Used SUV Buyers Guide (2022 Edition)
The most common kind of vehicle in the United States are sport-utility vehicles. The increased ride height, all-wheel drive, greater off-road capability, interior versatility, and/or perceived quality of SUVs relative to cars attract many consumers. They come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and price points, from compact variants that are barely larger than subcompact cars to extended-length behemoths built on pickup truck gear. With the availability of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric powertrains, electrified models are becoming increasingly commonplace.
The majority of contemporary SUVs, also known as crossovers or utility vehicles (CUVs), use a structure that is more like to a regular automobile than a body-on-frame truck, which was more typical in the past. A brand's SUVs and cars can even have a common base. As a result, crossovers should handle and ride more comfortably than truck-based versions. They normally have all-wheel drive and can handle mild off-road conditions, but they aren't usually made for more difficult off-road scenarios like those involving boulders, deep water, deep sand, or steep inclines. Most SUVs based on cars can only haul a small amount of weight.
Below are some of our favorite used SUV models based on current availability, overall rankings, and utility. If you have any questions about any of the models below please contact us.
The majority of contemporary SUVs, also known as crossovers or utility vehicles (CUVs), use a structure that is more like to a regular automobile than a body-on-frame truck, which was more typical in the past. A brand's SUVs and cars can even have a common base. As a result, crossovers should handle and ride more comfortably than truck-based versions. They normally have all-wheel drive and can handle mild off-road conditions, but they aren't usually made for more difficult off-road scenarios like those involving boulders, deep water, deep sand, or steep inclines. Most SUVs based on cars can only haul a small amount of weight.
Below are some of our favorite used SUV models based on current availability, overall rankings, and utility. If you have any questions about any of the models below please contact us.
Compact SUVs
Chevy Equinox
Specs (2020 model)
Size: Compact SUV
Seats: 5
Engine: 1.5L / 2.0L turbo four-cylinder
MPG: Up to 26 mpg city / 31 mpg highway
Horsepower: 170 to 252 hp
Towing capacity: Up to 3,500lbs
Curb weight: 3,274 to 3,665 lbs
Cargo Volume: 29.9 cu ft; 63.9 cu ft seats down
Trims: L, LS, LT, Premier
NHTSA Safety Rating: 5/5 stars
Size: Compact SUV
Seats: 5
Engine: 1.5L / 2.0L turbo four-cylinder
MPG: Up to 26 mpg city / 31 mpg highway
Horsepower: 170 to 252 hp
Towing capacity: Up to 3,500lbs
Curb weight: 3,274 to 3,665 lbs
Cargo Volume: 29.9 cu ft; 63.9 cu ft seats down
Trims: L, LS, LT, Premier
NHTSA Safety Rating: 5/5 stars
Honda CR-V
Specs (2020 model)
Size: Compact SUV
Seats: 5
Engine: 1.5L Gas / 2.0L Hybrid
MPG: Up to 28 city / 34 highway
Horsepower: 190 to 212 hp
Towing capacity: 1,500 lbs
Curb weight: 3,337 to 3,576 lbs
Cargo volume: 37.6 to 39.2 cu ft, 75.8 cu ft seats down
Trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring
NHTSA safety rating: 5/5 stars
Size: Compact SUV
Seats: 5
Engine: 1.5L Gas / 2.0L Hybrid
MPG: Up to 28 city / 34 highway
Horsepower: 190 to 212 hp
Towing capacity: 1,500 lbs
Curb weight: 3,337 to 3,576 lbs
Cargo volume: 37.6 to 39.2 cu ft, 75.8 cu ft seats down
Trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring
NHTSA safety rating: 5/5 stars
Nissan Rogue
Specs (2020 model)
Size: Compact
Seats: 5
Engine: 2.5L 4-cylinder
MPG: Up to 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway
Horsepower: 170 hp
Towing capacity: 1,102 lbs
Curb weight: 3,464 to 3,671 lbs
Cargo volume: 39.3 cu ft, 70 cu ft seats down
Trims: S, SV, SL
NHTSA safety rating: 4/5 stars
Size: Compact
Seats: 5
Engine: 2.5L 4-cylinder
MPG: Up to 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway
