Are you in the market for a used SUV that ticks all the boxes of reliability, quality, and exceptional value? The demand for SUVs has surged in recent years, with an increasing number of drivers opting for these versatile vehicles. But why are SUVs so popular, and how do you navigate the overwhelming choices available?
SUVs have more space, safety, and off-road capabilities than other cars while offering a smooth and comfortable driving experience. Many car makers now offer them in different sizes to fit various individual and family needs. But with the multitude of options available out there, choosing the right SUV can seem like a daunting task.
The same is true for both new and used car markets. Those on a limited budget may want to opt for a used SUV so they can take advantage of its benefits without breaking the bank on costly new models. The only question is, how can you decide on a single brand and model with so many used SUVs on sale?
Today, we'll take a peek into the world of pre-owned Toyota SUVs and explore why they stand out among the competition. Toyota SUVs are renowned for their quality features, reliability, and value, making them a top choice for individuals and families alike. We'll explore these characteristics and provide a list of choices to shop for from this automaker.
What sets Toyota apart?
Toyota used SUVs stand out from the competition for several compelling reasons, making them highly sought-after in the used SUV market.
Legendary reliability
Toyota has a well-earned reputation for building durable and reliable vehicles. This reliability extends to their SUVs, which are known to withstand the test of time and maintain their performance even after years of use. Choosing a Toyota pre-owned SUV means investing in a reliable SUV built to last.
Long lifespan and durability
Longevity and durability are two of Toyota’s most often-cited attributes. Many Toyota models have proven track records of surpassing 200,000 miles or more with proper maintenance, showcasing their ability to withstand years of use and diverse driving conditions. If you’re looking for a long-lasting SUV, a pre-owned Toyota can give you peace of mind for years to come.
Low cost of ownership
Toyota SUVs are known for their low cost of ownership thanks to their reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordable maintenance. This makes them appealing to budget-conscious buyers looking to minimize ongoing expenses without compromising quality.
Resale value
Another significant factor to consider when buying a pre-owned vehicle is its resale value. If you ever plan to sell or trade your vehicle, its resale value will be a big factor in how much you'll get for it. In addition, if your vehicle is totaled, your insurance company will likely pay the actual cash value of the vehicle at the time of the accident, using factors such as your model's typical resale value to determine this.
Toyotas in general retain their value exceptionally well due to their reliability and longevity. This can translate into lower long-term ownership costs and higher return on investment.
A wide range of models
No matter what you’re looking for in an SUV, Toyota has you covered. Toyota offers a diverse lineup of SUVs to suit various needs and preferences.
From the rugged and capable Toyota 4Runner to the versatile and family-friendly Toyota RAV4, there’s a Toyota SUV for every lifestyle. This variety guarantees a suitable option whether you want off-road capability or pure on-road comfort for the whole family.
Advanced safety features
Toyota prioritizes safety, equipping its SUVs with advanced safety technologies—even as far back as its 2015 models. Features like Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), a bundle of safety features, are often available in pre-owned Toyota SUVs, enhancing peace of mind on the road.
The TSS suite includes:
- Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
- Full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control
- Automatic high beams
- Lane departure alert with steering assist
- Lane tracing assist
- Road sign assist
Also standard is the Star Safety System, which includes:
- Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
- Vehicle stability control (VSC)
- Traction control
- Smart-stop technology (SST)
- Electronic brake-force distribution (EBO)
Every Toyota from 2018 forward—and many before—comes standard with a rear-view camera.
Strong performance and off-road capability
Whether navigating city streets or venturing into the wilderness, Toyota SUVs deliver strong performance and capability. Models like the Toyota Land Cruiser and 4Runner are renowned for their off-road prowess, while others like the Highlander and Sequoia excel in urban environments with smooth handling and comfortable rides.
Things to consider when shopping for a pre-owned Toyota SUV
When shopping for the best Toyota SUV on the used car market, there are several important factors to consider to ensure you make a well-informed decision:
1. Vehicle condition
Assess the overall condition of the pre-owned Toyota SUV. Look for signs of wear and tear, inspect the exterior and interior for any damage or issues, and check the mechanical components, including the engine, transmission, brakes, and suspension.
