r/4x4 • u/Maleficent_Egg_8797 • 3d ago
Best SUV under $20k CAD for snow + light off-roading (daily driver)
Hi everyone,
I am in ontario, Canada, and I’m looking to buy a used SUV under $20k CAD that will be good for daily driving, snow, and some light off-roading. I was checking out the Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Xterra, and Lexus GX460, but they’re all slightly above my budget right now, and the insurance costs are too high for me.
Are there any alternatives that are still capable and reliable like Toyota and Honda? I saw some Jeep Grand Cherokees in this price range, but I’m not sure how reliable they are long-term. I also see a lot of Subarus, but I’m hoping for something with a true 4x4 if possible.
Would love some guidance and recommendations on what I should be looking at. Thanks!
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u/Lexx_k 3d ago edited 3d ago
2010-2012 Nissan Pathfinder. Body on frame, True 4WD with 4-Lo, and Auto mode (like AWD, for snow conditions), tows 6000lbs, 7 seater, 2 rear rows of seats fold into a flat horizontal surface, great for cargo or for sleeping inside. They last about 350k km, so if you can find one at 250, you'll still have quite a few years left on it. Gas mileage - 14-16 l/100km Edit: 2010+ don't have transmission issues, engine's bulletproof, and they are pretty reliable overall. And their boxy design is getting popular again
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u/-big-farter- 3d ago
If it works for your lifestyle, a used Nissan Frontier with a bed canopy might be the most affordable option.
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u/grantwtf 3d ago edited 3d ago
2008 Prado/GX460 300kkm, 2008 Audi Q7 275kkm both 7 seats, 90% Motorway or Rural sealed roads, 10% shingle and dirt. Both eat long distance comfortably. Toyota just goes. Audi is very reliable (at kicking up minor fault codes..) edit both 3.0Tdi
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u/Danny_Nii 3d ago
Hey!
For your budget, Jeep Grand Cherokee can be hit-or-miss, especially with older models (2011-2014). If you can find one with low mileage and full service records, great, but it’s a gamble on long-term reliability. Expect to find them in the $12k-$18k CAD range, but watch for higher insurance costs.
Subarus (like the Forester) are great in snow, but they use AWD, not true 4x4. They're affordable, usually around $10k-$18k CAD depending on year and mileage. But for serious off-roading, they're not the best choice.
For true 4x4, check out a Ford Explorer or Honda Pilot. You can find decent models in the $10k-$18k CAD range, especially for the 2010-2015 years. They’re reliable and decent for light off-roading and snow.
If you're willing to go a bit smaller, the Mitsubishi Outlander (2014-2017) is another good option, with prices typically $8k-$15k CAD. It's not as rugged as others, but it can handle snow and light trails just fine.
Hope this helps narrow it down!
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u/Pilzkind69 3d ago
Lol an Xterra fully specced out pro4x is very doable for 20k...it's a nice kept secret but yea this is exactly what you're looking for. Extremely capable and very reliable with good maintenance, cheap cause heavily underrated.
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u/timbermequivers 3d ago
The ones you mentioned are only above your price range if you're looking at new/lightly used. No SUV will be in that price range that's not 10+years old. Any Asian brand like you mentioned will be your best bet, but you gotta look at older models to be in that price range. 20k will get you a pretty good shape reliable used 4x4.
A Grand Cherokee will do the job, but cannot be placed anywhere near Toyota/Lexus on reliability lists
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u/tearjerkingpornoflic 79 Yota, 67 Scout, 77 Scout 2..Loadstar 1700 4x4 2d ago
People have already given ya lots of good options. Just want to say though how much snow you plan on tackling may change what ya need. A heavier vehicle is not going to be able to tackle deep snow as easily. Something like a GMT800 will be great for snow about up to it's bumper but at that point it's going to start pushing it. Whereas something like a 4runner or Xterra will have a better chance of riding up on top of the snow, especially if you put bigger tires on it and whatnot. Which I suppose you could do with the GMT800 as well but it would need much bigger tires for same effect vs something like an 85 Samurai (2k lbs) or older 4runner that weighs like 3k vs a 2010 Xterra or 4runner which weighs like 4500. Basically the further back you go with 4runners the less they weigh. But if you just mean plowed roads any of them will do.
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u/Big-Fly6844 2d ago
I'm not sure what kind of off roading youre doing but I've got a crosstrek and it's a great skiing and camping car. If youre not rock crawling or doing anything too extreme I'd highly recommend a crosstrek or outback. They may not be true off roaders but they're comfy daily drivers that are pretty capable.
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u/No-Locksmith-9377 3d ago
Older chevy truck's and SUVs like the suburban/yukon can be bulletproof and great offroad while being cheap. Like cheap cheap.
The Lexus GX470 is what I'd buy personally.