Finding a proper vehicle for Keene, New Hampshire, can be tricky. You’re always one good commute away from a completely different state, a completely different set of drivers, and a completely different set of requirements to navigate the streets of that region. Vermont is right next door, New York just beyond, and Massachusetts is just below you. Many great working opportunities surround you, as well as within Cheshire County, where commuting long distances is the norm. Plus, with the unpredictable weather being the way it is, simply having something small and affordable may not be efficient enough to last the starting years of your new career as you graduate from Keene State and venture out on your own.

Fortunately, you can shop for some quality used cars for sale near Keene that come equipped with great fuel economy for long commutes, enough space to carry all of your stuff (including friends and family), and the right equipment to perform well during the warm seasons and handle the harsh snowfall during the cold seasons. Trying to find this perfect vehicle may not seem like the easiest task, but we’re here to help you, and that’s why we have this list of eight used vehicles with all-wheel or four-wheel drive configurations that will make your life as a Keene driver so much easier.

Ford EcoSport

Even though it has been discontinued, the Ford EcoSport can still be found on the used market for extremely low prices. This is a fantastic little subcompact for those who need a basic, economical daily driver around Keene.

All-wheel drive is only available with the optional 2.0L I-4 engine that produces 166 hp and 149 lb-ft of torque. It’s only available in all-wheel drive and manages 23 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. Even as a subcompact it can tow up to 2,000 lbs, so you get some decent utility even being as small as it is. With the all-wheel drive and a good assortment of stability management and traction control systems, the EcoSport provides a commendable opportunity to get to and from your destination at a very low cost.

Chevy Trailblazer

The current generation of the Chevy Trailblazer, which has been in production since 2020, is a great entry-level compact crossover. It offers a mix of style and usability without pricing shoppers out of owning one. This makes it especially useful for those looking for a stylish SUV that is extremely affordable as a used model. The mix of unique colors and the inclusion of many basic safety, infotainment, and convenience features enables it to be an easy pick for young drivers and commuters alike.

The Trailblazer’s all-wheel drive capabilities come paired with the optional turbocharged 1.3L EcoTec I-3, meaning that you have great handling and stability regardless of the weather, traffic, or road conditions. Plus, it offers admirable fuel economy at 26 MPG in the city and up to 29 MPG on the highway. If you do a lot of highway travel, you can get a lot out of a used Chevy Trailblazer.

Subaru Impreza

The Impreza has been part of Subaru’s line-up since 1992, offering drivers a compact five-door hatchback alternative to the standard Impreza sedan. The modern Impreza features all-wheel drive functionality with manual or automatic transmissions while being paired up with the famous 2.0L Boxer-4 powertrain. You get 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque, with a max cargo volume of 55.3 cu.ft. This gives you plenty of performance and space for books, work equipment, groceries, or traveling gear.

The Impreza is especially useful for college students or young career upstarts who need a reliable, all-wheel drive vehicle with great fuel economy since it offers up to 27 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. It is a very stable vehicle, with plenty of stability management and traction control as well as all-wheel drive. This makes the Impreza great for every season, whether you’re commuting in the summer or attending classes in the winter and need something that can withstand the icy roads on your way to school.

Chevy Silverado 1500

Not everyone living in Keene is attending college or starting a career after school. If you’re one of those drivers who do plenty of work-related traveling and need a good vehicle to manage the driving conditions in and around the city where a good four-wheel drive vehicle may be necessary, such as plowing snow in the winter or hauling heavy cargo, then a good light-duty truck, such as a used Chevy Silverado 1500, is the way to go.

You get a vehicle that can handle thousands of pounds when it comes to towing, lots of hauling capabilities, and multiple trims and engine choices in four-wheel drive designations that you can use for all different driving disciplines. If you need a good daily driver, the Silverado 1500 can definitely work as one, just as well as if you were looking for a used recreational truck for off-road purposes, construction, or home improvement. It has a do-it-all appeal that makes it quite versatile, while a used model provides the affordability you might be craving out of your next purchase.

Mazda CX-30

The Mazda CX-30 is a good basic daily driver. It features the i-Activ all-wheel drive and can be paired with either a standard 2.5L I-4 or a turbocharged 2.5L I-4. Plus, as a subcompact crossover SUV, it’s very affordable. The i-Activ drivetrain system distributes torque with power take-off and limited wheel slip, making it a great vehicle to have when dealing with wet or slippery roads.

Beyond its performance capabilities, the Mazda CX-30 has a full infotainment stack, touchscreen capabilities, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a full safety suite, everything you need for a robust driving experience throughout and beyond Keene. Even more than that, it has a fantastic look and provides a stylish driving experience for those who want not only a functional crossover SUV but also a great-looking one.

Subaru Forester

Not every Keene driver is a college student, a truck driver, or looking for a used vehicle specifically for school or work purposes. Some shoppers are looking for a good family vehicle for daily driving but also something stable, reliable, affordable, and with all the amenities and conveniences of a decently sized SUV. The Subaru Forester hits the mark as one such vehicle, as it’s classified as a compact SUV but has many of the characteristics of a station wagon.

The Forester comes with standard all-wheel drive, powered by Subaru’s 2.5L Boxer-4 engine. It provides good performance with 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, plus impressive fuel economy, topping out at 26 MPG in the city and up to 33 MPG on the highway. You have up to 74.4 cu.ft. of total cargo volume and an impressive towing capacity of up to 3,000 lbs. This makes the Forester an all-around great vehicle, whether doing daily errands, taking the kids to school, commuting to work, going to one of the many local stadiums, or towing cargo for a weekend getaway.

Ford F-150

You can’t go wrong with a Ford F-150. Buying a used iteration of a thirteenth or fourteenth-generation F-150 gives you a lot of great features and functionality, as well as a very versatile and affordable truck. Depending on the cab configuration, you can seat up to six people and find plenty of trim variations with four-wheel drive. With all four wheels doing the work, it makes the F-150 perfect for hauling, off-roading, and maintaining stability on the road during all sorts of weather and seasonal changes in Keene.

The availability of many different powertrain options, including mild hybrid technology, gives you access to a full-size pickup truck with great fuel economy, towing capacity, and payload capabilities. Plus, with the newer generations, you have access to much larger infotainment stacks, voice-activated controls, media access, and an available 12-inch HD touchscreen. If you need an all-around workhorse that can also work as a great daily driver, you can’t go wrong with a used F-150.

Toyota RAV4

If you want an amazing combination of great content in a single used vehicle, the fifth generation of the Toyota RAV4 hits almost every check mark. You can find a used RAV4 for an extremely affordable price, and out of the plentiful used cars for sale near Keene, it’s not hard to find a RAV4 among them. As one of the best-selling SUVs on the market, the RAV4 offers great utility with up to 3,500 lbs worth of towing capacity, available all-wheel drive, seating for up to five people, and space for up to 69.8 cu.ft. of cargo.

Additionally, you have a robust infotainment stack with an available 10.5-inch HD touchscreen, phone projection, and the Toyota Safety Sense for driver awareness and alerts. But, beyond the great looks, utility, and interior comfort features, you have amazing fuel economy, especially if you opt for a used RAV4 Hybrid that can achieve up to 41 MPG in the city and up to 38 MPG on the highway with all-wheel drive, and do so without having to plug in the vehicle to charge. It’s a big win for anyone shopping for an affordable, versatile, used SUV to drive throughout Keene and beyond.