SUVs are incredibly popular among UK drivers. After the launch of the Nissan Qashqai, they swiftly became the fastest-selling segment of the UK car market, killing off many estate cars and MPVs that had once ruled the roost. As a result, today there’s a long list of great used family SUVs that are available for under £10,000.
There’s no doubt that the popularity of such SUVs was based on factors like their high driving position, which granted a clear view of the road ahead, as well as facets such as a perceived high standard of safety and practicality. But many SUVs are also more adaptable and flexible than smaller cars, allowing owners to simply chuck their gear in the boot and go – and this versatility gives many a sky-high score for convenience. Couple this with switchable four-wheel-drive – available on some of our chosen SUVs – and you have a near perfect family car that can be used regardless of what the weather is doing.
The market is awash with a broad range of SUV choices these days, allowing you to easily find a car that meets your lifestyle, budget and driving preferences. The sheer number of options in the classifieds can make it difficult to thin down your choices, though, so here are some of the top used SUV choices in today’s used car market if your budget is less than £10,000.
The best used SUVs for under £10,000
Why we recommend it: solid VW reliability, cheaper than a Tiguan, sharper to drive
What’s also good is that the Ateca uses reliable Volkswagen underpinnings and is well supported, so it’s easy to keep maintained and get repaired. Some, admittedly, will however find the interior a bit too drab. if you want plusher, pick up a similar Skoda Karoq, but you'll pay a little more for essentially the same car.
To find out more, read our full SEAT Ateca review
Pros
- Spacious interior
- Reliable technology
- Good to drive
Cons
- Firm ride on some models
- Some cheap plastics inside
Why we recommend it: chunky, solid, reliable and great value for money
If you want something plusher with a few more toys, aim for a later Duster. These tend to come with more equipment as standard and will often be in a better condition, too. Petrol and diesel models are available, as are all-wheel drive versions. Some of the much-improved second-generation models are also now starting to slip into this budget, so keep your eyes peeled.
To find out more, read our full Dacia Duster review
Pros
- Great value
- Lots of interior space
- Excellent reliability rating
Cons
- Base model doesn’t have aircon
- Entry-level petrol underpowered
Why we recommend it: Suzuki dealers and Vitara reliability are among the best
What’s also appealing about the Vitara is that it is short and narrow, making it easy to manoeuvre around town and park. The interior quality isn’t great, though, but it is spacious and you get lots of equipment as standard. Need something even smaller? Well, there’s always the Suzuki Ignis.
To find out more, read our full Suzuki Vitara review
Pros
- Punchy Boosterjet engine
- Off-road ability
- Good value
Cons
- Small boot
- Non-descript interior
Why we recommend it: efficient, comfy, spacious and a clever small family car
No, the Cactus makes this list because of comfort. It’s the closest thing you can get to a genuinely soft-riding, supple car in the SUV segment – bested only by far more expensive models, it’s easy to recommend the Cactus based on this feature alone. Known as one of the most economical cars in its class, the PureTech 82 and 110 petrol engines sip fuel, with an easy-to-drive demeanour.
To find out more, read our full Citroen C4 Cactus review
Pros
- Supreme comfort inside and out
- Cheap to run
- Airbumps give protection from small knocks
Cons
- Cheap trim and lightweight build
- Over-reliance on touchscreen
We we recommend it: Honest, capable and rugged, available in lots of flavours
In addition to towing and off-roading smarts, the comfortable interior is spacious and benefits from the Volkswagen family’s build quality, meaning cheapy plastics are minimised. With used Skoda Yeti prices from around £3,000, it’s definitely one for the shortlist. Just avoid unreliable 1.8-litre petrol models and make sure the car you buy has been properly serviced.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Yeti review
Pros
- Available with four-wheel drive
- Good rear passenger space
- Classless image
Cons
- Not quite as reliable as you'd think
- Some find Skodas a turn-off
Why we recommend it: Stylish, sharp to drive, nice interior
Importantly, for a family SUV, it also has a large boot, it’s roomy, safe, and it comes with lots of equipment. Petrol and diesel engines are available and the latter really suit the car, providing good punch and economy. The petrol can be quite economical though, so don’t discount it.
