Hyundai Tucson

Cupra Formentor

Mazda CX-5

Honda CR-V

Nissan Qashqai

New Audi Q5

Cupra Ateca

MG HS

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

So you fancy the on-trend practicality of an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">SUV</a>&nbsp;but can't commit to a huge spend? Don't worry,&nbsp;there are still many&nbsp;used examples to choose from at surprisingly modest prices.&nbsp;Here, we’ve picked out 10&nbsp;SUVs of varying sizes that we think will fit a variety of different bills, all for an upper price limit of £10,000.

You can choose from SUVs both big and small, depending on your needs, but whatever the dimensions there are many qualities that all these cars share, including a spacious and versatile interior and a relaxing drive.

Our top team of used car testers have been on the case and if you want to know which car they rate above all others read on. Click on the links below each review and you can even put one of the cars on your driveway.

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile

Best used SUVs for less than £10,000

Hatchback

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

KADJAR

Handsome, spacious and cheap to run, the Renault Kadjar is a fine family SUV that built on the success of its smaller sibling, the Captur. It shares a lot of its underpinnings with the highly successful second-generation Nissan Qashqai. Its interior quality is a little mixed but&nbsp;its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2022-what-car-reliability-survey/n23397">reliability record</a>&nbsp;has improved immeasurably over recent years, so this could be all the workhorse you'll need.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"When is a Qashqai not a Qashqai? When it's a Kadjar. This is the unknown twin and a good car for SUV work. Good value too. And look at that great reliability rating." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Renault Kadjar 1.5 dCi Dynamique Nav, 52,000&nbsp;miles, £9990

10: Renault Kadjar

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Spacious interior</li>
	<li>Bigger boot than sibling Nissan Qashqai</li>
	<li>Quiet petrol engines</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>So-so quality</li>
	<li>Grabby brakes</li>
	<li>Choppy ride on big alloys</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.

SPORTAGE

The previous-generation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/review/n17352">Kia Sportage</a>&nbsp;has a spacious and practical interior, perfect for families, and is now great value bought used. True, the Sportage is not quite as engaging to drive as some of its rivals, but it betters many of them in so many other areas that it's a worthy contender here. It's a seriously good SUV and its looks will impress the neighbours, too. A previous number one in this list, its poor showing for the 2018-2021&nbsp;cars in our most recent reliability survey relegates it down the chart here.&nbsp;

"The Sportage is a car that has improved immeasurably over the years. This model was the first that was good to drive and really practical. I love the looks of it and at this price it's very desirable." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi 1, 52,000 miles, £9990

9: Kia Sportage

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Spacious and practical interior ideal for families</li>
	<li>Good value for money as a used buy</li>
	<li>Petrol-engined Sportages have a good reliability record</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Diesel-engined cars have a poor reliability record</li>
	<li>Handling is not particularly engaging or fun</li>
	<li>Ride can be badly unsettled by larger wheel options</li>
	<li>Some interior materials do not feel as premium as its rivals</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

KONA

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/kona/hatchback/review/n17377">Hyundai Kona</a>&nbsp;is more than just a good-looking and reliable SUV. It offers decent performance, good practicality, plenty of standard equipment and a solid and classy interior&nbsp;that few of its competitors can match. The more expensive all-electric version is worth a look, too, if you can stretch to it. But it's the petrol-engined car's value for money that shines, though, because you can put a really good and clean example&nbsp;on your driveway for well within our budget here.&nbsp;

We found&nbsp;2019 Hyundai Kona 1.0 T-GDi SE, 53,000&nbsp;miles, £8995

8: Hyundai Kona

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Decent performance</li>
	<li>Generous kit</li>
	<li>Good infotainment</li>
	<li>Terrific reliability</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Bumpy ride on 18in wheels</li>
	<li>Not as practical as some more modern rivals</li>
	<li>Auto braking not standard</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

VITARA

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/vitara/4x4/review/n76">Suzuki Vitara</a>&nbsp;is good to drive, has a comfortable ride, loads of interior space, and a good touchscreen infotainment system in SZ-T trim or higher. On top of that, its<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2022-what-car-reliability-survey/n23397">&nbsp;reliability record</a>&nbsp;is very strong and it's also surprisingly economical. It's been on sale since 2015 so there's plenty of choice on the used forecourts, but our £10k budget now buys you a good 2019 car with a low mileage.

