10 Best Used SUVs with AWD

2014 Chevrolet Suburban ・ Photo by Chevrolet Media

SUVs are great, and they’re even better when equipped with all-wheel drive. A new SUV with all-wheel drive can be very pricey. That doesn’t mean that an AWD SUV is out of the question. Enter the used market, and prices are much more reasonable. If you can find an SUV that has been well cared-for, the fact that it was rugged in the first place usually means that it holds up well as a used vehicle. Find a mechanic who knows a lot about the SUV you want to buy and pay for a thorough pre-purchase inspection, and you can drive away in a great used SUV with AWD.

Here, in alphabetical order, are the 10 best used SUVs with AWD.

BMW X5 xDrive35i (2nd Generation 2006–2013)

The BMW X5 was built on the same platform as the venerated 5-Series sedan, and has excellent driving dynamics on- and off-road. With the second generation, the X5 gained turbocharging, and also got the then-current generation of the controversial iDrive telematics system. The midsize crossover really hit its stride, and a long production run means that spare and replacement parts are plentiful, along with a robust aftermarket for upgrades and customization. Don’t be scared off by BMW’s luxury designation – an older X5 can be very affordable, and much of its advanced technology (for 2006) is still impressive today. You may stumble across an X5 M, which has a bigger, more powerful engine and other sporty details, but original owners tend to hold onto those.

Photo by BMW

Chevrolet Suburban (10th Generation 2007-2014)

The Chevrolet Suburban was arguably the original SUV when it debuted in 1935, and the 10th generation vehicle was the best one to date when it debuted as a 2007 model. All-wheel drive was an option, and a choice of 5.3-liter or 6.0-liter V8 engines lived under the hood. Three rows of seating provided genuine 9-passenger capacity (with front bench seat), while still maintaining substantial cargo capacity, hauling and towing capability, and riding on the GMT900 platform, one of the best SUV chassis designs ever. Even the presidential motorcade is made up of Chevy Suburban-based vehicles, so it must be one of the best and finest SUVs with all-wheel drive. Best of all, used Suburbans can be downright cheap, as people trade for smaller SUVs.

Photo by Chevrolet Media

Ford Bronco (1st Generation 1966–1977)

Ford tells us that the Bronco will be making its return in 2020. What we’ve seen so far has our mouths watering: Retrofuturist design with modern technology, fit for a king. But you can’t buy one yet, no matter what your royal stature. A used Bronco is a great choice to hold you over until the new one is born. The 1st-gen Bronco is the iconic one, with a tall 3-door greenhouse, upright rectangular grille, and short wheelbase. The Bronco is supported by an enthusiastic owner base and a vibrant aftermarket. You can find inexpensive replacement parts and upgrades for just about every part of the Bronco, or turn your Bronco over to one of the specialty restoration shops to have it made even better than new.

Photo by Ford Media

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (Late Model JK 2012–2014)

Purists may argue with this selection, but the 2012–2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited was the best in a long line of Jeep Wranglers for everyday driving and off-roading. First, the long wheelbase Wrangler Unlimited has four doors and good passenger accommodations, and is much more stable in on-road driving situations. Second, the Pentastar V6 engine finally got fitted to the Wrangler in 2012, replacing the traditional inline-6 that had always lived beneath the hood. For the first time, the Wrangler could compete in urban traffic as well as it performed on the Rubicon Trail. An interior makeover in 2015 went too far in civilizing the Wrangler, which leaves a brief window of 2012–2014 as the best of the bunch.

Photo by Jeep

Land Rover Range Rover (3rd Generation 2002–2012)

Land Rover pretty much invented the luxury off-roader with the Range Rover. Up until recently, reliability kept the Range Rover from the list of best used SUVs with AWD, but the 3rd-generation vehicles showed marked improvement. The newer Range Rover you can find with the lowest miles will be the most rewarding to own, thanks to incremental improvements in technology along the way. Find a good used Range Rover, and you’ll have a luxurious conveyance that can carry you anywhere, even when the roads have ended and the terrain looks impassable. Range Rover’s Terrain Response all-wheel drive system helps you to dial in the right off-road performance to match the conditions that you encounter.

