If you’re looking for a great used all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle under $10,000, the Honda Element, Subaru Forester, and Nissan Rogue make for a few of the best picks. Whether you choose an SUV or a sedan, AWD offers better handling in slippery conditions, making for more secure handling and a safer ride.
If you want more traction and stability in your next vehicle but you’re not sure where to start, Jerry
the car insurance
shopper and licensed broker super app is here to get you up to speed. We’ll go over price, rating, and the pros and cons for 10 of the best used all-wheel-drive vehicles under $10,000—with a few even gracing our list of the cheapest cars to insure
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers 1. Honda Element
Price range: $7,162–$9,663
Car and Driver rating: 8/10
Pros: The Honda
Element was a huge hit in the mid-aughts partly owing to its quirky looks, efficient design features, and spacious cargo room. The rear-hinged back doors and split rear tailgate help you load in and out with ease, and cleaning can be done in a snap thanks to its rubber floors and cloth seats—campers and pet enthusiasts unite! Cons: Unfortunately, the Element’s admirably utilitarian build also hampers the cabin experience—excessive road noise, uncomfortable seats, and a lackluster audio system are common complaints.
2. Subaru Forester
Price range: $5,475–$8,781
Car and Driver rating: 8/10
Pros: While all-wheel drive typically comes at a cost in many vehicles, it’s standard in the Forester, making it one of the most budget-friendly AWD options on the market. Subaru engines are incredibly reliable and built for high-performance handling in snow and other challenging road conditions. The Forester also maintains good safety ratings and typically lasts for many miles.
Cons: Subaru’s commitment to manufacturing durable vehicles means the Forester’s interiors may come off as a little unrefined. Then again, some people live for Subaru’s rugged style.
MORE: How to find vehicle safety ratings
3. Mazda CX-9
Price range: $7,152–$9,775
Car and Driver rating: 9/10
Pros: As a 7-passenger SUV, the Mazda CX-9 drives with surprisingly sporty sedan energy. Its extremely agile handling and upscale interiors might fool you into thinking it’s priced much higher.
Cons: The Mazda CX-9 has unfortunately maintained pretty low safety and reliability scores over the years. And when it comes to convenience and usability, limited cargo space and a cramped third row leave room for improvement.
4. Toyota RAV4
Price range: $6,353–$9,908
Car and Driver rating: 8.5/10
Pros: The Toyota
RAV4 has built a solid reputation for being a dependable, no-frills AWD vehicle. If you want staggering performance and power out of your used vehicle, look for a RAV4 that’s equipped with a 269-horsepower V6 engine. This vehicle also consistently delivers on roomy cargo holds and strong reliability ratings. Cons: If you like to ride in style, you’re out of luck with the RAV4 as the cabin materials and styling are substandard. Used RAV4 reviews also cite slower acceleration compared to other vehicles.
5. Subaru Legacy
Price range: $7,011–$9,556
Car and Driver rating: 7.5/10
Pros: Finding a used sedan with dependable AWD is a rarity—so the Subaru
Legacy’s standard and highly-effective AWD is a pleasant surprise. In addition to amazing traction in inclement weather conditions, it also boasts plenty of rear-passenger legroom and 14.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Cons: While the Legacy is full of many wonderful surprises, the poor interior cabin quality leaves many users nonplussed.
6. Honda Pilot
Price range: $7,199–$9,500
Car and Driver rating: 7.5/10
Pros: If you want a Honda
Pilot with the best used value, seek out model years between 2009 and 2015. Despite being a 3-row family crossover, the Pilot offers a strong and comfortable ride with car-like handling. The 3.5-liter V6 engine will power your family through many road trips—even when facing less-than-ideal weather conditions. Cons: Earlier Honda Pilots are rumored to have a pretty unremarkable driving experience, and many reviewers are unsatisfied with the interior quality.
7. Nissan Juke
Price range: $5,995–$9,600
Car and Driver rating: 6/10
Pros: If you want to stand out from the pack and feel somewhat like a racecar driver, this Nissan model delivers just that. It offers a lively drive, fun interiors, and precision handling. Sport mode adjusts the steering, transmission, and accelerator response even more.
Cons: If ample cabin and cargo space are high on your list, then the Juke isn’t your best bet. Nissan also recommends pricey premium fuel for this model, which makes an already thirsty car engine more expensive to fuel up.
8. Subaru Impreza
Price range: $6,281–$9,336
Car and Driver rating: 7/10
Pros: The Subaru Impreza is relatively easy to source from just about anywhere. The fourth-gen Impreza (2012–2016) presses on in all weather conditions with a handsome and roomy cabin design. It boasts a smooth and comfortable ride and continues to top the list of the most fuel-efficient AWD cars on the market.
Cons: The Impreza falls short when it comes to quick acceleration and highway passing, with drivers lamenting its average engine power.
9. Ford Fusion
Price range: $5,182–$9,254
Car and Driver rating: 7/10
Pros: The Ford
Fusion is one of the few midsize sedans on the market that has offered AWD since its first generation, pairing it with good overall driving dynamics. Great safety ratings and generous passenger and cargo space make the Fusion a great family car. The handling is crisp and agile. In 2012, Ford introduced a top-notch V6 option. Cons: No standout complaints, although it is criticized for having a disappointing base engine.
10. Nissan Rogue
Price range: $7,014–$9,328
Car and Driver rating: 6/10
Pros: The Nissan Rogue is an exceptionally comfortable and cushioned ride for the price. It’s one of the most fuel-efficient AWD vehicles available on the used market and handles more like a zippy car than a bulky SUV. A practical interior and consistently good safety ratings add up to an all-around reliable choice.
Cons: While the Rogue has some strong points, the transmission is a bit noisy under heavy acceleration and is said to have an underpowered engine.
MORE: 7 things to look for when buying a used car
Finding affordable used car insurance
Now that you’ve found an affordable used AWD car, it’s the perfect time to find affordable car insurance
. While AWD cars are generally more expensive to insure than others, your mileage may vary depending on the type of car rather than the drivetrain itself. Whether you choose a sporty sedan or a smooth-riding SUV, you can find all the coverage you need with Jerry
, the car insurance super app. Jerry gathers competitive quotes within minutes of downloading the app. What's more, Jerry will sign you up for a new plan and can cancel your old policy—all without dialing a phone or picking up a pen! When it’s time to renew your policy, Jerry has already done all the behind-the-scenes work and is ready to present you with newly-shopped quotes.
Rest assured you will always get the best prices without wasting any time. Jerry is free, easy to use, and saves the average user $887 a year!
“Using Jerry
is a super straightforward process, and at each step, you can see exactly what coverage you’re paying for. Thanks to Jerry, I’m paying $900 less each year while keeping full coverage for my new car!” —Martin H.
RECOMMENDEDThis app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