Horsepower: 170 hp
Towing capacity: 1,102 lbs
Curb weight: 3,464 to 3,671 lbs
Cargo volume: 39.3 cu ft, 70 cu ft seats down
Trims: S, SV, SL
NHTSA safety rating: 4/5 stars
Mid-Size SUVs
Toyota Highlander
Specs (2020 model)
Size: Mid-Size SUV
Seats: up to 8
Engine: 3.5L V6 / 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid
MPG: Up to 21 mpg city / 29 mpg highway
Horsepower: 243 hp hybrid, 295 hp gas
Towing capacity: 5,000 lbs
Curb weight: 4,145 to 4,450 lbs
Cargo volume: 16 cu ft, 84.3 cu ft seats down
Trims: L, LE, XLE, Limited, Platinum (hybrid available on LE, XLE, Limited)
NHTSA safety rating: 5/5 stars
Size: Mid-Size SUV
Seats: up to 8
Engine: 3.5L V6 / 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid
MPG: Up to 21 mpg city / 29 mpg highway
Horsepower: 243 hp hybrid, 295 hp gas
Towing capacity: 5,000 lbs
Curb weight: 4,145 to 4,450 lbs
Cargo volume: 16 cu ft, 84.3 cu ft seats down
Trims: L, LE, XLE, Limited, Platinum (hybrid available on LE, XLE, Limited)
NHTSA safety rating: 5/5 stars
Chevy Traverse
Specs (2020 model)
Size: Mid-Size SUV
Seats: Up to 8
Engine: 3.6L V6
MPG: up to 18 mpg city / 27 mpg highway
Horsepower: 310 hp
Towing capacity: 1,500 to 5,000 lbs
Curb weight: 4,362 lbs
Cargo volume: 23 cu ft, 98.2 cu ft seats down
Trims: L, LS, LT, RS, Premier, High Country
NHTSA safety rating: 5/5 stars
Size: Mid-Size SUV
Seats: Up to 8
Engine: 3.6L V6
MPG: up to 18 mpg city / 27 mpg highway
Horsepower: 310 hp
Towing capacity: 1,500 to 5,000 lbs
Curb weight: 4,362 lbs
Cargo volume: 23 cu ft, 98.2 cu ft seats down
Trims: L, LS, LT, RS, Premier, High Country
NHTSA safety rating: 5/5 stars
Ford Explorer
Specs (2020 model)
Size: Mid-size SUV
Seats: 7
Engine: 2.3 L 4 cylinder, 3.3 L V6, 3.0 L V6
MPG: Up to 27 mpg city / 29 mpg highway
Horsepower: 300 to 400 hp
Towing capacity: 5,300 to 5,600 lbs
Curb weight: 4,345 to 4,727 lbs
Cargo volume: 18 cu ft, 87.8 cu ft seats down
Trims: Base, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, ST, Platinum
NHTSA safety rating: 5/5 stars
Size: Mid-size SUV
Seats: 7
Engine: 2.3 L 4 cylinder, 3.3 L V6, 3.0 L V6
MPG: Up to 27 mpg city / 29 mpg highway
Horsepower: 300 to 400 hp
Towing capacity: 5,300 to 5,600 lbs
Curb weight: 4,345 to 4,727 lbs
Cargo volume: 18 cu ft, 87.8 cu ft seats down
Trims: Base, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, ST, Platinum
NHTSA safety rating: 5/5 stars
Full-Size SUVs
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Specs (2020 model)
Size: Full-size SUV
Seats: 5
Engine: 3.6L V6, 5.7L Hemi V8, 6.4L SRT V8, 6.8L V8
MPG: Up to 19 mpg city / 26 mpg highway
Horsepower: 293 to 707 hp
Towing capacity: 6,200 to 7,200 lbs
Curb weight: 4,513 to 5,356 lbs
Cargo volume: 18.2 cu ft, 87.8 cu ft seats down
Trims: Laredo, Laredo E, Upland, Altitude, North, Limited, Limited X, Trailhawk, Overland, High Altitude, Summit
NHTSA safety rating: 5/5 stars
Size: Full-size SUV
Seats: 5
Engine: 3.6L V6, 5.7L Hemi V8, 6.4L SRT V8, 6.8L V8
MPG: Up to 19 mpg city / 26 mpg highway
Horsepower: 293 to 707 hp
Towing capacity: 6,200 to 7,200 lbs
Curb weight: 4,513 to 5,356 lbs
Cargo volume: 18.2 cu ft, 87.8 cu ft seats down
Trims: Laredo, Laredo E, Upland, Altitude, North, Limited, Limited X, Trailhawk, Overland, High Altitude, Summit
NHTSA safety rating: 5/5 stars
Chevy Tahoe
Specs (2020 model)
Size: Full-size
Seats: 7 to 8
Engine: 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8
MPG: Up to 15 mpg city / 22 mpg highway
Horsepower: 355 to 420 hp
Towing capacity: 6,400 to 8,600 lbs
Curb weight: 5,355 to 5,602 lbs
Cargo volume: 15.3 cu ft, 94.7 cu ft seats down
Trims: LS, LT, Premier
NHTSA safety rating: 4/5 stars
Size: Full-size
Seats: 7 to 8
Engine: 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8
MPG: Up to 15 mpg city / 22 mpg highway
Horsepower: 355 to 420 hp
Towing capacity: 6,400 to 8,600 lbs
Curb weight: 5,355 to 5,602 lbs
Cargo volume: 15.3 cu ft, 94.7 cu ft seats down
Trims: LS, LT, Premier
NHTSA safety rating: 4/5 stars