Top 10 Full-Size SUVs 2019 — Best Overall + Best Value

*Published June 16, 2026 · Updated June 16, 2026 — a retrospective ranking.*

Direct Answer

Looking back, the 2019 Ford Expedition earned Best Overall among full-size SUVs. The freshly redesigned (2018) Expedition paired a punchy 375-horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, a 9,300-pound max tow rating, the most usable third row and cargo hold in the class, and a 10-speed automatic — all from a base MSRP of roughly $52,810.

It simply did the full-size-SUV job better than anything else that year.

The 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe LS took Best Value at a base $48,000 (plus the $1,295 destination charge). It delivered the proven 5.3-liter V8, an honest 8,600-pound tow rating, GM's deep parts-and-service network, and the strongest used-market resale of the bunch. For buyers who wanted a big, capable, durable V8 SUV without luxury-tier pricing, the Tahoe was the smart money in 2019 — and it still is as a used buy.

2019 was a genuinely strong model year for the segment: the redesigned Expedition and Lincoln Navigator had hit their stride, while the proven GM trucks (Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon) and the bombproof Toyota duo (Sequoia, Land Cruiser) gave buyers real choice across price, capability, and luxury.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each 2019 full-size SUV the way a real family or fleet buyer would have, then re-checked it with the benefit of hindsight on reliability and resale:

• Towing and capability — 20%: real max tow ratings, payload, and 4WD hardware.
• Third-row and cargo — 20%: adult-usable third rows and cargo cubic feet behind each row.
• Reliability and ownership cost — 20%: long-term durability and total cost to keep.
• Powertrain — 15%: engine output, transmission, and drivability.
• Interior and tech — 15%: material quality, infotainment, and feature set.
• Used value now — 10%: how each holds up and prices on the used market today.

Sources informing the ranking include period reviews from Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Edmunds, U.S. News, and Kelley Blue Book, reliability data from J.D. Power and Consumer Reports, EPA fuel-economy figures, and Wikipedia for model histories.

All MSRPs are period-2019 dollars; used values reflect current market estimates.

1. Ford Expedition (XLT/Limited) 🏆 BEST OVERALL

2019 MSRP: $52,810 | Best for: the family that wanted maximum space plus real towing without paying luxury money.

The redesigned Expedition was the most complete full-size SUV of 2019. Its twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 made 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque (400 hp in Platinum trim), routed through a smooth 10-speed automatic in rear- or four-wheel drive. Properly equipped it towed up to 9,300 pounds — best in class — and its aluminum body kept weight in check.

The third row was genuinely adult-friendly, and cargo space was vast, especially in the long-wheelbase MAX. EPA returned about 17/24 mpg (2WD), strong for the category. Reliability proved solid for a first-year-of-redesign truck, and clean examples today trade in the mid-to-high $20,000s to low $30,000s.

Pros:

• Class-leading 9,300-lb tow rating when properly equipped.
• Biggest usable third row and cargo hold in the segment.
• Strong, efficient EcoBoost V6 with a slick 10-speed.
• Roomy, modern cabin with available SYNC 3 and twin screens.

Cons:

• Turbo V6 lacks the off-idle character of a big V8 for some buyers.
• Loaded Platinum trims climbed well over $70,000.

Verdict: The Expedition out-spaced, out-towed, and out-drived its rivals — the clear Best Overall of 2019.

2. Chevrolet Tahoe LS 💎 BEST VALUE

2019 MSRP: $48,000 | Best for: the buyer who wanted a durable V8 SUV at the lowest sensible entry price.

The Tahoe was the value champion of 2019. Its 5.3-liter V8 produced 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque with a 6-speed automatic, towing up to 8,600 pounds in rear- or four-wheel drive. EPA rated it around 15/22 mpg (2WD).

The third row was tighter than the Expedition's and cargo behind it was modest, but the Tahoe's bulletproof reputation, vast dealer network, and excellent resale made the ownership math hard to beat. Clean used examples hold value better than almost anything else here.

