Best used SUVs 2025
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Buying a new SUV is great, but with rising costs and list prices, a pre-owned model looks increasingly appealing. For cash buyers, someone else has paid that initial depreciation for driving it out of the showroom – and for finance buyers, the overall debt is much lower.
Better yet, modern cars as a whole have become more reliable, robust and durable while styling has stagnated. That older model may still look fresh and feel as good as new if it's been maintained well. Look to brands like Toyota, Lexus or Kia and you'll find many have manufacturer warranty remaining that exceeds the new cover from rivals.
If you don't want an SUV, you're in for a shock. The 4x4-inspired style has taken over. Now you can buy compact SUVs based on small hatchbacks right up to large SUVs with space for seven. Nearly all will offer impressive safety and infotainment tech compared with the previous generation.
These are the best SUVs to save money with a used buy – including electric versions.
Best used SUVs |
1. Ford Puma (2020-on)
- New price: from £26,580 (September 2025)
- Used prices: from £10,000
- Small, agile and fun family SUV
One of Ford's best 21st-century designs, the Ford Puma effectively brings the '90s coupé style into a family-friendly format. It's still based on a Ford Fiesta, though the Fiesta had evolved significantly over the three generations that separate Pumas.
As a result it's a bigger, more refined and luxurious car than you might expect. And technically advanced as well. Clever touches, such as a large waterproof storage box under the boot floor, make the compact body more practical than it looks.
It's not a cheap new car and Ford's own Direct scheme only saves around £6000 for a 10,000 mile, year-old example with less competitive rates for finance. This means buying new is better value if you're paying monthly. Ford Direct or approved-used is the best way to buy the 200PS 1.5-litre Ford Puma ST, only offered for a couple of years and arguably, the last 'Fast Ford' in the sense of a family car tuned up for performance and fun.
Venture into private sales and average-mileage examples with good history start at just under £10,000. However, the non-MHEV 1.0-litre EcoBoost has the expensive to change wet belt and there are reports of early manual gearbox and clutch failure on some cars. With the number of Ford Pumas used by driving schools, we'd recommend spending a little more for an approved-used model from a Ford dealer, with a warranty.
2. Toyota RAV4 (2019-2025)
- Over £40,000 new and 2026 model is PHEV-only
- Used RAV4 from around £19,000 (£25,000 PHEV)
- 10-year/100,000 mile warranty peace of mind
When Toyota launched the fifth-generation Toyita RAV4 in 2019 it was a push upmarket, coinciding with a reinvention of the brand in terms of driver experience, handling and commitment to quality. Toyota's reputation for reliability was further underlined by an industry-leading 10-year service activated warranty.
For many drivers, that's a good enough reason to choose a used Toyota over rivals. Fortunately the Toyota RAV4's ride and comfort is well ahead of many rivals, only eclipsed by premium marques which don't offer the same manufacturer-backed assurance.
Unless the premium marque is Lexus as it offers the same warranty, making the similarly-sized Lexus NX something of a bargain. Plug-in hybrid NX 450h+ models are typically £2000 more for comparable age and mileage, with more gadgets and nicer trim, and the regular hybrid is almost the same price regardless of marque.
The Toyota is the better choice for the long term, with lower running costs and more rear leg room, The range-topping PHEV's 306PS and all-wheel drive is as appealing as the 40+ mile electric range and easy 46mpg even when not plugged in but the FWD hybrid is similarly cheap to run if you don't need AWD.
A used Toyota RAV4 offers amazing value for £19,000, when you remember that a 50,000-mile, five-year old Toyota or Lexus still has five years or 50,000 miles of manufacturer warranty remaining (as long as it's serviced at a Toyota dealer). Aside from the badge-engineered Suzuki Across, there are few used SUVs that offer the same capability and peace of mind.
3. Genesis GV60 (2022-on)
- Upmarket Korean luxury brand
- High-tech EV is better used value than Kia EV6
- Long warranty, distinctive interior design
A relative newcomer, Genesis has been on sale in the UK since 2022. Primarily offering electric models, the luxury brand shares technology with Hyundai and Kia and embodies trendy Korean cool – more APT, less Gangnam Style. With a striking interior design, the Genesis GV60 feels special from the start when compared with the uniform grey and black plastics most European marques have to offer.
The electric Genesis GV60 is the most common used Genesis you'll find – a five-seater fastback similar to the Kia EV6. Like the EV6, the Genesis GV60 is impressively efficient givem the performance, meaning 250-mile urban range and around 200 miles of motorway is possible between charges. 350kW charging support means it won't be long before you turn it on again if you've stopped at an ultra-rapid charger.
Costing over £54,000 new, late-2022 examples with low mileage can be found for less than half that with prices starting from £20,000. As long as the car has good history you can buy that with confidence, as it has an unlimited mileage five-year warranty from new.
