10 Great SUVs: Putting Your Money to Work on the Used Lot

The demand for used cars is on the rise, overshadowing that of new car sales and proving that more drivers are learning one of the industry’s best-kept secrets. There’s incredible value in shopping on the used lot, making a used SUV dealer like McCluskey Chevrolet more enticing than a dealer that promises nothing beyond that new car smell. Why is this the case?

New cars are still appealing, but drivers are quickly learning how to let their money do the work for them. Regardless of how much you pay, every new car is subject to rapid depreciation over its first five years on the road. This depreciation begins when you leave the lot and creates a gaping hole in your wallet. Used SUVs don’t cause this extreme hemorrhaging because you’re paying closer to the model’s actual value and getting a better-equipped model at a fraction of the price. It’s a win-win, especially when you find one of these SUVs on the used lot.

#1: Chevrolet Equinox

The Equinox is Chevrolet’s second best-selling vehicle after the Silverado, but what makes it so remarkable? The Equinox is a compact SUV renowned for its versatility, handling, and efficiency. Offering seating for five, the Equinox is perfect for individuals, couples, and small families who want the spaciousness of an SUV without gas-guzzling tendencies.

Every Equinox offers exceptional value, but tech-savvy drivers will undoubtedly appreciate the 2020 model. Chevrolet standardized its driver-assist technology and equipped every trim with tools like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic headlamps, and lane-keeping assist. Top-tier trims like the Premier add to these features. For example, you’ll find an eight-inch touchscreen display, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a high-definition surround vision camera, adaptive cruise control, and luxuries like leather seating.

#2: Ford Edge

Ford’s SUV lineup has something for everyone, from the small Escape and full-size Expedition to the right-sized Edge. The five-seat Edge is impressive because it shares the fuel-sipping characteristics of the Escape but maximizes its cabin space to accommodate passengers and cargo more comfortably. Ford also distinguishes the Edge from its rivals with trims like the ST and its twin-turbocharged V6 that can answer any need for speed.

Drivers looking for luxury will also find it in the Edge, especially on top-tier trims like the Titanium. Ford introduced the Titanium Elite Appearance Package in 2019, transforming the Edge into a luxurious chariot. The package adds exclusive 20-inch wheels, body-color bumpers with chrome inserts, a panoramic roof, and every tech feature imaginable, from Ford+Alexa to Waze navigation.

#3: Kia Sorento

Growing families needing the spaciousness of a three-row SUV will find it in the Sorento, along with plenty of other perks. Kia is renowned for its unbeatable warranty coverage, which makes shopping for a used Sorento more appealing because you can easily find an SUV still under warranty. As a result, you get a high-value SUV and peace of mind at no additional cost.

The Sorento’s versatility is also limitless, especially on the 2018 model. You can find a 2018 Sorento with seating for five or seven, front or all-wheel drive, and one of three capable powertrains. A trim like the SX Limited is attractive because it offers every luxury, convenience, and tech feature imaginable, including Kia’s renowned dynamic bending headlights and other driver-assist tools like forward collision warning and blind spot detection.

#4: Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe defies the odds as an affordable SUV that’s stylish and sophisticated. It looks more expensive than it is. As a result, the Santa Fe is vastly appealing on the used lot, where you can take advantage of the SUV’s incredible lineup. How so?

The SE is the Santa Fe’s entry-level model for 2021 and is perfect for budget-savvy shoppers. For those willing to spend a little more, the mid-range SEL is excellent and offers keyless entry, heated front seats, and heated exterior mirrors. The top-tier Calligraphy adds to the Santa Fe’s already outstanding value with its leather seating, head-up display, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats for optimal comfort.

#5: Toyota RAV4

The RAV4 is one of the industry’s most popular and longest-running compact crossovers, practically creating the segment decades ago. Its long history and Toyota’s reputation for building reliable vehicles make the RAV4 a must-have for drivers looking for an SUV that can stand the test of time. So, where should you start your search?

