The 2010s were dominated by the family SUV in the same way the ’90s were the heyday of the coupe. After the launch of the Nissan Qashqai, SUVs swiftly became the fastest-selling segment of the UK car market, killing off many estate cars and MPVs that had once ruled the family car roost. As a result, a long list of great used family SUVs are now 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 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, allowing you to quickly 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.
We’re covering all walks of the SUV here. From the rock-bashing green-laning specials right up to luxury Chelsea tractors. We’ve prioritised examples with strong reliability records but included problem spots to look out for when you’re on the forecourt. Mileage, service history and overall condition will affect values, and the used car market can fluctuate. That said, we’ve checked and found tidy examples of each car listed for less than £10,000.
As with any used car purchase, we’d urge you to save yourself a massive potential headache and run the number plate through the Parkers car and vehicle history checker. This check will dig through a car’s history, uncovering whether it has been written off, of police interest, or owing any outstanding finance. Our HPI check is the cheapest on the net and could save you from buying a total lemon.
The best used SUVs for under £10,000
Why we recommend it: so many clever family-first features
It's a very clever and logical piece of design, with Skoda's 'Simply Clever' touches dotted around the car. Boot netting, an integrated ice scraper and a removable door bin don't sound particularly exciting, but they make life noticeably easier.
Despite the smaller footprint, the Kamiq uses space exceptionally well. There's good room for four passengers (a fifth person will be a little squished), a big boot, and an airy feel. Negatives include the crash-prone infotainment system and diesel examples have a spotty reliability record. Go petrol, and you'll have a very solid piece of kit.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Kamiq review
Pros
- Comfortable ride
- Bright and well-made interior
- Very spacious for its size
Cons
- No four-wheel drive option
- Low driving position for an SUV
Why we recommend it: chunky, solid, reliable and great value for money
Be careful which spec you go for; the base models make the back of a lorry look well-equipped. The most paired-back example (Access trim) does without air conditioning or a radio. Thankfully, they're rare; the better-equipped Essential and Comfort dominate the used market. The latter even includes parking sensors and a touchscreen infotainment system.
The lack of complexity has served it well as a used car, with only minor issues developing, mainly relating to the dashboard and infotainment bugs. The only genuine concern plagues all diesels of this era; the dreaded clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF). For this reason, we'd steer for a petrol example.
To find out more, read our full Dacia Duster review
Pros
- Great value
- Lots of interior space
- Excellent reliability rating
Cons
- Base models are spartan
- Interior is full of cheap plastics
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 maintain and repair. There are a few niggles to watch out for, chiefly electrical gremlins with the Bluetooth and stop/start system. The optional electric boot mechanism is also noted to fail.
They're popular family cars, so expect a few scuffs to be present in the interior. The insides are generally hard-wearing but are water-based-porridge levels of dull. If you want plush, pick up a similar Skoda Karoq, but you'll pay 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: safe, Swedish seven-seater
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Because it's a Volvo, it's also packed with safety features. The trade-off is a hefty weight that puts extra strain on the brakes - budget for quicker-than-usual replacement parts.
Volvo's bullet-proof reliability graced the XC90, but do remember that the last models are now over 10 years old. Diesel injectors are known to fail, a telltale sign is uneven revving. The rear boot handle can jam too, an annoying fix. And if you really want to throw caution to the wind, Volvo made a glorious-sounding 4.4-litre V8 example that's worryingly cheap nowadays.
To find out more, read our full Volvo XC90 review
Pros
- Comfortable and refined
- Seven seats as standard
- Well made with decent reliability
Cons
- Geartronic automatic is sluggish
- Petrols are thirsty
Why we recommend it: bags of style, premium badge
The interior is easily the nicest on this list, condensing all the good parts of a full-size Range Rover's insides. Don't forgive any squeaks and rattles from trim, but do expect complaints from tall passengers craning their necks in the rear. Blame the slopped styling for the mediocre boot size too. If you really value style over substance, there's even a three-door coupe model.
We'd recommend a 2.0-litre TD4, but only if the service history is complete and the engine bay doesn't smell of fuel. These engines have a nasty habit of contaminating the engine oil with diesel, meaning more frequent oil changes are required.
To find out more, read our full Range Rover Evoque review
Pros
- Stylish and desirable image
- Interior is refined and classy
- Capable on- and off-road
Cons
- Cramped rear headroom
- Expect a premium servicing cost
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. Aim for late 2016 onwards for refreshed styling and better interior quality.
Despite these efforts the interior quality is the biggest letdown, expect a fair amount of rattling from the insides. Switchgear can be temperamental at times too. Thankfully the oily bits have proven to be far more reliable, with only clutch judder a big concern.
To find out more, read our full Renault Captur review
Pros
- Easy to drive
- Low running costs
- Well equipped
Cons
- Relatively small boot
- So-so interior quality
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.
Diesel models can suffer from the DPF clogging 1.5 diesel models need a cambelt change every five years or 75,000 miles. Petrol examples are generally considered the better used buy. Also, the Qashqai was declared the most clocked used car in the UK, so double-check the mileage is legitimate.
To find out more, read our 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: a solid all-electric option for peanuts
As a means of transport, it ticks all the boxes you'd want from a family EV. All came with a seven-year warranty, so they should still be covered even second-hand. A five-star Euro NCAP safety score also scores it some brownie points. And if all that wasn't enough, an official battery range of 273 miles is nothing to be sniffed at.
A low-rent interior and duller-than-a-dishrag road manners hold it back, but it's exceptional value for money, even if it was one of the more affordable EVs on sale. Most issues appear to be related to the infotainment system; the DAB radio, in particular, can be a pain. In short, it's hard-wearing but soulless.
To find out more, read our full MG ZS EV review
Pros
- Still under warranty
- Long EV range of 273 miles
- Excellent safety results
Cons
- Cheap-feeling interior
- Not one for badge snobs
Why we recommend it: reliable, and with up to 10 years of dealer warranty cover
It isn't as interesting or good to drive as the competition, but its excellent reliability stands in its favour. 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 make all the difference.
Be warned, though. These are not just a hot commodity in the used market. The RAV4 makes a dishonourable entry on the most stolen car list. Its popularity abroad means it's a big target despite the modest sales figures next to the likes of the Ford Fiestas and Volkswagen Golfs, which also make up the list.
To find out more, read our full Toyota RAV4 review
Pros
- Good reliability record
- Decent resale value
- Pretty capable off-road
Cons
- Interior is a little dull
- Rivals are better to drive
Why we recommend it: Suzuki dealers and Vitara reliability are among the best
The interiors aren't particularly inviting, and they're clearly built to a price. However, they are at least spacious and well-equipped. Air conditioning is known to fail, so make sure it's blowing cold on the test drive. For manual examples, ensure there's no crunching between first and second gear.
All engine picks will be reliable and durable, but we have a clear hierarchy of recommendations. The diesel is gruff and needs a new timing chain every five years, while the self-charging hybrid is unsophisticated. The 1.4 Boosterjet is our pick, but don't rule out the silky smooth 1.6-litre petrol, even if it's a little thirsty.
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
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.
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