Top 5 Small to Medium SUVs UNDER $10,000 | ReDriven

Ok, you need a small to medium SUV and the budget is 10 grand, there are loads of options out there but these next 5 are simply better than the rest.
Now at this budget the important factors really should be reliability, safety, running and maintenance costs, and practicality
But just because the budget is $10,000, it doesn’t have to be some boring sensible box on wheels either, so we’ve also tried to take into account that these things should actually be fun to drive and dare I say it, even a bit cool.
What did you think? Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below and don't forget to subscribe to stay up to date with all of out latest content!
USED CAR BUYERS GUIDE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZapr...
Part 1, Small Cars Under $10,000:
• Top 5 small cars UNDER...
Part 2, Medium to Large Cars Under $10,000: • Top 5 Medium to Large ...
Toyota RAV4 review: • Why the Toyota RAV4 sh...
Mitsubishi ASX review: • The Mitsubishi ASX was...
Subaru Forester review: • USED Subaru Forester (...
Nissan X-Trail review: • Is the Nissan X-Trail ...
#suv
#smallsuv
#cheap
#bestcheapsuv
---
At ReDriven, we’ll be taking you through the pros and cons of a huge range of used cars to see how well they’re going now that they’re a few years old, have thousands of kilometres on the clock, and are coming toward the end of their warranty, or maybe don’t have one at all.
Plus, thanks to our resident mechanic, Jim, you’ll find out what commonly goes wrong with them and what might need to be fixed.
Most importantly, we want to make ReDriven a voice for the most in-the-know used car experts there are...you guys.. See, you’re the ones that actually buy, live with, love and sometimes unfortunately hate the cars we’ll be reviewing.
So we want to hear your thoughts. Hit us up in the comments, or on Instagram and Facebook.
We’d love nothing more than for you to give us as much feedback as possible, so we can make this channel the best it can be.
Find us on:
INSTAGRAM: / redriven_official
FACEBOOK: / redrivenofficial

[@ReDriven]

💵 Save $$$ on your next car finance and get a $250 fuel voucher when you do! Use our link - fastnfinance.com.au/redriven/ New/used cars, bikes, boats, caravans, classics, grey imports and more. If it moves...they'll finance it!

[@speedymini998]

The Subaru EJ engine head gasket issue is due to the head gasket material used on the non-turbo engines. The Multi-layer gaskets used on Subaru turbo EJ engines rarely fail, and when they do it is usually due to the typical reasons like high kilometres or neglected maintenance of the cooling systems.

[@deancooper5513]

100% its more common for the EJ25 non-turbo engine to have a head gasket failure due to de-lamination of the gaskets. Its also an expensive fix; average cost is $1500 AU per side. The EJ20s are also known for gasket issues but on a far lower scale, and most likely are caused due to overheating, etc.

[@wilydimayuga519]

Yes! Been waiting for this list!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@curiositynz]

Owned a 2005 rav4. Great but tiny. Upgraded to a 2015 Crv and have owned them ever since. I know the 2017 up Crv has had their issues with the 1.5 but luckily I haven’t. We don’t have the weather extremes in NZ which apparently have a lot to do with this. Am averaging 7.6 litres/100 kms and after 34000kms am updating my 2020 to a 2023 model. This is only because of the safety upgrades Honda finally put in them. Liking the channel man, well done.

[@beauhenderson4959]

Honda is about to leave aus 😢

[@kittydeleo4043]

Love you guys! Super helpful, and very relatable :)

[@rexthesheep]

The ASX and the especially 2nd-gen Forester, and their lower-riding Lancer/Impreza wagon siblings, have actually been on my shortlist for a while! There's tonnes of both of them on the road around here so even if something does go wrong, I'm probably not gonna be too far from help and spare parts. Especially with the ASX still being on the market today, buying a used even early example feels like a pretty safe bet. - Though finding examples of either the ASX and Forester that haven't been abused to hell, that's the tough part. I also worry about any Subaru with frameless windows as I'm told wind noise from age-related wear can be a problem on them. Actually if you could do more wagon reviews that'd be awesome! The 2nd generation Impreza wagon is a common sight on the road where I am and I've love to hear what you guys think of it.

