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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11For shoppers targeting a 2021 compact SUV in 2026, the strongest price-and-reliability evidence here points to the Honda CR-V: iSeeCars names the 2021 CR-V its top used small SUV under $25,000 and reports a $24,788 average used price. That is not a definitive cheapest-to-most-expensive ranking of every five-year-old SUV. The available comparisons mix model years and ranking methods, so the useful takeaway is a shortlist and a way to compare local listings fairly.
What this price ranking can—and cannot—tell you
“Five-year-old” means approximately the 2021 model year for a shopper in 2026. The evidence supports comparing compact and small SUVs in used-price bands, not ranking every SUV class by a single current national asking-price dataset. iSeeCars’ analyses use different model years and combine factors beyond price in some rankings; its published averages are not guaranteed asking prices for a particular vehicle near you.
For a true price comparison, line up listings with the same model year, date, mileage, trim, drivetrain, condition and title history, and location. A lower price may reflect differences in any of those factors. Keep reliability, resale value, safety and suitability for your passenger or cargo needs separate from the price itself.
Best used small SUVs under $25,000: the evidence-based shortlist
| Model | Price evidence | What the ranking establishes |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Honda CR-V | iSeeCars reports a $24,788 average used price and an 8.0/10 reliability score in its 2026 analysis. | Its leading under-$25,000 small-SUV choice in that ranking; not a claim that it is the cheapest 2021 SUV or that every local example costs this amount. |
| 2021 Mazda CX-5 | iSeeCars reports a $22,176 average used price for the 2021 model in 2026. | A lower reported average than the CR-V figure, but the cited under-$25,000 ranking’s second-place example is a 2022 CX-5, not a matched 2021 comparison. |
| Toyota RAV4 | A current 2021 national average price is not stated in the cited ranking. | Fourth in iSeeCars’ under-$25,000 ranking. This is a ranking position, not a low-to-high price placement. |
| Subaru Forester | A current 2021 national average price is not stated in the cited ranking. | Fifth in iSeeCars’ under-$25,000 ranking; the position does not establish a price relative to the CR-V or CX-5. |
| Hyundai Tucson | A current 2021 national average price is not stated in the cited ranking. | Appears among leading vehicles in iSeeCars’ under-$20,000 band, but that is not a 2021-specific price rank. |
| Kia Sportage | IIHS and Consumer Reports listed a $14,400 figure for 2020-or-newer Sportage models in a 2024 used-vehicle guide. | The figure is not a current median for 2021 Sportages; its conditions and date are detailed below. |
1. 2021 Honda CR-V: the best-supported under-$25,000 pick
iSeeCars’ 2026 under-$25,000 small-SUV ranking places the 2021 CR-V first. Its separate reported average is $24,788, with a reliability score of 8.0/10. The ranking is a useful starting point for a budget search, not an appraisal for a specific listing. iSeeCars says its broader ranking work combines longevity and five-year depreciation analyses with NHTSA safety ratings and IIHS Top Safety Pick information. See iSeeCars’ under-$25,000 small-SUV ranking and its reliability list for small SUVs in that price range.
#1 Best Overall
2. 2021 Mazda CX-5: lower cited average, but not a like-for-like ranking match
iSeeCars reports a $22,176 average used price for the 2021 CX-5 in 2026. Its under-$25,000 reliability list places a 2022 CX-5 second and reports that model’s average at $24,204, with an 8.0/10 reliability score. Those figures describe different model years and should not be presented as a direct CR-V-versus-CX-5 comparison. Check comparable 2021 listings in your area before deciding that one is the better deal. iSeeCars’ list shows the model-year and price-band context.
3–5. RAV4, Forester and Tucson: alternatives without established 2021 averages
The RAV4 and Forester rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in iSeeCars’ under-$25,000 list. The Tucson appears among leading vehicles in its under-$20,000 used-SUV ranking. These placements reflect the publisher’s scoring and price-band framework; the cited evidence does not provide current 2021 national average prices for these three models. Treat them as candidates to compare locally, not as entries in a precise cheapest-to-priciest order. View the under-$25,000 ranking and the under-$20,000 ranking.
Kia Sportage: a dated safety-screened reference, not a live quote
A 2024 IIHS/Consumer Reports used-vehicle guide included the 2020-or-newer Kia Sportage with a $14,400 value. The guide’s KBB figures were U.S. averages as of April 19, 2024, rounded to the nearest $100, for good-condition vehicles with typical mileage bought from a private party. The Sportage figure is therefore neither a current price nor a 2021-only median. The guide also applied safety criteria: eligible vehicles had to meet specified IIHS crash-test conditions and, when rated, receive four or five overall NHTSA stars; Best Choices required standard automatic emergency braking with advanced or superior performance in the original vehicle-to-vehicle front crash-prevention test. Read the IIHS/Consumer Reports criteria and vehicle list.
Why reliability, safety and resale should stay separate from price
An under-$25,000 ranking answers a budget-filtered question; it does not prove which model has the lowest asking price, the lowest ownership cost or the best fit for every driver. iSeeCars describes reliability as proprietary longevity research, value retention as a statistical five-year depreciation prediction adjusted with U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation data, and safety as based on recent NHTSA crash ratings with IIHS Top Safety Pick information. Its broader analysis covers data from more than 12 million new and used vehicles. The ranking score therefore should not be read as a price-only score.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsResale context also cannot substitute for a five-year-old used-price comparison. An AP report on Edmunds’ analysis says the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid retained 81.4% of its value after three years. That figure compares transaction prices for used 2023-model SUVs with original MSRP and is a three-year residual-value result, not a current price estimate for a 2021 RAV4. Read AP’s report on Edmunds’ resale analysis.
How to compare 2021 SUV listings before you buy
- Set a local budget and search radius. Use the under-$25,000 band as a starting filter, then check actual listings where you plan to buy; the published averages above do not guarantee local availability at those prices.
- Match the vehicles. Compare the same model year and, as closely as possible, mileage, trim, drivetrain, condition and location. Do not treat a 2022 CX-5 figure as the price of a 2021 model.
- Review the vehicle’s history and condition. Check title and accident history, service records, mileage consistency, open recalls and signs of damage or neglect. A clean-looking listing does not replace a careful inspection.
- Arrange a pre-purchase inspection. Have an independent qualified mechanic assess the specific vehicle before committing, particularly if the seller’s records are incomplete or the asking price is unusually low.
- Choose for your needs, not just the rank. Consider passenger and cargo space, fuel economy, safety features, reliability evidence and expected resale value as separate decision factors. A higher-ranked model is not automatically the right vehicle for your use.
So, which 5-year-old SUV should you start with?
If your target is a used small SUV around $25,000, start by checking local 2021 Honda CR-V listings: it is the clearest supported choice in the cited under-$25,000 ranking. Compare the CX-5 and other alternatives using same-year, same-condition local listings rather than mixing averages, ranking slots and dated guide values into a single price league table.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
