5 Best Cheap Reliable SUVS For Students Under 5k

Lets face it, SUVs are more practical then the average sedan. SUVs can definitely be reliable, cheap and I will be talking about ones under 5k!

You could do so many things with SUVs:  Setup a cool camping rig, haul more cargo, usually tow a good amount of weight, and, in most cases, more comfortable on long road trips.

With that said, there are not many articles talking about a variety of SUVs with different capabilities that are reliable, fun to drive, and convenient for a variety of peoples needs. I mean, many people get caught up with the price of things and do not know how reliable some of these SUVs are.

For instance:

You could buy yourself a 2007 jeep compass

It looks reliable and it has a proven nameplate. But, I don’t think I could count the amount of times I have seen one of these on the side of the road.

You could even get this BMW X5

But, be a bit more logical, these cars can end up costing a lot of money to repair and when they are at higher mileage, things do break and if you are not comfortable working on cars, then this could leave you broke.

And no one wants their car broken down waiting on repairs they cannot afford.

Welcome to AMNation!

These cars I am about to talk about are reliable, cheap to fix and all around great daily drivers.

Today, I am going to go over 5 cheap SUVs for students (That are reliable) all under 5k!

Let us get started.

1. 2000-2006 GMT800 Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon (16-20 MPG, 285-295 HP, 4.8 5.3 V8, 7,700lbs towing)

The GMC Yukon is basically a bit more upscale version of the Chevrolet Tahoe and is honestly a bit easier to find in our budget with low miles. When I say low miles, you will probably be able to find one with about 150k miles under 5k, which is still low miles regarding both the 4.8l and the 5.3l Vortec v8 that can easily last upwards to 400k miles. This 5.3l v8 is before Gm decided to update the engine and make it eat up oil, so we are in the clear. If you want to lug around 8 passengers, tow extremely well and be able to go on the off-road terrain a bit, the GMT800 has your back. These trucks can be fitted nicely with electric leather seats that are comfortable, power mirrors and power locks.

The entire truck is made to be very comfortable, but they really are not built to be off road vehicles due to how big they are. And, if you opt in only for the RWD version, you will have a truck that should las a lot longer compared to the 4wd models. But, if you have bad wintery months, the 4wd is reliable but will not last as long as the RWD ones. They do have the 4l60 4 speed transmissions that are extremely reliable. This thing is built to last.  The main downfall, especially for new drivers, is its size. It will take a while to get used to parking. So, get used to parking in the back of parking lots.

This 05 Yukon Denali, which is the top tier trim, is costing $4500 with 189k miles. Sure, that might sound like a lot, but these are built to last. You will at least see another 100k miles and 100k miles for $4500 is a good deal to me. Yes, this SUV is reliable and under 5k!

Check this out as i break down all the common issues within the GMT800 platform. I focus more on the Tahoe, but the majority of issues still applies to the Yukon:

2. Second Gen Honda CR-V 2002-2006 (23-28MPG, 160HP, 2.4L I4, 1500lbs towing)

This SUVs was the second wave of crossovers hitting the great America. We call them compact SUVs but they are really just crossovers, but still reliable and under 5k. Along with it being able to seat 5 passengers, be great on gas, and have a retro, rugged and retro feel, the CR-v has some unique quirks. They came stock with unpainted bumpers which I like a lot, the center console is very simple and folds upwards, there are two grab handles in the dash, which adds to the rugged feel and one of them is actually an E-Brake and finally, the rear trunk liner literally turns itself into a mini table. These little cars have a lot of room with comfortable cloth interior, very simple with Honda reliability, and are meant to last.

This one is selling for 5K with 118k miles and it really looks like a new car. It is from a dealership and if you can find one from a private seller, you could probably find it much cheaper.

Although they are very reliable, there are a few issues you should be aware of. After all, every car has issues.

Check this out:

3. 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ

I want to say a few things, do not buy the 4 cylinders, grab the bullet proof I6. People like to complain about issues with these jeeps, in reality, they are extremely reliable. With over 2 million sold within this generation, yes, there bound to be faults. Some of them, especially, if they were not taken care of, but let us come back to reality. These are fantastic to get into modifying because like I just mentioned, there are a lot on the road and a vast variety of aftermarket parts, go off-roading, and in general, they are great daily drivers. Sure, they have a few minor issues like engine oils leaks, 02 sensors going out, and a few other minor issues that may come up, but, if you keep the oil topped off if it has a leak, you are good.

If you are wanting a vehicle to be able to do just about anything you would like with decent gas mileage and decent tow rating cheap, the Cherokee is a great option. These would also be great overlanding setups.

Its more than just an SUVs, it is a reliable off-road SUV under 5k!

This one is going for $3500 with 170k miles which is nothing. Looks like it has been taken care of very well and these are very well known to last at least 300k miles.

Check this out for a breakdown of the Jeep Cherokee XJs common issues:

4. 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe (20-17 MPG, 138-200HP, 2.4L I4, 2.7L and 3.5L V6, 1200-2800lbs towing)

This little Hyundai Santa Fe will surprise you. Yes, it is an early 2000s Korean car, but guess what, they are reliable. There have been many reports of them lasting well over 300k miles. So, if you can find one that has been taken care of, you will be in the clear. You just must make sure the timing belt has been replaced and if not, that should be factored into the final sales price. It should cost nearly $600. You can find one with leather seats, power mirrors, and they are quite competitive with Toyota for the year in regard to the technology and comfort.

These SUVs are actually surprisingly reliable, cheap and can easily be found under 5k!

No, the most beautiful cars, but you can find them cheap with low miles. This one has 147k miles for right under 3k. So, 3k for 150k miles.

5. 2007 Nissan Xterra (18-22 MPG, 260HP, 4L V6, 5000LBS Towing)

The second gen or the N50 from 2005-2015 is by far my favorite. It has more power and looks better from the previous generation. With its 4L V6, it makes nearly 80 more hp then the previous generation. To many, these cars may be ugly and not worth your time but, lets come back to reality again. These are worth a look. With some modifications, these SUVs can take on the off-road terrain. Especially as your first car, they are decent on gas, tow a fair amount and modifiable. There really is not anything to special about this car besides its potential.

The interior is a bit basic and mostly made from plastics. The bumpers have a rugged look without paint, which is very appealing!

You can find these Reliable SUVs just about everywhere under 5k!

Here’s one with 135k miles going for 4k. these can easily last up to 250k miles.

Conclusion:

Which SUV would you pick and why? They all have their unique quirks and features, but I know I would easily pick the Jeep Cherokee. Not only is it great looking but its reliable, easy to work on and by far superior in many aspects. They are also great vehicles to modify.