What used compact SUV should I buy?

The dilemma

Teresa is in the market for a used compact SUV but isn't sure what she should be chasing up. It needs a modicum of off-road ability (she'd like to take the road less travelled on her camping trips), a dog-friendly boot (she has two) and a strong safety streak but she doesn't want to sacrifice the easy parking, good fuel economy and solid reliability she enjoys with her current car, a 2001 Nissan Pulsar.

The budget

$10,000

The shortlist

Ten grand mightn't be a huge spend but, as Teresa has found, it does bring a large and potentially confusing array of compact-SUV options into frame.

Several, though, can be counted out of the running right now. This group includes the aged (Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute), the hopelessly outgunned (Holden Captiva, Jeep Patriot/Compass) and the small-of-boot (Volkswagen Tiguan, Mazda CX-7).

Other possibilities, like Toyota's RAV4, Honda's CR-V and Suzuki's Grand Vitara, land closer to the mark but ultimately cede to our three recommendations.

2006-12 Mitsubishi Outlander, from $5900*

This Mitsubishi's boot is big (589 litres), boxy and well suited to the dog-carting role.

Good ground clearance (210-215mm) and a lockable all-wheel-drive system give it more than respectable off-road chops.

All MY08-on models have stability control and curtain airbags were either standard or, lower down the range, available as an option.

Its 2.4-litre petrol drivetrain serves up a competitive performance/economy mix and its ride/handling credentials are on the ball.

But its space-saver spare tyre isn't what we'd be wanting with off-road work on the agenda.

Its cabin might be practical but it's also dour and, thanks to cheap plastics, can be a bit scrappy in well-used examples.

The extra go of petrol V6 models needs to balanced against increased fuel use and Mitsubishi's five-year warranty - ordinarily an advantage over much of the competition - is unlikely to apply to models in this price range.

Read Drive's Mitsubishi Outlander reviews:

Used-car review: 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Outlander

2007-13 Nissan X-Trail, from $8400*

This Nissan's boot is not just bigger than the Mitsubishi's (603 litres) but has a removable, hard-surfaced floor with drawers underneath, giving it quite the advantage in dirty-dog scenarios.

Its lockable AWD system, 200mm ground clearance and full-size spare make it a strong performer in the off-road realm.

Every model has standard stability control and curtain airbags, so no sifting is required to gain the maximum safety serve.

Its 2.5-litre petrol driveline delivers a similarly decent performance/economy compromise and the alternative, a diesel, is better aligned to our economy criteria than its rival's petrol V6.

Just don't expect the sharpest-handling compact SUV (it's soft and mushy when pushed) or the roomiest one in the back.

Its disappointing crash-test performances (it has a four-star ANCAP rating where the Outlander manages five with the full safety motzah) is a big reason to think twice.

Read Drive's Nissan X-Trail reviews:

Road test: Nissan X-Trail Ti
Road-test comparison: Medium SUVs

2008-12 Subaru Forester, from $8700*

This Subaru is this group's off-road benchmark with its full-time AWD system, good ground clearance (220mm), full-size spare and - on manual, non-turbo models - low-range gearing.

Every model has standard stability control and curtain bags like the Nissan but it goes one step further with a five-star ANCAP rating.

It has this group's most agile, poised handling and its cabin packs a generous amount of space.

Strong resale, though, means the going on the used-car lot isn't as good as the other cars here, with tidy diesel and upper-level variants likely to be out of bounds in this price range.

Teresa's dogs will have less stretching space than the other cars here (its boot measures 450 litres) and its driveability/economy credentials are hindered by an old-school four-speed auto.

Read Drive's Subaru Forester reviews:

Road test: Subaru Forester X

Drive recommends

None of our trio manages anything like a clean sweep but the Mitsubishi's and Nissan's safety nags - in the case of the former, this group's least equitable access to contemporary safety features; in the case of the latter, question marks surrounding its occupant protection - ultimately consign them to the lower podium positions against the safe-as-houses Subaru.

That doesn't mean the Forester is perfect. It could be sharper value, be better at the dog-carting caper and go further under the bonnet. But if you want a compact SUV that's practical, handy off-road, not too big or thirsty and, like Teresa, you're wanting to maximise safety it's the obvious choice.

* Values are estimates provided by Redbook based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.