gg

Best used SUV under £5,000

For £5,000, you could put down a finance deposit on a brand new SUV, and then spend the next three years paying a further monthly fee for the privilege. Or you could simply buy a used SUV outright, then feel like you’re spending the next couple of years motoring for free.

You might think there is a catch. You can’t get a decent, family-friendly SUV for just £5,000, can you? Well, we’re happy to reveal that you can. Even for this value-focused budget, there are some crackers to be had.

These won’t be the freshest vehicles around, but they will still look good, because SUVs generally always do. Stick on a private plate and nobody need ever know how little you’ve spent. Pick wisely and you will enjoy new-car levels of dependability as well, such is the integrity some SUVs offer.

Let us be your guide to the 10 best used SUVs you can buy for under £5,000.

Dacia Duster

The Dacia Duster is famously affordable as a new SUV, and the same carries through to used models. Here, we’re looking at the popular first-generation version, which you’ll be able to find in back-to-basics Access grade for under £5,000. However, if you’d prefer essentials such as air conditioning and a radio, look out for Ambience spec instead. The 1.6-litre petrol engine is nothing special, so although diesel isn’t the flavour of the moment, we’d pick the 1.5-litre dCi instead – and enjoy economy of over 50mpg. One of the cheapest SUVs to run, as well as a particularly reliable one, the roomy and practical Duster is one of the best SUVs for our budget.

Skoda Yeti

The Yeti is perhaps the most well-loved Skoda of recent years. It was replaced by the Karoq in 2018, but plenty of people still prefer the Yeti, which was introduced in 2009 and facelifted in late 2013. Uniquely styled, the loveable Yeti offers excellent space and practicality inside – and if it’s a bit rugged in places, that’s all part of the appeal. These days, our pick is the 1.2-litre TSI petrol, although most buyers went for the 1.6 TDI diesel when the car was new. This is also a good engine, with excellent economy, but you need to make sure it’s been serviced regularly. You can get the Yeti with all-wheel drive, plus there was a later Yeti Outdoor with more rugged styling. Whichever one you go for is a winner, as this Skoda SUV is a surefire classic in decades to come.

Hyundai ix35

The Hyundai ix35 is a family-sized SUV that still looks smart today, despite being launched back in 2009. It’s well-built, spacious inside and a very easy car to drive – indeed, a complaint from some is that the steering is, if anything, too light. A nice issue to have. The 2010s was the era of diesel dominance, so you’ll find plenty of 1.7- and 2.0-litre CRDi engines in the classifieds. They are robust motors and offer good fuel economy, particularly on the motorway. By now, Hyundai was also providing its famous five-year warranty, which encouraged many owners to keep up servicing at a main dealer. It ensures even the oldest cars will have been well looked after early in their lives. An extended service record is a bonus.

Kia Sportage

The 2010 Kia Sportage was such a head-turning machine when launched, some mistook it for a concept car. It had bold proportions and a squared-off sporty look, which gave it a dynamic and very appealing appearance. Sales rocketed as a result, which is why there are so many now available on the used market for less than £5,000. Most have diesel engines, which are preferable to the rather underpowered entry-level petrol motor. All will be well-equipped, though; the Sportage may not have the fanciest of interiors, but its cabin was robust. It’s spacious as well, and the boot is an excellent size. A seven-year warranty from new means second-hand examples should boast a worthy maintenance record, too.

Ford Kuga

We love the first-generation Ford Kuga, introduced in 2008, because it’s such a fun car to drive. Ford is a brand that puts the driver first, and this was the case even in its family-focused SUV, which handles with all the verve and dynamism of a contemporary Focus. You could even get a hilarious five-cylinder turbo petrol version – a Focus ST in disguise – although its fearsome thirst for fuel meant most went for diesel power instead. Inside, it’s not the roomiest of family SUVs, but the space is very well organised. The dashboard is stylish and the Kuga also has a big boot. The popularity of Ford makes this a cost-effective car to service, and an easy one to repair, while insurance premiums shouldn’t be too costly. Provided, that is, you can resist the temptation of the five-cylinder version…

Toyota RAV4

Want a reliable, dependable and robust used SUV? Just buy a Toyota. The 2006-2013 RAV4 is a particularly strong example, with build quality more premium-level than mainstream SUV, while the five-door version has a decent amount of space inside without being an excessively large vehicle. The side-hinged tailgate means the boot is easy to access, provided you leave enough space behind to open it. Most bought a diesel, although you can get a petrol engine, while two-wheel-drive versions are more economical than the 4x4s. Toyota even sold a far-sighted D-CAT diesel with a low-NOx exhaust system, although this may prove expensive to maintain as the RAV4 ages.

Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai was the original crossover, a trend-setter that revived the SUV sector and helped turn it into the behemoth of today. The original 2007-2014 model is probably the ultimate bargain used SUV for under £5,000, with healthy sales when new equalling to a huge array of second-hand models. Most use a diesel engine, which should be fine provided it has a good service history and isn’t smoky under acceleration. You can get an all-wheel-drive Qashqai, along with a ‘+2’ seven-seater, but the core cars are the best – particularly the smartly-facelifted versions that arrived in 2009. Cars from 2010 benefitted from stop-start technology, which saves a bit of fuel and reduced the CO2 emissions for cheaper road tax.

Honda CR-V

The 2007-2012 Honda CR-V was sold as an SUV without the SUV running costs. Fuel economy was good, particularly from the uncannily smooth 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel, and Honda’s peerless build quality means it remains a solid and reliable machine even today. Service and maintenance can be expensive when required, but the CR-V needs less of it than most. A car-like machine to drive, the CR-V is easy to handle despite its decent five-seater dimensions. Practicality is excellent, with lots of clever seat-folding arrangements and a generous boot. Equipment levels are decent as well, particularly on the executive-level EX version.

BMW X1

The original BMW X1 was very much a crossover SUV: a regular car with SUV connotations, rather than a pure 4x4 made to look more family-friendly. One of the more compact models, its city-friendly dimensions conceal a reasonably practical interior; this isn’t a car for large families, but it works well for growing ones. Build quality is OK and there are some well-equipped versions among the core, more basic ones. So what’s the standout appeal? Simply, how the X1 handles. You can get it with all-wheel drive, but the core rear-wheel-drive models are the best. Their superbly dynamic feel helps you get the best out of the potent diesel engines. Available for seriously tempting prices these days, the original BMW X1 is a great choice for SUV buyers who still enjoy driving.

Land Rover Freelander 2

How could we not include a Land Rover here? Newer models can be very expensive, but the second-generation Freelander – known as the Freelander 2 – is an oasis of affordability. Sure, it doesn't have the best reputation for reliability, but the popularity of the Land Rover brand means there is a huge amount of expertise out there to fix any niggles without it costing the earth. Frankly, it’s also a really desirable machine, with a high seating position, great ride and handling, and an image to die for. The Queen has a Freelander 2, don’t you know? Pretend to be one of her courtiers without needing to spend a royal sum of money.

What should I look for in a used SUV under £5,000?

Used SUVs at this price will likely have a few miles on the clock, but with modern car integrity, that shouldn’t put you off. What’s more important is evidence of regular servicing. A big pile of receipts and plenty of stamps on the service record are a better guarantee of long-term reliability than any preconceptions around a particular brand. Also, look for signs a vehicle has been cared for, rather than simply run into the ground, while a fresh MOT will also go a long way.

Are used SUVs under £5,000 expensive to run?

Just because you’re spending a relatively modest amount on a used SUV, you shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking you can run it on a shoestring. They should still be affordable, thanks to the support of a thriving network of independent service and maintenance specialists, but SUVs are still pricier to service and insure than regular hatchbacks. Fuel bills will be higher as well, as SUVs are heavier, less aerodynamic and sometimes have the extra drag of all-wheel drive. The added expense won’t be severe, but go in with your eyes open.

What is the most reliable used SUV for under £5,000?

Toyota and Honda have a brilliant reputation for reliability, and this generation of RAV4 and CR-V are good examples of how even older SUVs can be super-dependable. They both just go on and on with regular servicing. However, with the diesels in particular, a lack of servicing can lead to problems further down the line, so be wary. Hyundai and Kia are also brands renowned for their reliability, while the simple sturdiness of the Dacia Duster means that even if issues do arise, they’re generally cheap to rectify.

AS SEEN IN

GREAT DEALS FROM GREAT DEALERS