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Looking for a used SUV with an affordable price tag? Here’s our guide to the best cheap SUVs you can buy.
Updated: 3 January 2024
Although SUVs tend to cost more than equivalent hatchbacks or saloons there are lots of affordable SUV options if you know where to look. We’ve rounded up 12 great SUVs that are comparatively cheap to buy – most could be yours for less than £15,000 and some could even cost you a lot less!
The latest version of the Renault Captur is a great small SUV, but so is the previous one – and it’s much more affordable. Sold new between 2013 and 2019, the first-generation Captur is a stylish option that’s enjoyable to drive, is packed with features included as standard, and has low running costs to match its affordable purchase price.
With a range of trims to choose from and a choice of efficient petrol and diesel engines, it’s a great option. It’s also big enough to fit four adults with no problems, so it’s also great for family duties.
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The little Ford EcoSport might not have the outright space of some of Ford’s other SUVs, but it offers excellent value for money as a used car.
Around the same size as, but a lot taller than, a Fiesta hatchback, the EcoSport costs relatively little to buy and its running costs are low. Available with a manual or automatic gearbox, you can even get an EcoSport with four-wheel drive. Families may find it a touch small inside, but two adults up front will have no issues with space at all.
The Nissan Qashqai is another great family SUV that’s hard to beat for value. We’re focusing on the second-generation model (sold new from 2014 to 2021), which still looks sharp, offering a fine mix of tech, space and comfort.
It feels good to drive and is loaded with features included as standard and because so many were sold, you have lots of used examples to choose from. Look for a model from 2017 onwards if you want a slightly upgraded interior and extra tech, but earlier ones will cost you less.
The previous generation of Kia Sportage is one of the best all-round mid-size SUVs you can get. Sold new from 2016 to 2021, it has many things to recommend about it, but one of the most attractive is its seven-year, 100,000-mile Kia warranty which means that most used Sportage models are still covered.
Excellent value for money and with lots of passenger space, the Sportage also gives you a comfortable ride and has a very good reputation for reliability. In short, it ticks lots of boxes.
A tough and rugged affordable SUV that’s got space for all the family, the Nissan X-Trail is a lot of car for your money. Many versions have seven seats, and a large boot makes it super practical. Models with four-wheel drive have more than a little off-road capability and all versions of the X-Trail are very comfortable on the road, feeling rather luxurious.
For the best fuel economy go for one of the diesel models, although the petrol version makes more sense if you generally do lower mileage. Models from 2017 have extra safety features fitted as standard.
The Seat Ateca is proof that you can have a practical and affordable family car but still enjoy the driving experience.
As with the Seat brand overall, the Ateca has a sporty edge that makes it fun behind the wheel, but also fuel-efficient engines and lots of features included as standard. You’ll easily fit in four adults without complaints about headroom or legroom and you get lots of storage spaces, cubby holes and the like for storing bits and bobs. The boot’s a good size, too, making it a great family car.
This previous-generation Ford Kuga is a mid-size SUV that’s great value for money. Sold new from 2012 to 2020, it has loads of space for a family of four and is packed with useful features. You have loads of choice, too – you can opt for a manual gearbox or an automatic, four-wheel or two-wheel drive, a petrol or diesel engine and pick from a broad range of trim level to tailor your car to your budget.
The Kuga feels quite sporty to drive and versions from 2016 onwards have a relatively modern infotainment system. All models come equipped with air con and cruise control to make even long road trips comfortable and its boot is big enough to fit your gear for a week away.
The words ‘Audi’ and ‘affordable’ don’t always go together, but the previous-generation Audi Q3 is proof that you can get a proper premium SUV for a very reasonable amount of money.
This version, sold new from 2011 to 2018, still feels contemporary with its high-quality interior, fuel-efficient and smooth engines, and a very comfortable ride. There’s a good amount of space inside, and a decent-size boot that will easily house a pushchair and a few other bags. Engines range from smaller units that are cheap to run to more-powerful performance options, petrol or diesel.
If comfort is your priority, the Citroen C5 Aircross could be just what you’re looking for. It’s one of the most comfortable SUVs you can get, with a ride quality that massages away the worst that rough road surfaces have to offer.
Light steering and large door mirrors make manoeuvring around town easy, and it’s practical, too, with a big boot that’ll house just about anything a busy family needs. It’s particularly roomy inside, and it’s one of the few five-seater cars with Isofix child seat mounts for all three second-row seats.
The Dacia Duster is pretty much guaranteed to be included in any list of affordable SUVs and it’s no surprise because the Romanian brand specialises in offering tremendous value for money.
While it’s not the plushest of cars, it’s comfortable and costs less than just about any other SUV of a similar size and age. While entry-level models don’t have much in the way of creature comforts, higher-spec cars have a good level of features and are still very cost-effective.
The Land Rover Discovery Sport is remarkably affordable for a luxurious, spacious family SUV, and there are lots of them on the used market, giving you loads of choice.
With five- or seven-seat versions available, as well as numerous trim levels and some smooth and efficient petrol and diesel engines, it’s a secondhand bargain, especially if you ever need to do some light off-roading. There aren’t many family SUVs that are better in the rough stuff than a Land Rover, especially at this price point. All versions are spacious and generously equipped and you can even choose a plug-in hybrid model (although it’s likely to cost a bit more).
The BMW X3 is a premium mid-size SUV that adds some driving fun to a practical, luxurious car. While more recent models are still somewhat pricey, the cost of owning a previous-generation model – sold new between 2010 and 2017 – is much more affordable, and you still get the full BMW experience.
That means an engaging driving experience, strong engines and a beautifully made, stylish interior. Go for a car from 2014 onwards and you’ll find an even plusher interior and more up-to-date technology. The X3 is spacious, too, well capable of general family duties and with a boot that’s impressively large for this type of car.
You’ll find lots of used cars for sale at Cazoo, all available to buy through our trusted dealers.
Cazoo makes selling a car just as easy – just enter a few details for an instant online valuation. If you accept the offer our partners will get in touch to arrange payment and collection of your car at a time that suits you.
