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Best Used Large SUVs

To make shopping for a used full-size SUV easier, we've compiled all of our past and present favorites—most of which have appeared on our Editors' Choice list.

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2025 chevrolet tahoe high country 4x4 2025 ford expedition platinum stealth performance 2025 gmc yukon denali 4x4 2025 jeep wagoneer series iii super 4x4 2025 nissan armada platinum reserve 4x4 2025 toyota sequoia 1794 edition
Michael Simari|Car and Driver

If minivans aren’t your thing but you still need an extra-large people hauler, a full-size SUV is the way to go. Most options in the segment offer at least seven seats across three rows, ample cargo space, and impressive towing capability—perfect for a big family that's active and on the move. Going big isn't cheap, with most new options starting above the $60,000 mark, but buying used is the best way to save some dough. To help narrow down your options, we've compiled some of our favorite luxury and non-luxury pre-owned large SUVs.

Almost all of these vehicles have appeared on our Editors' Choice list at least once, meaning that we would have gladly recommended them to friends and family at some point. As is the case with buying any used car, it is important to do your due diligence before pulling the trigger on any of these hulking behemoths. Having a pre-purchase inspection done and paying special attention to mileage, condition, and service history could save you thousands of dollars on repairs in the long run.

Related: Best Used SUVs | Best Used 3-Row SUVs | Best Used Cars | Best Used Mid-Size Luxury SUVs | Best Used Minivans | Best Used Hybrid Cars | Best Used Trucks | Best Used Electric Vehicles | Best Used Small Trucks

BMW X7

a gray luxury suv parked in an open area, featuring a prominent kidney grille, led headlights, and large multi spoke alloy wheels.
Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

Shop Used BMW X7 Models

Car and Driver Rating: 9.5/10
MPG: 16–25 mpg

    BMW might not be the first manufacturer that most people think of when it comes to big SUVs, but the X7 is a luxurious seven-seater that sticks to BMW's core principles. Other competitors in the segment offer more third-row legroom and cargo space, but the X7's richly appointed cabin, polished powertrains, and signature BMW agility helped earn it a spot on our Editors' Choice list every year since its debut in 2020.

    The BMW X7 got a mid-cycle refresh in 2023, which brought some worthwhile standard features and engine improvements. Try to find a 2023 or newer xDrive40i, which comes with an upgraded tech suite and a powerful turbocharged six-cylinder engine.

    Cadillac Escalade

    2021 cadillac escalade esv front
    Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

    Shop Used Cadillac Escalades

    Car and Driver Rating: 9/10
    MPG: 11–18 mpg

      The Cadillac Escalade needs little introduction. It is the quintessential luxury full-size SUV and it has developed a reputation for being big, bold, and shamelessly indulgent. The Escalade shares underpinnings with Chevrolet and GMC's large SUVs (also found on this list), but you wouldn’t be able to guess based on its designer-quality interior—at least in newer models.

      The current-generation Escalade—which means shopping for 2021 Escalades and newer—is the one to get, as earlier generations felt more like tarted-up Chevys than true Cadillacs. Rear-wheel-drive Escalades fetch less on the used market, so we'd recommend either an RWD Luxury or RWD Premium Luxury model for the best balance of price and features.

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      Chevrolet Tahoe

      2021 chevrolet tahoe z71
      Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

      Shop Used Chevrolet Tahoes

      Car and Driver Rating: 8.5/10
      MPG: 22–26 mpg

        The Chevrolet Tahoe is one of the most identifiable and well-rounded full-size SUVs on the road. Its massive proportions mean that there's plenty of space for cargo and up to nine passengers, both of its V-8 engine offerings put out plenty of power for towing and passing, and it has surprisingly stout on-road manners for a truck-based colossus. We'd shop for 2021 Tahoes and newer, as this was the first year of its newest body style, which features more interior space and significantly better handling than the versions that came before it.

        GMC Yukon

        2021 gmc yukon front
        GMC

        Shop Used GMC Yukons

        Car and Driver Rating: 8.5/10
        MPG: 15–26 mpg

          The GMC Yukon is the Tahoe's fancier sibling, offering a more luxurious interior and additional standard features. We like the Yukon for all the same reasons we like the Tahoe, plus its premium cabin adds a bit of extra intrigue. GMC started offering the Yukon with a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six in 2021—a rarity in the full-size SUV segment. We'd suggest looking for a 2021 or newer Yukon fitted with the diesel, as it is more fuel-efficient than the V-8s and has great low-end torque for towing.

