Dealership blog
The Best Used Toyota SUVs to Buy in 2026
If you’re shopping for a used SUV, there’s a good reason so many people end up in a Toyota. They hold their value, they’re easy to live with, and with regular maintenance, many run well past 200,000 miles. The hard part isn’t deciding whether to buy a Toyota. It’s figuring out which model and which year.
The short answer: For most drivers, the best used Toyota SUV is the RAV4. If you need a third row, go with the Highlander. If you want something built for trails and decades of ownership, it’s hard to beat the 4Runner. Need maximum space and towing? Look at the Sequoia. Want the lowest price of entry? Check out the Corolla Cross.
Here’s a closer look at each one, including the best years to buy and what to watch for.
Model | Seats | Best used years | Best for |
RAV4 | 5 | 2017–2018, 2020–2025 | Commuters, small families, fuel economy |
Highlander | 7–8 | 2017–2019, 2020–2022 | Three-row family SUV with a proven V6 |
4Runner | 5–7 | 2014–2024 | Off-roading, towing, long-term durability |
Sequoia | 7–8 | 2018–2022, 2023+ | Large families, towing, maximum space |
Corolla Cross | 5 | 2022+ (hybrid 2023+) | Lowest price, great fuel economy |
Venza | 5 | 2021–2024 | Upscale hybrid commuting |
Grand Highlander | 7–8 | 2024+ | A third row adults actually fit in |
Toyota RAV4: The Best All-Around Used Toyota SUV
There’s a reason the RAV4 is Toyota’s best-selling SUV. It’s the right size for almost everyone, it’s affordable to own, and there are plenty on the used market at nearly every price point.
The best used RAV4 years are 2017–2018 and 2020–2025.
The 2017–2018 models are a great value. That’s when Toyota Safety Sense became standard, adding features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. If your budget stretches further, the 2020–2025 models are roomier, more efficient, and come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RAV4 Hybrid is the standout here: it comes standard with all-wheel drive and averages around 40 mpg combined.
What to watch for: The 2019 RAV4 was the first year of a redesign, and some owners reported transmission hesitation. If you’re shopping that generation, a 2020 or newer is the safer bet. It’s also worth skipping 2013–2014 models if you can, since they drew more owner complaints than later years.
Who it’s for: Commuters, small families, and anyone who wants confident all-wheel drive for Minnesota winters without high fuel costs.
Toyota Highlander: The Best Used Three-Row Toyota SUV
If your family has outgrown a two-row SUV but you don’t want something truck-sized, the Highlander hits the sweet spot.
The best used Highlander years are 2017–2019 and 2020–2022.
Both use Toyota’s 3.5-liter V6, one of the most dependable engines the brand has ever built. The 2017–2019 models received a refresh with an updated V6, a smoother eight-speed automatic, and standard Toyota Safety Sense, making them a great value for families. The 2020–2022 models step up with a newer platform, a quieter ride, better tech, and an excellent hybrid that gets roughly 35 mpg combined with all-wheel drive.
What to watch for: Starting in 2023, Toyota replaced the V6 with a turbocharged four-cylinder. It’s more efficient, but if you want the proven V6, stick with 2022 or earlier. Also keep in mind that the Highlander’s third row works best for kids. If adults will ride back there often, take a look at the Grand Highlander.
Who it’s for: Growing families who need seven or eight seats in a comfortable, easy-to-drive package.
Toyota 4Runner: The Best Used Toyota SUV for Off-Roading and Durability
The 4Runner has a reputation that few vehicles of any brand can match. It’s rugged, simple, and famously long-lasting, which is why used 4Runners hold their value so well.
The best used 4Runner years are 2014–2024.
These fifth-generation models share a proven 4.0-liter V6 and a body-on-frame design built to handle years of trail use and high mileage. The 2014–2019 models are often the better value, while 2020–2024 models add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Toyota Safety Sense standard starting in 2021.
What to watch for: The trade-off for all that toughness is fuel economy, which averages around 17 mpg combined, and a ride that feels more like a truck than a crossover. Check any used 4Runner for underbody rust and signs of hard off-road use, especially TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro models. The redesigned 2025 and newer 4Runner uses new turbocharged and hybrid powertrains, so used examples are still limited.
Who it’s for: Off-roaders, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who wants an SUV they can keep for 200,000 miles or more.
