To ease your quest for dependable transportation, we've done the research for you. Our picks for the best used SUVs under $10,000 come from the 2015-2018 model years and meet stringent pricing, safety, and reliability criteria. Let's dive in.

About MotorTrend's methodology:The Buyer's Guiderecognizes how important a used car purchase can be, which is why we take this so seriously. Our methodology considers cars with multiple trim levels at or under the $10,000 mark to be recommended. Additionally, the vehicles on this list receive an Average or Great reliability score fromJ.D. Power. We also consider safety ratings fromIIHSandNHTSAwhen recommending used cars on this list; a five-star NHTSA overall score isn't required but is preferred.

Also read:

Best Used Cars Under $10,000: Cheap and Practical Picks

Best Used Cars Under $20,000: Attainable Style, Luxury, and Performance

2015 Chevrolet Trax LT front three quarter in motion

2015-2018 Chevrolet Trax: Subcompact SUV

Pros:Comfortable on the highway and well-suited for city life, the Chevrolet Trax is a no-nonsense runabout. There's plenty of infotainment tech onboard for a vehicle in this segment; the relatively large touchscreen included from 2017 onward supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Wi-Fi hot spot compatibility. While the Trax doesn't excel in many other areas, fuel economy is decent, and safety scores and reliability are good.

Cons:Don't buy a Chevy Trax from this generation if driving excitement is what you seek. Although a competent commuter vehicle, the Trax's lackluster acceleration and unrefined drivetrain contribute to a bland personality at best. Finally, a lack of modern active driver assistance features could rule out the Trax for some shoppers looking for safety tech that automatically intervenes.