best-used-large-suvs-for-less-than-pound20000

Practicality, refinement, ruggedness: there are many reasons why&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/large-suvs/n17006">large SUVs</a>&nbsp;have taken off in popularity in recent years. It's one of the most desirable classes around, as well as tending to be a pricey one.

But don't panic. You see you can save a hefty sum of money by buying a large SUV used instead of new. There are&nbsp;plenty of fantastic candidates for your consideration, so we've put together 10 of our favourites that are available for less than £20,000.

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile

Best used large SUVs for less than £20,000

Estate

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

TARRACO

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/tarraco/estate/review/n17865">Seat Tarraco</a>&nbsp;is a very practical and oft-overlooked&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/7-seat-cars/n2344">large SUV</a>&nbsp;closely related to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kodiaq/estate/review/n17362">Skoda Kodiaq</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/tiguan-allspace/estate/review/n17379">Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace</a>.&nbsp;There’s a lot to like about it&nbsp;because it’s one of the sportier seven-seaters to drive, is generously equipped and has a very good safety rating.&nbsp;We recommend sticking with the cheapest 1.5 EcoTSI 150 petrol engine and the entry-level SE trim because it's great value.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2020 Seat Tarraco 1.5 EcoTSI 150 SE, 26,000&nbsp;miles, £18,995

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">here</a>

10: Seat Tarraco

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good ride and handling balance</li>
	<li>Smart interior</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Third-row seats cramped</li>
	<li>Not as versatile as some</li>
	<li>The clutch on manuals can be sharp</li>
	<li>Reliability mixed</li>
</ul>

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

There's no doubt&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/used-review/n18008">the latest third-generation, 2018-onwards version of the premium X3</a>&nbsp;is a terrific car, but you won't get one for our budget. Don't fear, though, because this older second-gen car is still well worth considering. It performs admirably and is supremely classy, comfortable and good to drive. It's practical, too, and comes with a great infotainment system. It would have finished even higher if it weren't for the fact it's quite a pricey used proposition.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2018&nbsp;BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport, 50,000 miles, £19,000

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/bmw/x3?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

9: BMW X3

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Spacious and classy interior</li>
	<li>Fun to drive</li>
	<li>Plenty of equipment</li>
	<li>Great infotainment system</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>BMW reliability can be a little mixed</li>
	<li>No seven-seat option</li>
	<li>Hard ride on M Sport versions</li>
</ul>

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

SANTA FE

The previous-gen&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/santa-fe/4x4/review/n68">Hyundai Santa Fe</a>&nbsp;is an immensely practical large SUV. It's roomy, with seven seats, and has a spacious boot. Its diesel engine may be somewhat gruff, but&nbsp;it's reasonably punchy and endows it with&nbsp;acceptable running costs. It's fantastic at towing as well, with manual models having a maximum capacity of 2.5 tonnes.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 Premium SE, 40,000&nbsp;miles, £17,995

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/hyundai/santa-fe?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=KT12%205BF&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

8: Hyundai Santa Fe

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Practical interior</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
	<li>Comfortable ride</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Below-par refinement</li>
	<li>Can be thirsty</li>
	<li>Limited head room in third row</li>
</ul>

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

SORENTO

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sorento/4x4/review/n18">Kia Sorento</a>&nbsp;is mechanically very similar to the 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, and that's no bad thing;&nbsp;it shares a lot of that car's plus points. The model's&nbsp;diesel engine is rather good.&nbsp;It really shines when it comes to practicality though;&nbsp;it's&nbsp;hugely spacious, with&nbsp;seven seats on offer and a large boot. It ranks slightly higher than the Santa Fe because it's that bit more refined and has a nicer interior.

We found:&nbsp;2019&nbsp;Kia Sorento 2.2 KX-2, 44,000&nbsp;miles, £18,700

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/kia/sorento?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=KT12%205BF&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

7: Kia Sorento

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Big and practical interior</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
	<li>Good towing ability</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Vague steering</li>
	<li>High CO2 emissions</li>
	<li>Cumbersome handling</li>
</ul>

Hatchback

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition, featuring paintwork-protecting ‘Airbumps’ and eschewing the sporty looks favoured by most rivals.

Indeed, Citroën tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from small hatchbacks (such as the C1 and C3) to big, family-friendly seven-seaters (the Spacetourer and Grand C4 Spacetourer).

The C3 Aircross SUV is another of its popular models, while a larger C5 Aircross is planned.

CITROEN

C5 AIRCROSS

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c5-aircross/hatchback/review/n18246">Citroen C5 Aircross</a>&nbsp;is one funky large SUV; however, it's not all form and no function. It's impressively comfortable, quiet and efficient on the road. Plus,&nbsp;there are plenty of examples that are under a year old with low mileage going for under £20,000 on the used market. It doesn't have seven seats, but if you don't mind that, there's little to leave&nbsp;you wanting.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2023&nbsp;Citroen C5 Aircross 1.2 Puretech&nbsp;130 Flair, 25,000 miles, £19,495

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/citroen/c5-aircross?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=KT12%205BF&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

6: Citroën C5 Aircross

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Mostly smooth ride</li>
	<li>Quiet interior even at motorway speeds</li>
	<li>Efficient engines</li>
	<li>Good value used</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Wallows in corners</li>
	<li>No seven-seat version</li>
	<li>Question mark over long-term reliability</li>
</ul>

