipped with a 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine that produces 185 horsepower through a 5-speed automatic transmission with 2WD or AWD configuration. The Japanese model scored 85/100 in the quality and reliability category announced by JD Power. The CR-V's strengths are its interior space and smooth transmission system..

Currently, a used 2014 Honda CR-V sells for between $11,000 and $16,000 depending on the condition of the vehicle. When it was introduced in 2014, the Honda CR-V had an average annual maintenance cost of $385 for the first five years.

3. Toyota Highlander 2011 - $324/year

The top three spots on this list are all occupied by Toyota models. In third place is the 2011 Toyota Highlander, a seven-passenger midsize SUV with three engine options, including a hybrid powertrain. The pure gasoline variants earned a reliability score of 81 out of 100, which is considered “excellent” in JD Power’s classification.

Today, a 12-year-old 2011 Highlander sells for $11,000 to $15,000. Over the first five years of ownership, a brand-new 2011 Highlander has an estimated annual maintenance cost of $324, which isn’t bad for a seven-passenger midsize SUV.

2. Toyota Venza 2013 - $312/year

The Toyota Venza is slightly smaller than its Highlander sibling. The 2013 Venza is available with a 182-horsepower, 2.7-liter L-4 or a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6. For the 2013 model year, the Venza received an impressive reliability score of 87 out of 100. It gets good marks for its handling and versatility.

The 2013 Venza is currently on sale in the used car market in the US with prices ranging from $12,000 to $18,000 depending on options and engine. Over the first five years of operation, a 2013 Venza will cost an average of $312 in annual maintenance.

1. Toyota RAV4 2014 - $300/year

The winner of this list belongs to the best-selling car in the US, the Toyota RAV-4. For the 2014 RAV-4, this 5-seat car is equipped with a 2.5-liter engine, 176 horsepower combined with a 6-speed automatic transmission in FWD or AWD configuration. The RAV-4's reliability score is only 79/100, slightly lower than its Toyota brothers but still approaching the "excellent" level according to JD Powers.

In the used car market in the US, a 2014 Toyota RAV4 is being sold for between $13,000 and $18,000, depending on the configuration, equipment and drive system. In the first 5 years of operation, the 2014 RAV4 only requires the owner to spend an average of $300 per year for maintenance costs in the first 5 years.

Hoang Hiep