10 Best Used Mid-Size SUVs For Every Occasion

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe ・ Photo by Hyundai

The mid-size SUV is the quintessential American family vehicle these days. But if you've seen the price tags on new SUVs lately, affording one can be a challenge. That's why many families have chosen to shop for a recent used model.

Lease-return vehicles typically come back to dealers after two or three years with limited mileage and in generally good condition. These SUVs tend to be much more affordable than the brand-new models, though you do sometimes miss out on the latest tech. To help you make your best decision, here are ten leading mid-size SUVs available on the lightly used market. Each one is a leader in its own area — just pick the one that meets your needs.

For General Purposes - 2017 Ford Flex

The unique Ford Flex is going out of production at the end of this year. 2019 will be the last year for this useful three-row mid-size SUV, but it will still be available on the pre-owned market. The Flex has plenty of room for seven adults because it's long rather than big in every dimension. Flex owners also enjoy up to 83.2 cubic feet of usable cargo space that's ideal for longer items.

The Flex has plenty of engine power courtesy of its standard 3.5-liter V6 engine. If you want a real powerhouse, you can also get the Flex with a turbocharged version of the 3.5-liter V6. You can also choose front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on your needs. Ford has not made any significant changes to the Flex for several years, so any model year is a good choice.

Photo by Ford Media

For Driving Enjoyment - 2017 Mazda CX-9

The mid-size, three-row Mazda CX-9 is an excellent choice for growing families looking for value. Mazda equips every CX-9 with a strong 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. That's the only powertrain available, and it's a good one. You can also choose between front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

The CX-9 offers a pleasant and spacious interior with seating for seven passengers, and it’s among the best-driving three-row SUVs available. Several different trim levels range from basic to luxury. Mazda offers a good safety tech package, including features like low-speed automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. Radar-based adaptive cruise control, a lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams are optional.

Photo by Mazda

For Family Use - 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe

Buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe can be confusing because Hyundai changed all the model names for the 2019 model year. If you choose a 2018 Santa Fe, you're getting the long-wheelbase three-row model with seating for seven people. In that era, the shorter two-row Santa Fe was called the Santa Fe Sport. The bigger SUV was renamed the Santa Fe XL for 2019, but it was still the same vehicle; then it was replaced with the all-new 2020 Hyundai Palisade.

Anyway, the 2013-2018 Santa Fe is powered by Hyundai's proven 3.3-liter V6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive are both available. Starting in 2017, the Santa Fe was rated a Top Safety Pick + by the IIHS; it also scored five out of five stars in NHTSA crash testing. The Santa Fe is available in six-passenger configuration with second-row captain's chairs or with a second-row bench seat that boosts capacity to seven.

Photo by Hyundai

For Off-Road Adventures - 2017 Toyota 4Runner

If you're serious about off-roading, you can't make a better choice than the Toyota 4Runner. Toyota has been building these SUVs on their truck chassis since the mid-1980s, and they're a consistent favorite for outdoor enthusiasts. While most other mid-size SUVs aim for luxury inside, the 4Runner goes for durability and function, like a pickup truck.

Third-row seating is optional in the 4Runner. The standard configuration offers seating for five in two rows. But you'll get 46.3 cubic feet of cargo area behind the second row, and up to 89.7 cubic feet with the back seats folded. You can choose rear-wheel drive or either of two different 4WD systems. The basic 4WD is a traditional part-time system. The more advanced system offers full-time 4WD with active traction control. Either way, the 2017 Toyota 4Runner will get you where you're going.

Photo by Toyota

For Affordable Luxury - 2018 Buick Enclave

The 2018 and 2019 Buick Enclave offers market-leading luxury at an affordable price point. This seven-passenger SUV comes with Buick's powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The Enclave can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The Enclave is a great choice if you like convenience features. You can get a motion-controlled liftgate, and convenient third-row access with lifting captain's chairs in the second row. There are optional heated and ventilated front seats, while even the second-row seats can be heated and come with their own climate controls, USB ports, and 120-volt power outlet. With all the seats folded down, the Enclave provides up to 97.6 cubic feet for cargo.

Photo by Buick

For Winter Weather - 2017 Subaru Outback

Subaru has been making the Outback since 1996, and it's been the brand's most popular model for most of that time. The recent-model Outback came with two rows of seating for five people, and up to 73.3 cubic feet of cargo space. All Outback models include Subaru's signature symmetrical all-wheel drive system and a continuously variable transmission, and you can take your pick between a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine.

In 2017, Subaru's EyeSight advanced safety system was still optional. It protects you with a lane-departure warning and lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic pre-collision braking. However, EyeSight was ordered on many Outbacks, so be sure to look for one that has it. When EyeSight is included, the 2017 Outback is an IIHS Top Safety Pick +.

Photo by Subaru

For Hybrid Fuel Economy - 2017 Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 is one of the most advanced mid-size SUVs on the market. Buying a used Volvo is a great way to get a top-tier luxury SUV at a more economical price. For best fuel economy, choose the T8 plug-in hybrid model with 400 horsepower. This model can travel up to 17 miles on electric power before using a drop of gas. When the electric and gas economy are combined, this SUV earns a 59 MPGe rating from the EPA.

Volvo is also known for safety, so it's no surprise that the XC90 won top ratings from NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. Standard features include emergency automatic braking, lane keeping assistance, automatic collision avoidance, road sign information, and both front and rear parking sensors.

Photo by Volvo

For Stepping Out on the Town - 2019 Chevrolet Blazer

For Stepping Out on the Town - 2019 Chevrolet Blazer

If you're looking for an SUV with a sporty and audacious look, the first examples of the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer are arriving on the pre-owned market. The Blazer is a roomy two-row mid-size SUV with seating for five. It's a perfect solution for couples or empty-nesters who want a little more space than a compact SUV can provide.

Chevrolet offers the Blazer with two different engines. The more basic Blazer trims are delivered with a four-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Higher trim levels include a 3.6-liter V6 engine with optional all-wheel drive. On the used market, seek out the V6 models for performance and long-term resale value.

Photo by Chevrolet

For Off-Road Luxury - 2017 Land Rover Discovery

If you want to go straight to the top of the luxury list, consider a pre-owned Land Rover Discovery. This SUV is a great choice because you'll get all the best features of a Range Rover, but at a much more reasonable price. The Discovery seats seven passengers in perfect comfort and offers true go-anywhere four-wheel drive.

The 2017 Land Rover Discovery offers an interior to rival any luxury SUV on the market. One family-friendly feature to mention is stadium seating, which means each row of seats is higher than the rows in front of it. This allows everyone to see out the windshield and reduces car sickness. If you've been dreaming about a Rover, a lightly used model could make that dream a reality.

Photo by Land Rover

For Urban Luxury - 2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid

The Acura MDX Sport Hybrid should appeal to buyers who want a green alternative. The hybrid MDX is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine and a conventional hybrid electric motor to drive the front wheels. Then the rear wheels are driven by a pair of electric motors, giving you hybrid all-wheel drive. The engine and electric motors work together to save fuel while delivering impressive performance and handling.

Inside, the MDX lives up to Acura's reputation for quality and elegance. You get three rows of seating for six or seven passengers. The available second-row captain’s chairs are heated, for a supremely comfortable executive experience, or choose a 3-across bench seat for family use. In 2017, NHTSA gave the MDX five stars, and it was rated as a Top Safety Pick + by the IIHS.

Photo by Acura