The Best Used SUVs Under $20,000 According to Consumer Reports

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Shopping for a used SUV can be stressful. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be, especially if you’re shopping for the best used SUVs under $20,000. As a matter of fact, Consumer Reports has already done all of the heavy lifting. Let’s talk about their picks for the best used SUVs under $20,000.

Shopping for a used SUV isn’t just a great way to save money

2012 Toyota 4Runner | Toyota

Buying a used SUV instead of a newer model isn’t just a great way to save money, says Consumer Reports. In fact, buying a used SUV could not only save you a few bucks but also get you behind the wheel of an SUV that offers more safety and luxury features than you could afford if you were shopping for a new car.

But how do you choose the best used SUV for satisfying your daily driving needs? Especially if you’re shopping for a used SUV under $20,000. Easy. Look to Consumer Reports, which recently highlighted the best used SUVs under $20,000.

Consumer Reports says these are the best used small SUVs under $20,000

RELATED: Best SUVs Under $40,000 According to Consumer Reports

Not everyone needs a hulking SUV. For those in the market for an SUV that’s on the smaller side of things, Consumer Reports recommends the 2015 to 2016 Honda CR-V ($15,825 – $21,475). These used Honda CR-V models benefit from improved handling and reduced road noise. Consumer Reports also gave both the 2015 and 2016 Honda CR-V a five out of five reliability rating.

For another used Honda SUV under $20,000, consider a 2016 or 2018 Honda HR-V ($14,700 – $17,875). While the HR-V didn’t earn the best owner satisfaction ratings, this used Honda is fuel-efficient. Consumer Reports added that its interior is as cargo-friendly as it is versatile too.

Now, those aren’t the only options. Consumer Reports also included the 2018 to 2019 Hyundai Kona ($18,400 – $24,325) and the 2016 to 2017 Mazda CX-5 among its list of the best used small SUVs under $20,000. Both models earned high marks in terms of reliability and, while they are more expensive than both the Honda CR-V and the Honda HR-V, they won’t have you breaking the bank anytime soon. 

RELATED: Is Buying a New Mazda CX-5 a Better Buy Than a Used Model?

In the market for a used midsize model instead? According to Consumer Reports, the Lexus RX is among the best used SUVs under $20,000. Shop for a 2013 or 2014 model and Consumer Reports says you can expect to spend between $17,350 – $19,150. 

An affordable price isn’t all the used Lexus RX has going for it either. “Ride comfort is a strong point, and the cabin is quiet. Inside is a well-finished interior with comfortable seats and room for five,” Consumer Reports added.

Consumer Reports also included both the Toyota 4Runner and the Toyota Highlander in its list of the best used midsize SUVs under $20,000. While a 2011 to 2012 used Toyota 4Runner ($16,825 – $20,300) will be best suited for off-roading, Consumer Reports says the 2013 to 2014 used Toyota Highlander ($16,900 – $22,825) “delivers frugal gas mileage, excellent reliability, and good road manners.”

RELATED: How Many Miles Will a Toyota Last?

Buying a used SUV doesn’t have to break the bank

Buying a used SUV doesn’t have to be outrageously expensive. In fact, as Consumer Reports’ data shows, there are plenty of used SUVs under $20,000 that are worth your consideration.

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Recall Alert: More Kia Cars Are Being Recalled in Australia

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Various Kia vehicles have been part of a recall here in the U.S. for a few months now, but Australia is joining in now. More than 50,000 Kia Stinger and Sportage vehicles have been recalled due to the risk of fire. This is in addition to the ongoing recalls in the U.S. and other countries.

Which Kia cars are on recall?

The Kia Stinger and Kia Sportage are part of a new recal | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

Product Safety Australia announced that the Kia QL Sportage (2016-2021) and Kia CK Stinger (2017-2019) are both being recalled due to fire. The recall notice says that more than 57,000 cars are part of the recall.

The Sportage and Stinger have a similar engine defect as the U.S. versions that can catch fire. The vehicles do not even need to be turned on to catch fire, which adds to the danger. Kia owners have been told not to park the cars in enclosed places such as garages until the issue is remedied.

