Audi Q2

Volkswagen T-Cross

Ford Puma

Skoda Karoq

Volkswagen Taigo

Mazda CX-30

Jeep Avenger

Toyota C-HR

best-used-small-suvs-for-less-than-pound10000

It's fair to say that many car-buyers have&nbsp;fallen in love with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-suv">small SUVs</a>, turning their backs on more conventional&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small">hatchbacks</a>&nbsp;in favour of these rugged-looking tots.&nbsp;And why not? Today’s best combine a high driving position with a&nbsp;practical and versatile interior that offers room for the whole family, yet they're still easy to drive and park.

Thanks to booming sales, there’s now a massive choice on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">used car market</a>. And despite the recent sharp rise in the price of all used cars, there are still bargains to be had. Here, we’ve rounded up our top 10&nbsp;for less than a bargain-bucket £10,000, to help you work out which one’s best for you.

Best used small SUVs for less than £10,000

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

FIAT

500X

The stylish&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500x/estate/used-review/n911">Fiat 500X</a>&nbsp;works for families looking for a more interesting alternative to some of its more humdrum rivals. It has the look of the cutesy-pie&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/used-review/n323">500 hatchback</a>, of course (in the same way a snake looks when it's swallowed a small animal). You can expect a snazzy interior and decent refinement, though.

We Found:&nbsp;2017 Fiat 500X 1.6 eTorq Popstar, 28,000 miles, £9550&nbsp;

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/fiat/500?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp">here</a>

10: Fiat 500X

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Decent refinement</li>
	<li>Numb steering</li>
	<li>Classy cabin</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Numb steering</li>
	<li>Slow automatic gearbox</li>
	<li>Rear seat flexibility</li>
</ul>

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

CROSSLAND X

For our budget, you can pick yourself up a good 2017 example of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/crossland-x/estate/used-review/n994">Vauxhall Crossland X</a>,&nbsp;making it a bargain here like the Fiat 500X we've just listed. It's got a big boot and plenty of space so it&nbsp;makes practical sense, too. Indeed, it'll bring&nbsp;you all the practicalities&nbsp;of a small SUV, although we have to&nbsp;admit that, like the 500X, it's&nbsp;not the greatest to drive.

We found:&nbsp;2017&nbsp;Vauxhall Crossland X 1.2 Ecotech SE, 22,000 miles, £9995&nbsp;

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/vauxhall/crossland-x?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

9: Vauxhall Crossland X

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Perky 1.2 turbo petrol</li>
	<li>Big boot</li>
	<li>Low price</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Body roll</li>
	<li>Road noise</li>
	<li>Harsh ride</li>
</ul>

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

HR-V

Versatile seating and a smart interior make the high-quality&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/hr-v/hatchback/used-review/n17417">Honda HR-V</a>&nbsp;an appealing buy. You can add top-notch reliability and&nbsp;Honda&nbsp;dealers' excellent record for customer service to the pluses too. Alas, earlier cars were a bit noisy and had a bumpy ride, and it's not the best value in this&nbsp;class.

We found:&nbsp;2016&nbsp;Honda HR-V 1.5 i-VTEC S, 30,000 miles, £9995&nbsp;

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/honda/hr-v?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

8: Honda HR-V

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Clever rear seats</li>
	<li>Robust build quality</li>
	<li>Punchy diesel engine</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Diesel engine is noisy</li>
	<li>Wooden ride quality</li>
	<li>Not cheap to buy used</li>
</ul>

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition. In fact, it&nbsp;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 a tiny EV (the Ami) through to the C3 small hatchback and&nbsp;the large van-based&nbsp;Spacetourer MPV.

Its range of SUVs are all badged Aircross, and like the rest of its range place emphasis on comfort, not speed.

