Americans love their cars, or more specifically now, their SUVs. While traditional sedans reigned the road for a better part of the last 100 years, SUVs surpassed sedans in 2014 as the most popular vehicle choice for the first time. According to the New York Times, in 2019 that percentage increased to a factor of two. Then, in 2020 IHS Markit suggests that SUVs reached a tipping point, accounting for 50 percent of all the new vehicles sold in the United States.
If you’re in the market for a used SUV, your options have never been greater. There are SUVs in every size and configuration, from a tiny subcompact small SUV to road leviathan, fitting anywhere from four to eight people in comfort.
The challenge isn’t finding one, necessarily. It’s finding the best SUV that suits your needs. That’s where we come in. This list includes used SUVs from the most popular sizes and passenger capacities, so you’ll be able to find the one that works best for your lifestyle.
The Best Used SUVs of 2024
- Acura RDX
- BMW X3
- Cadillac Escalade
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- Ford Explorer
- Honda CR-V
- Hyundai Tucson
- Nissan Rogue
- Subaru Forester
- Toyota RAV4
Acura RDX
The Acura RDX is a compact luxury crossover SUV that features one of the lowest starting prices in its segment. It’s high-quality, practical and versatile, and can be equipped with the latest technology, yet its value-oriented pricing is a result of most of the RDX’s contemporaries featuring better design and build quality, particularly inside the cabin. Still, Acura is a luxury brand owned by Honda, so buyers in search of a used RDX can rest assured that a well-cared-for example will be in it for the long haul.
The Acura RDX was last redesigned for 2019 as it entered its third generation. Buyers shopping for a used RDX will find a variety of four- and six-cylinder engines in various combinations with front-wheel drive (FWD) or AWD. A late-model used example with optional safety features was likely quite well-equipped when new. Though the Acura RDX isn’t the most well-appointed luxury SUV out there, it’s a step up from a mainstream brand vehicle for not much more money.
Acura RDX Review
BMW X3
There are plenty of subcompact SUVs and small luxury SUVs on the market, but few are as fun to drive as the BMW X3. It seats five passengers across two rows, but unlike many two-row SUV competitors, has agile handling and has featured a lineup of potent four- and six-cylinder engines over the years, combined with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or AWD. The X3 also features elegant exterior and interior design across all of its generations.
As of the 2018 model year, the X3 is in its third generation, though shoppers should be aware that BMW tends to update its vehicle’s technology and features when they become available, instead of waiting a year or more for a refresh or full redesign. That means model years within the same generation may have very different lists of standard or optional equipment, so you should keep that in mind if you’re intent on finding a used X3 with a specific safety or infotainment feature.
BMW X3 Review
Cadillac Escalade
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV that is a more upscale version of the Chevrolet Tahoe or GMC Yukon. The Escalade was introduced in 1999, and the latest generation made its debut in 2021. If you’re shopping for a used Escalade, you’re likely in search of eye-catching exterior design, a size that tends to dominate surrounding traffic, plenty of power, and a comfortable interior with three rows of seating.
Over the years, the Escalade has featured a variety of V8 engines and more recently an available inline six-cylinder diesel paired with RWD or true 4WD, which is an advantage of shopping for a traditional truck-based SUV instead of a car-based crossover. This means, however, that while the Escalade is powerful and capable of towing and hauling heavy loads (capacity varies based on model year and configuration, of course), it’s also one of the less fuel-efficient vehicles on the used market, diesel aside. Keep in mind that you’ll save some money buying used, but in general, the Cadillac Escalade is not a cheap or efficient vehicle to own.
Cadillac Escalade Review
Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe—like its twin, the GMC Yukon—is a traditional truck-based full-size SUV that nearly equals the massive Suburban in terms of passenger and cargo space. The Tahoe can accommodate up to nine passengers, depending on how it is configured, and has been offered with several powertrain lineups over the years, as well as the choice of RWD or four-wheel drive (4WD). Like the Escalade, the Chevy Tahoe was redesigned for the 2021 model year, taking it into its fifth generation. It’s one of the few SUVs on this list with off-road capability that can rival a Jeep.
While the Chevy Tahoe may not be considered as glamorous as its brethren from GMC and Cadillac, it’s still an attention-getter, since it’s so big and bold. The Tahoe is a good choice if you regularly need to tow or if your activities require room for a ton of people and all their gear. If you’re shopping for a used Tahoe, you’ll have plenty of choices. Either figure out your price range and buy the best used Tahoe you can find or do some research to determine what generation and configuration best suits your needs, and start from there.
Chevrolet Tahoe Review
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a midsize SUV that originally replaced the Bronco II. Over the years, the Explorer has made a name for itself as a family-friendly vehicle that emphasizes practicality and versatility, if not necessarily value. The Explorer was fully redesigned for the 2020 model year, marking its sixth generation, and today is one of only a few models in its class to offer traditional RWD or 4WD SUV configurations. Over the years, V8 and V6 engine options have been plentiful, but there are also some Explorer Hybrids kicking around, and in recent years, Ford has phased in more efficient turbocharged four-cylinder engine options, as well.
