Technology and increased efficiencies and better tolerances in manufacturing have brought engine technology a long way in the last two or three decades. Today, an SUV is as quick from 0-60 mph as some performance cars from the early 1980s. Of course, Toyota is one of the manufacturers working to make their portfolio of SUV/crossover vehicles better and quicker. As evidence of those strides in the right direction, below is a list of five of the quickest SUV or crossover vehicles that the manufacturer makes. 

SUV and crossover vehicles are becoming one

Before diving into the data, there is one important thing to note. The SUV is a strange animal. Once, it was an automotive category that consisted solely of ladder and frame chassis vehicles. In recent years, however, the term has been morphing. Many crossovers are also being called an SUV by automakers themselves. In fact, manufacturers are now commonly grouping SUVs and crossovers together on their webpage. Toyota is one of those manufacturers. So, both categories will be looked at together on this list. 

2020 Toyota Land Cruiser – 6.8 seconds

The Land Cruiser is an iconic nameplate. It has been around for decades. So, it is no surprise that Toyota increased the model’s performance envelope over that time. The current Land Cruiser comes equipped with a 5.7-liter eight-cylinder engine. According to our friends at Carindigo, that powerplant will transfer enough power to the wheels so that the Land Cruiser can achieve 7.1-seconds in its 0-60 mph time. 

2020 Toyota Sequoia – 7.1 seconds

The Sequoia is the largest of the Toyota models. However, it is no slouch. It comes in second on the list. The SUV is mated to a 5.7-liter eight-cylinder engine. However, the extra weight from its size makes it a step slower than the other model in the lineup with the same engine, the Land Cruiser. The Sequoia manages the same 0-60 mph time at 7.1 seconds, according to Carindigo.

2020 Toyota 4Runner – 7.2 seconds

The 4Runner is next on our list of top five. The model comes with a 4.0-liter, six-cylinder powerplant. Carindigo claims that the vehicle puts out enough power to motivate the SUV to a 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds. 

2020 Toyota Highlander – 7.2 seconds

The Highlander was recently redesigned for the 2020 model year. An incumbent four-cylinder engine choice was dropped with the redesign. But, the existing 3.5-liter, six-cylinder engine carries over underneath the new skin. Motor Trend put a new Highlander through its paces and came up with a 0-60 mph time of 7.2 seconds. 

2020 Toyota RAV4

The RAV4 is no speed demon. But, that is not to say that it is not quick, because it is. Carindigo records the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine achieving a 0-60 mph time at 9.1 seconds. That is sufficient to take care of any driver that is getting on the highway onramp with ease.

It is not often that SUVs and crossovers are considered for their performance. More often than not, they are considered for their ability to haul people, cargo, or both. But, that has not stopped manufacturers from making the vehicles more enjoyable with a bit of a performance edge. The five fastest Toyota SUVs prove that good performance is very much in these larger vehicles’ realm.