Top 10 SUVs 2010 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

The best overall SUV of 2010 was the Toyota Highlander, the car-based three-row crossover that defined what a family hauler should be that year — bulletproof reliability, a smooth 270-hp V6, real third-row practicality, and a base price of $25,855. The best value of 2010 was the Hyundai Santa Fe, which delivered most of the Highlander's substance, a longer warranty, and genuine refinement for a 2010 MSRP that started at just $21,695.

Looking back, 2010 was the year the car-based crossover fully took over from the truck-based SUV. Buyers who once bought body-on-frame haulers because that was all there was discovered they could have a quieter ride, better fuel economy, and far lower running costs in a unibody crossover — and they switched in droves.

The handful of true off-roaders that survived, led by the freshly redesigned Toyota 4Runner, became specialists rather than default choices. This retrospective ranks the ten SUVs that mattered most that model year, judged with the benefit of fifteen years of hindsight on how they actually held up.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each 2010 SUV the way a thoughtful buyer would have — and the way a used shopper should today:

• Reliability and ownership cost — 25%. Long-term dependability and what it has cost owners to keep these on the road, drawing on Consumer Reports and J.D. Power dependability data plus fifteen years of owner-forum history.
• Value in period — 20%. What the 2010 MSRP bought you against rivals, using period Edmunds, Car and Driver, and MotorTrend pricing.
• Space and versatility — 15%. Cargo room, third-row usability where offered, and how flexible the interior was for real families.
• Efficiency — 15%. EPA city/highway figures in the context of 2010 fuel prices.
• Comfort and tech — 15%. Ride quality, cabin materials, and the infotainment and safety features that were current for 2010.
• Used value now — 10%. What clean examples command today and how well each model has resisted depreciation.

Sources include period Car and Driver and MotorTrend road tests, Edmunds and Cars.com specifications, Consumer Reports and J.D. Power reliability ratings, Kelley Blue Book valuations, and Wikipedia model histories. Real 2010 MSRPs are quoted in period dollars.

1. Toyota Highlander 🏆 BEST OVERALL

2010 MSRP: $25,855 | Best for: Families who wanted a do-everything crossover that would never let them down

The Highlander was the complete package of 2010, which is exactly why it tops this retrospective. The mainstream choice paired a 270-hp 3.5-liter V6 (a 187-hp four-cylinder was the price leader) with a six-speed automatic, returning 18 city and 24 highway mpg in front-drive form and 17/23 with all-wheel drive.

Three rows of seating made it a genuine seven- or eight-passenger hauler, while the unibody platform kept it quiet and composed in a way no truck-based SUV could match. Its reputation for reliability was already strong in 2010 and has only hardened since — high-mileage Highlanders are everywhere, and clean V6 AWD examples still command $8,000 to $12,000 today, strong money for a fifteen-year-old crossover.

Pros:

• Outstanding long-term reliability that defined the segment
• Smooth, durable 270-hp V6 with a proper six-speed automatic
• Real three-row practicality without truck-SUV penalties
• Strong resale that rewards owners who keep them

Cons:

• Third row was tight for adults on long trips
• Styling and cabin were competent rather than exciting

Verdict: The Highlander did everything well and nothing poorly, and it has aged better than almost anything here — the deserving 2010 best overall.

2. Lexus RX 350

2010 MSRP: $37,625 | Best for: Luxury-minded buyers who valued silence and dependability over sport

The RX 350 was the best-selling luxury crossover in America for good reason. Its 275-hp 3.5-liter V6 and six-speed automatic moved it to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds, while EPA figures of 18/25 mpg (one less each way with AWD) were respectable for a premium SUV. What set it apart was the serenity of the cabin and a dependability record that earned it an 8.4-out-of-10 reliability reputation and a Top Safety Pick nod with five NHTSA stars.

It was not a driver's car, but nobody bought one expecting that. Used RX 350s from 2010 remain sought-after and hold strong value, with tidy examples around $10,000 to $14,000.

