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skoda kodiaq front cornering

Best used SUVs to buy in 2024

If you’re looking for a spacious and useful family car, then the chances are you’re looking for an SUV. The extra space in the cabin, the big boots, and the fact that the seats are set high up make it much easier to load in the shopping, the luggage, the kids, and the dog. 

However, if you’re buying on a family car budget, chances are that a brand new SUV is going to be out of your price range. Happily, there are plenty of excellent used SUVs from which to choose, and Carwow’s team of experts have lined up the 10 best choices for second-hand SUV ownership.

Skoda Kodiaq

1. Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq review
Practicality and value for money are two words synonymous with the Skoda brand, and the Kodiaq is arguably the best example of this. It is about as spacious a car as you can find at this price point, without having to sacrifice style and build quality in the process. It’s also available with up to seven seats, so it’s perfect for big families, but if you only need five you get a massive boot instead. There are some nifty features as well – such as an ice scraper in the fuel filler door and an umbrella tucked into the front doors – that show Skoda really pays attention to the small details. Sporty vRS versions are rapid, and surprisingly good fun, but expensive.
Kia Sportage

2. Kia Sportage

8/10
Kia Sportage review
Kia has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, and the Sportage is the perfect example of that. The latest version is really stylish and has a lovely, upmarket cabin. There are also smooth hybrid engines that will help keep costs low, and a good-sized boot for all your practicality needs. Older models are less flashy, but they also have the same solid build quality and the reassurance of an excellent warranty. If you actually, genuinely need to go off-road, then the second-generation Sportage, made from 2004 to 2010, is your best bet.
Mazda CX-5

3. Mazda CX-5

8/10
Mazda CX-5 review
As far as SUVs go, few are quite so handsome as the Mazda CX-5. It’s not quite as flashy nor attention-grabbing as some of the options here, but it looks good in a more subtle and sophisticated way. Mazda also does a great job of building interiors that have a real premium feel, even if they’re not the most exciting to look at. The CX-5 is lovely to drive, too, and handles better than most of the alternatives in this list. If you do lots of long distance driving, this car has some of the smoothest diesels around. The second generation of CX-5, built from 2017 onwards, is considerably more sophisticated and ‘premium’ in its look and feel than the original 2012 version.
Jaguar I-PACE

4. Jaguar I-Pace

8/10
Jaguar I-PACE review
Battery range up to 298 miles
The Jaguar I-Pace has always been pretty expensive when new, but as it’s been on sale for a good few years now, it’s possible to get some great deals on the used market. It’s tough to find good value second-hand electric SUVs, because it’s a relatively new concept and their starting prices tend to be quite high. However, the I-Pace is a gorgeous car with a plush interior and decent range from its batteries. So if your budget allows, it’s well worth a look. Make sure, if you’re buying one, that you get the battery health checked before you make your final choice.
Nissan Qashqai
2024
Family Values Award
Highly Commended

5. Nissan Qashqai

8/10
Nissan Qashqai review
The Nissan Qashqai was a trailblazer in the family SUV market, and there are plenty of reasons why it remains popular to this day. The latest model, introduced in 2021, has smart styling and great on-board technology – but thanks to huge sales there are loads of more affordable older models on the used market, too. Those examples can be a bit bland, but the latest model is genuinely good looking with an interior you’d be happy to do many miles in. It’s also got loads of kit on-board, so it’s not difficult to find a good value version with lots of goodies. The 2017-2020 model, with the 1.5 dCi diesel engine, is exceptionally economical on fuel.
Hyundai Tucson

6. Hyundai Tucson

7/10
Hyundai Tucson review
The Hyundai Tucson certainly has a striking design, and this aspect could be enough to put you off before even considering anything else about it. If you don’t mind the way it looks, there’s a decent SUV here, with excellent interior quality and a huge boot that can tackle pretty much anything you throw at it. It’s not the most comfortable car around, but if you need the space, it’ll beat just about everything else you might consider.
SEAT Ateca