The RAV4 has only improved with age, with Toyota giving the SUV an all-new, more rugged design in 2019. The new design also expanded the RAV4’s already impressive suite of features. For example, these models come standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense driver-assist technology that adds to the RAV4’s value and gives you peace of mind behind the wheel.

#6: Kia Telluride

The largest Kia in the fleet is also the most awarded SUV in Kia history. The Telluride debuted in 2020 and is one of the youngest models you’ll find on the used lot. However, don’t discount its age for naivete. Instead, consider it a significant advantage.

The Telluride is a versatile SUV that easily adapts to your needs. Its three-row design and palatial cabin accommodate passengers and cargo, while its capable powertrain promises a smooth ride and responsive handling at any speed. You’ll see these characteristics on every Telluride, whether you find a 2020 or newer model, an entry-level LX, or a top-tier SX with Nappa leather upholstery, a head-up display, and heated and ventilated front and second-row seats.

#7: Ford Expedition

The Expedition sits at the top of Ford’s SUV lineup, dominating the fleet since the late 1990s. The three-row SUV is based on the best-selling F-150 and can easily hold its own, whether hauling passengers and cargo or towing a heavy load. This capability is guaranteed with the Ford name, meaning a 2017 Expedition is just as competent as a newer model without the new car sticker price.

Ford adds to the Expedition’s appeal in several ways. First, the Expedition MAX is an extended version of the SUV that rivals the Chevy Suburban. Second, you can find an Expedition with a second-row bench seat or captain’s chairs that offer seating for seven or eight passengers. These features, combined with Ford’s legendary EcoBoost powertrains, make the Expedition a must-have for families that need a capable and adaptable road warrior that can handle every demand without breaking a sweat.

#8: Chevy Tahoe

The Tahoe is one of the best-selling SUVs in the industry, often sharing the spotlight with the larger Suburban. The three-row SUV does an incredible job of blending functionality, performance, and efficiency in a high-value package. Chevrolet accomplishes as much year after year, which makes shopping for a used Tahoe incredibly rewarding.

For example, every 2017 Tahoe comes standard with GM’s Teen Driver safety technology and active aerodynamic shutters that improve efficiency. Chevrolet added to the Tahoe’s appeal in 2019 by offering the Premier Plus package with exclusive features and a larger V8 engine. A newer 2021 Tahoe is an exceptional find on the used lot because it introduces the SUV’s all-new design that extends its wheelbase and cabin, adds an independent rear suspension, and a diesel powerplant.

#9: Toyota 4Runner

Adventurous and capable, the 4Runner is highly regarded for its on and off-road prowess. As one of the few body-on-frame SUVs in the industry, the 4Runner uses its truck-like design to its advantage and is a staple among off-roaders and adventurers alike. It’s also one of the most highly coveted SUVs on the used lot because, as a Toyota, it holds its value incredibly well.

Shopping for a used 4Runner is exciting because you never know what you’ll find. You may see an entry-level SR5 that offers incredible value and makes joining the Toyota family affordable. Or, you may find a TRD Pro or TRD Off-Road fully modified for the trail. Toyota equips these models with off-road components, but that doesn’t stop adventurers from making modifications, like adding snorkels, beefier mud tires, skid plates, and suspension lifts.

#10: Honda Pilot

Families looking for an alternative to a minivan will be pleasantly surprised with the Honda Pilot. The three-row SUV is sophisticated, modern, and loaded with standard features that make it one of the most highly sought-after SUVs on the new and used lots. You’ll experience this with every year model, from the redesigned 2017 Pilot that introduced smartphone integration to more recent models like the 2020 Black Edition and its blacked-out exterior and red interior accents.

The Pilot’s high-value packaging permeates its history in the Honda fleet because the automaker does an exceptional job diversifying its lineup. The Pilot’s entry-level LX trim is anything but bare-bones and has always offered an impressive suite of standard features. As expected, those features are even more plentiful as you climb the Pilot’s family tree, from the EX and mid-range Touring to the luxurious Elite with its captain’s chairs, expansive digital displays, and tech-centric features like navigation and driver-assist.