Best used cars
What are the best used cars you can buy in 2026? We’ve rounded up our favourites in each category, from cost-effective city runarounds to seven-seat family heroes.
The Cazoo editorial team
Published on 08 January 2026 | 1 min read
Used cars have never been more in demand. They offer excellent value and you don't have to wait months for delivery like you often do with brand-new models.
To help you choose the one that’s right for you, we’ve selected what we think are the best used cars of 2026 in each of 15 key categories.
Best used city car: Kia Picanto
The Kia Picanto is proof that good things really do come in small packages. It’s perfect if you need something that can squeeze into tight parking spots but doesn't feel flimsy or basic inside. It’s got a surprising amount of character for such a little car.
We love the Picanto because it’s incredibly friendly on your wallet. It’s cheap to insure and run, but you still get plenty of kit. Plus, Kia offers a brilliant seven-year warranty from new. So, if you buy a used one that’s three or four years old, you’ve still got more warranty left than many new cars have when they leave the showroom. It’s peace of mind, wrapped in a fun little package.
Best used small car: Renault Clio
If you want a small car that feels a bit more grown-up, the Renault Clio is a fantastic shout. It’s got a certain French chic to it, with an interior that feels far posher than you might expect for the price.
The Clio is brilliant because it balances style with substance. It’s comfortable enough for motorway trips but agile enough for the school run. You also get a decent boot for a car of this size, meaning the weekly shop isn't a game of Tetris. It’s a car that looks good on your driveway and feels good to drive—a win-win in our book.
Best used hatchback: Mazda3
The hatchback market is crowded, but the Mazda3 stands out because it’s just stunning to look at. Mazda has nailed the design here; it’s sleek, sporty, and makes other hatchbacks look a bit dull by comparison.
But it’s not just a pretty face. Inside, everything feels premium and well-made, with buttons and dials that are satisfying to use. On the road, it’s a joy—Mazda focuses heavily on how a car feels to drive, and you can tell. It’s responsive and fun, making even a boring commute feel a little bit brighter. If you want a family hatch that doesn't feel like a compromise, this is the one.
Best used estate car: Skoda Superb
Sometimes, you just need space. Loads of it. And that is exactly where the Skoda Superb Estate shines. The boot is absolutely massive—seriously, you could probably move house with it.
Aside from being able to swallow luggage, dogs, and pushchairs with ease, the Superb is incredibly relaxing. It floats over bumps and keeps the noise of the outside world at bay. It’s honest, practical motoring at its best. You aren't paying for a fancy badge here; you're paying for clever engineering and huge amounts of legroom. It’s a car that just fits into family life without any fuss.
Best used family car: Skoda Kodiaq
Sticking with Skoda, the Kodiaq takes the prize for the best family car. Why? Because it understands what families actually need: durability, space, and clever touches that make life easier.
It’s a big, reassuring SUV that feels safe and solid. You can get it with five or seven seats, giving you flexibility for when your kids bring friends home. It handles the rough and tumble of family life brilliantly, shrugging off muddy boots and sticky fingers. It’s the kind of car that becomes part of the family—reliable, supportive, and ready for anything.
Best used compact SUV: Mazda CX-30
If you like the sound of the Mazda3 we mentioned earlier but want to sit a bit higher up, the Mazda CX-30 is your answer. It takes all that style and premium feel and lifts it into a rugged, compact SUV shape.
It’s perfect if you want the visibility of an SUV without driving something that feels like a tank. The plastic cladding around the wheels gives it a tough look, but inside it’s all elegance and comfort. It’s a car that makes you feel good every time you sit in the driver's seat, blending practicality with a genuine sense of luxury.
Best used SUV: Volvo XC60
When it comes to mid-sized SUVs, the Volvo XC60 is hard to beat. Volvo has a reputation for safety, and the XC60 is packed with features designed to look after you and your passengers. But it’s also incredibly cool in that understated, Scandinavian way.
The seats are some of the most comfortable you’ll ever sit in—great for long road trips. The interior is calm and minimalist, stripping away clutter to leave a space that feels relaxing. It’s a car that lowers your heart rate after a stressful day, wrapping you in a cocoon of safety and style.