With three decades in the rearview mirror, there are tons of used Explorers on the market. Later examples from the vehicle's fifth generation, from 2011 to 2019, will likely be best in terms of condition and features for reliable SUVs, but going older could prove useful for buyers on a budget, especially if you're less concerned about comfortable trim levels and technology such as Apple CarPlay.
Ford Explorer Review
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is right on the RAV4’s heels in terms of popularity, selling about 40,000 units fewer than Toyota’s crossover entry every year. The CR-V is currently in its sixth generation, fully redesigned for the 2023 model year. That should make past-generation CR-Vs (2017 to 2022) fairly plentiful in the used market. The Honda brand is known for reliability and strong resale values, two traits embodied by the CR-V that have served this model well and help it earn a spot in many rankings. As small crossovers increasingly become the go-to vehicle instead of small cars for many shoppers, the CR-V has maintained its decades-long popularity. Your choice in what year to purchase will often be dictated by what you’re looking for in terms of connectivity, more advanced safety technologies like blind spot monitoring, and newer features like touchscreens.
The CR-V seats five across two rows, and is generously proportioned for both passengers and cargo. In general, whatever generation of CR-V you seek, you’ll find that base trims are sparsely equipped, with few comfort features and contemporary yet bare-bones infotainment systems. However, regardless of the year, a well-cared-for CR-V is likely to provide reliable, efficient, and versatile transportation. If you want something larger, consider a Honda Pilot.
Honda CR-V Review
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is priced right as a new vehicle, and doesn’t retain the same value as the RAV4 and CR-V, mostly because people still think “Hyundai” equals the Excel their aunt bought in 1985. The truth is, any Hyundai can be equal in quality and reliability to any product from Honda or Toyota, and the Tucson is no exception. These are great vehicles that have the potential to be a bargain on the used market and, like Hyundai’s cousin brand Kia, these SUVs have excellent warranty coverage.
The fourth generation arrived here in the 2022 model year, so you won’t find a bounty of these on the used car lot until three-year leases begin to be turned in, at which point you’ll have a good selection of certified pre-owned models. You’re more likely to find Tucsons from the third generation – 2016 to 2021 model years – but they’re just as compelling as the current vehicle.
A well-maintained Tucson from the third generation is a safe bet, and the second generation, from 2010 to 2015, is also a good choice. However, shoppers should avoid older Tucson models, unless finding a used vehicle at a very low price is a high priority. The Hyundai Santa Fe may be an option for you, too.
Hyundai Tucson Review
Nissan Rogue
Nissan was fashionably late to the compact SUV party with the Rogue, though it eventually became one of the best-selling models in the segment. As of the 2021 model year, the Rogue is now in its third generation, and with the latest redesign the new car has abandoned its position as a value leader with a competitive base price. However, shoppers on the used car market should be able to find plenty of pre-owned Rogues at a good price.
Don’t expect power or performance to be among the Rogue’s strengths, but you should get good gas mileage. Throughout the Rogue's existence, Nissan has kept things simple by employing only a couple different four-cylinder engines to power the SUV, paired with FWD or AWD. However, the Rogue features user-friendly technology and, in later years, has some of the most comfortable seating available in the class. Look for models equipped with Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats and your back will thank you, particularly after a long drive. Furthermore, some model years were available with a third row, which is rare for this segment.
Nissan Rogue Review
Subaru Forester
In its early years, the Subaru Forester ambled down the road like a tall station wagon rather than an SUV. These days, however, its styling fits seamlessly into the landscape of ubiquitous compact crossovers. The Forester is a favorite for active households, thanks to its marketing, which emphasizes its ability to go (almost) anywhere and do (almost) anything. The 2019 model year marked the beginning of the Forester’s fifth generation, so you’ll find plenty on the used market now.
The Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), which is typical for a Subaru vehicle, and both normally aspirated 4-cylinder and turbocharged four-cylinder engines are plentiful on the used market. Keep in mind, though, that even with the turbo, the Forester isn’t a particularly powerful vehicle, and shoppers who place an emphasis on acceleration and horsepower should consider a roomy used six-cylinder Subaru Outback wagon instead. What’s surprising is how well a Forester can perform off-road. Also consider that Subaru models tend to have high resale values relative to competing brands and comparable vehicles, so keep that in mind as you shop for a used Forester.
Subaru Forester Review
Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 is the most popular SUV in America, and aside from pickup trucks, it’s one of the most popular vehicles in America. The Toyota RAV4 is currently in its fifth generation, which was introduced for the 2019 model year. The current generation offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions for better mpg ratings. They’re everywhere in both the new and used market, and the current generation is old enough that you’ll find them in relatively plentiful numbers on the used market. They always make a good choice for active couples or small families that need two rows of seating, good fuel economy and aren’t all that concerned about off-road performance.
Due to the RAV4's popularity over the years, there are many available as used vehicles, though buyers should be aware that it tends to have higher resale values than many of its competitors. The RAV4 benefits from Toyota’s reputation for safety and reliability. Any generation of used RAV4 will have good amenities and features compared to rivals of the same age and condition, though it’s worth noting that the RAV4’s performance and efficiency have improved drastically in later model years. The Toyota Highlander is another good choice if you have a bigger family.
Toyota RAV4 Review