Pros:

• Whisper-quiet, beautifully built cabin
• Lexus-grade reliability backing a smooth V6
• Excellent safety scores for the era
• Resilient resale value that still holds up

Cons:

• Numb steering and soft, uninvolving handling
• Premium price kept it out of value territory

Verdict: The benchmark luxury crossover of 2010 — cosseting, dependable, and still a smart used buy.

3. Honda CR-V

2010 MSRP: $21,545 | Best for: Buyers who wanted the safest compact-crossover bet on the market

The CR-V was the sensible heart of the compact class. Its 180-hp 2.4-liter i-VTEC four and five-speed automatic were not quick, but they were efficient — 21 city and 28 highway mpg in front-drive form — and almost comically durable. The cabin was airy, the cargo hold was deep, and the whole thing had a reputation for running to 200,000-plus miles with basic care.

Owners and KBB consumers rated it among the most dependable vehicles of its day, and that trust translates to firm used pricing now, typically $7,000 to $10,000 for a clean example.

Pros:

• Legendary reliability and longevity
• Roomy, practical cabin for its compact footprint
• Strong real-world fuel economy
• Easy, cheap maintenance

Cons:

• Modest acceleration from the four-cylinder
• Plain interior materials

Verdict: The default smart buy of the compact class, then and now.

4. Subaru Outback

2010 MSRP: $22,995 | Best for: Outdoorsy buyers in snow country who wanted a wagon's manners with SUV ability

Fully redesigned for 2010 and noticeably taller and roomier, the Outback blurred the line between wagon and crossover better than anything else. Standard symmetrical all-wheel drive was the headline; the 170-hp 2.5-liter boxer four (with an available 256-hp 3.6-liter six) and a CVT or six-speed manual delivered up to 19/27 mpg.

It rode well, swallowed gear, and went confidently where weather stopped lesser crossovers. Reliability was solid if you stayed on top of head-gasket history on the four, and loyal demand keeps clean examples around $8,000 to $11,000.

Pros:

• Standard all-wheel drive that genuinely worked
• Wagon practicality with real ground clearance
• Comfortable long-distance ride
• Devoted resale demand in snow-belt markets

Cons:

• Four-cylinder needed working to keep up
• CVT feel took adjustment

Verdict: The all-weather value of 2010 for buyers who actually used the capability.

5. Mazda CX-9

2010 MSRP: $28,805 | Best for: Three-row families who refused to give up driving enjoyment

The CX-9 proved a seven-seater could still be fun. Its 273-hp 3.7-liter V6 and six-speed automatic gave it the most engaging chassis in the three-row class, with steering and body control that genuinely rewarded a winding road. EPA figures of 16/22 mpg were the price of that V6 and the bulk.

The cabin was handsome and the third row was usable, making it a credible Highlander and Pilot alternative for the enthusiast parent. Reliability was generally good, and used examples now sit around $7,000 to $10,000.

Pros:

• Best-handling three-row crossover of its year
• Strong 273-hp V6
• Upscale, well-designed interior
• Usable third-row seating

Cons:

• Thirsty 16-mpg city rating
• Heavier feel than its sporty image suggested

Verdict: The driver's three-row SUV of 2010, and still a satisfying used find.

6. Honda Pilot

2010 MSRP: $30,275 | Best for: Big families who wanted eight seats and Honda dependability

Boxy and unapologetically practical, the Pilot was built around its eight-passenger interior. A 250-hp 3.5-liter V6 and five-speed automatic returned 17/23 mpg front-drive (16/22 AWD), and the upright body maximized headroom and cargo space in all three rows. It was not stylish and it was not efficient, but it was hugely useful and it inherited Honda's reliability reputation.

Clean Pilots from 2010 trade around $8,000 to $11,000 today and remain a favorite among large families.

Pros:

• Genuine eight-passenger room
• Honda V6 durability
• Square, space-efficient cabin
• Strong family-hauler resale

Cons:

• Slab-sided styling
• Middling fuel economy

Verdict: The maximum-utility family box of 2010, and a dependable used three-row pick.

