Toyota RAV4 (2011) - $9,500

It may not be a full-fledged off-roader like the Land Cruiser or a true sedan like the Camry and Corolla , but the RAV4 is the best possible combination of car and SUV anywhere in the world. What's more, it's available in both FWD and AWD configurations , both known for their reliability.

You can easily find one of these for under $10,000, but if you're willing to spend a bit more and get closer to $10,000, you can get a low-mileage, well-maintained unit. Just keep changing the oil on time, and it will run for years.

Chevrolet Equinox (2013) - $9,500

You can easily find a Chevrolet Equinox for under $10,000, and it boasts ample cargo space, a sliding second row of seats, and a powerful engine. However, like many American cars from that era, its maintenance costs are high compared to other options on this list.

If you really want an SUV , you can find the V6 variant with AWD for under $10,000, but one of them will have quite a few miles on it. If that doesn't bother you, then it'll be a great alternative for an off-road vehicle.