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If you drive around Lodi, Bergen County, Passaic, or Hackensack, an AWD SUV can make a lot of sense. You get useful space, better all-weather confidence than a basic commuter car, and enough flexibility for family errands, Route 46 traffic, weekend plans, and bad-weather days. The hard part is finding one that fits the budget without jumping into new-car pricing.

AW Auto currently has several AWD SUV choices under $25,000 that serve different buyers. This is not a one-size-fits-all list. A three-row Mazda CX-9 does a different job than a compact Chevrolet Equinox, and a CX-5 or Sportage may be the better daily driver depending on how much room you need. Here is the practical way to compare them using current inventory facts.

2021 Mazda CX-9 Touring AWD — $23,997, 43,539 miles

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 Touring AWD is the top pick here for a shopper who needs more room but still wants to stay under $25,000. It is listed at $23,997 with 43,539 miles, and it gives you AWD plus the usefulness of a larger SUV format. For Bergen County families who need school, sports, groceries, and weekend flexibility in one vehicle, this is the one to put high on the list.

The CX-9 is also the newest and lowest-mile Mazda in this group, so the value conversation is simple: it costs more than the smaller SUVs, but it solves a bigger job. If you are trying to avoid $30,000-plus pricing while still getting a newer three-row AWD SUV, this one deserves a serious look in Lodi.

2020 Mazda CX-5 Touring AWD — $19,497, 59,488 miles

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 Touring AWD is the balanced daily-driver choice. It is listed at $19,497 with 59,488 miles, which puts it under $20,000 and under 60,000 miles. That combination matters for shoppers who want something newer-feeling, easy to live with, and not too large for local parking, commuting, and daily errands.

For someone driving between Lodi, Hackensack, Fair Lawn, or Passaic every week, the CX-5 fits the middle lane. It is not the cheapest SUV on the lot, and it is not the biggest. It is the kind of AWD SUV that makes sense when you want a comfortable size, a reasonable mileage number, and a price that stays below the $20,000 mark.

2019 Chevrolet Equinox AWD LT — $12,876, 51,636 miles

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox AWD LT is the value play. It is listed at $12,876 with 51,636 miles, giving shoppers an AWD SUV under $13,000 with mileage that is still very approachable for the year. If the main goal is a practical daily driver and the budget matters most, this is the one that will catch attention first.

This Equinox makes sense for a commuter, a first SUV buyer, or someone who wants useful space without paying Mazda CX-5 or CX-9 money. It does not need a luxury pitch. The facts are the pitch: AWD, 51,636 miles, and a price under $13,000. For North Jersey shoppers watching every dollar, that is a strong combination.

2018 Kia Sportage EX AWD — $13,456, 63,540 miles

The 2018 Kia Sportage EX AWD sits close to the Equinox on price, listed at $13,456 with 63,540 miles. It gives shoppers another compact AWD SUV option in the low-$13,000 range. Compared with the Equinox, it has a little more mileage and a slightly higher price, but some buyers may simply prefer the Kia size, look, or driving feel after seeing both in person.

This is why it helps to shop these vehicles side by side. On paper, the Equinox is the lower-priced value pick. The Sportage is still a practical AWD SUV at a similar budget point. The right choice may come down to seating feel, cargo needs, visibility, and which one feels better on a test drive.

How to choose the right AWD SUV

Start with the job, not just the price. If you need three rows and newer mileage, look at the 2021 Mazda CX-9. If you want a compact daily SUV under $20,000, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 is the clean middle choice. If budget is the biggest factor, the 2019 Equinox AWD LT gives you the strongest price-and-mileage story. If you want another compact AWD option near the same money, compare the Kia Sportage in person.

Inventory changes quickly, so the smart move is to verify availability first and then see the vehicles at AW Auto & Truck Wholesalers, 23 US-46 West in Lodi, NJ. Bring the real questions: how much room do you need, how far do you drive each week, and where do you want your budget to land?