DON'T BUY AN SUV until you watch THIS! Kevin Hunter The Homework Guy

The Homework Guys SUV buying guide for 2025. New, used, and full-size. Hey everybody, Kevin Hunter here, the Homework Guy. By viewer request, today we're bringing you a complete SUV buying guide for 2025. Whether you're shopping new, used, or considering one of those massive full-size SUVs, we'll cover what makes SUVs different to buy than cars or trucks, and how you can protect yourself at the dealership. Joining me in this conversation is the amazing Elizabeth. That's right, friends. SUVs are the backbone of family transportation in America these days. But because they're in such high demand, dealers play all kinds of games with pricing, fees, and financing. Today, we're going to break it down so you get the best possible deal. Why SUVs are a different animal to buy, Kevin? So, why are SUVs a different ballgame compared to cars or trucks? Well, SUVs are the family haulers. You need space, safety, and comfort. That makes them a must-have vehicle, not just a want. Dealers know this and they use it to squeeze more profit out of those vehicles. With cars, buyers usually have more flexibility. Trucks are marketed heavily toward working and towing needs. SUVs sit right in the middle. They're supposed to do it all. That demand means dealers rarely discount them like they do for sedans or other builds. Now, think about it. You can find sedans like the Nissan Ultima or Chevy Malibu piling up on lots with huge rebates. But popular SUVs like the Toyota RAV 4, the Honda CRV, or the Hyundai Palisade, they sell fast and dealers love to hold firm on their prices. So, buying a new SUV now in 2025. We'll get to used SUVs in just a moment, but first, let's talk about the new SUVs for this year. The average transaction price for a new vehicle right now lies between 48 and $50,000. But SUVs, especially the larger ones, are driving that number up. A base model Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot starts in the mid-40s, while top trims easily reach the $55 to $60,000 range. And then you've got the full sizers like the Chevy Tahoe, the Ford Expedition, the GMC Yukon, which often live in the 65 to even $90,000 range depending on the trim level. Dealers love to upsell buyers from mid-trim to high trim levels with heated seats, panoramic roofs, and driver assist packages. But here's your homework guy tip. Don't let the dealer put you in a trim you can't afford. They'll always push the platinum, Denali, or Elite editions, but your wallet will feel that for years to come. And another new car wrinkle in 2025, interest rates. Even though inflation is cooling, rates are still higher than they were 5 years ago. That means dealers are desperate to make money on financing. If you tell them upfront you're a cash buyer, some will quietly increase the vehicle price to make up for lost profit on the financing chance. That's why we always tell you negotiate the outdoor price first and do it from the comfort of home, either by phone or email. Don't forget, never reveal how you're going to pay until the deal is signed. Let's move on to pre-owned SUVs. This is where buyers often get shocked. SUVs hold their value better than cars, which means you'll pay even more for older models. For example, take a Toyota 4Runner. A brand new one might sticker at 46,000, but a 3-year-old 4Erunner with 40,000 mi, dealers will still ask from 38 to $41,000. That's still 80 to 90% of the original price after 3 years. Same with the Honda CRV and the Toyota RAV 4. These compact SUVs are everywhere, but demand is so strong that even 5-year-old models still fetch top dollar. Contrast that with something like a Chevy Equinox or Ford Escape. These American brand SUVs depreciate faster, so you can save thousands by buying used. But, and here's the key, they don't have the same reliability reputation as Toyota or Honda. And anytime you go with used, you'll need a pre-purchase inspection before anything is signed. That's the good old PPI we talk about all the time. Yep. We recommend companies like Lemon Squad or Palm Car. And we do prefer Palm Car for inspections. You should plan on spending around $200 upfront, but it could save you $3,000 or even a lot more money than that down the road. And don't forget to factor in your location. A used SUV from Michigan might have rust from salted winter roads. A Florida, Texas, or Arizona SUV could have sunbaked interiors. Always look at the history report and consider shopping outside your region if needed for an opportunity at a better quality vehicle. Buying a full-size SUV in 2025. Now, let's talk about these big dogs. full-size SUVs. Think Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition, Toyota Seoia, Nissan Armada, and the Chevy Suburban. These are massive, powerful, and expensive. Here's some examples. A Chevy Tahoe, a used 2025 Tahoe LT with 5 to 10,000 mi, listed for 50 to 70,000 mi. Certified or high trim models, the RST, High Country, pushing 80,000 plus. How about the Toyota Seoia? Certified 2025 SR5 hybrid. 