[@TwistedDonners]

Surprised the Rav4 was in 5th but i guess thats because it's the smallest of the line up for this group. Kinda suprised that the Jimny or Vitara didn't appear on the list either but I have a feeling that they might next week. Keep up the good work guys and looking forward to Friday's video as always 👍.

[@twerpeater]

Yes in size order as he says at the start,hence it’s not in fifth place.

[@TheSilentStryke]

Loving the videos mate! These are BY FAR the most entertaining and easiest to understand, straight forward reviews ive ever come across Would love to see a 4th gen rav4! (Awd)

[@johnnumbat9782]

Thanks Adam - this is a good budget entry list for my daughter to start in especially the safe Subaru AWD - good to see the absence of those European makes with their woeful reliability and build quality - I’m probably a bit OCD having owned 10 Subarus purely due to lifestyle choices a favourite being an XT Turbo Forester but my offspring will need to drive a few to see what she likes but nothing too powerful - I’m hoping she goes for a Subaru, Toyota or Honda - we enjoy your non sponsored collected critique which is refreshing amongst all of the bogan Ford Ranger hype which is a junk vehicle by the way.

[@HorsePerfect]

My wife has a 2nd gen Honda CR-V and it’s a fantastic little car! It only has 95k on it which is crazy and it’s in mint condition. The engine is very reliable and solid. Super car for the price of aud 5,600!

[@richardbrimble1319]

My Forester XT is currently undergoing a transmission rebuild. Then again she’s done 370k. Love Foresters!

[@michaelhart5886]

The ZH Mitsubishi outlander series is a really good medium sized SUV that should be high on people's list at this price point especially the v6 version

[@sneakyfoz3692]

The HG ‘issues’ on the 2nd gen Forester was never an issue for the XT, unlike the non turbo model, the turbo model uses an MLS HG and was never prone to failure out side of crap maintenance or crap mods. Also I’m surprised you left out the Mitsubishi Outlander ZG/ZH 2010-2012 AWD Activ models with lowish Kms can be had for around or under $10k, kind of boring to drive but more reliable than the xtrail with its flaky CVT, and the non turbo Forester, and much newer for the same money as RAV4. Outlanders are absolute workhorse and good value and more practical than the ASX.

[@ProductofNZ]

Can you find the Toyota Vanguard in Australia as an import? They have the revised front end. Also had the v6 option as well.

[@chunkybeats79]

Mitsubishi are a non runner in Europe, parts are very expensive and hard to get. The Nissan Qashqai, Dualis or Rogue sport in Yankeeland are a good shout. I had a CRV 3rd gen but it was sooo thirsty with the 2.4 4 cylinder hence I sold it.

[@VooRst90]

Please do a review on the 2nd generation skoda octavia vrs

[@Indecisive7337]

The RAV4, it was always in a fight with the Vitara here in the UK!

[@arokh72]

What about the air con issues I've heard about in the 3 gen CRV?

[@edsonnatanleque7534]

Please review the Toyota Vanguard 2011/12

[@josephgordon4454]

Are you guys considering a used car review on the n70 hilux

[@ralphevoque5209]

ive been in almost every one but i mean the 2nd gen rav4 and the 3rd are in a league of its own. great video 👍💪

[@traceycrawford9938]

Great information, once again, thank you! I’m still baffled how those older Subaru Foresters can be called an SUV though (they’re basically just a station wagon)? 🤷🏻‍♀️ What defines a vehicle as an SUV?

[@ReDriven]

The marketing department defines it Tracey, or at least that's how it feels! - AK

[@RypienGT]

Skoda Yeti. Especially if you can get a diesel 4x4 model which are starting to enter this price bracket.

[@Basman59]

Surprised the Skoda Yeti was not on this list. A few out there for $10k. 2012 for $9.5k only 102km to me that's a decent deal very reliable 1.2 litre petrol engine easy to maintain.

[@ReDriven]

We’re seeing some engine bay plastic issues popping up far too regularly. - AK

[@RypienGT]

Absolutely. It kills anything in this video, and while I've not had much to do with the petrol models, the diesel 4x4 is an awesome car. Although a bit more expensive, they are starting to dip into this market.