CITROEN

C3 AIRCROSS

Based on the cheap-as-chips&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c3/hatchback/used-review/n902">Citroen C3</a>&nbsp;hatchback,&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c3-aircross/hatchback/used-review/n18783">Aircross</a>&nbsp;mixes funky styling with&nbsp;flexible interior seating, and it certainly stands&nbsp;apart&nbsp;from its rivals. You can also get a really good example for our £10,000&nbsp;budget.&nbsp;It's just a shame the driving experience is not quite a match for those desirable looks.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2017&nbsp;Citroen C3 Aircross 1.2 110 Puretech Feel, 12,000 miles, £9500&nbsp;

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/citroen/c3-aircross?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

7: Citroen C3 Aircross

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Strong turbocharged 1.2-litre engine</li>
	<li>Flexible seating</li>
	<li>Standard safety tech</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Basic model has bland interior</li>
	<li>Fiddly infotainment</li>
	<li>Disappointing to drive</li>
</ul>

Talk about taking an idea and running with it. The big-selling Mini hatchback is still at the core of the firm’s range, but its cute styling and relatively compact dimensions have been spun off into an estate (the Clubman) and an SUV (the Countryman), as well as a convertible.

Despite its small size, the Mini is a firmly premium product, and the three-door hatchback counts the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo among its key rivals.

The fact that Mini is owned by BMW brings some big advantages –&nbsp;not least the fact that its infotainment system is based on BMW’s industry-leading iDrive.

MINI

COUNTRYMAN

Let's face it, there are loads of&nbsp;used small SUVs out there, but very few have that extra&nbsp;panache to make them stand out from the masses. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/countryman/hatchback/used-review/n887">Mini Countryman</a>, though, is stuffed with so many retro styling cues that you couldn't mistake it for anything else.&nbsp;It's fun and fashionable, but its ride is a bit firm, it's not the most spacious and, because its used prices have risen sharply recently, it's still a little&nbsp;expensive.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2015&nbsp;Mini Countryman 1.6&nbsp;Cooper D All4, 30,000 miles, £9995&nbsp;

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/mini/countryman?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

6: Mini Countryman

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Neat handling</li>
	<li>Potent engines</li>
	<li>Large boot</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Unsettled ride</li>
	<li>Average rear space</li>
	<li>Expensive to buy</li>
</ul>

Mazda can be summed up in a single word: bold. Not only do its cars generally look like nothing else on the market, but it’s also invested heavily in innovative engine technology.

So, while many car makers have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, Mazda instead offers larger motors that are still efficient. For example, the entry-level petrol option in the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-litre unit –&nbsp;far larger than what you’ll find in most rivals – but it remains very clean.

Highlights of Mazda’s line-up include the MX-5 sports car, which has won our Convertible of the Year Award multiple times, and the CX-5 large SUV, which was named as our inaugural best car for dog owners.

MAZDA

CX-3

It’s rare to find a car in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-suv">small SUV</a>&nbsp;class that’s both smart and engaging, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/cx-3/hatchback/used-review/n17568">Mazda CX-3</a>&nbsp;seems to pull it off. For starters, the mature design manages to be stylish without trying too hard to be fashionable. There's also just enough of Mazda’s sporty DNA to make it satisfying to drive. The ride is a little firm, though, and rear space is tight.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2016 Mazda CX-3 1.5d&nbsp;SE&nbsp;Nav, 20,800 miles, £9995&nbsp;

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/mazda/cx-3?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

5: Mazda CX-3

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Stylish looks</li>
	<li>Lively petrol engines</li>
	<li>Engaging handling</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Firm ride</li>
	<li>Limited rear seat space</li>
	<li>Unimpressive petrol CO2 emissions</li>
</ul>

Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning&nbsp;it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of all its cars is design, with them instantly recognisable as members of the Renault family, without being so similar that they fall&nbsp;into the Russian doll trap. However, in terms of ability they're a mixed bag,&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from very good to no better than average.

Models that fall into the former camp include the Clio small hatchback and Megane E-Tech electric car, while the smaller Zoe electric car is also impressive in most respects; it's just a pity Renault omits key safety kit.

On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.

Renault has some exciting new models planned, including a new Scenic (this time it will be an electric SUV instead of a conventionally powered MPV) and two cars that reimagine classic Renaults: the 4 and 5.