7. Toyota 4Runner

2010 MSRP: $30,915 | Best for: Buyers who needed true body-on-frame off-road capability

Redesigned for 2010, the 4Runner was the standout among the survivors of the truck-based SUV era. Its 270-hp 4.0-liter V6 produced 278 lb-ft and was bolted to a five-speed automatic and a genuine 4WD system on the 4×4 grades; a 2WD four-cylinder SR5 started the line at $27,500. EPA economy of roughly 17/22 mpg reflected the ladder frame and weight.

What you got in return was off-road ability and towing toughness that car-based crossovers could not touch, plus the strongest resale in this entire list — clean 4Runners from 2010 routinely command $15,000 to $22,000 today.

Pros:

• Real off-road and towing capability
• Exceptional durability and resale
• Rugged 270-hp V6
• Off-road-ready 4WD hardware

Cons:

• Truck-like ride on pavement
• Thirstiest mainstream pick here

Verdict: The capability champion of 2010 and the resale king — buy one if you genuinely need what it does.

8. Hyundai Santa Fe 💎 BEST VALUE

2010 MSRP: $21,695 | Best for: Value shoppers who wanted a refined two-row crossover for the least money

The Santa Fe was the value play of 2010 and remains the best-value pick in this retrospective. The GLS started at just $21,695 with a new 175-hp 2.4-liter Theta II four, while the SE stepped up to a 276-hp 3.5-liter V6, both noticeably smoother and more efficient than the engines they replaced.

The cabin punched above its price, the ride was composed, and Hyundai's long warranty gave first owners real peace of mind. Reliability proved solid, and because Hyundais of this era depreciated faster than Toyotas, used examples are a bargain now at roughly $6,000 to $9,000 — the most car for the money on this list.

Pros:

• Lowest entry price of any SUV here
• Strong available 276-hp V6
• Refined ride and quality cabin for the money
• Generous original warranty that reassured buyers

Cons:

• Slightly weaker resale than the Toyota and Honda rivals
• Two rows only, no third-row option

Verdict: The smartest dollar-for-dollar buy of 2010, then and especially now — our best value.

9. Chevrolet Equinox

2010 MSRP: $23,360 | Best for: Buyers chasing class-leading highway fuel economy in a roomy two-row

Redesigned for 2010, the Equinox grabbed headlines with its efficiency. The standard 182-hp 2.4-liter four with direct injection delivered a combined 26 mpg and an EPA highway figure that topped the compact class, while an available 264-hp V6 added punch for those who wanted it. The cabin was spacious and quiet for the segment, and the sliding rear seat boosted flexibility.

Reliability was merely average — timing-chain wear on the four became a known concern over the years — so a service-history check matters. Used examples are affordable at $5,000 to $8,000.

Pros:

• Class-leading highway mpg from the four-cylinder
• Roomy, quiet cabin
• Flexible sliding rear seat
• Strong value when new

Cons:

• Timing-chain wear on the four became a known issue
• Only average long-term reliability

Verdict: The efficiency leader of 2010's compact crossovers — buy carefully and check the service records.

10. GMC Acadia

2010 MSRP: $31,740 | Best for: Families who wanted minivan-like space without the minivan stigma

The Acadia rounded out the top ten as the roomiest three-row here. Its 288-hp 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 and six-speed automatic returned 17/24 mpg front-drive, and the wide body gave it the most usable third row and cargo hold of any crossover on this list — genuinely minivan-grade space in SUV clothing.

It rode well and looked the part. The caveat was reliability: the 3.6 V6 and six-speed had documented issues over the years, so a thorough inspection is essential. That reputation depressed values, and clean Acadias now sell for around $6,000 to $9,000.

