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Best Used 4WD SUVs Under $15k

22 guides · ranked by our guide ratings

22 4wd suvs from our guides, ranked by our own rating (Top pick, Value, Caution) and then by how many serious known problems each has. "Under $15k" means the cheapest examples in the guide's price range start below that; at that price they're usually the older or higher-km ones.

3 top picks 11 good value 7 caution

Top picks3

Toyota LandCruiser J100 (100 / 105 Series)

1998-2007 · 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: Cracked cylinder head

Toyota LandCruiser 70 76 Wagon / 78 Troopcarrier

1985-2026 · 5-door 76 wagon, 78 Troopcarrier (Troopy), 75-series wagon/Troopcarrier (pre-2007)

HighTop issue: Front-end 'death wobble'

Toyota LandCruiser 80 Series (J80)

1990-1998 · 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: Chassis cracking near the steering box / panhard mount

Good value11

Mitsubishi Pajero NS / NT / NW / NX (4th gen)

2006-2021 · 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: Timing-chain guide wear

Suzuki Grand Vitara JT

2005-2017 · 3-door wagon, 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: Timing chain stretch / rattle

Toyota LandCruiser Prado J90 (90 Series)

1996-2003 · 5-door wagon, 3-door wagon (rare in AU)

HighTop issue: Cooling-system neglect (especially viscous fan hub)

Holden Colorado 7 / Trailblazer RG

2012-2020 · 5-door wagon (7-seat)

HighTop issue: Manual 5th/6th gear thrust washer (early manuals)

Nissan Patrol Y61 (GU)

1997-2016 · 5-door wagon, Cab chassis

HighTop issue: Overheating / head gasket if cooling neglected

Mitsubishi Challenger PA / PB-PC

1998-2015 · 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: Power steering high-pressure line works loose (PB/PC)

Suzuki Jimny JB43 (3rd gen)

1998-2018 · 3-door wagon

HighTop issue: Rust at chassis, coil and body mounts

Ford Territory SX / SY / SY II / SZ

2004-2016 · 5-door wagon (5 or 7 seat)

HighTop issue: Transfer case wear (turbo torque on AWD)

Mitsubishi Pajero NM-NP (3rd gen)

2000-2006 · 5-door wagon (LWB), 3-door wagon (SWB)

HighTop issue: Timing chain guide wear / chain jump

Nissan Patrol GQ (Y60)

1987-1997 · 5-door wagon, Cab chassis, Hardtop / utility

HighTop issue: Chassis, sill and guard rust

Mitsubishi Pajero NA-NG / NH-NL (1st-2nd gen)

1983-2000 · 3-door SWB wagon, 5-door LWB wagon

HighTop issue: Rust - rear quarters, tailgate, windscreen surround, chassis

Worth a look1

Suzuki Sierra / Vitara SJ Sierra / 1st-gen Vitara

1982-1999 · 2-door soft-top convertible, 2-door hardtop, 3-door wagon, 5-door wagon (Vitara), Cab chassis / ute (Stockman)

HighTop issue: Chassis rail and body-mount rust

Buy with caution7

Jeep Grand Cherokee WH / WK

2005-2010 · 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: Oil-cooler seal leak ('black death')

Land Rover Discovery 3 L319 (LA)

2004-2009 · 5-door wagon (5 or 7 seat)

HighTop issue: Air suspension faults (compressor, valve block, airbags)

Holden Jackaroo UBS (2nd gen)

1992-2004 · 5-door wagon (LWB), 3-door wagon (SWB, early/rare)

HighTop issue: Overheating / head gasket if cooling neglected

Nissan Pathfinder R51

2005-2013 · 5-door wagon (7-seat)

HighTop issue: Auto transmission / radiator coolant cross-contamination

Land Rover Discovery 2 L318

1998-2004 · 5-door wagon (5 or 7 seat)

HighTop issue: Cylinder liner slip / block failure

Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2

2011-2021 · 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: TIPM (power module) electrical faults

Land Rover Defender 90 / 110 / 130 (classic)

1990-2016 · 3-door wagon (90), 5-door wagon (110), Hardtop / van, Single-cab ute, Dual-cab ute (110/130), Cab chassis (130)

HighTop issue: Chassis rust - rear crossmember, outriggers and rails

More by type and budget

Ratings, price ranges and problems come from each FlamingCars guide. Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection.