See our full list of experts picks for the Best Used Luxury SUVs, from compacts to three-row family haulers. If you want to save some serious cash and still get a great used luxury SUV, let Edmunds be your guide.
Best Used 3 Row SUVs
More than a midsize, these three-row SUVs are the real heroes of family hauling. Whether you need a truck-based basher that can transport your family and tow a trailer, or a crossover-style three-row that can shuttle the softball team while simultaneously breaking the 20 mpg barrier, we've got you covered.
The majority of modern SUVs are really car-like crossover SUVs. They've got SUV styling on the outside, but rather than a body-on-frame design, they use unibody construction. That means they're closer to modern cars than they are to trucks. If you need something with seven seats that can tow a big boat, there's no substitute for a true full-size SUV such as the Chevy Suburban. Its three rows of seating and truck-based architecture make it a capable workhorse for even the most demanding of families.
Redesigned in 2016 and a leader in the segment ever since, the Honda Pilot is one of our favorite three-row crossovers. Less unwieldy than a truck-based SUV like the Suburban, the Pilot is easy to drive on a daily basis, easy to park, and easy to get in and out of. It has a comfortable, quiet interior and seating for seven passengers. It also gets impressive fuel economy, yet its punchy V6 engine can tow up to 5,000 pounds. A word of warning, however — vehicles often have teething issues in the first year of production, and the 2016 Pilot fits the bill with its rather low average Edmunds consumer rating of 3.7/5. We recommend reading those consumer reviews thoroughly before taking the plunge.
The Toyota Land Cruiser is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Its understated sheet metal doesn't draw stares, but this leather-lined seven-passenger SUV can go almost anywhere, thanks in part to a robust V8 engine and a sophisticated Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) that can adjust suspension settings on the fly. Even in 2016, the Land Cruiser was available with all sorts of modern tech and safety features including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning and pedestrian detection. There aren't many on the market, and they're pricey when you find them. But there also aren't many vehicles that compare to a Land Cruiser.
Used SUVs With the Best Gas Mileage
While SUVs likely aren't the first vehicles you think of when you hear "best gas mileage," there are some seriously efficient used SUVs available. Check them out; they're ready to save you real money at the pump.
Little brother to the ultra-popular Lexus RX, the Lexus NX 300h is a small but efficient SUV worth checking out. Despite its small size, the NX has a spacious back seat. Materials quality and abundant standard tech are stacked in the NX's favor, too. Then there's the fuel economy: Underneath, the 300h uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors that are rated as high as 32 mpg combined. And even though it's a hybrid, it is available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Mazda CX-5 (26-29 mpg combined)
Listed earlier for its overall quality and luxury feel, the Mazda CX-5 is also a fuel economy champ. The 2.5-liter engine gets an impressive 29 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, although that figure drops to 26 mpg with all-wheel drive.
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a truly rare vehicle, offering fuel efficiency and strong acceleration in a three-row SUV package. Like the standard non-hybrid Highlander, the hybrid has a quiet ride and lots of available safety features. On top of that, the hybrid adds a whopping 8 mpg to the standard all-wheel-drive Highlander's combined rating.
Used SUV Features
Every shopper will have a different set of desired SUV features, but there are some we recommend looking out for when buying used. Infotainment interfaces have received a lot of updates in recent years, so you may want to look for a vehicle that offers smartphone connectivity, or at least a few USB ports to connect with. Also, be sure to find the comfort features you want, such as heated seats or a sunroof. And, of course, make sure the SUV you're looking at has all the safety equipment you want — just because it's a few years old doesn't mean you can't find an SUV with modern tech such as blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, or even adaptive cruise control.
Choosing the Right Used SUV for You
As you can probably tell by this point, there's a used SUV out there for everyone. Whether you're focused on carrying as many passengers as you can or maximizing your mpg, we're confident that you'll find what you're looking for. To narrow down your choices, we recommend you start by selecting the size of SUV you need and then narrow down the search with your required features, your price range and the minimum fuel economy you'll accept. Don't forget to read Edmunds' in-depth expert and consumer reviews before scheduling test drives.
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