Best fall deals on used small SUVs

As we move closer to the winter months, a small SUV is an ideal vehicle for added traction in hazardous conditions, some with room for family travel and decent fuel economy. And buying used allows you to reap these benefits for less money than buying new. To make it easier to find what you're looking for, we have identified some of the best used deals on small SUVs on the market.

Buying a used car has benefits. Most importantly, the original owner takes the initial depreciation hit, as new cars lose much more value in the first and second years than those that follow. Also, most models produced over the last few years will likely have the latest safety equipment (such as curtain air bags and stability control) and are still affordable.

When shopping, look for SUVs that scored well in Consumer Reports' tests, have proven reliability, and perform well in government and insurance industry crash tests. Before handing over the cash, have the vehicle inspected by a trained-and-trusted mechanic to make sure there are no hidden problems.

Check out our top deals for recommended used SUVs from the 2007-2009 model years. We placed the vehicles in order of the cheapest price you might be able to get when buying from the dealer. The models listed below are between 19- and 49-percent less than the retail price when the vehicle was new. Plus, all of the models have at least average reliability, according to our latest subscriber survey.

Full used car pricing information is available to Cars Best Deals Plus subscribers on the model overview pages. Consumer Reports also offers individual Used Car Price Reports on vehicles from the 2002 - 2011 model years. Pricing information can be adjusted for vehicle condition, mileage and optional equipment. For advice on buying a used car, see our guide and video.

See our complete list of used-car deals across a variety of vehicle categories.

—Liza Barth