A long commute to work can be very draining, especially if you don’t have the right car. Whether you have a grueling trudge through traffic into the city, or your current option just can’t get the work done day in and day out, it’s something that can weigh heavy on us as drivers. For those who love a good SUV, finding used SUVs for sale that are right for commuters can be challenging. You want a good mix of comfort and performance, something that will get you to work on time without burning up too much gas. On top of that, you want to feel like your SUV will keep you happy on those long drives; there’s nothing worse than a boring or aggravating drive home after a long day of hard work. To help you out, we’ve decided to pick out four great used SUVs that you can find on sale. Whatever your preferences or needs are, with these four choices, you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll love to commute in every day.
#1 – Chevy Equinox (2018-2021)
The Chevy Equinox is a classic Chevy SUV that’s perfect for commuters and affordable for a wide variety of drivers. What we love most about the third-generation Equinox is the efficiency of its standard 1.5L turbocharged engine. With an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 28 MPG combined for 2018-2021 models, your trips on the road will be longer, and your trips to the gas station will be less frequent. That means less time added to a long commute and less pressure on your wallet!
Car and Driver praised the driving experience of the 2020 Equinox: “Agreeable and easy to drive, the Equinox handles competently, and its steering is accurate and direct.” A smooth ride to work will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to start your day, and it will similarly guide you home on an easy and hassle-free journey at the end of the day.
In addition to an efficient engine and an effortless driving experience, there’s a lot to love inside the third-generation Chevy Equinox. Whether you’re commuting alone or carpooling, there’s room inside for your legs to stretch out and ample space to fit anything you need to bring with you to work. In the center of the dashboard, there is a standard seven-inch touchscreen display that responds quickly and offers handy tech like music streaming and navigation assistance.
The Chevy Equinox has just about everything you’d come to expect in a great used SUV for the daily commute, with an engine more efficient than average, a pleasant driving feel, and a large and luxurious interior, all at an affordable price!
#2 – Nissan Rogue (2017-2020)
The Nissan Rogue is an SUV for commuters who want to make their everyday trips to and from work feel like little vacations. The combination of a stellar engine, top-of-the-line technology features, and plenty of room to suit your needs makes the Rogue an ideal choice.
The second-generation Rogue utilizes a powerful 2.5L engine to get you where you need to be fast without sacrificing efficiency. One of the more efficient used SUV options, the 2017-2020 Rogue has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 29 MPG combined. For those of us commuting long distances daily, it’s important to know you have an efficient SUV on your side to make your trips easier and less expensive.
Inside, the Rogue is stylish and spacious. There’s plenty of room for you and your passengers in the seats, as well as a large amount of cargo and storage space. But what really catches our eyes in the driver’s seat of the Rogue is NissanConnect, a high-tech infotainment system designed to work hand in hand with your smartphone. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work equally well, so you can get all your content from your phone to the car, whether it be a favorite playlist, a new shortcut home, or whatever else you need.
The Rogue is equipped with ample cargo space for those of us who are constantly bringing things to and from work on our commutes. Need even more space? Perhaps your job has you bringing larger tools and equipment to work on your commute. Simply fold down the rear seats of the Rogue to open up the cabin and give you even more room to work with. A used second-generation Rogue is a perfect fit for the commuter looking for a bit more luxury and utility in their SUV.
#3 – Chevy Traverse (2018-2021)
While the other options on this list have plenty of interior space, the second-generation Chevy Traverse stands out even among them. One of the roomiest SUVs in its class, the Traverse is ideal for commuters who have a lot of people to carpool with or who need to fill every seat with work-related cargo. All three of its rows feature comfortable seats that can fit up to eight total passengers, perfect for group commutes, after-work outings downtown, or weekend trips with the family. The rear rows of seats can fold down to provide additional space for whatever you choose to bring with you on your commutes as well.
That’s not all the second-generation Traverse can do. It has a 3.6L V6 engine that works hard to provide 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. That means your commutes are going to be a breeze, and the 2018-2021 Traverse has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 21 MPG combined. Our favorite feature of the engine? It’s noise––or rather, the lack of it. If you want to be roaring down the highway with a loud exhaust, perhaps this isn’t the SUV for you, but we love how subtle the Traverse feels from the freeway to the neighborhood streets.
The Traverse is large, inside and out, but it does not feel bulky or overwhelming to drive. In fact, it glides across the roads quite smoothly and won’t be a problem on your daily commute. It’s a versatile, well-rounded used SUV that excels when all of its ample space inside is put to good use.
#4 – Honda CR-V (2020-2022)
The Honda CR-V is one of the most popular used SUV choices, so it won’t be hard to find a pre-owned model. It’s well-loved for its dependability and durability. Even used models are built to last, and you won’t run into any trouble on your daily commute with the fifth-generation version.
While it won’t wow you with high speeds or heavy-lifting towing capabilities, the CR-V shines when used as an everyday vehicle. For commutes to work or rides with friends, the CR-V is comfortable, easy to drive, and enjoyable to ride in. The 2020 model year also introduced a hybrid version, making it a great entry point into the world of (semi)electric vehicles. Hybrid or not, it’s also one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs on this list, with an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 38 MPG combined for the hybrid and 30 MPG combined for the traditional gasoline model.
Inside the CR-V are all the features you’d expect to come standard in such an SUV, with a touchscreen display, a solid stereo system, and a decent amount of luggage space. For commuters who need an everyday superhero of an SUV, the jack-of-all-trades nature of the CR-V makes it stand out from the crowd.
Make Your Commute More Enjoyable
We hope you found a used SUV on this list that will make your commute easy and enjoyable. After all, for those of us that spend so much of our days driving to and from work and everywhere else, it’s important to have a vehicle we love and trust. While it’s difficult to pick just one favorite, we’re partial to the Chevy Traverse and its remarkable amount of space and engine power. But regardless of which one you pick, each of these four options is a solid choice that will transform long commutes from boring drives to daily adventures.
