Used Cars: Most Satisfying 10-Year-Old SUVs

SUVs have been popular in the U.S. for a long time, outselling sedans for the first time in 2015. That’s good news for anyone looking for a used one in the 10-year-old range, because there are plenty to choose from.

We combed through our data to find the 2012 models most people said they would buy again, including models in the small, midsized, and large SUV categories from brands like Honda, Lexus, and Toyota. We picked models known for strong reliability and fuel economy—models that are the most likely to provide years of relatively trouble-free service.

Some of these models carry our Green Choice designation, which highlights the vehicles with the cleanest emissions.

SUVs offer flexible, utilitarian cargo space and an upright seating position. Their generally carlike dimensions and handling make for practical, relatively fuel-efficient transportation.

A model that was new a decade ago can be a great value as a used car, but don’t expect to find the active safety features—forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), and lane departure warning (LDW), among others—common on newer cars. See how the model you’re interested in buying performed in crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration when it was new by checking the model on CR’s Cars page.