RENAULT

CAPTUR

This first-generation and immensely popular&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/captur/hatchback/used-review/n845">Renault Captur</a>&nbsp;is a good car if you want small hatchback size and costs but with a slightly elevated driving position. The good news is you can get a good 2017&nbsp;one for our budget, but the bad news is the quality is a bit poor and it's not as spacious in the back as some of the rivals we've picked out.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2017&nbsp;Renault Captur 0.9 TCE 90 Play, 40,000 miles, £10,000&nbsp;

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/renault/captur?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

4: Renault Captur

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Practical interior</li>
	<li>Impressive refinement</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Pre-facelift Captur has poor interior quality</li>
	<li>Some engines have weak performance</li>
	<li>Rear leg room can be tight</li>
</ul>

Suzuki is well known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but the car brand has been enjoying decent success in recent years, thanks to a line-up of neat, well-equipped and keenly priced models.

Its expertise focuses on smaller cars, although its high-riding SUV range is also hugely credible, especially the Ignis and Vitara, which are both rated highly by What Car?’s testers and which have enjoyed success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

Well priced, decent to drive and full of useful tech, Suzuki’s cars also generally stand out for delivering good fuel economy. The Ignis, Celerio and Baleno have all stood head and shoulders above the competition during our True MPG testing.

SUZUKI

IGNIS

A bit of a wildcard, this, because you can pick up a 2018&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/ignis/hatchback/used-review/n933">Suzuki Ignis</a>&nbsp;for our money, but the truth is that it's smaller and less spacious than most of the other cars we've listing. Why is it here? Because it's great fun to drive, and to look at. It's a characterful city car, and about the only option if you need four-wheel drive or hybrid technology in one this size.

We found:&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Suzuki Ignis 1.2 Dualjet 12v&nbsp;hybrid SZT, 13,000 miles, £9995&nbsp;

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/suzuki/ignis?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

3: Suzuki Ignis

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Spacious for a city car</li>
	<li>Most models well equipped</li>
	<li>Agile in corners</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Jiggly ride quality</li>
	<li>Vague steering</li>
	<li>Fiddly touchscreen system</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.

STONIC

All Kia cars&nbsp;come with a seven-year warranty from new, so if you buy a three-year-old Stonic you'll have plenty of cover&nbsp;left. Not that you should need much of it – according to What Car? surveys,&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/stonic/estate/used-review/n18483">Kia Stonic</a>&nbsp;is one of the more reliable small SUVs. It's also a&nbsp;fine and capable car&nbsp;with plenty of equipment, although&nbsp;the firm ride can be&nbsp;an acquired taste.

We found:&nbsp;2017&nbsp;Kia Stonic 1.6 CRDi&nbsp;2, 48,000 miles, £10,000&nbsp;

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/kia/stonic?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

2: Kia Stonic

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Punchy 1.0-litre engine</li>
	<li>Plenty of standard equipment</li>
	<li>Agile handling</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Firm ride</li>
	<li>Lack of adjustable lumbar support</li>
	<li>Rivals are more practical</li>
</ul>

VITARA

Thanks to its squared-off corners, raised ride height and the option of four-wheel drive, the practical&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/vitara/4x4/used-review/n882">Suzuki Vitara</a>&nbsp;has some of the off-road abilities people associate with larger SUVs. Its also well-equipped, spacious and even fun to drive, with a good balance between ride and handling. Our budget buys you a four-year-old&nbsp;car with a low mileage.

We found:&nbsp;2017&nbsp;Suzuki Vitara 1.6&nbsp;Boosterjet SZ4, 32,000 miles, £9990&nbsp;

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/suzuki/vitara?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

1: Suzuki Vitara

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good driving manners</li>
	<li>Spacious and practical interior</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>High emissions on some petrol models</li>
	<li>Diesel engines can be noisy</li>
	<li>Some of the trim feels flimsy</li>
</ul>

<hr />
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<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-small-suvs-2022/n17050">Next: Best small SUVs 2022 &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Running costs that won’t break the bank </li> <li>Generous kit</li> <li>Pokey engine and tidy handling</li> <li>Spacious interior</li> <li>Boot big enough to cope with family life</li></ul>

The car-buying public has fallen in love with small SUVs, or crossovers as they’re often called, with thousands turning away from conventional hatchbacks in favour of something that rides that little bit higher.

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Small SUVs blend practicality with value and are some of the most popular used cars in the UK right now. Here are our top 10 favourites for less than £10,000...

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Best used small SUVs for less than £10,000

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