The impacted Kia vehicles were sold between April 2015 and October 2020. It is estimated that Kia will recall 57,851 vehicles. Owners can check the Kia Australia page to verify if the vehicle identification numbers (VINs) are part of the recall.

Is there a recall on Kia engines?

RELATED: How Good Is the Kia Warranty?

This recall from Kia is similar to other recent recalls. Kia is worried that the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit can remain “on” even when the car is technically switched off.

Additionally, there is worry about moisture getting into the unit. If this happens, the moisture could cause a short circuit and create a fire. “A vehicle fire could increase the risk injury or death to vehicle occupants or bystanders and/or damage to property.”

Kia recommends calling a local dealership to confirm if the vehicle is part of the recall. The dealership will inspect and repair the vehicle free of charge.

This is similar to the issues in the U.S.

RELATED: Is the 2021 Kia Telluride Worth an Extra $25K?

Earlier this year, Kia recalled some U.S. vehicles for a similar reason. According to Consumer Reports, a potential fire hazard sparked the Kia Seltos and Kia Soul recall. Kia recalled 147,249 vehicles with a 2.0L engine.

The impacted vehicles are as follows. The 2020-2021 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured from Nov. 24, 2018, through Oct. 24, 2020. The 2021 Kia Seltos manufactured from Nov. 20, 2019, through Oct. 15, 2020.

“An inconsistent heat-treating process for the piston oil rings can damage the engine and lead to a loss of power, thereby increasing the risk of a crash,” Consumer Reports noted. The recall notice says that owners will be directed to bring the cars in for inspection in June.

The dealership will replace the engine free of charge. Additionally, the dealerships will install software to alert drivers if there is damage to the piston oil ring. If owners have already incurred costs related to this recall, Kia will reimburse the owners.

Owners can go to the NHTSA website to check if the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) matches those recalled.

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Elon Musk’s First Car Was a BMW That Cost Him Only $1,400

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Tesla has surpassed big-name companies like Facebook in growth. And to date, the EV maker is valued at around $800 billion and is still growing. It’s pretty obvious the CEO, Elon Musk, knows his vehicles. But you can’t help but wonder which cars he’s owned over the years. 

In an interview with Forbes, Musk revealed his first vehicle and a few others he purchased on the way. 

Elon Musk’s claim to fame

Elon Musk has made a name for himself by carving a spot in the automotive world for all-electric vehicles. Though he didn’t found Tesla, he put forth a large sum of the money to establish the brand and get its name on the map. He would go on to create some of the most innovative EVs. 

Musk started with his own company, Zip2, after trying to get a job at Netscape, Tech Times reported. He realized he was too shy to talk to other people to clinch the deal in interviews. With no job prospects, he entered the internet world with a website software company he co-owned with his brother. Later, it would become known as PayPal.

Eventually, he found his way to designing Tesla’s first vehicle, the Roadster, in 2008. A decade later, he sent one of these cars into space by strapping it to the SpaceX Falcon Heavy. It’s still orbiting the sun, which experts say it will probably continue doing for the next few million years with a dummy nicknamed “Starman” at the wheel.

Elon Musk’s first 2 car purchases

RELATED: Elon Musk Was Near Death After Doctors Made the Wrong Diagnosis

In 1994, Musk purchased his first car, a 1978 BMW 320i that cost him $1,400. He fixed it up to be a pretty nice-looking vehicle, which he drove for two years. One day, a Zip2 intern was driving it when a wheel fell off the car. At that point, Musk junked it. 

When he got his initial Zip2 bonus of $40,000, he went car shopping. This time, he set his sights on the one car he always wanted, a Jaguar E-Type. He bought a 1967 model for $35,000. The car was a dream come true, but not for long.

Musk called it a “bad girlfriend” because it gave him lots of trouble. He said it kept breaking down and always needed repairs. The first time it gave him grief was when he drove it home from the dealer, he told Forbes. 

What other vehicles has he owned?

Musk made his next car purchase after he sold Zip2. He bought a McLaren F1, which looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. Musk kept the vehicle for several years and put 11,000 miles on it. He used it as his daily driver until he gave his buddy Peter Thiel a ride in it and tried to show off. The car hit an embankment and rolled over, totaling it. He didn’t have it insured. 

The most interesting car Musk owned was the Lotus Esprit Submarine, used in the James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me. He spent $920,000 on it at an auction but was disappointed to see it didn’t transform into a submarine as it had in the movie. So he decided that someday he would use the Tesla electric powertrain and get the Esprit to work as a submarine in the water.

Elon Musk has owned a few other vehicles over the years. He has also driven Model S and Model 3 Performance cars, a Model X, and the new Cybertruck, which isn’t slated to come out until 2022.

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Lamborghini Just Announced Its Plans for a Fully-Electric Supercar

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Italian supercar maker Lamborghini announced its plans to transition to a plug-in hybrid lineup before it launches a fully electric supercar in the second half of the decade. Lamborghini CEO Stefan Winkelmann unveiled the automaker’s plan to spend $1.8 billion to launch its new fleet of supercars. Bloomberg reports that the investment marks the largest investment the brand has ever made in its lineup.

Lamborghini to develop a lineup of plug-in hybrid supercars

Lamborghini CEO Stefan Winkelmann | Lamborghini

Supercar maker Lamborghini announced its plans to electrify its lineup of supercars this week. By the end of 2024, The Verge reports that Lamborghini will launch plug-in hybrid versions of its entire lineup. 

That means hybridized versions of popular Lamborghini models like the Aventador, Huracán, Urus, and even a limited production of plug-in hybrid Lamborghini Sián roadsters. After hybridizing its supercar lineup, Lamborghini will then debut its first-ever all-electric model.

“Lamborghini’s electrification plan is a newly-plotted course, necessary in the context of a radically-changing world, where we want to make our contribution by continuing to reduce environmental impact through concrete projects,” Winkelmann said in a statement provided to CNBC.

“Our response is a plan with a 360 degree approach, encompassing our products and our Sant’Agata Bolognese location, taking us towards a more sustainable future while always remaining faithful to our DNA,” Winkelmann added.

A green Lamborghini Aventador
Lamborghini Aventador | Lamborghini

RELATED: Supercar vs. Hypercar: What’s the Difference?

What to expect from Lamborghini’s first-ever all-electric supercar

Lamborghini is still in the early stages of developing its first electric supercar, CNN Business reports. Winklemann did share, however, that the Lamborghini electric supercar will be a four-seater and not a two-seater. Beyond seating arrangements, CNN Business reports that not much else has been decided about the electric supercar.

Lamborghini’s electric supercar could, however, share engineering traits with popular luxury electric cars like the Porsche Taycan and the Audi E-Tron GT, CNN Business reports. Though, that wouldn’t come as too much of a surprise considering Porsche, Audi, and Lamborghini all fall under the Volkswagen Group umbrella.

Lamborghini could also develop its first electric supercar without the help of other automakers, Winkelmann told CNN Business. “At the end of the day, you need to change everything, [but not] change anything,” added Winkelmann. “To remain like we are. This is the main challenge of today.”

RELATED: Why Lamborghinis Will Survive the Apocalypse

The Terzo Millennio concept was Lamborghini’s first foray in to electric supercars

According to The Verge, Lamborghini’s interest in developing an electric supercar isn’t new. In fact, back in 2017, the automaker unveiled its Terzo Millennio concept. The Terzo Millennio concept was developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and introduced the idea of using supercapacitors to replace standard lithium-ion batteries in electric cars.

While the Terzo Millennio concept was Lamborghini’s first foray into the world of electric supercars, it remains unclear if Lamborghini will apply anything from the Terzo Millennio concept to its all-new electric supercar, The Verge reports.

RELATED: Lamborghini Sián Is an 819-hp Hybrid Supercar For 2020

Lamborghini isn’t the only supercar maker electrifying its lineup

As it turns out, Lamborghini isn’t the only supercar maker electrifying its lineup. In fact, CNBC reports that Ferarri has plans to launch its first electric supercar in 2025.

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