Best Used: Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicles

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The Top 3 Used Full-Size SUV's

2003 Toyota Land Cruiser Visit the Toyota Land Cruiser Research Center 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe Visit the Chevrolet Tahoe Research Center 2003 Porsche Cayenne Visit the Porsche Cayenne Research Center Automakers mentioned in this article Toyota Chevrolet Porsche

Whether on the road, on the trail, or on-boost, these three SUV's represent the cream of the full-size crop.

Full-size sport utility vehicles occupy a changing niche in the automotive market. Whereas once these truck-based vehicles were sought after by families who were interested in replacing their minivan with something that had equal passenger capacity and more interesting driving dynamics and capabilities, rising fuel prices and a general backlash against the conspicuous consumption of large SUV’s has shifted the market focus. It is no longer enough for an SUV to provide great interior room in order to make it onto the short list of most used car buyers – the vehicle must also display special characteristics which add value when compared to crossover and minivan alternatives.

One of the best ways a full-size, truck-based SUV can differentiate itself from the rest of the pack is through off-road ability. While the majority of vehicle owners will never leave concrete jungle of city or highway driving, there are some who base their purchasing decisions on how well a sport-utility vehicle will handle rocky, uneven trails and waist-deep mountain streams. A solid four-wheel drive system and good ground clearance can also come in handy for those who live in a northern climate and have to deal with snow storms and icy road conditions.

Full-size SUV’s also have a serious advantage over the competition when it comes to towing. With capacities approaching 10,000 lbs, the only vehicles which can match large sport-utilities when it comes to trailer-toting prowess are full-size pickup trucks. With solid, boxed frames, a lengthy wheelbase and V8 torque, it is impossible to find anything else on the market that will act as such a capable towing platform while still hauling between seven and nine passengers and a decent amount of luggage.

When it comes to driving experience, it is clear that while these large vehicles do not in general offer the same handling as a family sedan, they do provide greater visibility thanks to a higher seating position and more power than most minivans. Perception of safety is also greater in a truck of this size than in a van thanks to their sheer protective mass.

There are some great buys on the used SUV market which address each of the value-added features listed above. Of course, if one is willing to investigate the premium markets, it is even possible to find a sport-utility vehicle which can also out-handle, out-accelerate and out-class not only every minivan and crossover found on the road today, but quite a few sport sedans as well. The following list picks three of the most capable, reliable and impressive full-size SUV’s on the used car market and makes a case for why each of them is worthy of a spot in the family driveway.

1998 - 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser

The venerable Toyota Land Cruiser is a perennial favorite amongst those drivers who are looking for a vehicle which balances serious 4x4 credentials with a disciplined and comfortable on-road ride. For decades the vehicle of choice amongst those who counted desert crossing and river fording amongst their daily activities, the Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the most capable sport-utility vehicles on the planet. This generation of Land Cruiser in particular displays a veritable cornucopia of technologies and features designed to make forays into the wilderness that much smoother. With downhill assist control, hill-start assist, traction control and a solid rear axle, the Land Cruiser can handle harsh driving conditions without tipping, sliding or getting stuck. The vehicle’s strong construction stands up well to punishing terrain, and dual fuel tanks can extend a day’s foray into a long weekend if necessary.

In more civilized surroundings, the Land Cruiser continues to shine. With 4.7 liter V8 engine generating 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, the SUV is an excellent performer in terms of both highway passing and moderate towing. An independent front suspension and optional air ride make up for the vehicle’s rugged construction and contribute to an easy to control driving experience that erases most of the harshness associated with a vehicle of this size. Inside, the Land Cruiser can transport up to 8 people and surround them with a variety of luxury features such as a DVD entertainment system, comfortable leather seats and automatic climate control.

The Land Cruiser shares its platform with the more expensive Lexus LX luxury SUV, and for this generation the Lexus is simply a Land Cruiser copy with a slightly different exterior appearance and all of the options boxes ticked on the equipment list. The Land Cruiser makes an excellent buy for anyone looking for a comfortable, upscale SUV that really does it all without having to pay the brand name premium that comes with a Lexus.

2000 - 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe

Detroit car companies have been in the full-size truck and SUV game for a long time, and it certainly shows. General Motors in particular have spent significant resources refining their offerings in this market segment, making the Chevrolet Tahoe’s combination of a full truck frame with a good selection of powerful engines the one to beat when it comes to large domestic sport-utility vehicles. The Tahoe also sports upright, attractive styling and great configurability, making it possible to haul between 5 and 9 passengers depending on the seating arrangements chosen.

The Tahoe’s primary strength lies in its excellent towing capacity. When equipped with the optional 5.3 liter, 295 horsepower engine, the Tahoe can lug almost 8,000 lbs of trailer – more than enough to handle large boats, livestock or campers. With the towing package installed, the vehicle’s 4-speed automatic transmission makes use of a special Tow/Haul mode which holds gears longer and avoids overheating the transmission while shifting. Increased engine oil cooling is also part of the package, adding an extra layer of protection. The Tahoe can even be outfitted with skid plates, electronic stability control, and four-wheel drive in order to make it competitive in off-road driving, easily outclassing the larger Chevrolet Suburban which often has trouble on narrow trails due to its length and greater mass.

The interior of the Tahoe is roomy, with comfortable seating for five and fair accommodations for more than that if the trip isn’t too long. The SUV provides excellent cargo space, edging out some of the competition of the same era, and folding down the second row of seats provides near pickup truck levels of hauling. Satellite radio is available and GM’s excellent OnStar remote assistance system is standard for several of the years spanned by this generation of Tahoe.

The 2000-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe is an excellent example of the traditional large-framed SUV that is perfect for hitching up a trailer and heading to the lake or helping a good friend move from one side of the city to another. Its power and flexibility make it a great buy on the used SUV market.

2003 - 2006 Porsche Cayenne

Sometimes, the least expected move on the part of an automobile manufacturer can turn out to be one of its most inspired. Many sports car enthusiasts trashed Porsche when the decision was made to release a full-size sport-utility vehicle in the early years of the new millennium. These critics stated that it seemed liked desperation for a company so devoted to the purity of the motoring experience to build what many consider to be an anti-performance vehicle. What these vocal opponents never considered was the possibility that Porsche might be able to include some of the same DNA that made the 911 and Boxster so engaging to drive in their new project.

The Porsche Cayenne is quite simply the fastest, most outrageous and entertaining-to-drive sport-utility vehicle ever built. With several different engines starting with the original 250 horsepower V6 all the way up to a fire-breathing, twin-turbo 521 horsepower V8, this amazing machine is capable of running with some of the fastest sports cars in the world. Not only does the Cayenne feature exhilarating acceleration, but with a 6-speed manual or Tiptronic transmission, adjustable air ride suspension and a finely tuned chassis it can also hang in the corners and munch down a slalom without breaking a sweat. The Cayenne is almost as good off the road as on, with short overhangs and excellent approach angles making it a respectable contender when playing on the rocks and in the dirt.

This full-size SUV also makes the most of its interior dimensions, seating 5 and offering a good amount of cargo space for hauling groceries, firewood or yard sale treasures. Leather is standard and feels decidedly up-market, and the Cayenne also provides a full range of luxury features. Finally, the vehicle has a towing capacity to rival that of the Tahoe when equipped with the V8 engine.

Although the purchase price might be high, even used, it is certainly difficult to find a more engaging SUV than the 2003-2006 Porsche Cayenne. The Cayenne is perfect for anyone whose family has outgrown their sport coupe, but who still wants to cut loose on the back roads home after dropping the kids off at soccer practice.