To find out more, read our full Mazda CX-5 review
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Low emission engines
- Stylish, tough interior
Cons
- Slow gearbox
- Harder to find than a Qashqai
Why we recommend it: Lots of capability and quality for the money
With the right tyres, they’re capable off-roaders, though with the best will in the world, they’re never going to shame a Range Rover in the rough stuff. There is good specialist support out there, too, so running one shouldn’t pose any insurmountable problems for you. Look after it before problems arise and you’ve discovered the art of cheap, luxury motoring over monthly new-car payments.
To find out more, read our full Porsche Cayenne review for a deep-dive buying guide
Pros
- Performance from V8 Turbo
- An SUV with car-like handling
- Roomy and great value
Cons
- Gadgets expensive to fix
- Poor fuel economy
Why we recommend it: Easy to buy, easy to fix, easy to live with
A good range of engines widens its appeal further and it’s also a safe, surefooted car to drive. If you’re looking for something involving and enjoyable on the road, though, you’ll be disappointed. But, fortunately, there’s always the likes of the Ford Kuga if dynamics are more important to you.
To find out more, read the full Nissan Qashqai review
Pros
- Spacious, comfy, practical Interior
- All models come well equipped
- Good value compared with rivals
Cons
- Boot capacity is disappointing
- Some diesel reliability issues
Why we recommend it: brilliantly economical and nicely sized for UK cities
It’s not that practical, due to its size, but it shouldn’t cost you much to run and you should get lots of equipment for your money. Even a base-grade 2015 Expression+ model, for example, features automatic wipers and lights, air conditioning, tyre pressure monitoring, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity and hill-start assist.
To find out more, read the full Renault Captur review
Pros
- Easy to drive
- Low running costs
- Well equipped
Cons
- Relatively small boot
- Inferior build quality to a Volkswagen Group car
Why we recommend it: Reliable, and with up to 10 years of dealer warranty cover
It isn’t as interesting or as good to drive as the competition, but what stands in its favour is its excellent reliability. And, in some cases, you can take advantage of up to 10 years and 100,000 miles of warranty on used examples through the new Toyota Relax scheme. For some, that peace of mind could be essential and make all the difference.
To find out more, read the full Renault RAV4 review
Pros
- Good reliability record
- Decent resale value
- Pretty capable off-road
Cons
- Interior is a little dull
- Rivals are better to drive
Used SUVs under £10,000 FAQs
Are used SUVs expensive to insure?
A used SUV will be cheaper to insure than a new model as the car will have depreciated in value over time. An SUV under £10,000 may be relatively inexpensive to insure – at least consistent with a saloon of similar value – but you should always obtain an insurance quote first.
By virtue of their high ground clearance and towing capacity, SUVs make great workhorses. If your SUV served as an off-road vehicle in a former life, its service history could be a litany of small fixes and corrections. This will likely drive your insurance premium up if poorly maintained, so be sure to thoroughly check your used SUV’s service history before buying.
Which is the best SUV for holding its value?
The slowest depreciating SUVs are usually the more premium models. The Range Rover, Land Rover Defender, and Porsche Cayenne are all known to hold their value better than other SUVs.
Most other SUVs will lose a significant chunk of their list price value over time – if a little less than the average passenger car. However, their depreciation means the used market is now littered with SUVs ready to be picked up for a bargain.
Are used SUVs practical for families?
Thanks to their interior space, sturdy trims and commodious boots, SUVs are often favoured as family cars. They’re big enough to carry up to five passengers in comfort but can be less economical than smaller alternatives.
If you’re after a family car with great boot space but don’t intend on doing much off-roading, why not consider a used estate car instead?
What should I look for in a used SUV?
It depends on what you plan to do with your used SUV. If you intend to use your SUV as a daily family car, consider prioritising interior room and trim quality for the comfort of your passengers. You should also review and examine boot space – more passengers, more luggage.
If you plan on using your SUV as a more practical off-roader, it would be worth prioritising a model with great ground clearance, off-road driving capabilities and towing capacity. There are myriad examples of this type out there, just be sure to check the service history.
Keith Adams is the Editor of Parkers. During his career he has been the editor of Classic Car Weekly, Modern Classics and Honest John Classics, as well as writing for CAR magazine, Practical Classics, Octane, Autocar and The Independent among others. Keith lives in rural Lancashire and enjoys buying and selling cars as well as reading and writing about them.
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