The 2022 Mazda CX-9 (TC) is the best used mid-size SUV under $40,000: KBB owners rate it 4.5 out of 5 for reliability, IIHS gives the 2022 model a Top Safety Pick+, and KBB Fair Purchase Prices run from $20,600 to $24,000. The 2022 Lexus RX (AL20) is #2 and the 2022 Acura MDX is #3.
At a glance
#
Pick
Used price (KBB, 2022 model year, read in October 2026)
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $20,800 for the Atlas SE (originally $35,630) up to $27,900 for the SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion (originally $52,800)
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $24,900 for the Pilot Sport (originally $41,375) up to $29,200 for the Black Edition (originally $53,165)
Seating for up to eight
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2022 Mazda CX-9 (TC)
Best luxury
2022 Acura MDX (YD8-YD9)
Best value
2022 Kia Telluride
Most seats
2022 Honda Pilot (YF5-YF6)
Lowest price
2022 Mazda CX-9 (TC)
The ranking
1
2022 Mazda CX-9 (TC)
Photo: Alexander Migl / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best-rated all-rounder.
Used price (KBB, 2022 model year, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $20,600 for the CX-9 Sport (originally $36,555) up to $24,000 for the Signature (originally $48,485)Owner reliability (KBB): 4.5 out of 5IIHS (2022): Top Safety Pick+Seating (KBB): 6 - 7
The 2022 CX-9 is a Top Safety Pick+ on IIHS, and KBB owners rate its generation 4.5 out of 5 for reliability. KBB lists seating for 6 - 7, and Fair Purchase Prices run from $20,600 for the Sport to $24,000 for the Signature.
Go ifThe top IIHS award with the highest owner reliability score
Skip ifYou need eight seats
Why #1 over #2: Its Top Safety Pick+ edges the RX’s Top Safety Pick at the same 4.5 reliability score.
2
2022 Lexus RX (AL20)
Photo: SsmIntrigue / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe luxury pick.
Used price (KBB, 2022 model year, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $37,900 for the RX 350 (originally $48,395) up to $43,400 for the RX 450hL Luxury (originally $59,185)Owner reliability (KBB): 4.5 out of 5IIHS (2022): Top Safety Pick (applies only to vehicles with specific headlights)Seating (KBB): 5 - 7
The 2022 RX earns the same 4.5 owner reliability score as the CX-9, with an IIHS Top Safety Pick that applies only to vehicles with specific headlights. KBB prices the RX 350 from $37,900; the RX 450hL Luxury starts at $43,400.
Go ifA luxury badge with the top owner reliability score
Skip ifYou want the lowest used price here
Why #2 over #3: Its 4.5 owner reliability score beats the MDX’s 4.3.
3
2022 Acura MDX (YD8-YD9)
Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe safe luxury 3-row.
Used price (KBB, 2022 model year, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $28,500 for the MDX (originally $49,195) up to $39,000 for the Type S w/Advance Pkg (originally $73,245)Owner reliability (KBB): 4.3 out of 5IIHS (2022): Top Safety Pick+Seating (KBB): 7
The 2022 MDX is a Top Safety Pick+ with seating for 7, and KBB owners rate its generation 4.3 out of 5. KBB Fair Purchase Prices run from $28,500 for the MDX to $39,000 for the Type S w/Advance Pkg.
Go ifThe top IIHS award in a luxury 3-row
Skip ifYou want the lowest used price
Why #3 over #4: Its Top Safety Pick+ edges the Telluride’s Top Safety Pick at the same 4.3 score.
4
2022 Kia Telluride
Photo: Alexander Migl / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe value 3-row.
Used price (KBB, 2022 model year, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $21,600 for the Telluride LX (originally $34,725) up to $28,700 for the SX (originally $46,525)Owner reliability (KBB): 4.3 out of 5IIHS (2022): Top Safety Pick (applies only to vehicles with specific headlights)Seating (KBB): 7 - 8
The 2022 Telluride has a 4.3 out of 5 owner reliability score and a Top Safety Pick that applies only to vehicles with specific headlights. KBB lists seating for 7 - 8, with prices from $21,600 for the LX to $28,700 for the SX.
Go ifA 4.3 reliability score at a low used price
Skip ifYou need the IIHS award on every trim
Why #4 over #5: Its 4.3 owner reliability score beats the Pathfinder’s 4.2.
5
2022 Nissan Pathfinder (R53)
Photo: Cutlass / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheap Nissan.
Used price (KBB, 2022 model year, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $21,100 for the Pathfinder S (originally $35,935) up to $26,700 for the Platinum (originally $51,065)Owner reliability (KBB): 4.2 out of 5IIHS (2022): Top Safety Pick+ (applies only to vehicles built after July 2022)Seating (KBB): 7
The 2022 Pathfinder has a 4.2 out of 5 owner reliability score and a Top Safety Pick+ that applies only to vehicles built after July 2022. KBB prices it from $21,100 for the S to $26,700 for the Platinum.
Go ifA low used price with a 4.2 reliability score
Skip ifYou want the IIHS award on an early-build 2022
Why #5 over #6: Its 4.2 owner reliability score beats the Palisade’s 4.1.
6
2022 Hyundai Palisade (LX2)
Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe award winner.