Pros:

• Lowest sensible entry price for a true full-size V8 SUV.
• Proven 5.3 V8 with deep parts and service support.
• Best-in-class resale and used demand.
• Easy to drive and service anywhere in the country.

Cons:

• Cramped third row and small cargo hold behind it.
• Older 6-speed and aging interior versus the Ford.

Verdict: Cheapest to buy, cheapest to keep, easiest to resell — the runaway Best Value of 2019.

3. GMC Yukon XL SLT

2019 MSRP: $56,100 | Best for: big families needing maximum cargo plus a near-luxury cabin.

The Yukon XL stretched the GM platform for enormous cargo and third-row room. The SLT's 5.3-liter V8 made 355 horsepower; the available 6.2-liter V8 jumped to 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft with a 10-speed automatic. Tow ratings reached about 8,300 pounds, and four-wheel drive was available.

GMC's upscale trim and Denali-adjacent materials gave it a richer feel than the Tahoe. EPA hovered near 15/22 mpg. Reliability and resale matched the GM-truck norm — strong.

Pros:

• Massive cargo and adult-grade third row.
• Available 420-hp 6.2 V8 with 10-speed.
• Upscale cabin without Escalade pricing.

Cons:

• Long body is harder to park and maneuver.
• Fuel economy is thirsty in real-world driving.

Verdict: The hauler's choice — buy it for the space and the optional big V8.

4. Lincoln Navigator Reserve

2019 MSRP: $73,205 | Best for: luxury-SUV shoppers who wanted real wow-factor and serious capability.

The redesigned Navigator was the luxury revelation of 2018-2019. Its 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 made a stout 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic, towing up to about 8,700 pounds. The cabin — available 30-way Perfect Position seats, open-pore wood, a panoramic roof — embarrassed pricier rivals and earned MotorTrend SUV of the Year honors.

EPA returned roughly 16/23 mpg. Cargo and third-row space were excellent, especially in the long Navigator L.

Pros:

• 450-hp EcoBoost — the most powerful pick here.
• Gorgeous, genuinely first-class interior.
• Spacious third row and big cargo hold.

Cons:

• Pricing climbed past $96,000 in Black Label trim.
• First-year tech glitches reported by some owners.

Verdict: The luxury benchmark of 2019 — stunning cabin, real muscle, real space.

5. Cadillac Escalade Luxury

2019 MSRP: $76,490 | Best for: badge-and-presence buyers wanting a torquey V8 and a plush ride.

The outgoing-generation Escalade leaned on image and a strong V8. Its 6.2-liter V8 made 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft, paired with a 10-speed automatic, hitting 60 mph in about 6.6 seconds and towing up to 8,300 pounds. EPA was roughly 14/23 mpg.

The cabin felt dated against the new Navigator, but the Escalade rode well, carried unmatched street presence, and offered standard seven-passenger seating with an eight-seat option. Four-wheel drive was available.

Pros:

• Strong 420-hp 6.2 V8 with a quick 0-60.
• Iconic presence and brand cachet.
• Comfortable, quiet highway ride.

Cons:

• Interior trailed the redesigned Navigator badly.
• Steep pricing for the platform underneath.

Verdict: Bought for the badge and the V8 — just know the Navigator out-cabined it.

6. Chevrolet Suburban Premier

2019 MSRP: $66,900 | Best for: the family or fleet that prioritized sheer interior volume and durability.

The Suburban remained the default extra-large family hauler. The 5.3-liter V8 delivered 355 horsepower, towing up to 8,300 pounds, with rear- or four-wheel drive and EPA near 15/22 mpg. Behind the third row sat a genuinely usable cargo area — a key Suburban advantage over shorter SUVs.

The Premier trim added leather, a Bose system, and driver aids. As with all GM full-size trucks, reliability and resale were dependable strengths.