12,900 miles at 63,500. New and used 2025 Limited Platinum Editions. These are certified pre-owned are in the 65 to85,000 range depending on mileage. Here's a used 2023 Ford Expedition Limited or Timberline trims showing up in listings from 50 to $60,000 depending on miles. There are some lower mileage platinum trims will come in at a higher cost. For the Nissan Armada from 2025, the listings for an SL or Platinum CPO with about 5 to 10,000 mi are around 60 to $70,000 and the base trims can be slightly lower than that. And they're the priciest vehicles to own. Gas mileage on a Tahoe or Expedition hovers between 15 and 17 m per gallon. Insurance costs are more. Maintenance is higher. You got bigger tires, bigger brakes, bigger everything. Bigger bills go with them. Yep. But if you've got a family of seven and need to tow a boat or a camper, these are often your only option. Here's a potential trap. Because demand is strong, dealers love to tell you everybody's paying this price. But just don't believe it. Just because a Yukon Denali is popular doesn't mean you have to accept $2,000 in dealer add-ons and a $1,500 dock fee. Homer guy tip right here. Always shop around for full-size SUVs. Prices can vary three to 5,000 between markets. Southern states with lower demand sometimes have better deals than snowbl states where four-wheel drive is essential. Exactly. So, what about SUV versus car versus truck in 2025? Let's compare. Cars are the cheapest upfront, the best fuel economy, but the weakest resale value. Trucks have strong resale. They're marketed for towing, but they're expensive and often sold with tons of dealer add-ons. SUVs have family utility, strong resale, especially Toyota and Honda, but that gives you the highest upfront cost and the lowest discounts. And that's why buying an SUV requires more homework. Dealers exploit the high demand and family necessity. They know many buyers feel like they can't walk away. That's when you need to prove them they're wrong. Here's some homework guide tips on the SUV edition. Number one, compare markets. A 2022 Honda Pilot in Chicago may be $3,000 more than the same SUV in Dallas. Expand your search and sometimes be willing to travel. Tip number two, don't test drive trims that you can't afford. If you're shopping for a base Toyota Highlander, don't let the dealer steer you to test driving that limited platinum. Why? Because once you've sat in the heated leather seats, admired the panoramic sunroof, and played with the upgraded tech, the base trim will suddenly feel like a letown. Dealers bank on this psychology, getting you emotionally attached to the features so you don't stick to your plan for buying. Stick to trims that match your budget so you don't end up financing an extra 8 to 12,000 just because a fancier version felt better. Number three, budget fuel and insurance. It's easy to fall in love with the size and comfort of a large SUV, but don't forget the ongoing cost. A Ford Explorer might be manageable with decent mileage, but step up to a Chevy Suburban or GMC Yukon, and you're looking at fuel economy in the ballpark of 14 to 16 miles per gallon. That means hundreds of extra dollars every month just to keep the tank full. Especially painful if gas prices spike. And it's not just fuel. Larger SUVs come with higher insurance premiums due to their higher sticker prices, higher repair costs, and the fact that they cause more damage in accidents. Even tires are bigger and pricier. So, while the monthly payment may feel within reach, the total cost of ownership can quickly balloon beyond your budget. Smart buyers run the numbers on fuel, insurance, and maintenance before signing anything, not after the fact. Tip number four, inspect the interiors carefully. Remember, these are family vehicles. SUVs are family haulers, and families put them through the ringer. Think spilled milk in the carpet, sticky cup holders from juice boxes, halfeaten suckers, or even the dog, cracker crumbs in the seat tracks, leather worn down from the car seats, and constantly climbing in and out, flipping those seats up and down. Those little messes might not show up in the photos online, but when you see them in person, they do tell you a story. A spotless interior usually signals a vehicle that was well cared for with an owner who stayed on top of maintenance. On the other hand, heavy stains, foul odors, or cracked trim can hint at neglect. Not just cosmetically, but mechanically, too. If the owner didn't bother