If you’re in the market for a used Toyota SUV, there’s a good chance that you want something reliable, fuel-efficient, and comfortable. Luckily for you, there are a ton of options in the used Toyota market. This lineup ranges from two and three three-row options, making sure that you get what you need.
Key Takeaways:
- If you want something green that is easy on gas, then the bZ4X is the best option, but given how new it is, it will be hard to find.
- The 4Runner comes with the Trailhunter trim, and this is a real treat for off-road enthusiasts.
- If you need something that can transport many pieces of luggage, then the Grand Highlander is a good choice for its comfort and capacity.
bZ4X
This Toyota is one of the newest on the market, having debuted in North America for model year 2023. This one will be one of the hardest to find. This model is a battery electric vehicle, and at its best, the EPA estimates that you can get 252 miles on one charge.
While this isn’t the largest in the family, it can seat 5 comfortably, and it comes with some decent features. Some things that you look for if you do manage to find one are a 12.3-inch infotainment screen that comes standard on all trims, and depending on the model you get, you will be able to use either 26 or 28 cubic feet of room in the trunk.
Corolla Cross
This is also another newer model, coming out within the past 5 years at the time this article was written. This model is another 5-seat model, but this one is a bit different thanks to its gas-powered engine and a hybrid option that can be found.
For the gas option, the engine is a 2.0L I4, and can get 32 MPG combined, but for the hybrid, this number gets bumped up to 42 MPG combined. Being that this model is a bit older compared to the one before it, it will come with an 8-inch infotainment screen. Some standout features are heated front seats, a leather-wrapped shift knob, and a flip-down center armrest for rear-seat passengers.
Highlander
In recent years, the Highlander was available in 6 trims. The trims are the L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. This is the first of the larger models, offering both 7- and 8-passenger configurations.
While this model is on the larger side, if you find yourself looking at a hybrid option, you’ll be pleased to know that it gets 36 MPG combined. But if you don’t want a hybrid, you can still opt for a base 2.4L I4 that gets 25 MPG combined.
For the front row, you’re treated to some nice comfort, with 42 inches of legroom. The rear seats get 38.7 inches of legroom, which is still comfortable, just not as much. Depending on the trim, you can find an 8 or 12.3-inch infotainment system. One of the best creature comforts that you can find is ventilated seats, and as the weather gets warmer, this will help you stay cool.
Grand Highlander
The Grand Highlander is the same as the Highlander, but as the name implies, it is “grander”. If you want even more room, this is the one you want. It features slightly less legroom for the front at 41.7 inches, but the second row gets more at 39.5 inches.
Going back down in size, the RAV4 is a 5-seater. It comes with both a regular engine and a hybrid engine. For the gas engine, you can find 5 trims, these being the LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, and Limited. The hybrid engine comes in LE, XLE, XSE, and Limited. Later in the model's life, the TRD Off-Road trim was added, which made it so that you can take this model off-roading without worry, thanks to skid plates.
No matter the trim, you are treated to a 7-inch infotainment screen, as well as Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. This comes with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights.
If you want the best mileage from your vehicle, then the hybrid option will be the best. This is because you will get up to 40 MPG combined, making it a reliable daily driver for soccer moms all over.
4Runner
In recent years, this model has come with 9 trim levels. The one that stands out the most is the Trailhunter, which is thanks to the massive tires that it comes with. The 4Runner makes off-roading even more enjoyable when compared to the rest of the Toyota SUV family, which are mostly aimed at being on the pavement. While it does come with off-road features, the engine that it has is shared with the Highlander.
This model is also on the smaller end of the SUV family as it comes with 5 seats, but being that it comes with off-road features, that makes it more than worth it.
Sequoia
In recent years, this model has come with some great upgraded features. Some of these features that you can find are a large 14-inch screen for most trims, with the entry trim level having a smaller screen. This model comes standard with 8-person seating, but 7 seating configurations are available.
This most recent generation comes with only one engine option, which is a hybrid. This will get you 22 MPG combined, getting you up to 495 miles of range for all your family road-trip needs.
What is the best used Toyota SUV for families?
Between the Highlander and the Sequoia, there are a few solid options for those with a larger family, with the Grand Highlander giving you the most space. But if you don’t need 7 or 8 seats, and only need 5, then the rest of the lineup will be good, with the 4Runner and the bZ4x being some unique options. No matter what you want, we want to help. Come on down to Car2Sell here in Hillside for more info!