Looking for an SUV on a budget? There are plenty of great options on the used car market.
Which SUV will you choose?
When it comes to space, practicality and a little extra comfort, SUVs offer the complete package. And since they’ve become so popular, that means there’s a really healthy second-hand market. So you can get your hands on an outstanding vehicle, at a reasonable price.
This crossover moves like a much smaller car thanks to its nimble handling and dynamic drive. It also feels like a high-end model, with Peugeot providing loads of great equipment including 17-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, LED daytime running lights, traction control and electronic parking brakes. Underneath all this great kit is a practical car with a commanding driving position, plenty of room for passengers and lots of cubbyholes for storage. The 512-litre boot has a split tailgate, making it easy to use in those tight spaces – and ¬the seats are simply folded away thanks to some handy levers. It’s also among the safest cars on the road with a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.
We found: 2015 (64) Peugeot 3008 1.6 HDi Active 5Dr – £9298
ŠKODA’s veteran crossover might not have the glamour of some of the other cars in its class, but it remains a solid and likeable family car. Inside, you’ll find loads of great features including front and rear electric windows, electric heated and adjustable door mirrors, glove compartment cool box and cruise control. The boot provides an outstanding 510 litres of space but that can be transformed into a 1760-litre loading bay with the removal of the seats. If you’re taking on more challenging terrain, then you can opt for a 4x4 edition, helping you get wherever you need to go.
We found: 2014 (14) Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI CR SE 5dr – £9498
With its distinct padded side-panels, this compact SUV really stands out from the crowd. Although it may have an elaborate exterior, everything on the inside is beautifully simple and comfortable with an array of storage compartments. You get plenty of great kit as standard including DAB radio, touchscreen infotainment system and electric front windows and mirrors. If you opt for one of the plusher trims, you’ll also find air conditioning, alloy wheels, sat nav and parking cameras. Although there’s no four-wheel drive version, this is one of the lightest crossovers on the market, meaning you’ll still get plenty of performance from a smaller engine.
There are few cars on the market that offer as much value as the Dacia Duster. While this car doesn’t offer much in the way of entry-level extras, what you get is a straightforward, spacious and robust car with plenty of rugged charm. Still, if you’re looking for a little bit more, the used car market offers some great deals on the top of the range Laureate trim, which adds air conditioning, rear electric windows and alloy wheels. The boot is a decent 475 litres, expanding to 1,570 litres, although that’s slightly reduced in four-wheel drive models. As Dacia comes from the same parent company as Nissan and Renault, you can be assured that all the parts have a decent pedigree.
The RAV4 has been around for more than 20 years, but through updates and innovation, Toyota has always been able to keep its stalwart fresh enough to challenge any rivals. As you would expect from Toyota, you’ll enjoy a comfortable and reliable drive as well as a useful 547 litres of boot space. As standard, the RAV4 comes with a dazzling range of features, including Toyota’s Touch 2 multimedia system with the sat nav incorporating Google Street View and real-time updates. Upgrade to the mid-level Icon trim and you’ll also get keyless entry, push start button, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual zone air conditioning and automatic headlights and wipers.
We found: 2014 (14) Toyota RAV4 2.0 D-4D Icon 5dr 2WD [Nav] – £9998
This SUV provides the best of both worlds with all the rugged 4x4 capability to take on the tricky topography, as well as plenty of comfortable space on the inside. All-wheel drive comes as standard along with the efficient four-cylinder 2.2-litre diesel engine, which offers 147bhp and plenty of torque. The inside is versatile, too, with enough room for seven people with two seats hidden beneath the boot floor. There’s 591 litres of space in the boot in the five-seat configuration, which can expand to an exceptional 1,022 litres with all the rear seats folded down.