"Compact and boxy but to my eyes a handsome beast in the way a small SUV should be. The Vitara is maybe not the last word in refinement but it is surprisingly practical." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found&nbsp;2019 Suzuki Vitara 1.6 SZ4, 38,000 miles, £9500

7: Suzuki Vitara

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good driving manners</li>
	<li>Spacious and practical interior</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
	<li>Reliability very strong</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</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>

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

QASHQAI

The very apogee of the family SUV, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/review/n7">Nissan Qashqai</a>&nbsp;has pointed the way for all others since it started the trend way back in 2008. This second-generation version really upped the game when it was introduced in 2014. It's immensely practical and spacious inside, and comfortable. It's had a few average showings in our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2022-what-car-reliability-survey/n23397">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>&nbsp;but our recent results have given it an above-average marking. &nbsp;

"The one that started the trend for family SUVs and still a good car today. This model I ran as a long-termer and found it spacious and comfortable for my family needs." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found&nbsp;2019&nbsp;Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DIG-T Acenta, 55,000 miles, £9700

6: Nissan Qashqai

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Smooth ride over rough road surfaces</li>
	<li>Spacious interior with plenty of storage options</li>
	<li>Strong fuel economy, especially on diesel options</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Some reliability issues reported by owners</li>
	<li>Restricted rear visibility without parking aids</li>
	<li>Higher trims can compromise ride comfort</li>
</ul>

TUCSON

Rugged, rocky and arid, that's what the name&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/tucson/4x4/review/n103">Hyundai Tucson&nbsp;</a>suggests, and it lives up to it, too, to a certain degree. In fact, space and practicality are the Tucson's real forte, and it's the perfect size and shape for families. It's nice to drive, too, if not outstandingly sharp or quick, and it looks great. Our budget should get you a good, average mileage version of the previous-generation car from 2018, and it'll come with an above-average&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2022-what-car-reliability-survey/n23397">reliability record</a>, too.&nbsp;

"Separating the Tucson from the Sportage is like choosing your favourite child but whichever you go for you'll get a highly competent and practical SUV. I like the fact the Tucson looks rather butch, as its name suggests, and it's more reliable than the Sportage." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Hyundai Tucson 2.0 CRDi 136 SE Nav, 30,000&nbsp;miles, £9490

5: Hyundai Tucson

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Plenty of space</li>
	<li>Lots of equipment</li>
	<li>Relatively cheap to buy used</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Plasticky interior</li>
	<li>Firm ride</li>
	<li>Some thirsty engines</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

KAMIQ

Be warned, if you like a high-riding SUV, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kamiq/hatchback/review/n19999">Skoda Kamiq</a>&nbsp;puts you quite low to the ground, with a driving position that is barely any more elevated than that of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/scala/hatchback/review/n19190">Skoda Scala</a>&nbsp;family hatchback. However, in every other respect, it's a brilliant used choice, with a supple, well-controlled ride and a remarkably spacious and classy interior. It's very practical, too. The entry-level 94bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine is peppy enough and economical and it's the cheapest Kamiq on the used car forecourt.&nbsp;

"All who drive or even live with the Kamiq come away impressed. It's easy to drive and it's got more space than you'd think, too, which makes it a really nice car for day-to-day use." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2020&nbsp;Skoda Kamiq 1.0 TSI 95 SE, 55,000&nbsp;miles, £10,000

4: Skoda Kamiq

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Remarkably roomy interior and large boot</li>
	<li>Better-finished inside than many of its rivals</li>
	<li>Comfortable ride</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>No sliding or reclining rear seats</li>
	<li>Not especially well equipped</li>
	<li>Other small SUVs have a higher driving position</li>
	<li>Reliability mixed</li>
</ul>

If you want a new car but would rather not spend much, Dacia is a great place to start your search.

This budget brand builds some of Britain’s cheapest new cars, including the Sandero hatchback. And don’t think cheap automatically means corners have been cut, because the Sandero has been commended at the annual What Car? Car of the Year awards on numerous occasions.

Other Dacia models include the&nbsp;higher-riding Sandero Stepway, seven-seat Jogger, and rugged Duster SUV. And while these cost slightly more than the Sandero, they’re still priced aggressively enough that they’re really only competing directly with used cars.

Dacia manages this by borrowing mechanicals and technology from its owner, Renault, to minimise development costs.

DACIA

DUSTER

The latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/duster/estate/review/n67">Dacia Duster</a>&nbsp;not only looks rugged and handsome in a chisel-jawed sort-of way, it's also good to drive, comfortable and cheap to run.&nbsp;Space is very good, too; four adults should have few&nbsp;complaints about longer journeys and you can even take five – at a pinch. The boot capacity is also excellent.&nbsp;It might not be of the highest quality inside, but it'll stand up to abuse from even the most ardent DIYer, or the most abusive toddler. Its reliability record is strong and existing owners love them. Our budget buys a good 2021 model, making it one of the newest cars here.

