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Best used SUV 2022

You may look at new car prices and think you need to spend a fortune to buy the SUV you want. The good news is that you don’t – so long as you turn your attention to used SUVs instead.

As the sector has been booming for years, there is currently no end of used models to choose from. Here, we’re concentrating on family-sized SUVs, the models that can seat five (or even seven) people without breaking a sweat. They’re the perfect replacement for your everyday five-door hatchback.

Some SUVs are better than others at going off-road, and some even have all-wheel drive. All of them are fine for crossing a grassy field, though, and the fact they all ride higher than a normal car gives a greater feeling of confidence (and superiority) for the driver and passengers alike.

Here is our pick of the 10 best used SUVs on sale in the UK.

Volvo XC40

The brilliant Volvo XC40 is the Swedish brand’s most popular car, and sometimes actually one of the UK’s top 10 best-sellers overall. Introduced in 2018, it is Volvo’s smallest SUV, and a very appealing design in its own right. We love the clean lines and chunky stance. Inside, all the usual Volvo refinement is in evidence, while rear-seat space is good and the boot is OK. At launch, high-efficiency petrol and diesel engines were the core offering, but Volvo has progressively introduced mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, along with a pure electric XC40 Recharge. Even today, the earliest cars look as fresh as ever, with all-round family appeal by the bucketload.

Skoda Kodiaq

The Kodiaq was Skoda’s first ‘serious’ SUV, after the success of the slightly oddball Yeti. A large machine, it seats seven people across three rows of seats, with the third row folding flat into the floor to yield an enormous boot. The Kodiaq is an upmarket-looking machine, and the high-quality interior feels commanding, while typical Skoda value means a good amount of equipment for your money. It was launched in 2016, so diesels are the most common engines for older models – some of them with all-wheel drive. For younger cars, though, turbocharged petrol engines started to dominate, and they’re still pretty fuel-efficient. Skoda even launched a high-performance diesel Kodiaq vRS, which is rare but fun.

Volkswagen Tiguan

The second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan arrived in 2016 as a more refined version of the original. It feels thoroughly contemporary, with excellent refinement and ride quality, while the interior has a more premium appearance and a better driving position. It looks crisp and modern, particularly the sporty R-Line versions, and you’d never believe the earliest models are now seven years old. Passenger space and practicality is good, as you’d expect of a Volkswagen, and if you need a model with seven seats, the Tiguan Allspace arrived in 2018 to answer the call. It’s just as good-looking as the regular SUV, with the extended rear end extremely well-hidden.

Ford Kuga

The latest Ford Kuga was only introduced in 2020, so is still a bit too boxfresh to offer much used-car appeal. No matter: the second-generation model, launched in 2013, remains a top-notch SUV. It offers a winning combination of class-leading handling to keep drivers happy, coupled with a practical and versatile interior to ensure passengers won’t grumble. The high-mounted touchscreen is good, and the impressive Ford Sync 3 system was introduced with the 2016 facelift, making the infotainment even more user-friendly. Diesel engines are decent, and there are plenty of them on the second-hand market, but don’t dismiss the 1.5-litre Ecoboost turbo petrol. It is smooth, punchy and offers more than 45mpg in front-wheel-drive guise.

Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage has proven to be a real hit in the UK. Another SUV that frequently appears in the monthly top 10 best-sellers chart, we’re looking here at the 2016-2022 version, which has just been replaced. All but the earliest models will have some of Kia’s excellent seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty left, which is reassuring in terms of reliability and running costs. The Sportage is also family-friendly, with plenty of rear-seat space and a practical boot. The entry-level 1.6-litre petrol engine is a bit weedy, and the 1.6 turbo is a little thirsty, so we’d stick with the diesels, for which there is plentiful choice on the second-hand market. The 2.0 offers the option of all-wheel drive, while later versions came with fuel-saving mild hybrid tech.

