Toyota is one of the most popular auto manufacturers on the planet, which is part of the reason for its stellar resale value across all models. One of the other reasons is, of course, that Toyota’s generally last a long time. They just keep going, so you know when you search “Toyota dealership near me,” you won’t need to worry about purchasing a vehicle again for quite some time. And with the recent popularity of crossovers and SUVs, there is tremendous value in Toyota’s lineup of sports-utility vehicles. So much that’s it’s hard to make the case to buy any other brand.
If SUVs, on average, lose 51.6% of their value over the first five years after purchase, it’s good to find a brand with a strong reputation for reliability and longevity, because their resale value will reflect that. It’s no surprise then that four Toyota SUVs showed up on a recent top-ten list of SUVs with the highest resale value. And this is a list that was open to luxury SUVs—all SUVs were on the table, and still, Toyota dominated the list. So let’s take a look at these SUVs and see what it is that makes them so valuable.
Toyota 4Runner
The 2020 Toyota 4Runner is unique in that as most other SUVs have gone to a car-like construction, the 4Runner has stayed with its body-on-frame platform. This has many advantages, such as actual off-road capability. Most SUVs claim to have off-road features and ability, but that’s mostly just for looks. These other SUVs, models like the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder, should not actually be taken off-road; they are only meant to look as if they could be taken off-road. The Toyota 4Runner, however, is designed to be taken far off-road; it’s meant to be driven in the snow and ice; it’s meant to handle rough terrain. It’s more truck than car, though it has all of the amenities you would expect from a car-like SUV.
The 4Runner is tough yet civilized and extremely reliable. And it comes with an impressive list of standard features. Now standard is Toyota’s suite of safety features and driver assists: Toyota Safety Sense. This includes pre-collision warnings with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alerts, automatic high beams, and high-speed dynamic radar cruise control. Also standard for the base trim, the SR5 trim, is an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Entune Audio Plus with the Connected Navigation app, and Siri Eyes Free, Bluetooth streaming, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Moving up trims adds even more value. Water-resistant seat fabric and locking rear differential—both good things to have when driving through the backcountry—as well as multi-terrain selection with crawl control—are available. The TRD Pro trim offers a 15-speaker JBL sound system, navigation, and Fox suspension. The Limited trim adds 20-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed and heated seats, dual-zone climate control, and a moonroof. If you’re shopping for the perfect family SUV, it seems like this could be the one.
Toyota Land Cruiser
While the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser might exist at a different price-strata, it’s certainly no less valuable and performs equally as well as lower-priced Toyota SUVs. It has built up 60 years of legendary off-road cred from forging through some of the world’s toughest terrain. Though now, it is much more than just a dedicated off-roader. It’s a luxury family SUV with three rows of seats. With the Land Cruiser, you don’t have to make any sacrifices. You get just about everything anyone could ever want from an SUV.
You will be surprised how easy it is to shop for a Land Cruiser. There is essentially only one trim level, outside of the special edition Heritage Edition, which celebrates 60 years of the Land Cruiser and is limited to about 1,200 vehicles. Standard features include a leather interior with heated and ventilated front seats, 4-zone climate control, a heated power-adjustable steering wheel, and a moonroof. Infotainment is not lacking either as you’ll find a 9-inch touch screen with navigation and a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple’s Siri Eyes Free.
You’ll also find a big V8, a 5.7-liter V8 with 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. This engine can tow up to 8,100 pounds, and 90% of its peak torque is available at 2,200 rpm, which means it’s an excellent engine for towing and off-roading. And with its Multi-Terrain Select system and lots of off-road features, the Land Cruiser is built for your next family adventure.
Toyota Highlander
All-new for the 2020 model year, the Toyota Highlander brings exceptional value in its fourth generation. The new Highlander is bigger, with more interior space, has new and improved tech, and includes Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard for all models. It also features a best-in-class 12.3-inch touchscreen, a standard V6 engine, and a hybrid model. So families looking for safety, tech, fuel efficiency, and reliability will not be disappointed with the Highlander.
Even the V6 engine gets excellent gas mileage at 21/29 MPG (city/highway)—and this is with the 3.5-liter V6 producing 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid model, however, offers incredible fuel efficiency: imagine your family SUV getting 36 MPG city, 35 MPG highway. Both engines offer an incredible blend of power and efficiency every family needs. And the many standard features provide excellent value as well: an 8-way power driver’s seat, tri-zone climate control, 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Amazon Alexa, and keyless entry. Options include leather interior with wood trim, navigation, a premium JBL audio system, 20-inch wheels, and heated/ventilated front seats. Also included is Toyota Care, which is two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.
Toyota RAV4
Routinely rated as the best compact SUV on the planet, the RAV4 offers excellent resale value. With good power and fuel economy and hybrid models that offer the best performance and efficiency in the segment, along with an off-road trim new for the 2020 model year, the RAV4 should be at the top of everyone’s list. Excellent safety scores, ample interior space, and many features make the RAV4 easily one of the better values in any segment.
If you choose to go with the standard 2.5-liter inline-4 engine, you will not be disappointed with the fuel efficiency as it gets 28 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway, though the hybrid option offers best-in-class efficiency at 41/38 MPG (city/highway). Either way, you will not be making frequent trips to the gas station. The hybrid model, for instance, can travel 600 miles on one tank of gas. All models come with Entune 3.0 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 6-speaker audio system, a 7-inch touch screen, Siri Eyes Free, and Bluetooth. A rearview camera is also standard, among many other features. The RAV4 is another example of a Toyota SUV loaded with value, a value reflected in its stellar resale numbers.
Toyota SUVs
No matter which segment you are looking in, you are sure to find a Toyota SUV with exceedingly excellent resale value. If there’s a list of SUVs with the highest resale value, you can be assured that you will find Toyota SUVs dominating the list. It’s almost tiresome, this run of excellence Toyota is in the midst of, but it’s hard to argue when so many people agree on something, and that’s just part of what gives Toyota so much value.
