Best Used All Wheel Drive Cars Under $20000

The best used AWD cars under $20000, ranked by reliability and ownership cost, with the model years to buy and avoid.

Key takeaways

• The top used AWD picks under $20k are the Subaru Legacy, Subaru Impreza, Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, and Acura RDX. • Model year matters more than badge: target 2017 to 2019 Legacy, 2016 to 2018 RAV4, 2015 to 2016 CRV, and 2013 to 2015 RDX. • Avoid 2011 to 2014 Subarus with the 2.0L engine and 2012 to 2014 CRVs due to documented oil consumption problems. • AWD ownership costs more: plan on replacing all four tires at once and on differential service, which many owners skip. • Pay for an independent pre purchase inspection and check the VIN against the NHTSA recall database before buying.

The best used all wheel drive cars under $20000 are the Subaru Legacy (2015 to 2019), Toyota RAV4 (2013 to 2018), Subaru Impreza (2012 to 2016), Honda CRV (2012 to 2016), and Acura RDX (2013 to 2017), ranked here by reliability, ownership cost, and AWD system type, with model year specific warnings and test drive checks for each pick.

What are the best used all wheel drive cars under $20000?

The strongest used AWD picks under $20k are the Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Subaru Impreza, Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, and Acura RDX. Each pairs a proven AWD system with a strong reliability record and reasonable repair costs, which is what matters once the warranty is gone.

Subaru Legacy / Outback: Standard AWD, cheap parts. Watch for: Head gasket on older engines. Subaru Impreza / Crosstrek: Lowest running costs. Watch for: CVT service history. Toyota RAV4: Holds value, reliable AWD. Watch for: Pricier used than rivals. Honda CRV: Roomy, dependable. Watch for: Check AWD fluid service. Acura RDX: Luxury trim for the money. Watch for: Premium fuel and upkeep.

Model year matters more than badge: Consumer Reports reliability ratings vary sharply between generations of the same model, so check the specific year before you shop. You can filter used cars for sale in Bridgeport, CT by price and days on lot to see which of these are actually under $20k near you.

How we ranked these AWD picks

Four criteria drove the ranking. First, reliability: we favored models and model years with a track record of hitting 150,000+ miles without major powertrain or AWD component failures, and flagged known trouble spots (head gaskets, CVT behavior, transfer case wear) where they exist.

Second, ownership cost: expected maintenance, tire spend (AWD chews through tires faster), and fuel economy. Third, AWD system type: full time systems like Subaru's symmetrical setup behave differently in snow than on demand systems, and that matters for how the car drives and what breaks. Fourth, availability under $20k: every pick has clean title examples listed at or below that number in most US markets.

You can run any of these picks through the same filter yourself. On eCarsList, sort by deal rating and check the out the door price before you drive anywhere.

Subaru Legacy and Outback: which model years to buy and which to avoid

Which Legacy and Outback model years to buy

For the Legacy, 2017 to 2019 models are the sweet spot: EyeSight safety tech, the updated CVT, and prices that regularly fall under $20k with under 80k miles. For the Outback, aim for 2015 to 2016 (2.5i Premium trim) or 2018 and newer. Avoid 2010 to 2014 Outbacks with the 3.6R if you can, since oil consumption complaints and pricier repairs eat the value advantage. A 2018 Legacy with a clean history and a fair rating will usually beat a cheaper 2013 with a rebuilt title.

Legacy and Outback: known issues and what to inspect

The single biggest thing to understand about a used Subaru is that the CVT changes your buying math. Repairs on a failed transmission can run several thousand dollars, and while Subaru extended CVT warranties on many 2010 to 2015 models, those extensions have largely expired by now. Before you pay anything, pull the VIN and check it against the NHTSA recall and complaint database for open recalls and owner reported CVT or wheel bearing problems on that exact model year. Then inspect in person: listen for a low humming from the wheels that gets louder on a curve (a classic wheel bearing symptom), confirm the CVT shifts without shudder or whine on a test drive, and check service records for the transmission fluid, which Subaru specifies at regular intervals rather than "lifetime." A seller who skipped fluid changes is a walk away, no matter how good the price looks.

Run the same checklist on any Legacy or Outback you find on used cars in Chandler, AZ, and compare the asking price against days on lot before you drive out.

Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek: the cheap to own AWD compact option

The Impreza and its raised sibling, the Crosstrek, come with standard AWD and some of the lowest running costs in this class. Clean examples often list well under the $20k line, leaving budget for tires and a pre purchase inspection. Sort listings by "Best Deal" on used cars in Mesa, AZ to find local examples priced below comparable hatchbacks.

Which Impreza and Crosstrek model years to buy

A 2017 to 2019 Impreza or 2018 to 2019 Crosstrek hits the sweet spot: post 2017 redesign, easier financing, and enough years on the clock to keep the price under $20k. Earlier 2013 to 2016 cars cost less but check the history harder.

Impreza and Crosstrek: known issues and what to inspect

Avoid 2011 to 2014 models with the 2.0L engine, which had documented oil consumption problems; ask for oil top off records and check the dipstick yourself. On any test drive, listen for CV joint clicking on tight turns and feel for hesitation from the CVT. Confirm timing has been done per Subaru's schedule, and get a VIN history report before you agree on an out the door price.

Toyota RAV4 and Highlander: AWD family haulers that hold value

The RAV4 is the default AWD family crossover under $20k, and the Highlander covers three row needs if you stretch your budget on an older model year. Both hold value well, which cuts both ways: you pay more used, but you lose less at trade in.

Which RAV4 and Highlander model years to buy

For the RAV4, target 2016 to 2018 gasoline AWD trims; most still sit under $20k with reasonable miles. The hybrid arrived in 2016, but used hybrids usually run above the $20k line, so treat one as a bonus find rather than your baseline. For the Highlander, a 2013 to 2015 AWD with 100k plus miles is the realistic play. Search local inventory, sort by lowest price, and compare listings by days on lot before you visit anyone: used cars for sale in Mobile, AL shows both models side by side with deal ratings.

RAV4 and Highlander: known issues and what to inspect

RAV4 2016 to 2018: check for excessive oil consumption on earlier engines and confirm the rear differential isn't whining on a test drive. Highlander 2013 to 2015: verify the timing chain rattle is absent and the AWD coupling engages smoothly. Repair cost estimates for both run below the class average according to CarEdge ownership cost data. Confirm the VIN history shows no unrepaired accident damage to the rear drivetrain.

Honda CRV and Acura RDX: AWD with a luxury trim option

The CRV is the practical pick: AWD, huge cargo room, and cheap parts everywhere. The Acura RDX is the same formula with leather, more power, and a badge, which is why it shows up in searches for the best used luxury cars under $20000. For the price of a loaded CRV, you can sometimes park an RDX.

Which CRV and RDX model years to buy

Target a 2015 to 2016 CRV with AWD; the 2015 refresh fixed the interior and added a direct injection engine. For the RDX, the 2013 to 2015 first gen models fall under $20k in most markets. Skip 2012 and earlier CRVs if you can, since the 2012 to 2014 2.4L engine had higher than normal oil consumption on some units.

CRV and RDX: known issues and what to inspect