Pros:

• Enormous cargo even with all three rows up.
• Proven, serviceable 5.3 V8 drivetrain.
• Strong resale and parts availability.

Cons:

• Very long and bulky in tight quarters.
• Aging 6-speed and interior tech.

Verdict: Still the king of family volume — practical, durable, and easy to live with.

7. GMC Yukon Denali

2019 MSRP: $70,895 | Best for: buyers who wanted Escalade hardware with a more restrained look.

The Yukon Denali was the value-luxury play in GM's lineup. It came standard with the 6.2-liter V8 making 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft through a 10-speed automatic, towing up to about 8,500 pounds, with four-wheel drive available. The Denali cabin was plush enough that some mistook it for an Escalade — at a lower price.

EPA landed near 14/22 mpg. Reliability and used demand followed the strong GM-truck pattern.

Pros:

• Standard 420-hp 6.2 V8 with 10-speed.
• Plush Denali cabin below Escalade money.
• Strong towing and resale.

Cons:

• Still pricey once optioned up.
• Thirsty 6.2 in everyday driving.

Verdict: Escalade muscle and near-luxury feel, minus the badge premium — a smart pick.

8. Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport

2019 MSRP: $50,500 | Best for: buyers who valued long-haul reliability over fuel economy or fresh tech.

The Sequoia was old-school and bulletproof. Its 5.7-liter V8 made 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft through a 6-speed automatic, towing up to about 7,400 pounds, with rear- or four-wheel drive. EPA was thirsty at roughly 13/17 mpg.

The platform dated to 2008, so the interior and tech lagged, but Toyota's reliability and resale were elite. The third row and cargo were spacious, and the TRD Sport added handling and styling touches.

Pros:

• Legendary Toyota durability and resale.
• Strong 5.7 V8 and roomy interior.
• Simple, proven, easy-to-own design.

Cons:

• Worst-in-class fuel economy.
• Very dated cabin and infotainment.

Verdict: Buy it to keep it 250,000 miles — reliability was the whole pitch.

9. Nissan Armada SL

2019 MSRP: $50,990 | Best for: value-luxury shoppers who wanted a powerful V8 and a loaded cabin for the money.

The Armada — a rebadged global Patrol — packed a lot of standard content for the price. Its 5.6-liter V8 made a healthy 390 horsepower and 394 lb-ft through a 7-speed automatic, towing up to about 8,500 pounds, with rear- or four-wheel drive. EPA was thirsty near 13/18 mpg.

The body-on-frame Armada rode comfortably and felt upscale in SL and Platinum trims, though third-row room and cargo trailed the GM and Ford rigs.

Pros:

• Strong 390-hp V8 and 8,500-lb tow rating.
• Lots of standard luxury content for the price.
• Comfortable, planted highway ride.

Cons:

• Tight third row and limited cargo behind it.
• Poor fuel economy and softer resale.

Verdict: A lot of V8 and content for the money — just check the used values before buying.

10. Toyota Land Cruiser

2019 MSRP: $84,765 | Best for: the buyer who wanted go-anywhere capability and indestructible reliability, price be damned.

The Land Cruiser was the rugged outlier. One trim, fully loaded: a 5.7-liter V8 making 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft, an 8-speed automatic, and full-time four-wheel drive with crawl control, locking center diff, and Multi-Terrain Select. It towed up to 8,100 pounds.

EPA was thirsty at about 13/18 mpg, and the dated interior felt pricey for the money. But its off-road ability and bulletproof reliability were unmatched, and it holds used value remarkably well.

Pros:

• Unmatched off-road hardware and durability.
• Legendary long-term reliability and resale.
• Standard full-time 4WD with serious gear.

Cons:

• Sky-high price for a dated cabin.
• Poor fuel economy and a cramped third row.

