The Toyota 4Runner has come a long way since its debut in 1984, when it was essentially a pickup truck with a cap tacked atop the cargo bed. Now with nearly four decades years on the road and five generations under its belt, Toyota's veteran midsize SUV continues to be one of the longest lasting, most reliable and – with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and optional additional seating for seven – one of the most useful SUVs on the market these days. New base model 4Runners start at $36,000, but used upper-trim models that retailed for $40,000 or more when new now go for as little as $30,000. Simply put, buying a used vehicle as opposed to new one can bring savings that equate to thousands of dollars.

With roots that stretch back to its early days as an off-road rally racing champion, the Nissan Pathfinder has been not just finding but rather blazing down unbeaten paths since its release in 1986. These days, the Pathfinder comes with three rows of seating by way of a bench that slides five inches for extra room and the ability to haul up to 6,000 pounds, making it a solid candidate for anyone looking for an upgrade from the realm of minivans or compact SUVs. While new Pathfinders start at just under $32,000, used models can be found for around $15,000.

Once upon a time the Wagoneer, in the early 1970s Jeep rebranded its coveted timber-paneled family vacation vehicle to create the Cherokee and then later stretched it a bit to make the larger, more luxurious Grand Cherokee. A classic American icon, these days the sleek Grand Cherokee comes with seating for up to seven and a towing capacity of up to 7,200 pounds. So it goes without saying that the Grand Cherokee is as rugged as always. Used Jeep Grand Cherokees usually range $15,000-$40,000, while new models go for between $27,000 and $37,000 depending on the trim level.

Now in its sixth generation, the Ford Explorer first arrived on the market in 1991. And while it continues to be the dependable, hardy American-made SUV that drivers have come to know and trust throughout the past three decades, Ford has made a few modifications over the years. In 2010 came a third row of seating, upping the total passenger capacity from five to seven passengers. In 2020, just shy of the Explorer's 30th birthday, Ford moved the drivetrain from the front to the rear of the vehicle, making for better handling and improved balance, too. Prices for a new Ford Explorer range from the low $30,000s to the low $50,000s – slightly higher than other midsize SUVs – while used models tend to run $20,000-$30,000.

Available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive and two engine options – a 191 horsepower four-cylinder or 281 horsepower four-cylinder turbocharged upgrade – the Kia Sorento earns a spot on this list thanks much in part to long list of safety features like forward-collision avoidance assistance and a safe exit assist feature that have earned it many five-star safety ratings since its release in 2002. With three rows of seating with room for seven and a combined fuel efficiency of 24-25 mpg depending on the engine, the sharp-looking Sorento makes for a secure and comfortable ride both on and off the interstate. And best of all, it's priced slightly lower than most of its competitors. New Sorentos start at $29,390, while used models range $12,000-$24,000.

By far the beefiest SUV among the Honda roster, the Pilot is essentially a bulked-up take on its popular pintsized sibling, the CR-V. With additional interior space, a third row of seats that makes for room for eight altogether and upped umph via the V-6 engine under the hood, the Pilot combines the reliability and practicality of the CR-V with the heavy duty capacity of a midsize SUV. Now in its third generation, in 2003 the Pilot joined the ranks alongside Honda's first midsize SUV effort, the Passport, which is still in production and slightly smaller than the Pilot, with space for just five. New Pilots start at $32,500, but used models can go for as low as $9,000-$17,000.

As the line between crossover SUVs and their truck-based counterparts becomes increasingly blurred these days, Dodge has decided to remain true to its rugged roots with the Durango, an SUV that's a traditionalist in every sense of the word. Capable of hauling more than a whopping four tons – more than any other make and model to make this list – the Durango is heavy-duty at heart but also cleans up handsomely, with an elegant, finely tailored modern interior that sports space for seven. In production since 1997, these days new Durango base models start at around $32,000, whereas used options can go for roughly half of that.

Volkswagen's premier contender in the category of midsize SUV, the Touareg is essentially a repackaging of the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne – in terms of its core essence, at least – for a fraction of the cost. Nevertheless, the Touareg base model starts in the mid-$40,000s, which is $10,000-$15,000 pricier than other comparable SUVs. It's without a doubt a fun and luxurious ride to pilot, albeit slightly stingier than its Asian- and U.S.-conceived counterparts when it comes to fuel efficiency and interior legroom. Used Volkswagen Touaregs go for around $18,000.

When designing the third and most recent generation of the Acadia, in production since 2017, GMC reached far into the fanciest reserves of its bag of tricks and went with the Cadillac luxury sedan CT6's platform to build this midsize SUV. And as far as appearances are concerned, the Acadia is outfitted to size up to the likes of luxury makes like Acura, Lincoln or Lexus. Functionally speaking, with seating for six to seven altogether and the choice of FWD or AWD depending on the trim level, the Acadia packs in a surprising amount of value overall for its price. While new models start at just shy of $30,000, used Acadias can be found for as little as $15,000-$20,000.