As used car values begin to fall, 2024 feels like the time to act for buyers who have been waiting for the bubble to burst. For many, this means that models that were previously out of reach become more attainable – and for as little as £5,000 it’s possible to bring home a highly useful, highly reliable, family-friendly SUV. That said, there are some examples of fairly disappointing cars at this price. But fear not: we’re here to help you figure out what’s what.
We’ve rounded up five great examples of used SUVs that are achievable on a tight budget. All are spacious enough for family use, with spacious seating for five and luggage space big enough for whatever a family might throw at it. As an added bonus, we’ve included one model we think you should avoid, even though it seems like a brilliant deal.
Best family SUVs to buy in 2024
Best in terms of comfort: Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-2016)
Volkswagen was quite late to the SUV party, but when the Tiguan arrived it brought with it a welcome level of attention to detail. Today, the first-generation Tiguan is considered one of the most comfortable SUVs of its generation, with excellent seats, a smooth ride and low noise levels.
It’s also very practical, with plenty of room for both passengers and luggage, while a wide choice of engines combines good mid-range power with excellent fuel economy. The caveat is that the Tiguan isn’t as reliable as some of the best SUVs, so choose wisely, buy the best example you can and avoid anything that feels tired or abused.
The SE and Match versions are probably the best all-rounders, although a well-priced Sport or Escape version, which is more off-road oriented and therefore has different front and rear bumpers to improve the car’s approach, doesn’t cut it. to point out. departure corners.
Price from: £3,500
We found: 2009 Tiguan 2.0 TDI Escape Auto, 133,000 miles, full service history £4,999
Beware of: Power steering errors; electricity disruption due to defective fuse boxes; defective climate control; child lock failed; fuel leaks
Best for Reliability: Toyota RAV4 (2006-2012)
The third-generation RAV4 is here above all others for one reason: reliability. Like all Toyotas, it has an excellent reputation for durability that few SUV competitors can match. Owners often love their cars simply because nothing rarely goes wrong with them. Most say they only need to perform regular maintenance and replace perishable parts.
But reliability isn’t the RAV4’s only strong point. Our £5,000 budget now extends to an example with the excellent 2.2-litre diesel engine, making the RAV4 one of the most frugal choices on the market.
The RAV4 drives well too, even if the light steering removes the ultimate layer of involvement compared to something like the Tiguan or Qashqai. But the body roll is well controlled, there’s plenty of grip and it reacts predictably as you enter a corner, making it an easy car to handle. Moreover, you drive quite comfortably and there is quite a bit of space inside.
Price from: £1,500
We found: 2010 2.2 D-4D XT-R 4WD, 152,000 miles, full service history, £4,995
Beware of: Stiff, sharp gearboxes; slipping/noisy clutches; warped brake discs; rusty underbody panels and wheel arches; signs of off-road abuse
Best for Seven Seats: Hyundai Santa Fe (2006-2012)
The idea of buying a used Hyundai may not fill everyone with joy, 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 the option of seven seats.
For starters, the Santa Fe makes a great tow car thanks to its heavy weight and sturdy construction; If you are looking for a cheap SUV to tow a caravan, look no further. He is also reliable. These older models will of course need occasional repairs, but they are cheap to maintain, and a well-maintained Santa Fe should also be reliable and cheap to repair.
To drive you’ll find the Santa Fe comfortable and comforting, and while it clearly doesn’t corner with the eagerness of a sports car, it’s still safe, capable and responsive enough to suit the needs of most SUV buyers . Inside, the dashboard is constructed from rather cheap-feeling plastic – there’s some odious fake wood in there too – but everything is well laid out and the Santa Fe is reasonably well equipped, especially in the range-topping Premium trim.
Price from: £1,500
We found: 2010 Santa Fe CRDi Premium 4WD 7pcs, 87,000 miles, service history, £4,989
Beware of: Problems with the particulate filter; chipped/cracked windshields; head gasket defects in diesels; broken/cracked plastic on the inside
Best for Affordability: Nissan Qashqai (2010-2013)
The Nissan Qashqai was introduced in 2006, but early models had a rough ride and a cheap-feeling interior. The 2010 facelift dramatically improved these issues, so it’s a much better choice if your budget allows for it.
This is the SUV to choose if you don’t want the gigantic dimensions that normally come with such cars. The Qashqai is compact – in length and width about the size of a normal family hatchback, but larger, so you still get the better view of the road and the easier entry and access to the back seat that you expect from an SUV.
Because it’s smaller than most SUVs, it’s also cheaper – not just to buy, but to run, so you tend to get a newer car with lower mileage for your money.
Inside, the Qashqai is attractive and easy to get around, and while it’s not as spacious as a larger SUV, there’s still plenty of room for a family in the back seat and in the boot.
Meanwhile, its surprising handling means it’s predictable and actually quite fun to drive – and while this later model’s revised suspension still isn’t the last word in comfort, it should be supple enough for most people.
Price from: £2,000
We found: 2012 Qashqai 1.5 dCi Tekna, 87,000 miles, full service history, £5,000
Beware of: Beating rear suspension; weak automatic gearboxes; loose exterior fittings; clogged particulate filters; turbo failures and rough running on 1.5 diesels
Best all-rounder and our best buy: Honda CR-V (2007-2012)
The Honda CR-V has been around for over twenty years now, and this third-generation version is one of the best in the model’s history.
For starters, there’s the way it drives. It steers smoothly and can withstand the kind of roly-poly behavior often exhibited by SUVs in this price range. Additionally, the CR-V’s well-damped suspension, while not up there with the best, will be comfortable enough for most.
It feels robust inside too, with the kind of no-nonsense build quality you’d expect from a Honda, and many CR-Vs come with a long list of standard equipment – especially if you go for the top-spec EX.
Plus, there’s a choice of two good engines – one petrol and one diesel – and while the latter’s reputation for reliability isn’t as impeccable as the former, neither engine should present any problems if properly maintained . And all this before we’ve even mentioned the CR-V’s trump card: its voluminous interior, with room for three adults to sit comfortably in the back and a large cargo area.
Price from: £1,700
We found: 2010 CR-V 2.2 CTDi ES, 91,000 miles, full service history, £4,990
Beware of: Dual-mass flywheel and injector failure in diesels; premature wear of the clutch
And the £5,000 SUV you should avoid at all costs…
Dodge Nitro (2007–2010)
Admittedly, the Nitro is not without its good points. You get a lot of car for your money, which means it is large on the inside and, as is often the case with American models, is also generously equipped.
However, you can say the same about many other cars you could buy for this money. With either of these, you wouldn’t have to live with the Nitro’s terribly cheap interior, with its scratchy, sharp plastics. You also don’t have to live with the noisy 2.8-litre diesel engine or rampant fuel consumption. The Nitro isn’t great to drive either, with clunky handling and wandering steering.
So yeah, even though it’s cheap, there’s a reason for that. The Nitro is best left on the shelf.
This article will be updated with the latest advice.
For more buying guides (new and used cars) and expert advice, visit our Advice section or sign up to our newsletter here
To talk motoring to the Telegraph Cars team, join the Telegraph Motoring Club Facebook group here
AZ Car Finder