Verdict: The capability-and-longevity halo pick — expensive, but it earned the legend.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 2019 Full-Size SUV (Then and as a Used Buy Now)

Whether you shopped new in 2019 or are hunting a used example today, the priorities are similar:

• Match the tow rating to your real trailer, not the headline number — towing packages, axle ratios, and 2WD-versus-4WD all change the figure.
• Sit in the third row yourself. The Expedition, Suburban, and Yukon XL fit adults; the Tahoe and Sequoia third rows are tighter.
• Check service history on turbo engines (Expedition, Navigator) — cooling-system and turbo upkeep matters on used examples.
• Inspect 4WD transfer cases and air suspension (Navigator, Land Cruiser) for wear and leaks.
• Verify resale before you buy: GM trucks and the Toyotas hold value best; the Armada and Escalade depreciate harder.
• Budget for fuel. The V8 trucks return mid-teens combined; the EcoBoost Fords do meaningfully better.

One honest note: raw horsepower matters less than nostalgia implies. The 355-hp Tahoe tows and hauls a family just as competently as the 420-hp big-V8 rigs in everyday use — the extra output mostly buys character and bragging rights, not real-world capability for most owners.

FAQ

Which 2019 full-size SUV was the best overall? The redesigned Ford Expedition — it combined class-leading towing (up to 9,300 lb), the roomiest third row and cargo hold, a strong 375-hp EcoBoost V6, and a modern 10-speed automatic at a reasonable base price.

What was the best-value 2019 full-size SUV? The Chevrolet Tahoe LS at a base $48,000. It offered a proven 5.3 V8, honest capability, the deepest service network, and the strongest resale in the segment — and that value carries into the used market today.

Which 2019 full-size SUV could tow the most? The Ford Expedition, rated up to 9,300 pounds when properly equipped — ahead of the GM trucks (around 8,300-8,600 lb) and the Toyotas.

Were the Toyota Sequoia and Land Cruiser reliable? Yes. Both earned elite Toyota reliability and resale, though both used dated platforms, drank fuel in the mid-teens, and the Land Cruiser commanded a steep price.

Was the Lincoln Navigator worth the price over the Escalade in 2019? For most buyers, yes. The redesigned Navigator brought a 450-hp EcoBoost and a far more modern, luxurious cabin, winning awards the older-platform Escalade could not match.

Do these SUVs make good used buys now? Yes, with care. The Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and Toyotas hold value and reliability best; the Expedition is excellent if maintained; check turbo and suspension service history on the EcoBoost and luxury rigs.

Bottom Line

2019 was a high point for full-size SUVs. The redesigned Ford Expedition earned Best Overall by doing every job — towing, hauling, family-carrying — better than the field, from a sensible base price. The Chevrolet Tahoe LS took Best Value on the strength of a proven V8, the lowest entry price, and unbeatable resale.

Above them sat the luxurious Navigator and Escalade; alongside them, the giant Suburban and Yukon XL and the indestructible Toyotas. Looking back, almost every pick here has aged into a sensible used buy — the trick is matching tow rating, third-row space, and ownership cost to how you actually use it.

Sources

• Car and Driver — 2019 Ford Expedition and full-size SUV reviews.
• MotorTrend — 2018-2019 Lincoln Navigator SUV of the Year coverage.
• Edmunds — 2019 Cadillac Escalade, Land Cruiser, and Tahoe expert reviews and specs.
• U.S. News and World Report — 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota Sequoia rankings and specs.
• Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) — 2019 Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and used-value data.
• Cars.com — 2019 full-size SUV specs, pricing, and dimensions.
• J.D. Power — 2019 Toyota Sequoia and full-size SUV reliability ratings.
• GM Authority — 2019 Chevrolet Suburban pricing comparison.
• EPA fueleconomy.gov — 2019 full-size SUV city/highway ratings.
• Wikipedia — model histories for the Expedition, Navigator, Tahoe/Suburban, and Land Cruiser.

*Full-size SUV review — 2019 full-size SUV reviews, rating, best full-size SUV 2019, and a retrospective review of the top used large SUV picks for buyers.*