7. SEAT Ateca

7/10
SEAT Ateca review
When the SEAT Ateca first went on sale, it was one of the most fun-looking SUVs around and one of the most enjoyable to drive, too. Recent years have seen more in-yer-face designs steal that crown, but it’s still a hoot down a back road. It’s not just fun, though, it’s also got a big boot, so you can pretend you bought it for practical reasons. The cabin is a bit dull and the plastics feel cheap here and there, so bear that in mind if you like the finer things in life. The 300hp Cupra version is a bit of a performance bargain, but thirsty.
Ford Kuga

8. Ford Kuga

7/10
Ford Kuga review
Battery range up to 35 miles
If you want your practical family SUV to also be good to drive, the Ford Kuga should be your go-to. It can be a little bumpy on rough roads, but the trade-off is a large car that’s genuinely fun in corners. There are also efficient hybrid powertrains if low running costs are key, and the plug-in versions have an excellent electric-only range to bring running costs right down. If practicality is key, the boot could be bigger, but there should be enough space for most.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

9. Toyota RAV4

7/10
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid review
With its efficient hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines, the Toyota RAV4 is a car you buy with one eye on your wallet. But the quirky, angular styling of the current models means you can also justify buying with your off-road adventurer heart. With Toyota’s excellent warranty scheme, which can be extended up to 10 years if maintained at an approved dealer, many used models will still be covered, too. The plug-in hybrid model is an exceptional all-rounder, while the four-wheel drive versions (with the rear wheels powered by an electric motor) are better at going off-road than you might think.
Dacia Duster (2017-2024)

10. Dacia Duster

6/10
Dacia Duster (2017-2024) review
If affordability is key then look no further than the Dacia Duster. Dacia has gone from strength to strength in recent years, undercutting rivals on price by doing without some cutting-edge technology and sparkly designs. The Duster is great to drive and more than capable of meeting modern drivers’ needs, while a low starting price from new means your budget will stretch to a much newer example than it would with most competitors. It’s not as posh as others here, but therein lies much of its appeal. It’s not like it has a cheap interior like a budget rental at a clubbing holiday destination, either. So if you can do without some of the finer details, you can snap up a great deal with this Dacia.

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Used SUVs FAQs

The small SUV market is booming, with lots of competitors to choose from. The Volkswagen T-Cross, Skoda Kamiq and Ford Puma are up there with the best, and any of them would make for a great pick.

Also consider the Audi Q2 if you want a more premium badge, or the Toyota Yaris Cross for impressively low fuel costs.

When considering a large SUV, the Skoda Kodiaq offers great value for money and fantastic practicality while the SEAT Tarraco (which uses the same mechanical bits as the Skoda) is also worth a look. However, if you’re on a slightly bigger budget, the Volvo XC90 offers plenty of space and a high quality cabin while a used Lexus RX hybrid would make a luxurious and reliable choice.

It’s always a good idea to search out ownership surveys before buying a car to get an idea of its practicality and repair costs, but it’s impossible to know for sure whether a particular vehicle will go wrong or not.

That’s why models that have long warranties are a good place to start, because you’ll be covered if there are any issues. Toyota’s warranties can be extended up to 10 years if serviced at approved dealers, Kia offers seven years and Hyundai up to five, though all of these also have mileage limits.

If you check out the Auto Express Driver Power ratings — which quizzes actual owners on their experience with cars in the real world — then the best-performing SUV models are the Mazda CX-5, Ford EcoSport, Subaru Outback, Dacia Duster, Lexus RX, and Kia Sorento.

When looking for a used SUV, it’s important to research the car’s reliability record, but also (as with any used car) make sure the example you’re buying has a good service history and has been well looked after.

Many SUVs get used in the city, so look out for any bumps and scrapes that come from encounters with other traffic. Their popularity with families means you should also check for interior wear and tear such as broken air vents or loose trim. But also look out for damage beneath the car in case the previous owner has tested its off-road abilities.

As with any used car, there are reliability risks that typically increase with age and mileage, though if a car has been looked after it reduces the risk of something going wrong. Despite this, some models have a higher risk than others.

For example, luxury SUVs can become temptingly cheap as they age, but this is typically because repairs can be frequent and expensive.

The mid-sized SUV market is probably the busiest of all, as these cars will appeal to a broad cross-section of buyers. Some of our favourites include the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4, particularly because they come with excellent warranties while the Mazda CX-5 has an excellent reliability reputation.

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