Photo by Land Rover Media

Porsche Cayenne (1st Generation 2002–2010)

If you’re looking for an all-wheel drive SUV that you can drive to the office, on the track, and on unpaved mountain trails, an early Porsche Cayenne may be the one for you. Porsche snobs scoffed when the sports car maker brought out its first SUV in 2002, but Cayenne has proved to be the brand’s best-selling vehicle ever since. High-performance Turbo S models can achieve rocket-like acceleration, but even the base Cayenne delivers sedan quality handling in an SUV form. Cayenne is capable when the roads turn into trails, too. The luxurious and sporty interior comes as a bonus to performance, winning over even the most jaded roadster fans. Don’t underestimate the Cayenne, no matter what the driving conditions.

Photo by Porsche

Subaru Forester (3rd Generation 2008–2013)

Go anywhere in the United States where winter weather is wet or snowy, and you’ll see a lot of Subaru badges, many of them on Subaru’s best nameplate, the Forester. All Foresters come with Subaru’s famous symmetrical all-wheel drive system, and a go-anywhere attitude that encourages exploration. Forester’s tall greenhouse makes room for mountain bikes and big dogs, while its compact size and efficient powertrain makes it a favorite among environmentally aware buyers. A 2.5-liter turbocharged engine mated with a 5-speed manual transmission was the sweet spot from 2004 on, delivering WRX-style performance in a compact SUV. Subaru’s well-deserved reputation for reliability and great handling make a used Forester an excellent choice for enthusiastic drivers on a budget.

Photo by Subaru

Suzuki Samurai (1986–1995)

Though it was plagued with a tip-over controversy, the Suzuki Samurai is a bargain as a used SUV with AWD. It was a subcompact SUV that looked like a scale model version of the Jeep Wrangler. Available with a soft top or removable hardtop, the Samurai had a 1.3-liter engine and 5-speed manual transmission, live axle with leaf spring suspension front and rear, front disc brakes/rear drums and weighed in at just 2,100 lbs. It may be the only collector car on our list, thanks to a rabid following and relative rarity. Find a good Samurai, and you’ll have a conversation piece that is also fun to drive, capable off-road, and easy to repair thanks to simple design and construction.

Photo by Suzuki Global Media

Toyota 4Runner (2nd Generation 1989-1995)

Based on the HiLux Pickup truck, the body-on-frame Toyota 4Runner is one of the best used SUVs with AWD you can buy. Of the five generations of 4Runner produced to date, the 2nd-generation vehicle is most revered for its durability, capability and elemental style. An indestructible 3.0-liter V6 is the engine to look for, mated to a rock-crunching 4-speed automatic transmission. Find a 4Runner in Limited trim, and you’ll be riding on leather seats and near-luxury trimmings, even when you traverse barren terrain with low-range 4-wheel drive. A particular charm is the 4Runner’s fold down tailgate with power window, the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch once you’ve achieved the summit.

Photo by Toyota Media

Toyota Land Cruiser (J80 1990–1997)

One of the most sought-after used SUVs with AWD, the Toyota Land Cruiser has evolved since 1951 from a rugged off-road machine into a luxurious all-wheel drive vehicle. The J80 version (1990–1997) is in the middle of that evolution at a point before luxury induced softness, but after ruggedness gave way to refinement, and is a beautiful balance of capability and comfort. Land Cruisers can be found on every continent on Earth, crossing the Sahara alongside camel trains and climbing snow-covered volcanos in Iceland chased by dog sleds. Well-preserved versions are being snatched up for restoration and upgrades by specialty companies like Jonathan Ward’s TLC, who can turn your used J80 into a modern luxury suv that will turn heads in smart company.

Photo by Toyota Media