At EchoPark, all of our vehicles go through a rigorous 190-point quality inspection, so you can rest assured that your used Toyota SUV meets our exceptionally high standards.
2. Mileage
Consider the mileage of the pre-owned Toyota SUV. Lower mileage generally indicates less wear on the vehicle, but remember that Toyotas are known for their durability even at higher mileage.
3. Vehicle history report
EchoPark can help you make the most informed decision possible by providing a vehicle history report from CarFax or AutoCheck using the vehicle identification number (VIN). This report can reveal important information such as previous accidents, title status, and ownership history.
4. Model and size
Determine which Toyota SUV model and size best suits your needs. Think about factors such as seating capacity, cargo space, features, and intended use, such as daily commuting, family trips, or off-road adventures.
5. Budget
Set a clear budget for purchasing a pre-owned Toyota SUV and stick to it. Factor in not just the purchase price but also ongoing costs such as insurance, fuel, maintenance, and repairs.
6. Research and comparison
Conduct thorough research on Toyota SUV models, their reliability ratings, common issues, and owner reviews. Compare prices and features across different listings to find the best value for your money.
7. Test drive
Always schedule a test drive before making a purchase decision. Pay attention to the SUV's driving dynamics, comfort, noise levels, and overall feel on the road.
8. Certification and warranty
With every vehicle, EchoPark offers an optional vehicle service contract that covers all of your vehicle’s core systems, including the engine, transmission, electrical and computer, heating and cooling, and more.
Consider purchasing a certified pre-owned (CPO) Toyota SUV. CPO vehicles often have extended warranties baked in and undergo rigorous inspections, providing additional peace of mind.
Used Toyota SUVs by category
Let's explore the many options within Toyota's pre-owned SUV categories.
Subcompact SUVs
We’ll start with the best Toyota SUVs in the subcompact category.
Toyota Corolla Cross
Toyota began manufacturing the Corolla Cross, a subcompact crossover SUV, in North America in 2022, so there may not be many of these available on the pre-owned market yet. However, if you're looking for a newer pre-owned Toyota SUV that's reliable and versatile, the Corolla Cross is a good option for budget-conscious buyers.
Available in standard and hybrid powertrain options, the five-passenger Corolla Cross offers all-wheel drive (AWD) and multi-link rear suspension. The Corolla Cross, with its 4-cylinder engine, features an EPA-estimated 32 miles per gallon (mpg) combined rating, while the Corolla Cross Hybrid boasts around 42 combined mpg. Both options have a 2.0-liter engine, giving you 169 horsepower (hp) with the standard engine or 196 combined hp with the hybrid engine.
The Corolla Cross is surprisingly spacious with 60/40 split rear seats, which fold down to provide up to 66 cubic feet of cargo space compared to 21 to 25 cubic feet behind the second row. With the available power liftgate, you can reach the rear cargo area simply by pressing a button.
Some safety features available include Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB), which gives a visual warning when it detects stationary objects or vehicles approaching from behind. It will even apply the brakes and/or reduce engine power to avoid contacting a detected obstacle. The Corolla Cross also features nine airbags.
Toyota C-HR
Even smaller than the Corolla Cross is its predecessor, the Toyota C-HR, which was only produced from 2018 to 2022. That means the only C-HRs you’re apt to find out there will be, by default, pre-owned.
With its 2.0 L four-cylinder engine, the Toyota C-HR produces 144 hp and has a combined gas mileage average of 29 mpg.
While the C-HR also seats five, its backseat can be a bit cramped for longer-legged adult passengers, but if you’re traveling with young children, it should suit them just fine. Behind the second row, you’ll find 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space. With the rear seats folded down, you’re looking at a total of 37 cubic feet of cargo space.
The C-HR includes safety features such as a blind spot monitor, ten airbags, rear cross-traffic alert, and others that earned it excellent safety ratings during the production years.
