The SUVs that best represent the 2000s range from comfortable compact crossovers to truck-based off-roaders and plush family haulers. Here are 10 that capture those different roles—and the strengths that can still matter today. This is a representative editorial selection, not an objectively ranked top 10 or a guarantee that any 20-year-old example is reliable, safe by current standards, or a good buy.
What made a 2000s SUV worth remembering?
The decade’s SUV boom did not produce one standard kind of vehicle. Car-based crossovers such as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander prioritized everyday comfort and practical packaging. More truck-oriented models such as the Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX 470 put greater emphasis on rugged capability. Luxury models added comfort and premium appeal to both family and utility roles.
The 10 models below are chosen to represent those distinct jobs and their place in period comparisons—not as a definitive ranking. “Still holds up” refers to enduring usefulness or appeal, not a claim about the condition of a particular vehicle.
10 SUVs that represent the decade
1. Honda CR-V: the everyday compact crossover
The CR-V helped make the compact crossover a convincing alternative to a conventional car: it paired useful packaging with road manners that Car and Driver praised in its period coverage. The second generation arrived for the 2002 model year; Car and Driver reported 160 horsepower for that model and recognized the CR-V in its 2003 5Best Trucks feature. Those are historical specifications and honors, not a current comparison with newer vehicles.
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Its lasting appeal is straightforward: a compact footprint and practical everyday role. For a used example, condition and maintenance history matter more than the model’s reputation.
2. Toyota RAV4: flexible cargo space in a compact package
The RAV4 represented the small, car-based SUV that could handle daily driving while making useful cargo space a priority. Car and Driver’s period comparisons described its cargo flexibility and lively road character. In a specific 2001 Car and Driver test, the RAV4 returned 22 mpg; that is the publication’s test result, not current EPA fuel economy or a prediction for an aged vehicle.
3. Ford Escape: a mainstream crossover rival
The Escape was one of the names that helped define the expanding compact crossover segment. It won Car and Driver’s cited 2001 comparison and remained a leading model in the publication’s 2008 compact-crossover discussion. Its place in those comparisons makes it a useful example of how quickly the car-based SUV became a mainstream choice.
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4. Honda Pilot: a family-first crossover
The Pilot brought a roomier, family-oriented interpretation of the crossover. In Car and Driver’s 2003 comparison, it stood out for room and all-around utility. That role still makes sense for shoppers who need a larger cabin, though a specific older vehicle’s passenger space, wear, and service record should be assessed in person.
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The Highlander was part of the 2003 car-based SUV comparison field, representing a more road-focused alternative to truck-derived SUVs. It reflects an important part of the decade’s shift: buyers could get a higher-riding family vehicle without choosing a traditional off-roader.
6. Toyota 4Runner: rugged midsize capability
The 4Runner represents the more truck-oriented end of the 2000s SUV spectrum. The generation discussed in period coverage offered V6 or V8 power, and its rugged character suits buyers who need capability beyond paved-road family use. The trade-off is fuel consumption: period and used-car coverage flag it as a meaningful compromise, so it is not automatically the better choice for ordinary commuting.
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7. Lexus GX 470: luxury on a rugged foundation
The GX 470 combined a premium cabin with a rugged SUV format, making it a distinctive alternative to car-based luxury crossovers. Its V8 capability comes with higher fuel use, and Autoblog’s used-SUV guide notes scheduled timing-belt service. Confirm the exact service requirements for the vehicle’s year using its documentation rather than assuming an interval from a general description.
8. Acura MDX: premium family utility
The MDX represented the luxury and family-utility end of the decade’s SUV market. It appeared among the large and premium competitors in Car and Driver’s 2003 coverage. Its place on this list is about that period role, not an assertion that an old MDX will be trouble-free or cheaper to own than a mainstream model.
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9. Volvo XC90: a notable luxury entrant
The XC90 was among the notable new luxury SUVs in the 2003 period discussion. Its inclusion shows how the decade’s SUV expansion reached premium buyers who wanted family space and luxury positioning in the same vehicle.
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10. Nissan Murano: a distinctive crossover alternative
The Murano appeared in the 2003 comparison of car-based SUVs, illustrating how varied the crossover field had become. Alongside more familiar compact and family choices, it represents the decade’s move toward road-oriented SUVs with their own distinct design and character.
How to choose among them
Start with what you need the vehicle to do. Period comparisons show these SUVs were built around different priorities; a rugged truck-based model is not a universal upgrade over a comfortable crossover.
- Daily road use: Crossovers such as the CR-V, RAV4, Escape, Highlander, Pilot, Murano, and MDX were designed around car-based utility. Compare ride comfort, fuel use, and the cabin and cargo space you actually need.
- Off-road or truck-like capability: The 4Runner and GX 470 better represent rugged SUV priorities. Consider whether that capability justifies their fuel consumption and maintenance needs for your use.
- Passenger and cargo needs: Check the actual cabin layout and cargo area. If a third row matters, test its usability rather than relying on the model name or an old review.
- Ownership costs: Compare fuel consumption and scheduled service requirements as well as the purchase price. A premium or V8 SUV may have a different maintenance burden from a compact crossover.
- Condition of the individual vehicle: A model’s historic standing cannot establish whether a particular example has been maintained or is sound.
What to check before buying one today
With an older SUV, inspect the individual vehicle rather than treating a reputation as proof. Before committing:
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- Review service records. Look for evidence of routine maintenance and required scheduled services. For a GX 470, confirm timing-belt requirements for its exact model year in the vehicle’s service documentation.
- Inspect for wear and damage. Check for corrosion, fluid leaks, accident damage, worn suspension and tires, and warning lights. Have an independent mechanic examine the vehicle before purchase.
- Check recalls by VIN. Use the relevant official recall database for the vehicle’s market and identification number; an old review or broad model history cannot tell you whether a specific vehicle has an open recall.
- Assess safety in context. Car and Driver reported five-star NHTSA front- and side-impact ratings for the CR-V in 2003. That is a period statement, not a current safety comparison or a substitute for checking the exact vehicle and its equipment.
Historical reputation does not establish a universal reliability verdict for any of these models, and the available comparisons do not provide a comprehensive present-day failure-rate statistic or safety ranking. A careful inspection and documented history are more useful for judging a specific old SUV.
What period reviews can—and cannot—tell you
Contemporary tests are useful for understanding what each vehicle was designed to do. They describe period road manners, packaging, and comparisons; they cannot tell you how a particular example has aged. Figures and accolades also need their original context: the RAV4’s 22 mpg was a 2001 Car and Driver test result, while the CR-V’s horsepower and crash-rating references are historical reports.
Car and Driver writer Csaba Csere summed up the CR-V’s position in 2003: “The bottom line is that the CR-V’s pricing continues to stack up as a bargain in an increasingly competitive class.” That was a contemporaneous opinion about pricing and competition then, not a statement about present-day used prices.
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