Pros:

• Most passenger and cargo space in this group
• Strong 288-hp V6
• Comfortable, confident ride
• Minivan utility without minivan looks

Cons:

• Documented V6 and transmission concerns
• Weaker resale than the Toyota and Honda three-rows

Verdict: The space champion of 2010 — superb for big families, provided you buy one with clean records.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 2010 SUV (Then and as a Used Buy Now)

Fifteen years on, these crossovers are used buys, so shop the individual example more than the badge:

• Timing chains and engine service: The direct-injection fours in the Equinox and the GM 3.6 V6 in the Acadia have documented timing-chain wear histories. Listen for rattle on cold start and confirm oil-change records.
• All-wheel-drive service: On AWD Highlanders, Pilots, CX-9s, and especially the Subaru Outback, confirm differential and transfer-case fluid changes and check for driveline noise. Neglected AWD systems are expensive to fix.
• Miles and maintenance over age: A 150,000-mile Highlander or CR-V with full records is a safer bet than a low-mile example with gaps. Toyota and Honda powertrains here routinely run past 200,000 miles when serviced.
• Subaru head gaskets and Hyundai/GM resale: Check the boxer four's head-gasket history on the Outback; expect the Santa Fe, Equinox, and Acadia to be cheaper to buy precisely because they depreciated faster.
• Matters less than nostalgia implies: The exact trim, color, and original tech package matter far less than they seem. A well-kept base 2010 SUV with clean records will outlast a loaded one that was neglected — buy the maintenance history, not the badge prestige.

FAQ

What was the best overall SUV of 2010? The Toyota Highlander. It combined a durable 270-hp V6, three-row practicality, car-based comfort, and the segment's best reliability at a base price of $25,855, and it has aged better than almost any rival.

What was the best value SUV of 2010? The Hyundai Santa Fe, starting at just $21,695. It offered a refined ride, a strong available 276-hp V6, a quality cabin, and a long warranty for thousands less than its Japanese rivals — and it is an even better bargain used today.

Was 2010 really the year crossovers took over from truck-based SUVs? Yes. By 2010 unibody crossovers like the Highlander, CR-V, and RX 350 dominated sales, offering quieter rides, better economy, and far lower running costs. True body-on-frame SUVs such as the 4Runner survived as capability specialists rather than default family choices.

Which 2010 SUV holds its value best today? The Toyota 4Runner, by a wide margin. Its body-on-frame durability and off-road reputation keep clean 2010 examples at $15,000 to $22,000, far above the $5,000 to $12,000 typical of the car-based crossovers here.

Which 2010 three-row SUV should a big family buy used? The Highlander for maximum reliability, the Honda Pilot for the roomiest eight-seat layout from a dependable brand, or the GMC Acadia for the most outright space — but inspect the Acadia's V6 and transmission carefully before buying.

Are the four-cylinder versions of these SUVs worth buying? For the CR-V, Equinox, and base Santa Fe, yes — the fours are efficient and adequate. For the heavier three-row Highlander, the V6 is the better long-term buy because the four-cylinder works harder under load.

Bottom Line

The 2010 SUV field captured a turning point: the car-based crossover had clearly won, and the best of them aged into some of the most dependable used vehicles you can find. The Toyota Highlander earns best overall for doing everything well and proving nearly indestructible, while the Hyundai Santa Fe takes best value for delivering real substance at the lowest price — a gap that has only widened in the used market.

If you need genuine capability, the redesigned 4Runner remains in a class of its own and holds its value accordingly. Across the board, the lesson of 2010 holds today: buy the example with the cleanest maintenance history, and these crossovers will reward you with years more service.

Sources

• Car and Driver — 2010 Toyota Highlander and 4Runner road tests and specifications
• MotorTrend — 2010 SUV and crossover comparison coverage
• Edmunds — 2010 Lexus RX 350, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Outback reviews and features-and-specs pages
• Cars.com — 2010 Highlander, CX-9, Pilot, and Santa Fe specifications and pricing
• Consumer Reports — 2010 Honda CR-V and Honda Pilot reliability ratings
• J.D. Power — 2010 Toyota 4Runner and Highlander valuations and dependability data
• Kelley Blue Book — 2010 Equinox, Acadia, and Santa Fe specifications and used valuations
• Toyota USA Newsroom — 2010 4Runner and Highlander pricing announcements
• Subaru U.S. Media Center — 2010 Outback pricing announcement
• Wikipedia — Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Outback model histories

*SUV review — 2010 SUV reviews, rating, best SUV 2010, and a retrospective review of the top used SUV picks for buyers.*