Used price (KBB, 2022 model year, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $21,800 for the Palisade SE (originally $34,895) up to $28,300 for the Calligraphy (originally $50,285)Owner reliability (KBB): 4.1 out of 5IIHS (2022): Top Safety Pick+Seating (KBB): 7 - 8
The 2022 Palisade is a Top Safety Pick+ with a 4.1 out of 5 owner reliability score and seating for 7 - 8. KBB prices it from $21,800 for the SE to $28,300 for the Calligraphy.
Go ifThe top IIHS award at a low used price
Skip ifYou want a reliability score above 4.1
Why #6 over #7: Its $21,800 starting price edges the Ascent’s $21,900 at the same 4.1 score and award.
7
2022 Subaru Ascent (WM)
Photo: HJUdall / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe tight-range pick.
Used price (KBB, 2022 model year, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $21,900 for the Ascent (originally $33,970) up to $24,900 for the Touring (originally $47,120)Owner reliability (KBB): 4.1 out of 5IIHS (2022): Top Safety Pick+Seating (KBB): 7 - 8
The 2022 Ascent is a Top Safety Pick+ with a 4.1 out of 5 owner reliability score and seating for 7 - 8. KBB prices it from $21,900 for the Ascent to $24,900 for the Touring, the narrowest range here.
Go ifThe narrowest used price range with the top IIHS award
Skip ifYou want a higher reliability score
Why #7 over #8: Its $21,900 starting price sits well below the Highlander’s $26,900 at the same 4.1 score and award.
8
2022 Toyota Highlander (XU70)
Answrs VerdictThe familiar name.
Used price (KBB, 2022 model year, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $26,900 for the Highlander L (originally $38,620) up to $36,000 for the Platinum (originally $51,135)Owner reliability (KBB): 4.1 out of 5IIHS (2022): Top Safety Pick+Seating (KBB): 7 - 8
The 2022 Highlander is a Top Safety Pick+ with a 4.1 out of 5 owner reliability score and seating for 7 - 8. KBB prices it from $26,900 for the L to $36,000 for the Platinum.
Go ifThe top IIHS award from a mainstream badge
Skip ifYou want the lowest price
Why #8 over #9: Its 4.1 score and Top Safety Pick+ beat the Atlas’s 3.9 and missing award.
9
2022 Volkswagen Atlas
Photo: Alexander Migl / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe roomy bargain.
Used price (KBB, 2022 model year, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $20,800 for the Atlas SE (originally $35,630) up to $27,900 for the SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion (originally $52,800)Owner reliability (KBB): 3.9 out of 5IIHS (2022): No Top Safety Pick award listedSeating (KBB): 7
The 2022 Atlas has a 3.9 out of 5 owner reliability score, and IIHS lists no Top Safety Pick award for it. KBB lists seating for 7 and prices it from $20,800 for the SE to $27,900 for the SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion.
Go ifA low used price on a large cabin
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award
Why #9 over #10: Its 3.9 owner reliability score beats the Pilot’s 3.7.
10
2022 Honda Pilot (YF5-YF6)
Photo: Alexander Migl / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe eight-seat option.
Used price (KBB, 2022 model year, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $24,900 for the Pilot Sport (originally $41,375) up to $29,200 for the Black Edition (originally $53,165)Owner reliability (KBB): 3.7 out of 5IIHS (2022): No Top Safety Pick award listedSeating (KBB): 7 - 8
The 2022 Pilot has a 3.7 out of 5 owner reliability score, and IIHS lists no Top Safety Pick award for it. KBB lists seating for 7 - 8 and prices it from $24,900 for the Sport to $29,200 for the Black Edition.
Go ifSeating for up to eight
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award or the top reliability score
How we ranked these
We ranked 2022 model-year mid-size and three-row SUVs from the generations not picked on our other used SUV pages, each with a Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price that starts under $40,000, as read in October 2026. The order is the KBB owner reliability rating first, then the IIHS 2022 award, then the lowest used price. KBB’s owner rating covers a whole generation, so other model years of the same generation share it; prices and the IIHS award are for 2022. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best used mid-size SUV under $40,000?
The 2022 Mazda CX-9 (TC): KBB owners rate it 4.5 out of 5 for reliability, IIHS gives the 2022 model a Top Safety Pick+, and KBB Fair Purchase Prices run from $20,600 to $24,000.
Which used mid-size SUV here is cheapest?
The 2022 Mazda CX-9 starts lowest at $20,600 on KBB, followed by the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas at $20,800 and the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder at $21,100.
Which of these has the highest owner reliability rating?
KBB owners rate the 2022 Mazda CX-9 and the 2022 Lexus RX 4.5 out of 5, the highest scores on this list.
Can I get a used Lexus RX under $40,000?
Yes, the 2022 RX 350 starts at $37,900 on KBB; the RX 450hL Luxury starts at $43,400.
Lowest Kelley Blue Book used price, 2022 model year (USD) at a glance
2022 Mazda CX-9 (TC)$20,600
2022 Volkswagen Atlas$20,800
2022 Nissan Pathfinder (R53)$21,100
2022 Kia Telluride$21,600
2022 Hyundai Palisade (LX2)$21,800
2022 Subaru Ascent (WM)$21,900
2022 Honda Pilot (YF5-YF6)$24,900
2022 Toyota Highlander (XU70)$26,900
2022 Acura MDX (YD8-YD9)$28,500
2022 Lexus RX (AL20)$37,900
Lowest Kelley Blue Book used price, 2022 model year (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