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

XC60

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc60/estate/review/n17339">Volvo XC60</a>&nbsp;is a great used buy. It's&nbsp;classy inside, roomy and well-equipped. Its well-proportioned design oozes class inside and out. There's a Scandinavian-style feel to its lovely&nbsp;interior that’s flooded with light and loaded with leather, which gives the car a terrific upmarket feel.&nbsp;The driving position is superb, thanks to plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and the comfortable and supportive driver’s seat.&nbsp;There’s a good choice of engines and, on the optional air suspension, the ride is excellent. Reliability's good, too.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2019 Volvo XC60 D5 Momentum, 30,000 miles, £19,500

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">here</a>

5: Volvo XC60

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>High-quality interior</li>
	<li>Superb driving position</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Not as quiet as its rivals</li>
	<li>Shallow boot</li>
	<li>Uninspiring handling</li>
</ul>

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

KODIAQ

Classy, spacious and economical: that's the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kodiaq/estate/review/n17362">Skoda Kodiaq</a>. It's extremely well-rounded and very easy to live with. It's&nbsp;available with a great range of petrol and diesel engines, two particular highlights being the smooth and efficient 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel unit and&nbsp;the punchy, economical 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol. And if you need&nbsp;seven seats,&nbsp;you'll find examples with just that quota.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2020&nbsp;Skoda Kodiaq 1.4 TSI&nbsp;SE, 31,000&nbsp;miles, £20,000&nbsp;

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/skoda/kodiaq?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=KT12%205BF&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

4: Skoda Kodiaq

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Classy and spacious interior</li>
	<li>Smooth 2.0 diesel engine</li>
	<li>Good value for money</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Unsettled low-speed ride</li>
	<li>Kia Sorento is more practical</li>
</ul>

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

KUGA

Previous generations of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/kuga/4x4/review/n57">Ford Kuga</a>&nbsp;had been good-looking and popular cars but not models that particularly set the market on fire or moved the game on in any great way. However, this latest third-generation car has grown in size and gained a new look and adopted some more modern technology including mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. It's&nbsp;a very likeable, practical&nbsp;and efficient large SUV that's also great&nbsp;value used. Our money buys a year-old car.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2022 Ford Kuga 1.5 Ecoblue Zetec, 18,000 miles, £19,995

Find a used one for sale<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/mazda/cx-5?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=KT12%205BF&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">&nbsp;here</a>

3: Ford Kuga

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Spacious interior</li>
	<li>Efficient plug-in hybrid version</li>
	<li>Great value bought used</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Interior quality not as good as some</li>
	<li>Infotainment not the best</li>
	<li>Boot not as big as some rivals</li>
</ul>

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

This&nbsp;latest generation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q5/4x4/review/n41#introduction">Audi Q5</a>&nbsp;can now be had for our budget. It's a fantastic large SUV, with sharp handling, good performance and a classy interior. There's also a variety of punchy, yet economical engines to choose from. If you want a really premium-feeling SUV it's the one to go for, though, thanks to that plush interior and its refinement on the road. Only its relatively high price and lack of a seven-seat option prevents it from stealing the show here.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2019&nbsp;Audi Q5 2.0 Quattro S Line, 77,000 miles, £20,000

Find a used one for sale<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/audi/q5?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=KT12%205BF&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">&nbsp;here</a>

2: Audi Q5

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Smooth and punchy engines</li>
	<li>High-quality interior</li>
	<li>Relatively modest running costs</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Steering could be more involving</li>
	<li>No seven-seat option</li>
	<li>You need air suspension or non-sport suspension for the best ride</li>
</ul>

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

5008

Our number one recommendation here is the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/5008/estate/review/n17369">Peugeot 5008</a>. It has the most plus points out of any car on this list;&nbsp;it's extremely practical, spacious and comfortable, and its engines are excellent. It's refined, too, and good to drive. Not to mention it's still really stylish inside and out, with a surprisingly plush interior finish. This seven-seater won't disappoint,&nbsp;and with prices starting at around £16,000&nbsp;it offers almost unrivalled value for money in the segment.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2021&nbsp;Peugeot 5008 1.2 Puretech 130 Allure, 43,000&nbsp;miles, £20,000

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/peugeot/5008?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=KT12%205BF&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

1: Peugeot 5008

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Stylish and practical inside</li>
	<li>Decent ride and handling</li>
	<li>Flexible seating</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Not as well equipped as some rivals</li>
	<li>Head room limited by panoramic roof</li>
	<li>Slow-witted infotainment</li>
</ul>

<hr />
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter&nbsp;<a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement.

A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.

Large SUV

Not all large SUVs cost a fortune. There are some excellent examples out there for very reasonable money on the used market. Here are 10 of our favourites

LATEST DEALS:

Best used large SUVs for less than £20,000

Not all large SUVs cost a fortune. There are some excellent examples out there for very reasonable money on the used market. Here are 10 of our favourites...

Best 7-seat cars 2024 – and the ones to avoid

Genesis GV70 long-term test

New Lexus NX vs used BMW X5

Best used large SUVs for less than £25,000

Best used large SUVs for less than £25,000

What Car? Reliability Survey: Most and least reliable large SUVs

Genesis GV70 long-term test: report 5

Lexus RZ long-term review: report 2

The best SUV company cars you can get in the UK

Also consider

Quick search

Tools & services

Legal bits

Information