Best used crossover cars

You’ve probably heard the term ‘crossover’ applied to cars, but we wouldn’t blame you if you don’t know what it means.

The truth is that there’s no hard-and-fast definition. However, the common consensus is that a crossover is a car that looks like an SUV (you might call it a 4x4) thanks to its high ground clearance and rugged design but which has no more off-roading ability than your average hatchback due to the fact it has two-wheel drive rather than four-wheel drive. 

There are plenty of examples that blur the boundaries, but in essence a crossover is more about style than anything else and people love them because they mix a tough image with impressive practicality. They’re hugely popular, which means there are lots of used crossovers to choose from – here’s our guide to the best used crossovers you can buy, listed from smallest to largest.

It may be the smallest car here, but the Seat Arona is one of the best crossovers we can think of. It’s exceptional value for money, good to drive and good to look at.  

Every car produced by Spanish brand Seat has a youthful, contemporary look and the Arona is a great example. With a wealth of different colour and trim options available, there’s an Arona to suit any taste, from restrained and refined to loud and colourful and everything in between. 

Equally lovable is the fact that the Arona crams so much interior space into such a compact package. There’s a remarkable amount of headroom and legroom, as well as some handy storage spaces for clutter. The interior is also well made and full of smart tech features, while the Arona uses the same up-to-date engines as other VW Group products, such as the Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Fabia, so it offers a fine blend of performance and efficiency.

Citroen’s cars are often quirky and fun and the C3 Aircross is a perfect case in point. It’s one of the most distinctive-looking crossovers around, with styling that’s an irresistible mix of cute and futuristic. It’s just as unmistakable inside and there are a huge variety of colour and trim options that mean you can choose one that fits your tastes perfectly. 

The C3 Aircross is more than just a pretty face though. It makes a great little family car, with an airy interior and raised seating that gives everyone a good view out. The boot is massive for a car of this type, while all of the engines available are impressively smooth and efficient .

Renault is perhaps better known for small cars and MPVs than for crossovers, but it applied all its knowledge from those sectors to create the Captur, which is one of the most cost-effective and practical crossovers around.

The interior is a triumph of clever packaging, with a huge amount of legroom and boot space for such a small car. There are useful MPV tricks too, such as a sliding back seat that allows you to prioritise passenger or boot space and big storage spaces at the bottom of the dashboard.

Ownership costs are low thanks to the Captur’s competitive prices and small, fuel-efficient engines and the driving experience is a great mix of city-friendly nimbleness and good comfort at speed. If all this wasn’t enough the Captur looks great and is available in some very distinctive colour combinations.

Read our Renault Captur review

Few small crossovers are as eye-catching as the Hyundai Kona – with its chunky wheel arches, sleek roofline and angular front grille and headlights it really stands out from the crowd.

It sets itself apart from the norm in other ways too, with more equipment than you get with most rivals and a five-year warranty rather than the conventional three years of cover.

The Kona’s sporty shape means it’s not as practical as some rivals but you still get more interior and boot space than you would with a small hatchback and the sharp design and good quality help to make it a great place to spend time.

The Audi Q2 is the brand’s smallest in its range of ‘Q’ models and it’s a bit different to the rest. Whereas the others – especially the huge Q7 – have a more conventional SUV appearance the Q2 is a bit sportier, with a comparatively low roof line. There are lots of different trim and colour options too, with the option of contrasting colours for the roof, door mirrors and C pillars (the bits behind the rear side windows). 

What the Q2 has in common with every Audi is a smart image and an interior that has a higher-quality look and feel than that of most rivals. It’s a really luxurious environment and it’s also comfortable thanks to supportive seats and a user-friendly dashboard. While you’ll pay a bit more for the Q2 than you would for most rivals, it’s a lovely car to drive and comes with all the high-tech features you’d expect of an Audi.

If you want your crossover with hybrid power look no further than the brilliant Kia Niro. In fact, there are two versions to choose from – the standard hybrid model that you don’t need to charge up and a plug-in hybrid version that costs a bit more but gives you better fuel economy and allows you to travel on electric power alone for short journeys. 

If that sounds appealing the Niro has plenty more to recommend it. It’s very practical, for a start, with very generous space for people and a similarly accommodating boot. Kia’s solid reliability record is another plus point, as is a class-leading seven-year warranty that transfers to future owners. Buy a used one and enjoy the benefits of what’s left.

If we had to name one car responsible for bringing the word ‘crossover’ into the public domain it would have to be the Nissan Qashqai. When the first version was launched it was a real game-changer that showed car buyers wanted something with the character and practicality of an SUV, but without the high costs and huge size that traditionally went with them.

The latest (second-generation) Qashqai brings the successful formula up to date and it remains one of the best crossovers you can buy. It’s got everything you’re likely to want, from a smooth drive to an interior that’s comfortable and offers space for all the family. There are lots of useful high-tech features available too, including a 360-degree camera that gives you a birds-eye view of what’s around you to help you park perfectly every time.

Read our Nissan Qashqai review

You’ll find a crossover to suit all tastes and budgets at Cazoo. Use our search function to find one you love, buy it online and then have it delivered to your door or choose to collect it from your nearest Cazoo Customer Centre.

We're constantly updating and adding to our stock so if you can't find one within your budget today, check back soon to see what's available.