Best Used 4WD SUVs Under $30k
34 guides · ranked by our guide ratings
34 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 $30k" 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.
4 top picks
18 good value
10 caution
Top picks4
Toyota LandCruiser Prado J150 (150 Series)
HighTop issue: Cracked pistons (Euro IV, 2009-2014)
$25k-$80k
Top pick
Toyota LandCruiser J100 (100 / 105 Series)
HighTop issue: Cracked cylinder head
$15k-$55k
Top pick
Toyota LandCruiser 70 76 Wagon / 78 Troopcarrier
HighTop issue: Front-end 'death wobble'
$12k-$95k
Top pick
Toyota LandCruiser 80 Series (J80)
HighTop issue: Chassis cracking near the steering box / panhard mount
$12k-$55k
Top pick
Good value18
SsangYong Rexton Y400
MediumTop issue: Thin dealer and parts network
$20k-$70k
Value
Nissan Patrol Y62
MediumTop issue: Fuel quality sensitivity / catalyst damage
$30k-$95k
Value
Isuzu MU-X RF (1st gen)
MediumTop issue: EGR valve / intake clogging
$16k-$42k
Value
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport QE / QF
HighTop issue: Cracked cylinder head / head gasket
$22k-$60k
Value
Mitsubishi Pajero NS / NT / NW / NX (4th gen)
HighTop issue: Timing-chain guide wear
$10k-$45k
Value
Toyota Fortuner AN160
HighTop issue: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) management
$25k-$60k
Value
Ford Everest UA / UA II
HighTop issue: Automatic transmission fluid-pump gear fault (2017-2019)
$28k-$62k
Value
Suzuki Grand Vitara JT
HighTop issue: Timing chain stretch / rattle
$5k-$18k
Value
Toyota FJ Cruiser XJ10
HighTop issue: Seat belt retractor recall (2007-2013 build)
$30k-$55k
Value
Toyota LandCruiser Prado J90 (90 Series)
HighTop issue: Cooling-system neglect (especially viscous fan hub)
$6k-$22k
Value
Holden Colorado 7 / Trailblazer RG
HighTop issue: Manual 5th/6th gear thrust washer (early manuals)
$14k-$38k
Value
Nissan Patrol Y61 (GU)
HighTop issue: Overheating / head gasket if cooling neglected
$8k-$38k
Value
Mitsubishi Challenger PA / PB-PC
HighTop issue: Power steering high-pressure line works loose (PB/PC)
$5k-$28k
Value
Suzuki Jimny JB43 (3rd gen)
HighTop issue: Rust at chassis, coil and body mounts
$8k-$25k
Value
Ford Territory SX / SY / SY II / SZ
HighTop issue: Transfer case wear (turbo torque on AWD)
$4k–$22k
Value
Mitsubishi Pajero NM-NP (3rd gen)
HighTop issue: Timing chain guide wear / chain jump
$6k-$22k
Value
Nissan Patrol GQ (Y60)
HighTop issue: Chassis, sill and guard rust
$6k-$30k
Value
Mitsubishi Pajero NA-NG / NH-NL (1st-2nd gen)
HighTop issue: Rust - rear quarters, tailgate, windscreen surround, chassis
$3k-$15k
Value
Worth a look2
Buy with caution10
LDV D90 1st gen
HighTop issue: Coolant T-piece failure / overheating (recall)
$18k-$38k
Caution
Jeep Wrangler JK
HighTop issue: Death wobble (solid front axle)
$18k-$45k
Caution
Jeep Grand Cherokee WH / WK
HighTop issue: Oil-cooler seal leak ('black death')
$5k-$18k
Caution
Land Rover Discovery 3 L319 (LA)
HighTop issue: Air suspension faults (compressor, valve block, airbags)
$8k-$25k
Caution
Holden Jackaroo UBS (2nd gen)
HighTop issue: Overheating / head gasket if cooling neglected
$3k-$15k
Caution
Nissan Pathfinder R51
HighTop issue: Auto transmission / radiator coolant cross-contamination
$6k-$22k
Caution
Land Rover Discovery 4 L319
HighTop issue: Air suspension fault / compressor failure
$18k-$55k
Caution
Land Rover Discovery 2 L318
HighTop issue: Cylinder liner slip / block failure
$4k-$18k
Caution
Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2
HighTop issue: TIPM (power module) electrical faults
$12k-$70k
Caution
Land Rover Defender 90 / 110 / 130 (classic)
HighTop issue: Chassis rust - rear crossmember, outriggers and rails
$15k-$90k+
Caution
More by type and budget
Ratings, price ranges and problems come from each FlamingCars guide. Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection.