Best Used Midsize SUVs Under $40k for 2026
The best used midsize SUVs under $40k based on a data-driven analysis of each vehicle's reliability, resale value and safety.
The best used midsize SUV under $40k is the 2024 Toyota Highlander based on our analysis of 12 million vehicles to assess their reliability, resale value and safety. The 2024 Toyota Highlander has an average price of $39,805 with an overall iSeeCars score of 8.3. Behind the Highlander is the 2023 Jeep Wrangler with average used car price of $36,041 and iSeeCars score of 8.2. The number 3 best used midsize SUV under $40k is the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder at $35,406 average price and 8.2 iSeeCars rating. For this analysis, iSeeCars looked at used midsize SUVs under $40k that are 1 to 6 years old to determine the latest model year vehicles that are within the price range of $35,000 to $40,000.
The best used midsize SUV under $40k is the 2024 Toyota Highlander based on our analysis of 12 million vehicles to assess their reliability, resale value and safety. The 2024 Toyota Highlander has an average price of $39,805 with an overall iSeeCars score of 8.3. Behind the Highlander is the 2023 Jeep Wrangler with average used car price of $36,041 and iSeeCars score of 8.2. The number 3 best used midsize SUV under $40k is the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder at $35,406 average price and 8.2 iSeeCars rating. For this analysis, iSeeCars looked at used midsize SUVs under $40k that are 1 to 6 years old to determine the latest model year vehicles that are within the price range of $35,000 to $40,000.
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iSeeCars Score:
8.3
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: $39,805
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
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Reliability
7.7
/ 10
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Value Retention
8.3
/ 10
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Safety
9.0
/ 10
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iSeeCars Score:
8.2
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: $36,041
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
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Reliability
7.8
/ 10
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Value Retention
8.5
/ 10
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Safety
Not Available
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iSeeCars Score:
8.2
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: $35,406
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
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Reliability
7.2
/ 10
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Value Retention
7.3
/ 10
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Safety
10
/ 10
4. 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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iSeeCars Score:
8.1
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: $35,010
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
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Reliability
7.7
/ 10
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Value Retention
8.4
/ 10
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Safety
Not Available
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iSeeCars Score:
8.1
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: $38,102
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
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Reliability
7.6
/ 10
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Value Retention
7.8
/ 10
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Safety
9.0
/ 10
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iSeeCars Score:
8.0
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: $39,931
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
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Reliability
8.1
/ 10
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Value Retention
8.9
/ 10
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Safety
7.0
/ 10
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iSeeCars Score:
7.9
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: $39,978
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.1
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.5
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
7.8
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: $35,055
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.1
/ 10
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Value Retention
7.4
/ 10
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Safety
8.9
/ 10
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iSeeCars Score:
7.3
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: $38,831
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
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Reliability
7.2
/ 10
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Value Retention
7.7
/ 10
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Safety
7.0
/ 10
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iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Average Used Car Price: $39,700
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
8.0
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Average Used Car Price: $39,082
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.9
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Average Used Car Price: $38,351
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.9
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Average Used Car Price: $39,056
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.7
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Average Used Car Price: $39,962
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.7
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Average Used Car Price: $35,344
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.7
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
2024 Chevrolet Traverse Limited
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iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Average Used Car Price: $37,729
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.6
/ 10
-
Safety
7.5
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Average Used Car Price: $36,987
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.5
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Average Used Car Price: $38,347
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.4
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
Related Rankings
How We Rank These Cars
iSeeCars Best Used Cars Under $40k Rankings are calculated based on the latest research by our data science team and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
We analyze data from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with the NHTSA's Safety Ratings to give you an unbiased guide to the best vehicles in each segment.
After being evaluated, vehicles with the highest average scores earn a spot in the iSeeCars Best Car Rankings. (No final score is given to vehicles missing a score in any of the categories, but scores for other categories are still shown.)
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).