10 Best Used Fullsize SUVs

ford expedition ・ Photo by Ford

If you’re in the market for a used fullsize SUV, you should consider a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle. Factory CPO SUVs are inspected and reconditioned before they land on the dealer lot for resale. They also carry extensive warranties and the financing rates can be quite attractive. For example, the General Motors certified pre-owned programs provides a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, along with a 6-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. Ford and Toyota offer similar programs. Our list focuses on 2014 model year SUVs, which should be widely available off-lease.

Chevrolet Tahoe

The fullsize Chevrolet Tahoe nameplate was introduced for the 1995 model year (when it replaced the Blazer) and has been one of Chevrolet’s best sellers over the past 25 years. The Tahoe topped the large SUV sales charts in 2014, with over 97,000 units sold. The 2015 model year marked its fourth generation. The 2014 Tahoe is equipped with a 320-horsepower FlexFuel 5.3-liter V8 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Both the rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive Tahoe are EPA rated at 15 city/21 highway miles per gallon. Looking for a deal? A healthy number of late model low mileage Tahoe cross the block at the U.S. Government GSA auctions at attractive prices.

Photo by General Motors

Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave shares its unibody platform with the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia. It was introduced for the 2008 model year and was refreshed in 2013. The Enclave is the largest vehicle in the Buick lineup and earns praise for its roomy and upscale interior, as well its abundant cargo space. Third-row legroom is generous and the interior quality is quite good. Power is provided by a 288-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is reasonable for a 3-row SUV, with the front-wheel drive Enclave EPA rated at 17 city/24 highway miles per gallon. The all-wheel drive Enclave is rated at 16 city/22 highway.

Photo by General Motors

Chevrolet Suburban

The Chevrolet Suburban is the grandaddy of all SUVs, with a heritage that runs all the way back to 1935. The Suburban was the second best-selling large SUV in America in 2014, with approximately 55,000 units sold. Generation after generation of large American families has depended on the Suburban to get through the snowy woods to Grandmother’s house and to the athletic fields before game time. The 2013 Suburban is equipped with a 320-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Both the rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive Suburban are EPA rated at 15 city/21 highway miles per gallon. The 12th generation Suburban rolled out with the 2015 model year.

Photo by General Motors

GMC Yukon

The GMC Yukon shares its platform with the Chevrolet Tahoe. It was first introduced for the 1992 model year and is currently in its fourth generation. 2014 marked the last year of the third generation. The Yukon is available in two sizes and used vehicles should be easy to find. Combined sales of the Yukon and Yukon XL topped 71,000 units in 2014. The top-of-the-line Yukon Denali is one of the most luxurious large domestic SUVs. The 2014 Yukon and Yukon XL can be equipped with either a 320-horsepower 5.3-liter or 403-horsepower 6.2-liter FlexFuel V8 engine, mated to 6-speed automatic transmissions. EPA fuel economy ratings range from 15 city/21 miles per gallon for the 2WD 5.3-liter Yukon to 13 city/18 highway for the 4WD 6.2-liter Yukon XL.

Photo by Christian Wardlaw

Chevrolet Traverse

The Chevrolet Traverse was introduced for the 2009 model year and refreshed in 2013. It shares its unibody platform with the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia. While the Traverse may technically be considered a midsize SUV, its roomy 3-row interior makes it a compelling choice. There’s ample cargo space and room for two adults in the third row. The 2014 Traverse is equipped with a 288-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Ride and handling are more car-like than its body-on-frame siblings. The front-wheel drive 2014 Traverse is EPA rated at 17 city/24 highway miles per gallon, while the all-wheel drive 2014 Traverse is rated at 16 city/23 highway.

Photo by General Motors

Toyota Sequoia

The Toyota Sequoia is based on the Toyota Tundra pickup truck platform and was first introduced for the 2001 model year. The Tundra’s grown long in tooth, and was most recently redesigned for the 2008 model year. While the Tundra was revamped for 2014, the Sequoia stuck with the second generation design. With under 12,000 units sold in 2014, used Sequoias will be more difficult to find than large domestic SUVs. The 2014 Sequoia is equipped with a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The rear-wheel drive 2014 Sequoia is EPA rated at 13 city/18 highway miles per gallon, while the 4-wheel drive Sequoia is rated at 13 city/17 highway.

Photo by Toyota

Ford Expedition

The Expedition is the biggest SUV in Ford’s lineup and was first introduced for the 1997 model year. It’s currently in its third generation and landed in the top four for large SUV sales in 2014, with over 44,000 units sold. The 2014 Expedition is equipped with a 310-horsepower FlexFuel 5.4-liter V8 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The rear-wheel drive 2014 Expedition is EPA rated at 14 city/20 highway miles per gallon, while the 4-wheel drive Expedition is rated at 13 city/18 highway. The Ford CPO program includes a 172-point vehicle inspection, along with a 12-month/12,000-mile comprehensive limited warranty and a seven-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.

Photo by Ford

Cadillac Escalade

The Cadillac Escalade hit the large luxury SUV market in the 1999 model year and the world hasn’t been the same since. Nothing says large and in charge like an Escalade on 20-inch wheels. The 2014 Escalade rides on the same platform as the GMC Yukon, Chevy Tahoe, and Suburban. It’s equipped with a 403-horsepower FlexFuel 6.2-liter V8 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The rear-wheel drive 2014 Escalade is EPA rated at 14 city/18 highway miles per gallon, while the 4-wheel drive Escalade is rated at 13 city/18 highway. Cadillac offered an Escalade Hybrid from the 2009 model year through 2013. 2014 marked the last year of the third generation Escalade.

Photo by General Motors

Toyota Land Cruiser

The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the most capable 3-row 4x4 SUVs on the market, with roots that run all the way back to 1951. The current generation has been around since 2007. The 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser is equipped with a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The EPA fuel economy rating of 13 city/18 highway miles per gallon is the truck’s Achilles heel. buying a Toyota CPO Land Cruiser offers significant advantages over buying new. Toyota’s CPO program includes a 12-month/12,000-mile limited comprehensive warranty, 7-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and one year of roadside assistance. Toyota CPO vehicles undergo a 160-point inspection before resale.

Photo by Toyota

Lexus LX

The Lexus LX 570 is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser platform. An adjustable suspension system makes the LX 570 one of the most competent luxury suvs off the beaten path. The 2014 LX 570 is equipped with a 383-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 4-wheel drive 2014 Land Cruiser is the thirstiest entry on our list of best large used SUVs with an EPA rating of 12 city/17 highway miles per gallon. The Lexus CPO program differentiates itself from the field with an unlimited mileage vehicle warranty (when combined with the original vehicle warranty), along with four complimentary factory-recommended services over the first two years or 20,000 miles.

Photo by Lexus