[@shirtz69r]

As I clicked this I knew the xtrail would be the winner. Had many many Subaru's, kinda over them now after a few issues with head gaskets and the Kms and price people are asking

[@twerpeater]

He did it in size order, as he says at the start. There’s no winner in this list.

[@shirtz69r]

@@twerpeater AHH true. Is a recommended buy though. I can't imagine rav being the smallest. Rav and xtrail seem similar

[@kdvytc]

I don't expected you include nissan x trail here although i owned one.

[@N0n3SYD]

2002-2005 honda crv is the best. 2.4L bulletproof engine with indestructible transmission.... that's the best that goes for 5 to 8k. I owned it for over a decade and not a single issue, no oil consumption no any issues whatsoever

[@sandybrisbane4167]

A security company I worked for in 2005 ran a second gen to 570,000klm before it dropped a valve

[@lukuscannon9697]

Lately I have been seriously thinking about getting a 2005 Toyota RAV4 🤔

[@Jack671975]

1st gen Volvo XC60 is an awesome SUV. I love mine and it’s cheap.

[@morganjames4534]

Japan is the winner here.

[@megadiverse7289]

Would love for you guys to take our 2001 CR-V for a spin but we're in Victoria :(

[@MrWilliam.Stewart]

What's this almost legendary status business with the K24 Honda motor? The thing is a mechanical deity, to be worshipped and praised on every day ending in Y.

[@hwc2619]

Ford territory (even though it’s not internationally known it definitely deserves a mention) in top 5 large suv under $10K

[@mjsuyo]

Great review! I have a 2nd gen CRV that we love. Message us if you're still looking for one to review.

[@ReDriven]

I may have bought one! - AK

[@GTFORDMAN]

I'd only gp with a T31 X-trail if you can drive a Manual and get the Manual version since the CVT's aren't worth a pinch of salt!

[@EzzaLeo]

I just threatened another batch of friends with physical harm if they don't subscribe. Happy Year of the Rabbit to you and the crew! :)

[@rsoul7282]

Wow, folks being proud to own an X-Trail. What an auspicious occasion, perhaps you guys could form a club, and regale each other about the time you got a really good parking spot at the supermarket, or when you managed to jump the curb when picking up the kids. We can also never forget when you accidentally turned on the hill descent control, and the mechanic charged you to diagnose the light on the dash.

[@elliottjoseph470]

A lot of negativity for a pretty competent car. Redriven and numerous other car reviewers regularly name it as one of the only more real 4wd options in the category beaten only by the grand Vitara with low range. That said X trail packs a bigger boot which is argue makes more sense for most families needs than the need for further offroading. Sure it's vanilla but it beats to a pretty reliable drum and that paired with the ability to go further off-road than everything else mentioned. I don't own one I'd go the grand Vitara myself but it's worthy of a hobby group with off-road ability

[@rsoul7282]

@@elliottjoseph470 with respect, there are few sadder sights that a soft roader tackling a mild trail, and I say this as an individual who’s wife owns a soft roader. Yes, with competency it is surprising what terrain you can surpass, but to me at least it is a shameful activity.

[@jeeves6490]

@@rsoul7282 I feel the 4wd dual cab with a lift and big all terrains doomed to a life of shopping centre carparks and school runs, the only dirt it sees being those adventurous times it drives up the traffic island with seriously bogan street cred is a much sadder sight.

[@rsoul7282]

@@jeeves6490 this is true, especially when the pilot is some white collar pussy, who uses it only to carry around his bicycle.

[@jeeves6490]

@@rsoul7282 I'm sorry you can't ride a bicycle.

[@StevoHDA]

that xtrail is so overated, if they're neglected then there's some parts that will fail indirectly that cost so much more than they should because of the french. from my experience even if people are wealthy, some types of people ignore everything about their cars other than A to B.

[@deancooper5513]

depends on gearbox and engine....if you buy one with a Renault engine then yes, its likely to cost a few $$$ and they don't have a great reputation, and there are a lot of flaws with Nissan CVT gearboxes that get very expensive. Fact is, any CVT gearbox if not cared for can bite the wallet, but most manufacturers sell them as 'zero maintenance' for life affairs. Truth is a CVT needs regular oil and filter changes depending on how hard the car is used regardless of manufacturer's good advertising spin.