Best used 4x4: Land Rover Discovery
If your weekends involve muddy fields, towing horseboxes, or just carrying seven people in absolute comfort, the Land Rover Discovery is a legend for a reason. It’s a proper go-anywhere vehicle that doesn't ask you to sacrifice luxury.
The Discovery is huge inside. Even adults can sit in the very back row without feeling cramped, which is rare. It drives beautifully on the road, but it’s unstoppable off it. owning one feels a bit like having a superpower—you know that whatever the weather or the terrain, you’ll get where you’re going.
Best used MPV: SEAT Alhambra
MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicles) might have gone out of fashion a bit, but for pure family practicality, nothing beats them. And the SEAT Alhambra is the king of the castle. The secret weapon here? Sliding rear doors.
If you’ve ever tried to strap a toddler into a car seat in a narrow parking space, you’ll know sliding doors are a lifesaver. The Alhambra is cavernous inside, with three individual seats in the middle row, so no one has to squish. It’s not trying to be a sporty SUV; it’s unashamedly a family bus, and it does that job better than almost anything else.
Best used seven-seater: Volvo XC90
If you need seven seats but want something with a premium badge and serious style, the Volvo XC90 is the one. It’s the big brother to the XC60 and offers all the same safety and comfort, just on a grander scale.
It’s a truly lovely place to spend time. The materials feel expensive, the stereo systems are often incredible, and it handles its size with grace. Even with all seven seats up, you still have a usable boot. It’s the ultimate school-run status symbol, but it backs up the image with genuine capability and comfort.
Best used hybrid car: Toyota Yaris
Toyota basically invented the modern hybrid game, and the Yaris shows they still do it best. It’s a "self-charging" hybrid, which means you don't need to worry about plugging it in. You just drive it like a normal car, and it sorts out the electric magic in the background.
The result is incredible fuel economy, especially around town where it spends a lot of time running on electricity alone. It’s reliable, easy to drive, and surprisingly nippy. If you want to cut your fuel bills without changing your lifestyle, the Yaris is a brilliant companion.
Best used plug-in hybrid (PHEV): Hyundai Tucson PHEV
The Hyundai Tucson PHEV is a head-turner. With its futuristic "angel wing" lights hidden in the grille, it looks like nothing else on the road. But beyond the looks, it’s a very sensible choice.
As a plug-in hybrid, it has a battery you can charge up at home. This gives you around 30 miles of pure electric driving—plenty for most daily commutes or school runs. If you keep it charged, you’ll hardly use any petrol. When you want to go further, the petrol engine kicks in seamlessly. It’s spacious, high-tech, and offers the best of both worlds.
Best used electric car: Vauxhall Corsa Electric
Making the switch to electric can feel daunting, but the Vauxhall Corsa Electric makes it easy. It looks just like a normal Corsa, it drives like a normal Corsa – it just happens to be electric. It's also depreciated heavily like a normal Corsa, and while that's bad news if you're selling your two or three-year old example, it's great news if you're buying!
The Corsa is nippy, quiet, and very easy to live with. The range is decent for a car of this size, easily handling daily duties. Because it’s so popular, there are plenty of used ones to choose from, making it an affordable entry point into EV ownership. It’s a normal car for people who want to go green without making a fuss about it.
Best used coupe: Toyota GT86
Driving isn't just about getting from A to B; sometimes it’s about the smile on your face. The Toyota GT86 is pure joy on four wheels. It’s not about having huge amounts of power or terrifying speed; it’s about handling and fun.
It’s a proper sports car layout—engine at the front, driving the rear wheels—which makes it feel balanced and agile. The steering talks to you, letting you know exactly what the tyres are doing. It’s a car for people who love driving, offering thrills at legal speeds without costing the earth to run.
Best used convertible: Mazda MX-5
We end our list with an icon. The Mazda MX-5 is the world’s best-selling roadster for a reason. It’s small, light, and reliable. Dropping the roof takes seconds, letting the sunshine in and transforming even a boring drive into an event.
Like the GT86, it’s not about raw power. It’s about the feeling of connection with the road. The gear change is snappy, the engine is eager, and the whole car feels eager to please. If you want a weekend toy or a daily driver that brings joy to every journey, the MX-5 is unbeatable.