BMW X3

The BMW X3 is another great driver’s choice, offering enthusiastic handling and lithe dynamics that feel more like a hot hatch than a tall SUV. This second-generation version, introduced in 2010, solved the challenging ride quality problem of the original, while 2014-on models boast a notable lift in terms of interior quality – making them the ones to go for. Reflecting the times, BMW only offered a choice of diesel engines from new, and you’ll have no trouble finding a broad selection of 2.0-litre turbodiesels to choose from. These are generally fuel-efficient and surprisingly powerful; we’d pick an xDrive all-wheel-drive version rather than the sDrive rear-driven models. M Sport spec looks the best, but it commands the highest prices (and actually offers the worst ride). Our advice is to look for an X3 SE instead.

Toyota RAV4

There have been several generations of Toyota RAV4 since the 1990s. The 2013-2019 iteration wasn’t the most dynamic-looking, but it is one of the most well-rounded – and if you’re looking for the best used SUV, things such as reliability and robustness matter more than cutting-edge style. Naturally, the RAV4 is very well-built, compensating for the rather drab look of its interior, and this version offers impressive versatility inside, with good rear legroom and fine boot space. You can also find hybrid versions of the RAV4 on the used car market, with lower CO2 emissions for cheaper tax, plus a degree of pure electric motoring for better real-world fuel economy.

Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai is the original crossover SUV. The first one was launched way back in 2007, but we’re looking at the second-generation car here, which arrived in 2014. It’s still a really impressive model, with sharp styling and a smart, upmarket interior. Passenger space is good and the boot is super-practical, with lots of little touches to make carrying cumbersome loads that bit simpler. The dCi diesels sold well, and you’ll find a good array of 1.5-litre and 1.6 engines to choose from. Don’t dismiss the 1.3-litre turbo petrol, though, which is fuel-efficient if you take it steady, and less rattly than the diesels. The Qashqai is nice to drive and handles well, but we’d steer clear of models with the largest alloy wheels, as they make the ride quality very poor.

Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson replaced the ix35 in 2015. It never quite had the exciting style and chic appearance of its Kia Sportage sister car, but it’s no less worthy – and some actually prefer the more subdued lines. Besides, it was improved from 2019, with a bold grille, LED running lights and a smart new N-Line sporty-look variant. Inside, all Tucsons are very well-equipped, and it’s a refined car to drive, so long as you avoid the wheezy 1.6-litre engine. A top-notch five-star Euro NCAP crash-test score will be reassuring, as will a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty. The latter means you can pick up even a leggy Tucson and enjoy the remainder of the manufacturer's cover, so long as it’s been serviced regularly.

Honda CR-V

It feels like the Honda CR-V has been around forever. It’s been a stalwart of the sector since the 1990s, and the previous-generation version, sold between 2012 and 2018 (with the post-2015 facelift looking particularly smart), is one of the most well-rounded CR-Vs of all. It was an early example of Honda’s move into the premium arena, boasting excellent build quality and attention to detail. The interior is also enormous, with loads of space for passengers and a massive boot. You’ll want one of the i-DTEC diesels to make best use of it, particularly the newer 1.6-litre version, as the petrol alternative feels a bit flat. Extremely safe and brilliantly reliable, this generation of CR-V is a top-notch used SUV, and well worth the money.

Which is the most reliable used SUV?

If you want the best SUV for reliability, you should look to the Japanese or Korean brands. The Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are famously dependable, while the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage guarantee their integrity with excellent warranties of five years (and unlimited miles) and seven years (or 100,000 miles) respectively. The Nissan Qashqai should be a good choice as well, although some owners report a few more issues than with the other brands, so it pays to search carefully.

Are used SUVs practical?

SUVs are very practical – this is partly why they have replaced MPVs as the go-to car for families. Ironically, they’re not actually as practical as a traditional people carrier, due to their higher ride height and more rugged suspension, but they’re still far roomier than a regular family hatchback, with correspondingly larger boots. Many families prefer the higher, more confident seating position you get in a typical SUV, too.

Are used SUVs cheap to run?

SUVs will cost a bit more to run than a hatchback. They’re heavier, have chunkier tyres and are much less aerodynamic, so the fuel bills will be higher. But if you choose carefully – pick a diesel, a downsized petrol engine or even a hybrid SUV – the extra outlay won’t be too painful. And while a used SUV will also cost more to insure and service than a comparable hatchback, they also hold their value better, meaning you should get more money back when you sell. Overall, most used family SUVs are pretty affordable to run.

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