Compact/Crossover SUVs
If you’re seeking a more spacious SUV, look into the compact category. These vehicles are the happy medium between the higher performance and easier maneuverability of subcompacts and the space and cargo capacity of midsize SUVs.
Toyota RAV4
This classic SUV made its North American debut in 1996. Toyota touted the RAV4 as a vehicle featuring the cargo room, higher sightline, and four-wheel drive of an SUV and the gas mileage and ease of motion of a compact car. Since then, the RAV4 has consistently remained popular, offering a blend of practicality, fuel efficiency, and off-road capability.
As the automotive industry has begun to shift toward crossover vehicles, the RAV4 adapted to the trend, offering hybrid powertrain options starting in the 2016 model year. The RAV4 Hybrid is a best seller, appealing to eco-conscious buyers seeking to lower their carbon footprints without compromising utility and cargo room. Gas mileage in most pre-owned RAV4 models is approximately 25 mpg in the city and 30 to 35 mpg on the highway.
In terms of safety, the five-seater RAV4 has earned good ratings over the years from safety organizations and institutes such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It comes standard with eight airbags, four-wheel drive, and all the customary Toyota bells and whistles designed to keep you and your family safe on the road.
The RAV4 consistently features one of the largest cargo capacities in its class, making it beloved among drivers toting multiple children, little sports players and their equipment, or even camping gear. With the rear seats up, the capacity is between about 37 to 38 cubic feet; with the seats folded down, your maximum cargo capacity is impressive at around 70 to 73 cubic feet.
Toyota Venza
Initially manufactured for the North American market in 2008, the now-discontinued (after the 2024 model year) five-passenger Toyota Venza was advertised as a midsize crossover.
Toyota Venza offers decent cargo space: depending on the model, between 29 to 31 cubic feet or around 55 to 70 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. One major advantage of the Venza is its excellent gas mileage: about 40 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. These figures make Venza popular among commuters, as does its standard electronic on-demand AWD, which gives drivers a leg up in inclement weather.
Featuring both the Star Safety System and TSS, Venza has also earned good safety ratings during its manufacturing run.
Midsize SUVs
For space and performance, Toyota’s mid-size offerings are among the most popular on the market.
Toyota RAV4 Prime
This slightly upscaled version of the RAV4 features a 2.5-liter plug-in hybrid engine that boasts about 40 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, giving it a firm place among the most fuel-efficient vehicles on this list. This is a good pick for anyone who likes the RAV4’s features but prefers something a bit more eco-conscious.
With standard AWD, adaptive cruise control, and Toyota’s standard suite of safety features, the RAV4 Prime is essentially a beefed-up version of the RAV4, offering the same seating and cargo capacity.
Toyota 4Runner
One of Toyota’s long-term crown jewels is the 4Runner, first manufactured and marketed globally in 1984. In a 2023 iSeeCars study, the 4Runner earned tenth place—with no fewer than four other Toyota vehicles ahead of it, which speaks to Toyota’s well-deserved reputation for manufacturing hearty vehicles.
Although the first two generations of the 4Runner weren’t up to current safety standards, the subsequent generations have vastly improved safety features. They also got much better safety ratings. When looking for your used Toyota SUV, keep in mind that some 4Runners feature TSS while others don’t. All 4Runners do, however, come standard with the Star Safety System.
Other specs include:
- Seating: five or seven passengers, depending on the model
- Cargo space: around 46 to 47 cubic feet behind the rear seats or about 88 to 89 cubic feet with the seats folded down
4Runners manufactured from the 2010 model year and beyond are available with either two-wheel or 4-wheel drive. Most feature a 4.0-liter V-6 engine with intelligent Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) and a five-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the model, you’ll likely get around 16 to 17 mpg city mileage and 19 to 20 mpg highway, which is to be expected based on the vehicle’s high engine performance.
If off-roading is your game, the 4Runner should be high on your list of options. It’s an excellent off-road SUV, combining the towing capacity of a full-size truck with the agility of an SUV. It can navigate challenging terrain and inclement weather with ease, and some features include an enhanced sports suspension, high ground clearance, and hill-start assist control.
