10 Best Certified Pre-Owned SUVs

2018 Toyota RAV4 Front Quarter Driving ・ Photo by Toyota

SUVs are hot, hot, hot! It seems like everybody wants one, and carmakers have responded by offering more SUV choices than ever before. That's great, but there is still a problem: SUVs are also expensive. While there are big discounts on sedans and coupes these days, the discounts and special deals on SUV aren't nearly as generous.

So what is the answer? More and more consumers are turning to the "nearly new" market. In other words, they are buying one-, two-, or three-year-old vehicles, instead of brand-new ones. Oftentimes they are also choosing certified pre-owned versions because those vehicles feature benefits like full warranty coverage, roadside assistance, and lower financing rates. So selecting the 10 best certified pre-owned SUVs, we concentrated on 2018 model year vehicles — SUVs that are new enough to have lots of useful life in front of them but old enough to have experienced some depreciation. Those combined factors create super values that should get and keep your attention.

1. 2018 Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 was one of the most popular vehicles in the country in 2018, and there is a long list of reasons for that. Superior quality and longevity have always been the hallmarks of the Toyota RAV4, a compact crossover suv with ample room for five, and the 2018 model exemplifies that.

Under the hood is an extremely robust 176-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and even the base trim 2018 RAV4 LE was equipped with an impressive array of standard equipment, including roof rails, a backup camera, Bluetooth/USB integration, and a 6-inch touchscreen audio. Even more comfort, convenience, and safety features are available as you ascend the trim levels. A certified pre-owned RAV4 should give you excellent service for years to come.

Photo by Toyota

2. 2018 Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is the darling of road testers everywhere. Often car enthusiasts exhibit disdain for crossover suvs, but not so for the CX-5. Mazda has made its compact SUV involving and fun-to-drive while endowing it with decent off-road capabilities.

The base engine is a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder backed up by a six-speed automatic transmission and, of course, available all-wheel-drive. In addition to driving enjoyment that outclasses its competitors, the CX-5 also gets high marks for its interior, which is very reminiscent of contemporary European crossovers. The standard infotainment screen is 7 inches, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not supported in the 2018 CX-5. But the CX-5 makes up for that with an interior that could grace a luxury suv.

Photo by Mazda

3. 2018 Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V was one of the vehicles that kicked off the crossover craze, and decades later it is still among the most popular vehicles in the country. The compact five-passenger crossover underwent a complete redesign for the 2017 model year, so for 2018, it boasts a premium-quality interior, an available turbocharged engine, and a laundry list of safety features.

The EX and higher trims are powered by a 190-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while LX models are powered by a 184-horsepower 2.4-liter direct-injected i-VTEC four-cylinder. The Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assist technologies — standard on all but the LX — includes sophisticated systems like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, a lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear cross-traffic alert. A used vehicle with this impressive array of safety equipment is a find.

Photo by Honda

4. 2018 Chevrolet Equinox

Functionality and extra room in the cabin are hallmarks of the Chevrolet Equinox. All-new in the 2018 model year, it offers the compact crossover buyer both many trim levels and substantial size.

On the standard equipment list are alloy wheels, LED running lights, automatic xenon headlamps, a stop-start system, heated/power-operated side mirrors, a backup camera, remote entry/start, and a six-speaker audio system. But the equipment possibilities don't stop there. Among the upscale options are leather upholstery, all-wheel-drive, heated rear seats, and rear parking sensors. There's plenty of safety tech too — low speed forward automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, a rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Engine choices include a 170-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a 252-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 137-horsepower 1.6-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder.

Photo by General Motors

5. 2018 Buick Envision

Virtually out of the blue, the Buick Envision premium compact SUV has risen to the top of the quality charts. It offers luxury interior features like an easy-to-understand infotainment system, back seats that both slide and recline, and Buick's well-regarded quiet engineering. A programmable power liftgate with hands-free operation and dual-zone climate control are standard, and the top trims feature three-zone climate control.

A 197-horsepower 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder is the base engine, while a 252-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is optional. The Premium version of the Envision has the turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, a forward collision warning, front parking sensors, lane-keeping assist, a lane-departure warning, and a driver's seat that gives haptic warnings.

Photo by General Motors

6. 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

People have strong opinions about the Jeep Wrangler, and that's as it should be because the Wrangler has a strong personality. Some like it; others don't. But the most recent Wranglers have maintained their idiosyncratic looks while approaching conventional vehicles in aspects like quiet and comfort that weren't their strong suit before.

A Wrangler still delivers unparalleled off-road performance, but it will do it with an interior that features an excellent infotainment interface and heated front seats. The engine choices include a 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 horsepower. A number of four-wheel-drive systems are available to suit your special off-road needs. While the two-door (or no-door) Wrangler is the classic choice, we like the added versatility of the four-door Wrangler Unlimited.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

7. 2018 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is the most comfortable of the midsize three-row SUVs, and that is a feature many SUV buyers appreciate. Under the hood is a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine, and in base form, it drives the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. A nine-speed automatic is available on some trim levels.

Of course, all-wheel-drive is available too, but it doesn't turn the Pilot into a go-anywhere machine. Instead, it is most at home whisking around a suburban neighborhood. The Pilot seats up to eight people, and all the seats are comfortable, even those in row three. The available one-touch power-folding second-row makes for easy access to the third row. An 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, voice recognition, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay help make things more interesting.

Photo by Honda

8. 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe

If you want to go big, the Chevrolet Tahoe is an excellent choice. Based on the same platform as the Silverado pickup truck, the Tahoe is the most robust of our 10 best certified pre-owned SUVs. The leader among full-size SUVs for decades now, it still merits the sales and attention it gets.

In base trim, the Tahoe is equipped with a 5.3-liter V8 delivering 355 horsepower, and an optional 6.2-liter V8 delivers 420 horsepower. The 5.3-liter has a six-speed automatic, and the 6.2-liter sports a 10-speed auto. There is no getting over the fact the Tahoe is, at its heart, a truck, but it is easier to handle than you might guess. Plus, the interior can be equipped like a luxury sedan — complete with one of the easiest-to-use infotainment systems in the business. The Tahoe can also function as a Wi-Fi hotspot, great for keeping all passengers occupied.

Photo by General Motors

9. 2018 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid

The Lexus RX was the world's first luxury hybrid vehicle, and the 2018 RX 450h is a winning performer. The clever drivetrain consists of a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine plus two electric-drive motor-generators.

The system offers 308 combined horsepower and delivers 30 miles per gallon EPA-estimated fuel economy. The all-wheel-drive system uses an electric motor to drive the rear wheels when needed, offering great traction in inclement weather. For 2018, the RX was offered in both five-passenger and six-passenger versions, the latter with an extended wheelbase, a third-row seat, and second-row captain's chairs. Inside the cabin is comfortable, quiet, and filled with luxury, though we wish the infotainment system were easier to use.

Photo by Lexus

10. 2018 Volvo XC90 T8

The plug-in hybrid Volvo XC90 T8 isn't your grandfather's hybrid SUV. With its turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, the XC90 T8 offers a startling 400 combined horsepower. The three-row SUV will jet from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than 5.5 seconds, yet it has an EPA rating of 62 MPGe when you factor in its all-electric range from the gid.

That electric-only range is just 14 to 19 miles, but the key thing to keep in mind is it has an electric-only capability in the first place. Inside, the XC90 is a breath of understated elegance, and other carmakers are still emulating its big-screen infotainment system. Safety features include blind-spot monitoring and an advanced forward-collision warning system.

Photo by Volvo