"You gotta love the Duster. I do. This version is much better to drive than the original Duster. It'll do all the practical stuff that all the other cars here do and even more than that but at a lower cost, age-for-age." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found&nbsp;2021&nbsp;Dacia Duster 1.5 DCi&nbsp;Laureate, 36,000&nbsp;miles, £9999

3: Dacia Duster

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>A lot of car for the money</li>
	<li>Big boot</li>
	<li>4x4 version very capable</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Sparse equipment on lower trims</li>
	<li>Interior feels very cheap</li>
	<li>Disappointing Euro NCAP safety rating</li>
</ul>

Estate

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

3008

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/3008/estate/review/n17363">Peugeot 3008</a>&nbsp;is a great&nbsp;family SUV and a good used buy. Its striking looks are&nbsp;still on-trend today, with its eye-catching, raised up and blocky styling,&nbsp;and that tough-looking black plastic cladding all over its handsome exterior. The interior lives up to the billing supplied by the outside, being neat, practical and nicely made. It's nice to drive, comfortable to ride in&nbsp;and well equipped. Used examples are now proving to be good and very solid buys.&nbsp;

"I've always been sold on the 3008's film-star looks but it's more than got the goods to back it up. It's good to drive, easy to live with and really good value for money. "-&nbsp;George Hill, used cars writer

We found&nbsp;2019 Peugeot 3008 1.2 Puretech Allure,&nbsp;30,000 miles, £9495

2: Peugeot 3008

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Upmarket interior</li>
	<li>Standard safety kit</li>
	<li>Practicality</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Vague controls</li>
	<li>Popular, so can be pricier than other used rivals</li>
	<li>Slow infotainment system</li>
	<li>Reliability a bit mixed</li>
</ul>

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

ATECA

A great family SUV, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ateca/estate/review/n111">Seat Ateca</a>&nbsp;is one of the very best of its kind to drive – feeling sure-footed on a challenging B-road, nimble on city streets and refined on a motorway. It’s also backed up by a cracking range of engines. Practicality is still a top priority: the doors open wide to make putting a child car seat in easier, the boot is big and the interior is spacious. It's a great used buy, too; our budget buys a 2017 car, but shop around and you should be able to find a 2018 model.&nbsp;

"The Ateca's a terrific car and still cheaper age-for-age than the Skoda Karoq. One thing I really like about the Ateca's interior is the fact the dashboard is angled towards the driver, which means the controls are within easy reach." –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/george-hill/n23609">George Hill, Used Cars Writer</a>

We found:&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Seat Ateca 1.5&nbsp;TSI&nbsp;SE Technology, 51,000&nbsp;miles, £9995

1: Seat Ateca

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Spacious interior</li>
	<li>Class-leading handling</li>
	<li>Boot space pips rivals</li>
	<li>Good value used</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Some rivals offer more flexible seating</li>
	<li>Interior isn’t that plush</li>
	<li>One or two are more economical</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

MOKKA X

The Vauxhall Mokka X looks like good value. Sadly, it's no more than a very light facelift of its predecessor, the Mokka, and one which failed to sort that car's myriad problems. It is, therefore, best avoided.

And the one to avoid: Vauxhall Mokka X

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Comfortable ride </li> <li>Feature-filled infotainment </li> <li>Space for child seats </li> <li>Robust build quality </li> <li>Practical storage spaces </li> <li>A boot fit for a family holiday </li> <li>Fuel-efficient engines</li></ul>

While we define a small SUV&nbsp;as something&nbsp;less than 4.3 metres long and a large SUV as measuring more than 4.5 metres, family SUVs tread the middle ground.

As the name suggests, the vast majority are&nbsp;designed for family duties rather than serious off-roading, so practicality is paramount. However, that&nbsp;shouldn't come at the expense of a decent drive; the best examples combine tidy handling with smooth engines&nbsp;and a ride that's comfortable&nbsp;enough to ensure the kids aren't left feeling queasy.

&nbsp;

Family SUV

You don't need a big budget to get a desirable, family-friendly SUV. Here we count down the top 10 you can buy used for less than £10,000

NEW REVIEWS:

Best used SUVs for less than £10,000

You don't need a big budget to get a desirable, family-friendly SUV. Here we count down the top 10 you can buy used for less than £10,000...

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