Full-size SUVs
Moving on to the best Toyota SUV models in the full-size category, these picks feature the most passenger and cargo space available to take you anywhere without leaving behind comfort or safety.
Toyota Land Cruiser
This SUV is legendary in the annals of American automotive history. First introduced in the U.S. in 1958, the Land Cruiser has been popular from the start among eager off-roaders and large families alike. If you’re wondering just how durable and reliable the Land Cruiser is, consider this: it’s also popular among militant groups in areas of conflict due to its sheer ruggedness and maneuverability.
With multiple powerful engine options, including standard gasoline and diesel ones, pre-owned Land Cruisers have a five-speed manual transmission and seat up to eight passengers in three rows. With all three rows in place, a typical used Land Cruiser fits around 16 cubic feet of cargo. With the third row folded down, that increases to around 41 cubic feet, and if you fold down the second row as well, you’ll have just about 82 cubic feet of cargo space.
As for safety features, the Land Cruiser includes vehicle stability control, a collapsible steering column, and front airbags. Some of the more modern pre-owned models may feature a version of TSS, but safety features can vary widely depending on the year and model.
Toyota Sequoia
For even more passenger space, look no further than the Sequoia, which offers seating for up to eight passengers with plenty of legroom. Depending on the year and model, you could be looking at about 19 to 22 cubic feet of cargo space with all of the seats in place, around 49 to 50 cubic feet with the second row folded down, and about 87 to a whopping 120 cubic feet with the third row stashed away. Some models even feature a power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats, making it a snap to haul around pretty much anything you need.
Older pre-owned Sequoias will likely come with a powerful 4.7 to 5.7-liter V-8 gasoline engine. Expect lower fuel economy than with the smaller models, of course. Depending on the engine and model, the Sequoia operates to the tune of about 9 to 14 mpg city and 13 to 17 mpg highway.
Safety-wise, newer models feature the Star Safety System or some version of the TSS bundle. Surprisingly, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has Sequoia crash test ratings available for seemingly any model year, but it’s a good bet that the Sequoia, as a Toyota product, keeps safety front and center.
The Sequoia can easily tow heavy trailers and handle various terrains, making this beast a solid off-road SUV. Something to keep in mind is the sheer size of the cabin; it can be difficult for some drivers to climb into the Sequoia or reach the pedals and other controls.
Luxury SUVs
Toyota’s luxury SUVs are the best of all worlds: performance, safety, comfort, and fuel efficiency.
Toyota Highlander
The Highlander offers seating for up to eight passengers. The amount of cargo space varies depending on the year of the vehicle. For example, the 2013 Highlander offers about 10 cubic feet of cargo area with all the seats up and about 95 cubic feet with the second and third rows stowed away. The 2015 model boasts almost 14 cubic feet with the seats up and just about 84 cubic feet with them folded down.
Highlanders consistently earn high safety ratings, scoring five stars from the NHTSA for overall safety for multiple years straight. As far back as the 2018 model year, all these SUVs feature some version of TSS, and in all models from 2010 forward, the Star Safety System comes standard. With a pre-owned Toyota Highlander, you can trust that your family’s safety is in good hands.
As a luxury SUV, the Highlander offers many high-end options and accessories, from a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree parking camera, a heated steering wheel, and heated seats to a push-button start.
Used Toyota SUVs at EchoPark
We know how overwhelming it can be to sift through so many options and try to make the best buying decision. That’s why EchoPark’s experienced team can help you select the best Toyota SUV to suit your needs.
EchoPark offers a comprehensive selection of used Toyota SUVs. You can always rest easy knowing that all EchoPark used cars go through a rigorous 190-point quality inspection process, which means that each pre-owned Toyota SUV meets our high performance and quality standards.
When you choose EchoPark Automotive, you’re not just buying a used vehicle; you’re investing in a dependable partner on the road that will provide peace of mind, satisfaction, and smooth sailing for many miles (and years) ahead.
