The best used all-wheel-drive cars make easier progress in poor conditions then you may well be looking at some traditional SUVs. You might be doing yourself a disservice by doing so, however, which is why you should check out this list of used cars.
An SUV is typically big, heavy and expensive to run, after all, and many aren’t that good to drive. And although they might be large, they can often prove to be not as practical as you’d hope. This is why, instead, you could consider a saloon, estate or hatchback with all-wheel drive.
This doesn’t entail opting for an expensive or high-performance version, either; you’re probably familiar with Audi’s quattro technology that’s found in myriad models, but other manufacturers that offer all-wheel-drive in their conventional cars include Volvo, Suzuki, BMW, Alfa Romeo, Ford, and more.
Opting for an all-wheel drive car can be useful, as it will generally be easier to drive and put its power down better in challenging situations. There are some downsides, though, including higher running costs and complexity. Some cars may also have reduced boot space, so remember to check the figures.
But, that all said, there’s one other thing you need to think about first: tyres. It doesn’t matter if the car you want is front-, rear- or all-wheel drive; if it’s got inappropriate tyres for the job, it’s potentially going to be a handful.
A front-wheel-drive car with winter tyres, for example, will run rings around an all-wheel-drive car on summer tyres on icy surfaces and snow-covered roads – even when moving off. But if you get an all-wheel-drive car with appropriate tyres, it’ll be tremendously surefooted and make easier progress.
So, if you’re looking for a second-hand car packing some additional traction, read on to find out more about some of the best used all-wheel-drive saloons, estates and hatchbacks around.
Safety first Volvo keeps you on the road in all weathers
You can get the XC70 with a choice of diesel or petrol engines, including a punchy turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol – but the running costs for that particular variant might make you wince a bit. There are lots of used examples around and prices vary significantly but buy the best you can, as these are complicated cars and an older, cheaper, higher-mileage XC70 could end up costing a lot to maintain.
Read our full Volvo XC70 Estate review
Pros
- Solid, dependable image
- Practicality and comfort
Cons
- Neglected examples expensive to fix
- Good examples becoming rare
If mountain goats drove cars, they’d have a Panda 4x4
You have a choice between a characterful two-cylinder petrol TwinAir engine or a four-cylinder MultiJet diesel, both of which are economical. You’ll pay north of £5,000 for either, and there’s also the more expensive Cross model if you want something plusher and rugged-looking. Prominent downsides? Weak headlights, noticeable dash reflections in the windscreen, and some low-rent quality in places.
Read our full Fiat Panda 4x4 review
Pros
- Small, city friendly, cheap insurance
- Remarkably capable off-road
Cons
- Cheap trim and expensive parts
- Engines can be fragile, owners reluctant to sell good ones
Seamless AWD without pre-packaged performance
Around £18,000 will get you a smart example of an E220d with the brand’s 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. Outfit it with appropriate tyres and you’ll have a luxurious executive car that, when the weather gets poor, will keep you motoring along with ease.
Read our full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
Pros
- Sensible engines and trim, but with 4Matic option
- Immensely capable, grown-up image
Cons
- Diesel emissions systems can be troublesome
- Good trim and colours command a premium
Not all BMWs are first to get stuck in the snow
Used examples of the F30-generation 3 Series, which was launched in 2012, can be had in all-wheel-drive xDrive configuration with either petrol or diesel engines, giving you even more choice. Prices start from around £6,000 and, if you need more space, there are even Touring versions.
Read our full BMW 3-Series Saloon review
Pros
- Great to drive, subtle
- Good variety of engines with xDrive
Cons
- Servicing can be expensive
- Some engines prone to timing chain wear
An unstoppable supermini from the firm that brought you the Jimny
All versions benefit from a 25mm increase in ride height, helping them negotiate rougher routes slightly more easily, and SZ4 versions also get chunky-looking body protection and front and rear skid plates. Suzuki still makes a 4x4 version of the Swift, too, ticking a box for buyers who want a new small hatchback with all-wheel drive.
Read our full Suzuki Swift Hatchback review
Pros
- Lots of fun, ideal for rural towns
- Cheap to run
Cons
- Crude interior and infotainment
- Rarely offered for sale as owners like them
One-time rally legend has lost the snarl, but not the grip
Like most Subarus, the interior isn’t much to write home about, and some buyers may be put off by the sole transmission option of a CVT. But for some, the automatic-only choice will pair neatly with the Subaru’s straightforward and fuss-free nature. Expect to pay north of £9,000 for one, or go for the previous-gen hatch if you need something cheaper. Not oddball enough? Well, you could always consider a Suzuki Kizashi saloon.
Read our full Subaru Impreza Hatchback review
Pros
- Easy to drive, good safety tech
- Slightly quirky character remains
Cons
- CVT gearbox makes a meal of making progress
- One of the least economical options
The common-sense package that’s sadly rather rare in Britain
Prices start at around £4,000 and diesel and petrol versions are available.
However, a significant downside is that the TSI petrol engine is unreliable. If you can’t abide a diesel, and if you can’t find a petrol model that’s been rebuilt, it’s best to scratch the Skoda off your list. Fortunately, in that case, there are plenty of petrol-engined alternatives – including the Audi A4, Audi A6 and Volkswagen Passat.
Read our full Skoda Octavia Scout review
Pros
- Paramedics and emergency services love them
- Big boot, sensible costs, ample grip
Cons
- Paramedics don’t want to part with them
- Some petrol engines unreliable
Unusual MPV breaks all the BMW stereotypes – to great effect
That isn’t to say that it’s the sole all-wheel-drive seven-seat MPV around, though; Ford, for example, makes all-wheel-drive versions of the S-Max and Galaxy. They’re often hard to find, though, and command a premium. Used 2 Series Gran Tourers are more common, and prices start at around £11,000.
Read our full BMW 2-Series Gran Tourer review
Pros
- Nicer than most MPVs to drive
- Genuinely clever tech underneath
Cons
- It doesn’t always feel like a BMW
- A little cramped for a seven-seater
Popular load-lugger is worth seeking out with AWD
Go for a 2.0-litre diesel if you need to keep fuel costs in check, or the smooth 3.2-litre petrol V6 if you want something more refined and running costs aren’t a concern. Avoid the complicated W8 variants, though, and only go for the high-performance R36 model if you really like that particular car. If you do want something newer and more upmarket, then look at the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Jaguar XF.
Read our full Volkswagen Passat Estate review
Pros
- Sensible large estate
- Proven engines and AWD system
Cons
- Rare in 4x4 form
- Expensive parts, demanding maintenance
Compact coupe is fun in summer and safe in winter with quattro
For your money you’ll get a smartly styled coupe with good build quality, a refined interior and agile handling. You’d admittedly have more fun driving a Boxster, but then those aren’t available with all-wheel drive. TTs are also reliable and efficient, provided they’re looked after, making them easy to live with – and convertible and diesel models are available, too.
Read our full Audi TT Coupe review
Pros
- Great to drive
- Clever interior
Cons
- FWD models almost as good on good tyres
- Suspension and Haldex neglect can be expensive
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