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          Chevrolet Suburban

          2024 chevrolet suburban 4wd high country
          Andi Hedrick|Car and Driver

          Shop Used Chevrolet Suburbans

          Car and Driver Rating: 8.5/10
          MPG: 15–26 mpg

            If the Tahoe isn't quite big enough, the Chevrolet Suburban might be what you're looking for. It is the largest SUV offered by General Motors, featuring a longer wheelbase (there's also the GMC Yukon XL, which is the same size). The stretch adds even more legroom for passengers and ups the amount of cargo space. It might be supersized, but the Suburban still offers a composed driving demeanor that is uncommon for big rigs of its ilk.

            Like the Tahoe and Yukon, the Suburban got bigger, better, and more capable following its redesign in 2021. Our recommendation would be a 2021 or newer Suburban fitted with the optional 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8, which packs more than enough power to overcome its heft.

            Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

            2020 mercedes benz gls45 front exterior
            Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

            Shop Used Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class Models

            Car and Driver Rating: 8.5/10
            MPG: 14–24 mpg

              If you've ever wondered what an S-class would be like with a raised ride height, three rows of seating, and a large cargo hold, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-class provides an answer. Like the brand's flagship sedan, the GLS-class's cabin is effortlessly elegant, its ride is supremely refined, and its handling is surprisingly athletic. It even comes with standard all-wheel drive and underbody protection for when the pavement ends. While the GLS580 offers a lot more horsepower courtesy of a big V-8, the six-cylinder GLS450 is powerful enough and offers the best value on the second-hand market.

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              Nissan Armada

              2023 nissan armada
              Nissan

              Shop Used Nissan Armadas

              Car and Driver Rating: 8/10
              MPG: 15–20 mpg

                The Nissan Armada has always been an under-the-radar pick in the full-size SUV segment. It might not have the same badge recognition as the Tahoe or the Escalade, but the Armada has carved out a niche for itself by punching above its weight class. Our opinion of the Armada has slipped over the years, as it hasn’t improved enough to keep up with newer versions of the Tahoe, Yukon, and Suburban, but it was undoubtedly one of the nicest and most capable full-sizers that money could buy from 2017 to 2020.

                During that era, its bold design and luxurious interior helped it stand out against its more mainstream rivals, and its powerful 390-hp V-8 gave it plenty of passing power and a massive 8500-pound max towing capacity. It's still a good pick if you're looking for an affordable eight-seat dreadnought that leans the way of luxury.

                Jeep Wagoneer

                2022 jeep wagoneer
                Michael Simari|Car and Driver

                Shop Used Jeep Wagoneers

                Car and Driver Rating: 8/10
                MPG: 16–24 mpg

                  The original 1963 Jeep SJ brought the Wagoneer nameplate to prominence with its spacious cabin, well-trimmed interior, and impressive off-road capabilities, and the newest Jeep Wagoneer, which debuted for the 2022 model year, checks those same boxes. In addition to being an adept trail titan, the Wagoneer can serve a large family well on an extended road trip with its smooth ride and well-isolated cabin.

                  We'd recommend hunting down a 2023 Wagoneer or newer model with the twin-turbo V-6, as that engine is both more powerful and more efficient than the V-8 that was offered for the Wagoneer's first two model years. If you like the Wagoneer but want a little more stretch-out space, the Wagoneer L was also added to the lineup in 2023, offering more rear-seat legroom and cargo capacity.

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                  Ford Expedition

                  2023 ford expedition timberline
                  Michael Simari|Car and Driver

                  Shop Used Ford Expeditions

                  Car and Driver Rating: 8/10
                  MPG: 16–20 mpg

                    The Ford Expedition has never been as popular as its GM rivals, but it is still one of the best full-size SUVs if you need to transport a large family and tow a heavy trailer at the same time. It offers just as much interior space as any other option on this list and has a maximum towing capacity of 9600 pounds. It lacks the interior polish of some of its classier rivals, but there's no denying its interior spaciousness or capability.

                    Ford began offering the Expedition with a powerful and efficient twin-turbo V-6 in 2015, significantly improving its fuel economy and towing capability over previous V-8 models. We'd recommend looking for a 2017 Expedition or newer, as that was the year that Ford made updates to the V-6 focused on reliability.

                    Headshot of Austin Parsons
                    Austin Parsons
                    Associate Editor
                    Austin's car fixation began at a young age and at 1:64 scale. Eventually, Hot Wheels weren't cutting it anymore, so he developed an obsession with his father's full-sized 1965 Ford Mustang instead. Desperate to break into the automotive industry, he bartered his way into a job at a local BMW dealership by promising to stop hurling nerdy technical facts at the salesmen who came into the neighboring coffee shop where he worked. That was also around the time when he started writing automotive reviews, news articles, and technical guides for a number of local and international publications. Now at Car and Driver, Austin brings more than 10 years of experience in the automotive industry and an all-so-common love-hate relationship with German engineering to the table.
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