cleaning up spilled soda, what else did they not bother to do? Oil changes, transmission services. Always give the cabin a slow, careful inspection. And don't be afraid to use your nose. A well-kept interior is a strong clue that you found a keeper. Tip number five, no depreciation patterns. Not all SUVs lose value at the same rate, and this can make a huge difference in what you pay and what you'll get back later when you decide to sell it off. Vehicles like the Toyota 4Runner, Honda CRV, and Lexus GX are famous for holding their value. A three-year-old 4Runner might still cost close to 75 to 80% of its original sticker price because buyers know they last forever and have strong demand. On the flip side, models like Ford Edge, Jeep Cherokee, and Dodge Durango can lose half their value in just a few years. That means two things. First, you can often score a better deal on the fast depreciators if you're buying used. Second, when you're on the lot, you can use this knowledge to negotiate. If a dealer is asking top dollar for a Cherokee, you've got solid data to push back with. Look, this SUV doesn't hold value like a CRV, why are you pricing it like one? Dealers know these patterns and smart buyers use them to their advantage. Tip number six, safety first. SUVs give the appearance of safety simply because they're bigger than sedans, but that doesn't mean every model is actually safe. Some older SUVs were built more for price or styling than crash protection, and the difference can literally be life or death. That's why you should always check the IHS top safety pick list and the NHTSA crash test scores before signing on the dotted line. For example, the 2025 Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander both earn excellent ratings in crashworthiness, rollover resistance, and advanced safety tech like automatic emergency braking. Contrast that with an older Dodge Journey, which lagged behind for years with poor crash ratings and outdated safety equipment. Don't assume size automatically equals safety. A smart buyer digs into the ratings, confirms that key features like the blind spot monitoring and lane keeping assist are included, and doesn't let a pushy dealer brush off safety concerns. Remember, you're not just buying a vehicle, you're buying protection for your family every time you hit the road. So, there you have it, the Homer Guy SUV buying guide for 2025. From practical compact crossovers like the Honda CRV to massive family haulers like the GMC Yukon, we've walked you through what makes SUVs unique and the hidden pitfalls to avoid in the insider tricks dealers to upsell you. Now you know how to separate a good deal from a financial trap and most importantly, how to outsmart the dealers at their own game. Remember this, SUVs are redot right now and dealers know it. High demand gives them every excuse to pile on markups, fees, and fancy add-ons that you don't need. But that doesn't mean you have to get burned. The buyers who come out ahead are the ones who slow down, do their homework, and refuse to play by the dealer script. Shop smart, stick to your budget, and above else, always get that out the door price in writing from the comfort of home before you agree to anything. That single step protects your wallet better than any special deal a dealer could ever pitch you. And if all this fails, it feels overwhelming and you're thinking, "Wow, I really suck at researching these vehicles or getting an OTD for one." That's exactly why we created the homework guy hassle-free car buying service. We do all the work and get all the information so you don't have to. Visit our website at theheomeguy.com and click on the big red button. Whether you're ordering a car, leasing, buying new or used, or even handling a lease buyout, we've got you covered. Our team of skilled car coaches do the research, chase down the OTD prices, and protect you from the mistakes that we've talked about in this show. As I said, our service is where we do all the work, including finding cars and negotiating deals. so you don't have to do a thing. If you found this video helpful, give us that thumbs up, share it with your family and friends, and drop a comment below. We love hearing your car buying research and success stories because they inspire and protect the entire Homework Guy community. To all of you long-term viewers and subscribers, you guys rock. God bless you all. I'm Kevin Hunter, the Homework Guy, signing off on behalf of Alex Stevens, our auto expert, the amazing Elizabeth, our master negotiator, and the entire hassle-free Homework Guy car buying team. Stick around a moment as we scroll through some of our recent five-star Google reviews. Thank you for watching. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] [Music]