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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
Battery range up to 291 miles
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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.
2024
Family Values Award
Highly Commended
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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.
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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.
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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.
Battery range up to 35 miles
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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.
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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.
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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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