The year 2024, when second-hand car values begin to decline, feels like a time to take action for buyers waiting for the bubble to burst. For many people this will mean previously unattainable models becoming more affordable, and it will be possible to buy a very practical, very reliable, family-friendly SUV for as little as £5,000. However, there are quite inadequate examples of cars at this price. But never fear; We’re here to help you figure out what’s what.
We’ve listed five great examples of used SUVs that can be had on a tight budget. They’re all roomy enough for family use, with five generous seats and boots big enough to carry anything a family can throw at them. As an added bonus, we’ve included a model we think you should stay away from, even if it looks like a great deal.
The best family SUVs to buy in 2024
Best in terms of comfort: Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-2016)
Volkswagen was fairly late to the SUV party, but the attention to detail was welcome when the Tiguan arrived. Today, the first-generation Tiguan is considered one of the most comfortable SUVs of its generation, with excellent seats, smooth ride and low noise level.
It is also extremely practical, with plenty of space for passengers and luggage, and its wide range of engine options combine good mid-range performance with excellent fuel economy. One thing to note is that the Tiguan isn’t as reliable as the best SUVs; so choose wisely, buy the best example you can afford, and avoid anything that makes you feel tired or abused.
The SE and Match versions are probably the best all-rounders, but don’t turn down the affordable Sport or Escape version, which are more off-road focused and therefore feature different front and rear bumpers to improve the car’s handling. separation angles.
Prices starting from: £3,500
We found: 2009 Tiguan 2.0 TDI Escape Auto, 83,000 miles, full service history £4,999
Be careful: Power steering malfunctions; faulty electrical as a result of faulty fuse boxes; imperfect climate control; child lock malfunction; fuel leak
Best for reliability: Toyota RAV4 (2006-2012)
The third-generation RAV4 is here for one reason above all else: reliability. Like all Toyotas, it has an excellent reputation for longevity that few of its SUV rivals can match. Car owners love their cars because they rarely make mistakes; most people say they just need to do regular maintenance and replace perishable parts.
But reliability isn’t the RAV4’s only strong suit. Our £5,000 budget will now extend to the excellent 2.2-litre diesel engine example, making the RAV4 one of the most frugal options on the market.
Compared to a model like the Tiguan or Qashqai, the RAV4 handles well, even if its light steering eliminates the high-end involvement layer. But the body is well controlled, has plenty of grip and responds predictably when you enter a corner, so it’s an easy car to understand. Moreover, the ride is quite comfortable and there is a decent amount of space inside.
Prices starting from: £1,500
We found: 2010 2.2 D-4D XT-R 4WD, 92,000 miles, full service history, £4,995
Be careful: Hard, notched gearboxes; slipping/noisy clutches; warped brake discs; rusty floor coverings and wheel arches; signs of off-road abuse
Best for seven seats: Hyundai Santa Fe (2006-2012)
The idea of buying a used Hyundai might not cheer everyone, but don’t write off the Santa Fe just because of its badge. This is an attractive SUV that is not only extremely practical but also extremely versatile with seven seating options.
First of all, thanks to its heavy weight and solid construction, the Santa Fe is a great tow truck; If you’re looking for a cheap SUV to tow a caravan with, look no further. It is also reliable; Obviously, these older models will need the occasional repair, but they are cheap to maintain, and a well-maintained Santa Fe should be reliable and inexpensive to repair.
Driving-wise, you’ll find the Santa Fe comfortable and cosseting, and although it won’t quite be able to handle corners with the agility of a sports car, it’s still safe, competent and responsive enough to meet the needs of most SUV buyers. Inside, the dashboard is made of rather cheap-feeling plastics – there’s some hideous faux wood, too – but everything is well laid out and the Santa Fe is reasonably well equipped, especially in top-end Premium form.
Prices starting from: £1,500
We found: 2010 Santa Fe CRDi Premium 4WD 7th, 87,000 miles, service history, £4,989
Be careful: Diesel particulate filter problems; chipped/cracked windshields; head gasket failures in diesels; Broken/cracked interior plastics
Best for affordability: Nissan Qashqai (2010-2013)
The Nissan Qashqai was launched in 2006, but early models had a rough ride and a cheap-feeling interior. The 2010 facelift significantly improved these issues; If your budget can afford it, it is a much better choice.
If you don’t want the massive dimensions normally associated with such cars, this is the SUV to choose. Qashqai is compact; It’s about the size of a regular family hatchback in terms of length and width, but it’s taller so you still get a better view of the road and easier entry and access to the rear seats, as you’d expect from an SUV.
Since it’s smaller than most SUVs, it’s also cheaper; it is cheaper not only to buy, but also to operate; so you tend to get a newer, lower mileage car for your money.
Inside, the Qashqai is attractive and easy to find your way around, and while it’s not as roomy as a larger SUV, there’s still plenty of room for a family in the back seats and boot.
Meanwhile, surprisingly comprehensive handling means the ride is predictable and actually quite fun – and while this later model’s revised suspension still isn’t the last word in comfort, it should be soft enough for most people.
Prices starting from: £2,000
We found: 2012 Qashqai 1.5 dCi Tekna, 87,000 miles, full service history, £5,000
Be careful: Knocking of rear suspension; weak automatic transmissions; loose external fittings; diesel particulate filters clogged; Turbo failures and difficult operation in 1.5 diesel
Best all-rounder and our best buy: Honda CR-V (2007-2012)
The Honda CR-V has been around for over 20 years, and this third-generation version is one of the best in the model’s history.
For starters, there’s the driving style. It steers smoothly and resists the kind of erratic behavior that SUVs in this price range often exhibit. What’s more, while it won’t blow away with the best of the CR-V, its well-damped suspension will be comfortable enough for most.
The interior also feels solid, with the simple build quality you’d expect from a Honda, and many CR-Vs come with a long list of standard equipment; especially if you prefer the high-end EX.
What’s more, there are two good engine options – one petrol, one diesel – and although the latter’s reputation for reliability is not as impeccable as the former’s, neither engine will give you trouble if well cared for. And we haven’t talked about all of this before about the CR-V’s trump card: its voluminous interior, space for three adults to sit comfortably in the back, and its large trunk.
Prices starting from: £1,700
We found: 2010 CR-V 2.2 CTDi ES, 91,000 miles, full service history, £4,990
Be careful: Dual mass flywheel and injector failure in diesels; premature clutch wear
And the £5,000 SUV to be avoided at all costs…
Dodge Nitro (2007-2010)
Let’s face it, Nitro is not without its good points. You get a lot of car for your money, which means it’s roomy inside and, as is often the case with American models, it’s also generously equipped.
But you can say the same about many other cars you can buy for this money. With any of these, you won’t have to live with the Nitro’s horribly low-rent interior with its scratchy, sharp-edged plastics. You won’t have to live with a noisy 2.8-litre diesel engine or excessive fuel consumption, either. The Nitro’s ride isn’t great either, with its lumpen ride quality and wandering steering.
So yes, even though it’s cheap, there’s a reason for that. Best to leave Nitro on the shelf.
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