Toyota Sequoia: The Best Used Full-Size Toyota SUV
When you need room for eight and the muscle to tow a boat or camper, the Sequoia is Toyota’s answer.
The best used Sequoia years are 2018–2022 and 2023 and newer.
The 2018–2022 models gained standard Toyota Safety Sense in a 2018 refresh, and their 5.7-liter V8 is known for running well past 200,000 miles. Starting in 2023, every Sequoia uses the i-FORCE MAX hybrid twin-turbo V6, which delivers more power and better fuel economy than the old V8, along with a much more modern interior. Properly equipped, the Sequoia tows up to about 9,000 pounds.
What to watch for: The older V8 averages about 15 mpg combined, so budget for fuel. If you’re looking at a 2023 or newer, you may have heard about Toyota’s twin-turbo V6 engine recall. That recall covers the non-hybrid version of the engine in the Tundra and certain Lexus models, not the hybrid used in the Sequoia. As with any used vehicle, run the VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Who it’s for: Large families, boat and camper owners, and anyone who needs a full-size SUV with a real third row.
Other Used Toyota SUVs Worth a Look
Toyota Corolla Cross (2022 and newer): The most affordable way into a used Toyota SUV. It’s smaller than a RAV4 but still offers all-wheel drive and Corolla-level reliability. The hybrid version, added for 2023, comes standard with all-wheel drive and gets over 40 mpg combined.
Toyota Venza (2021–2024): A hybrid-only, two-row SUV with a more upscale feel than the RAV4. Toyota discontinued it after 2024, which can make used examples a smart buy.
Toyota Grand Highlander (2024 and newer): Bigger than the Highlander, with a third row that fits adults comfortably. Used examples are still limited, but it’s the best choice for families who fill every seat.
How to Choose the Right Used Toyota SUV
Start with two questions: how many seats do you need, and how much will you drive off pavement?
If you need two rows and spend most of your time on the highway, look at the RAV4, Corolla Cross, or Venza. If you regularly need a third row, the Highlander, Grand Highlander, or Sequoia will fit best. And if your plans include trails, towing, or keeping your SUV for a decade or more, the 4Runner or Sequoia is the way to go.
Before you buy any used Toyota SUV:
- Check for open recalls. Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or on Toyota’s recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.
- Ask for service records. On a Toyota, a consistent maintenance history matters more than the number on the odometer.
- Look for rust. In Minnesota and other road-salt states, check the frame, wheel wells, and rocker panels.
- Have the hybrid system checked. If you’re buying a hybrid, ask for a hybrid battery health check.
- Consider Toyota Certified Used. Certified vehicles go through a multipoint inspection and come with extended Toyota warranty coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most reliable used Toyota SUV?
The 4Runner is widely considered the most reliable used Toyota SUV, thanks to its simple, proven 4.0-liter V6 and five-speed automatic, used through 2019. The Highlander with the 3.5-liter V6 and the Sequoia with the 5.7-liter V8 also have strong reputations for reaching very high mileage.
Which used Toyota SUV years should I avoid?
For the RAV4, consider skipping 2019 because of transmission hesitation complaints, and 2013–2014 because of higher complaint volume. For any model, steer clear of vehicles with incomplete recalls or no service history.
How many miles can a used Toyota SUV last?
With regular maintenance, most Toyota SUVs can reach 200,000 to 250,000 miles. 4Runners and Sequoias often go even further.
Is a used RAV4 Hybrid worth it?
For most drivers, yes. The RAV4 Hybrid averages around 40 mpg combined, comes standard with all-wheel drive, and Toyota’s hybrid systems have a strong track record for long-term reliability.
Which used Toyota SUV is best for winter driving?
Any all-wheel-drive RAV4, Highlander, Corolla Cross, or Venza handles winter roads well. For deep snow or unplowed roads, the 4Runner and Sequoia offer four-wheel drive and more ground clearance. Either way, a good set of winter tires makes the biggest difference.
Find Your Next Used Toyota SUV at Walser Toyota
Whether you’re after a fuel-sipping RAV4 Hybrid, a family-ready Highlander, or a trail-proven 4Runner, Walser Toyota has used and Toyota Certified Used SUVs ready for a test drive. Browse our used inventory online or stop by, and our team will help you find the right year and trim for the way you drive.