Best Toyota SUVs Worth Buying In 2026

Quick Summary

For most shoppers with a $10,000 to $25,000 budget, a 2013 to 2018 RAV4 or a 2014 to 2019 Highlander delivers the best mix of reliability, space and value, while a fifth-generation 4Runner suits drivers who head off pavement. The Venza, C-HR and Corolla Cross fill specific niches, and an older Sequoia makes sense for big families who tow. Generation years and powertrain matter more than badge alone, so compare the exact model year, drivetrain and service history before choosing.

Ski racks on the roof, a dog in the back seat and way more than 100,000 miles on the odometer, that's pretty much every other Toyota SUV at a Front Range trailhead on a Saturday. So figuring out the best used Toyota SUV to buy is mostly about matching the right model and generation to your budget, your family and the roads you actually drive.

We've sold pre-owned vehicles at AutoTrek in Littleton since 1996, and most of what's on our lot lands somewhere in the $10,000 to $25,000 range. These are the Toyota SUVs we think get you the most for that money, plus the generation years and specs worth knowing.

Compact Toyota SUVs That Fit Most Budgets

Toyota's smaller SUVs are the easiest to find at this price, and they'll handle the commute and a Summit County weekend just fine.

Toyota RAV4 (2013 To 2018)

For a lot of budgets the fourth-gen RAV4 is the sweet spot. Toyota's 2013 launch details list a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 176 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque with a six-speed automatic, and this generation dropped the old V6 option and the swing-out rear door.

The RAV4 Hybrid showed up for 2016 with 194 total system horsepower and all-wheel drive standard. Gas versions came in front-wheel drive or AWD, so if you're planning to ski a lot, double-check which one you're looking at.

Toyota RAV4 (2019 And Newer)

The fifth generation went to a 203-horsepower 2.5-liter with an eight-speed automatic, and the hybrid climbed to 219 total system horsepower. Ground clearance went up to 8.4 inches on most trims and 8.6 inches on the Adventure and TRD Off-Road, which kind of helps on unplowed side streets and dirt roads.

Earlier, higher-mileage ones from this generation are most likely to sit near the top of a $25,000 budget.

Toyota C-HR (2018 To 2022)

The C-HR is a funky, city-sized crossover with a 144-horsepower 2.0-liter engine and a CVT. In the US it was front-wheel drive only, so it's more of a commuter or student car than something you'd take up I-70 every winter weekend.

Toyota Corolla Cross (2022 And Newer)

The Corolla Cross runs a 2.0-liter rated at up to 169 horsepower with a CVT, and you can get it in front-wheel drive or AWD. The hybrid came along for 2023 with 196 horsepower and AWD standard, though most sit at the upper end of what we usually carry.

Midsize Toyota SUVs For Families

Growing families who need a third row or more cargo room should look here.

Toyota Highlander (2014 To 2019)

The third-gen Highlander seats up to eight and Colorado families have liked it for years. Early ones have a 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 with a six-speed automatic, and the 2017 refresh bumped the V6 to 295 horsepower with an eight-speed automatic and made Toyota Safety Sense P standard.

The base LE used a 185-horsepower 2.7-liter four-cylinder, but most folks around here want the V6 with AWD for mountain driving and towing.

Toyota Venza (2009 To 2015 And 2021 To 2024)

The first-gen Venza is a roomy, almost wagon-like crossover with either a 182-horsepower 2.7-liter four-cylinder or a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, both with a six-speed automatic and available AWD.

The second-gen Venza was hybrid only, with 219 total system horsepower and standard AWD. Early, higher-mileage ones are what tend to fit closer to a $25,000 budget.

Body-On-Frame Toyota SUVs For Adventure

Truck-based Toyotas hold their value well, so in our price range you're usually looking at higher miles or older model years.

Toyota 4Runner (2010 To 2024)

The fifth-gen 4Runner ran 15 model years with a 4.0-liter V6 rated at 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque and a five-speed automatic. Toyota rates later models to tow up to 5,000 pounds, and 4x4 versions get traction aids like A-TRAC that help on rutted trailhead roads.

The 2010 to 2015 ones with higher miles are the realistic pick on a $10,000 to $25,000 budget, and on a truck-based SUV a documented maintenance history matters a lot.

Toyota Sequoia (2008 To 2022)

The second-gen Sequoia is a full-size, three-row SUV that seats up to eight. Its 5.7-liter i-FORCE V8 makes 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic, and Toyota rated 2018 models to tow up to 7,400 pounds depending on configuration.

Older, higher-mileage Sequoias fit our range and suit families pulling a camper or boat.

A Note On The Land Cruiser

Used Land Cruisers are kind of legendary for lasting forever, but they hold their value so well that most sell way above our usual range. A 4Runner or Sequoia gets you a lot of the same capability for far less money.

How To Choose The Right Used Toyota SUV

Start with how you drive. A Littleton commuter who skis a few times a year is going to be happy in an AWD RAV4 or Corolla Cross, and a family of six needs a Highlander or a Sequoia.

Also look at the service history, recall status and tires on anything you're considering, since regular oil changes and transmission service records tell you how the SUV was treated.

Find Your Next Used Toyota SUV At AutoTrek

Each one on our lot is inspected by our team to our best-in-class standard, and you also get a free CARFAX report, a 3-month/3,000-mile warranty and a 3-day return policy. Browse our used cars, trucks and SUVs for sale in Littleton, CO, or narrow it down with our used SUV inventory.

We stick to no-haggle, one-price pricing, and our team can walk you through auto financing options or get you a trade-in value on what you're driving now. Stop by 8297 Southpark Circle and take a Toyota for a test drive.

Frequently Asked Questions