[@StevoHDA]

@@deancooper5513 wasn't referring to the cvt but there you go another drawback spec. Its bad enough they stuck with cvt for reliability, then have it not even reliable.

[@deancooper5513]

best combo for the T31 X Trail is the 6 speed manual gearbox and the QR25DE petrol engine. By the T31 model pretty much all the bugs were sorted with this combo...late model T30s also are pretty solid units generally.

[@joebot2127]

No Subaru XV Crosstrek.. interesting

[@footy2rock]

This comment has nothing to do with SUVs but I was wondering what 2003 Ford Falcon XR6 cars are like are they reliable.I am thinking about buying one

[@waynehobbs5175]

The Subaru CVT was problematic and expensive to repair. Shame really. The ASX diesel AWD manual was a great torque monster and 8 sec 0 to 100kph with 5.7l economy.

[@rexthesheep]

I feel that manual later generation Subarus are something of a used car grail, though. The first gen XV/Crosstrek and I think the fourth gen Forester (definitely the third at least) were still offered with manual transmission.

[@rexthesheep]

Though don't get me wrong, I would still lean towards a Mitsubishi ASX over a Subaru too.

[@mrblc882]

I tried 2012 ASX 1.8 DI-D AWD. Fun car to drive, really good acceleration, but unfortunately, that engine wasn't available with higher spec versions and was soon discontinued. 2.2 DI-D automatic AWD was in high spec variants and continued to 2017 redesign, but unfortunately, it had issue with balancing shaft. I eventually given up on looking for ASX and went for Vitara.

[@SeeMoreLevingthon]

Quick question, RD fans: Is there a country in the world where marrying a YT channel is legal? If so, two things: I wanna get there, and RD: Will you marry me?

[@jarrod1687]

What the heck m8

[@mvnorsel6354]

Where is Jim? What has gone wrong with him ?

[@38skippers]

RAV4 V6 201kW.....tinny but flys.

[@gavinr9107]

They are so incredibly rare. Can only spot 3 or 4 for sale at any one time in the entire country. And certainly not under $10K unfortunately.

[@38skippers]

Bought an 08 SV6 with 220k for $11800. Now has just developed the dredded MIL,VSC,4WD check lights.😮‍💨

[@robertceroli3512]

@@gavinr9107 and they don't seem to stay for sale very long

[@jimmyp1433]

Other option in that age and price , and easier to find is an outback 3.6R ,. Same pwr/weight , better torque/weight , and better AWD system fwiw

[@mattdebyl8806]

IIRC lighter and more powerful than an R32 Golf.

[@mitchrowe7627]

SUBSCRIBE YOU DOGS! These guys are making absolute gold

[@ReDriven]

We endorse this message

[@ruwan591]

X-trail gang unite!

[@MrWilliam.Stewart]

Soooooovs

[@CharlieJohnson963]

There's nothing in that corner you keep pointing at

[@elli481]

You've probably turned off the annotation in the settings.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

10K buys a lot of birth control which in turn avoids having to have any of these.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

@@rexthesheep Hire a trailer?

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

@@rexthesheep An SUV isn't a wagon Mr Stud 😘

[@jayvee2792]

All Asian cars

[@aaronbensi9723]

Stay away from the Subaru. Too many problems.and expensive Great review otherwise.

[@Intentionallyhomeless]

Couldn't disagree more on the first gen CRV with a absolutely gutless engine. Definitely go for the second gen with the 2.4L.

[@crpat17]

yaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! finally what ive been waiting for!!!😎😎😎😎😎😎🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@johnknight9150]

Buy a car.

[@th3wick3d3nd3]

Overrated hatch back with no off-road capability.

[@danmccarthy4700]

Unfortunately, that's what people want now.

[@jeeves6490]

Which one.......

[@zaamuro8408]

Except the Forester.

[@jeeves6490]

@@zaamuro8408 Agreed.

[@Michael-jo9jb]

Exactly 💯

[@icecorner87]

VOLVO XC60