The best 5-year-old SUVs to buy used in 2026: Consumer Reports

A used SUV with a spotty repair history can turn a bargain purchase into a money pit within a year or two of ownership. Buying a five-year-old model instead of new can save thousands, but only if the specific model has a track record of holding up well.

Consumer Reports surveyed owners on reliability and satisfaction for 2021 midsized SUVs, so used-car shoppers can find a model worth trusting.

Credit: Buick

The 2021 Buick Enclave sells used for $17,500 to $24,775 and earned a reliability score of 4 out of 5 from Consumer Reports, along with a road test score of 87. CR found the redesigned 2018 body brought better fuel economy, more space and added safety and connectivity features, powered by a lively 3.6-liter V6 paired with a smooth nine-speed automatic that returned 18 mpg overall in testing. Testers praised the quiet, roomy cabin and comfortable ride befitting a Buick flagship, along with a relatively spacious third-row seat, though the infotainment system's ease of use came with an unintuitive gear selector that proved a nuisance during parking. CR recommended seeking out a Premier or Avenir trim to get forward collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning.

Credit: Edmunds

The 2021 Honda $HMC Passport sells used for $19,175 to $25,400 and earned a reliability score of 4 out of 5 from Consumer Reports, along with a road test score of 76. CR found it shares a platform with the three-row Pilot along with Honda's smooth 3.5-liter V6 and nine-speed automatic, returning 21 mpg overall, with both front- and all-wheel drive offered through 2022. Testers found the five-seat Passport sized between the smaller CR-V and the roomier Pilot, going up against rivals like the Ford $F Edge and Nissan Murano, though its ride felt stiffer than the Pilot's without a meaningful handling advantage in return. CR noted the infotainment system responded slowly and the push-button gear selector took some getting used to, while forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking came standard but blind spot warning was reserved for pricier trims.

Credit: Honda

The 2021 Honda $HMC Pilot sells used for $17,900 to $26,975 and earned a reliability score of 4 out of 5 from Consumer Reports, along with a road test score of 76 and CR's recommendation. CR found this third-generation Pilot quick, comfortable and refined, with three-row seating, a roomy cabin and generous interior storage, powered by a 280-hp 3.5-liter V6 that returned 20 mpg overall with the standard six-speed automatic. Testers found the ride comfortable but noted somewhat ungainly handling given the vehicle's size, along with an unintuitive push-button gear selector and a touchscreen infotainment system with small text and a reach that proved awkward for taller drivers. CR noted forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assistance came standard, while blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were limited to the EX trim and above.

Credit: Lexus

The 2021 Lexus RX Hybrid sells used for $33,900 to $37,625 and earned a reliability score of 4 out of 5 from Consumer Reports, along with a road test score of 82 and CR's recommendation. CR found this generation of the RX 450h pairs a 3.5-liter V6 with an electric drive system built around a trio of motors and a battery pack, producing 308 hp and capable of running on electric power alone at low speeds, returning an excellent 29 mpg overall in testing. Testers praised the plush ride comfort on both the base 18-inch tires and uplevel 20-inch versions, along with sound, secure handling and a quiet, well-finished cabin, with a center touchscreen supporting Android Auto and Apple $AAPL CarPlay. CR noted all key driver assistance systems came standard for the 2021 model year.

Credit: Edmunds

The 2021 Lexus RX sells used for $31,875 to $37,625 and earned Consumer Reports' top reliability score of 5 out of 5, along with a road test score of 74 and CR's recommendation. CR found buyers drawn to its comfort, quiet cabin and luxury feel despite somewhat aggressive styling, powered by a smooth 3.5-liter V6 with ample power in the RX 350 trim. Testers described the interior as remarkably quiet with a cushy ride, even as handling came across a bit clumsy and uninspiring, while front seats offered good comfort and the rear seat plenty of room. CR noted the RX-L variant offers a slightly longer body with a small third-row seat, and all key driver assistance systems came standard for the 2021 model year.

Credit: Edmunds

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus sells used for $18,000 to $25,425 and earned a reliability score of 4 out of 5 from Consumer Reports, along with a road test score of 80. CR found buyers could choose between a 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 or a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, both paired with an eight-speed automatic, with fuel economy ranging from 20 to 22 mpg depending on engine choice. Testers praised the more powerful V6 version for effortless acceleration, smooth ride quality, hushed interior noise and nimble handling, aided by the arrival of the Sync 4 infotainment system for 2021 that testers found relatively easy to use. CR flagged the fussy push-button gear selector as the SUV's main drawback, while noting all key safety systems came standard.

Credit: Nissan

The 2021 Nissan Murano sells used for $15,300 to $20,250, priced lower than every other SUV in this lineup, and earned a reliability score of 4 out of 5 from Consumer Reports, along with a road test score of 74 and CR's recommendation. CR found this generation grew larger and more luxurious than earlier Muranos, emphasizing styling and interior finish over sharp driving dynamics, with a refined 3.5-liter V6 paired to a continuously variable transmission returning 21 mpg overall. Testers described the cabin as quiet and upscale-feeling, though handling felt undermined by overly light steering, with a steady ride on the standard 18-inch tires that softened somewhat on the Platinum trim's 20-inch wheels. CR noted Nissan's Safety Shield 360 suite became standard across all trims for the 2021 model year, bundling every key driver assistance feature together.

Credit: Toyota

The 2021 Toyota $TM 4Runner sells used for $28,850 to $43,300, pricier than every other SUV in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' top reliability score of 5 out of 5, along with a road test score of 53 and CR's recommendation. CR found this body-on-frame SUV stands apart from other midsized competitors that have shifted to car-based construction, with plenty of clearance beneath the chassis, protective plates guarding the underbody and a low-range four-wheel-drive system aiding its off-road capability. Testers found the ride less smooth and the handling somewhat clumsy compared with car-based rivals, while the 270-hp 4.0-liter V6 delivered decent power and 18 mpg overall despite growing noisy under load. CR praised the simple controls with large buttons and knobs, along with an optional tiny third-row seat, and noted forward collision warning and pedestrian-detecting automatic emergency braking came standard across all trims, though blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning weren't offered at all.

Credit: Toyota

The 2021 Toyota $TM Highlander sells used for $23,275 to $34,775 and earned a reliability score of 4 out of 5 from Consumer Reports, along with a road test score of 84 and CR's recommendation. CR found this SUV has consistently ranked among the top performers in its testing year after year, with a refined 295-hp V6 paired to an eight-speed automatic that returned 22 mpg overall in many trims. Testers found handling predictable and stable at its limits, though ride comfort didn't quite match the previous generation, while the three-person third-row seat let the SUV carry up to eight passengers, even if that back row wasn't especially comfortable for adults. CR noted XLE and Limited trims came with a versatile 8-inch touchscreen, while blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning remained optional across the lineup.

Credit: Toyota

The 2021 Toyota $TM Highlander Hybrid sells used for $23,275 to $34,775 and earned a reliability score of 4 out of 5 from Consumer Reports, along with a road test score of 87 and CR's recommendation. CR found this fourth-generation hybrid retains the gas model's comfortable ride and smooth power delivery, with sound and secure handling plus upgraded interior fit and finish, especially on higher trims. Testers noted the hybrid system produces less power than the previous generation's setup, yet still returns an excellent 35 mpg, with both seven- and eight-passenger configurations offering a roomy second row, though the third row remains tight. CR praised the easy-to-use controls with standard Android Auto and Apple $AAPL CarPlay, and found the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 package bundles in standard forward collision warning and pedestrian-detecting automatic emergency braking, with blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning standard on every trim except the base model.