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If you are shopping the used-car lot with a strict budget, the best choice is not always the cheapest one. It depends on what problem you need the vehicle to solve. A commuter in Hackensack may care most about price. A Bergen County family may want SUV space. Someone planning ahead for bad-weather mornings may want AWD or 4WD, even if that means accepting more miles.

Here are five current AW Auto value checks in Lodi under $13,000. The point is not to hype them like they are all the same. They are not. Each one has a different tradeoff, and the mileage matters.

2018 Cadillac XT5 Luxury — premium SUV value at $12,899

The 2018 Cadillac XT5 FWD 4dr Luxury is the highest-priced vehicle in this group at $12,899, and it has 112,051 miles. It is a front-wheel-drive sport utility in Crystal White Tricoat with a 3.6L V6 and automatic transmission listed in the inventory data. For a shopper who wants a more upscale SUV feel without moving into a much higher payment range, this is the one to compare first.

The important buyer check is the drivetrain. This XT5 is FWD, not AWD. That may be perfectly fine for someone who mainly drives Route 46, local Lodi errands, and normal Bergen County commuting, but it should be clear before you test-drive it. If badge, cabin feel, and SUV space matter more than AWD, the Cadillac belongs on the list.

2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Premium — AWD under $6k, with high mileage

The 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek 2.0i Premium is listed at $5,495 with 183,987 miles. That is the tradeoff in plain English: you are looking at AWD and a lower price, but you are also looking at higher mileage. For some North Jersey shoppers, that is exactly the conversation worth having.

This Crosstrek is an AWD sport utility in Dark Gray Metallic with an automatic transmission and 2.0L four-cylinder engine shown in the listing data. It makes sense for a buyer who wants a smaller SUV footprint, all-wheel drive, and a price under $6,000. It does not make sense to pretend the mileage is low. If you come see it, check how it drives, ask your normal used-car questions, and decide whether the AWD/price combination is worth the miles for your situation.

2013 Ford Escape SEL — 4WD around $6k with 100,751 miles

The 2013 Ford Escape 4WD 4dr SEL is listed at $5,999 with 100,751 miles. In this group, it sits in a useful middle lane: SUV body style, 4WD, six-thousand-dollar range, and mileage that is lower than the Crosstrek and Jetta.

The listing data shows Ginger Ale Metallic exterior color, automatic transmission, and a 1.6L four-cylinder engine. For a Lodi or Bergen County shopper who wants a practical errand vehicle, family backup SUV, or bad-weather option without spending five figures, this Escape is worth a look. The key comparison is against the Subaru: the Escape costs slightly more, has 4WD listed instead of AWD, and has far fewer miles.

2015 Volkswagen Jetta SE — lowest price, highest mileage

The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan 1.8T SE PZEV is the budget commuter of the group at $3,997. It also has 191,453 miles, so the low price and high mileage need to be considered together. This is not the SUV choice, not the AWD choice, and not the premium choice. It is the sedan option for someone who wants the lowest listed price in this set.

The Jetta is a front-wheel-drive four-door car in Reflex Silver Metallic with an automatic transmission and 1.8L four-cylinder engine listed. If your shopping goal is basic transportation around Passaic, Hackensack, Garfield, or Lodi and you want to keep the purchase price down, this is the vehicle to inspect carefully. The buyer question is simple: does the lower entry price matter more to you than the mileage?

2011 Honda Accord Crosstour EX-L with Navi — affordable Honda alternative

The 2011 Honda Accord Crosstour 2WD EX-L with Navi is listed at $6,399 with 156,496 miles. It is front-wheel drive, red, and shown as a hatchback body style with a 3.5L V6 and automatic transmission. This is the alternative for someone who does not want a normal sedan but also does not need a traditional SUV.

Compared with the Jetta, the Honda costs more but brings a larger hatchback-style layout and V6. Compared with the Escape or Crosstrek, it gives up AWD/4WD but may appeal to shoppers who prefer Honda and want something more flexible than a sedan. Again, the right answer depends on use case, not just the price tag.

How to choose before you visit

If you want the premium SUV lane, start with the Cadillac XT5 at $12,899. If AWD under $6,000 is the hook, look at the Subaru Crosstrek and be honest about 183,987 miles. If 4WD and lower mileage matter, compare the Ford Escape at $5,999 and 100,751 miles. If lowest price is the priority, the Jetta is the $3,997 commuter candidate. If you want an affordable Honda with a different shape than a sedan, the Accord Crosstour is the one to check.

All five are current inventory value checks at AW Auto, 23 US-46 West in Lodi, NJ. Availability can change quickly, so verify before coming in and use the test drive to confirm which tradeoff actually fits your daily driving.