Prices drop at the three-year point, so if you're considering a two-year old model compare the finance packages carefully – and avoid ex-Taxi or other commercial users, as they get a limited warranty rather than the unlimited mileage cover.
4. SEAT Tarraco (2018-2024)
- Sportier Kodiaq produced for one generation only
- Absence from new price list pushes used values down
- Seven-seater and 4Drive 4x4 models are available
There's a new Skoda Kodiaq - so you might expect that the first generation of big seven-seater SUV would be a used bargain now – and it is, if you're happy with high mileage and no approved-used warranty. However, the Kodiaq's sharper sibling from SEAT is even better value, typically £2000 cheaper on the same year and mileage. Why? There are differences in trim and equipment, but the real issue is that the SEAT Tarraco has departed the price lists, so it's already an 'obsolete' model.
In reality there's very little between the SEAT Tarraco and Skoda Kodiaq, so buy on spec and price to suit your taste and needs rather than deciding on a given brand at the start. For a more upmarket feel the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace offers a different take on the same platform.
For everyday use the ubiquitous 1.5-litre EVO petrol and DSG gearbox is reliable and economical as long as it is maintained well, while long-distance drivers may prefer the 2.0 TDI which also introduces the option of 4Drive all-wheel drive. This is also available with the 2.0-litre TSI petrol, though unlike the smaller SEAT Ateca there isn't a Cupra equivalent to rival the VW Tiguan R.
5. Kia Sportage (2022-on)
- Recently facelifted – pushing used prices down
- Seven-year warranty, good dealer network
- Still looks strikingly modern and distinctive
If you spend much time outdoors and on the road in Britain, you will have seen a Kia Sportage recently. They're everywhere - and with good reason. A winning combination of low running costs, affordable finance and a seven-year warranty that's become integral to Kia's brand identity.
The Kia Sportage began life as a Suzuki Vitara rival, but over successive generations it has become a car-like, refined and comfortable family SUV. The latest generation, launched in 2022, has a futuristic style and thoroughly modern range of engines.
That means that even early models with average miles will still have three years of warranty left. With used prices starting around £18,000 for the current generation, compared with £32,000 for a new one, the saving for three years and 30,000 miles on the clock is hard to ignore.
When looking at 2022 models you may find the last of the 2016-2021 Kia Sportage for around £4000 less. If you find one with a full and thorough service history it should remain reliable for years to come. As always, for an easier life we'd avoid older, neglected higher mileage diesels due to the cost of maintaining the emissions system properly – but there's no denying that they're the most capable and economical versions.
6. Volkswagen T-Roc (2017-2025)
- All-new 2026 VW T-Roc due soon
- Used T-Roc from £12,000 with Volkswagen approved-used
- High-riding Golf is a safe bet, with proven tech and specialists
When Volkswagen introduced the Golf it set a benchmark for family hatchbacks, at a time when most small cars were either very small and basic, or had four doors and a boot.
The 2017 Volkswagen T-Roc joined a market already saturated in SUVs, but it brought the Volkswagen Golf legacy to the trend and became a best seller – even outselling the VW Golf at times. It's an affordable and practical family car for drivers that don't need huge boot space or towing, but do want car-park friendly dimensions and low running costs.
Like the VW Golf, there's a range of engines and trims meaning there's likely to be a VW T-Roc to suit – there's even an open-topped VW T-Roc Cabriolet that manages to combine SUV and Convertible in a rather more tasteful manner than the roofless Range Rover Evoque Convertible.
The 1.5 TSI Evo engine offers a great balance of performance and economy, though if you want a properly quick version there is the relatively stealthy 300PS Volkswagen T-Roc R. With VW approved-used stock offering models up to six years old with a good warranty, check stock from Volkswagen dealers before venturing into the wider trade.
7. Nissan Qashqai (2021-on)
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- Always popular, a used Nissan Qashqai offers real savings over new
- Generous spec and generally reliable
- Two-year old Qashqai often less than half the new price
If you've been weighing up a new Dacia Duster vs a used model, we've got some good news. The Nissan Qashqai is often cheaper for the same year and mileage than the bargain-branded SUV – despite being bigger, more sophisticated and better equipped.
Prices start at around £12,000 for higher-mileage models and this is one of the few cases where you might want to consider a repaired write-off when paying cash. Cat N 2024 facelift models with average mileage can be as little as £14,000. Check repair and condition carefully of course but it's hard to argue with the appeal of a current-style, £39,000 new car for such a low price. Cat N is naturally the safer bet in this situation.
You can choose between 1.3-litre mild-hybrid and - new for the third-generation Qashqai - a 1.5-litre hybrid called e-Power. The 1.3-litre is optionally offered with CVT automatic and all-wheel drive, but this is a rare find on the used market. Most Qashqais are front-wheel drive. If financing, check figures and promotions for a new Nissan Qashqai first, as discounts and deposit contributions are often available.
8. Skoda Enyaq (2021-on)
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- Family-sized EV from Skoda is easy to live with
- Enyaq 60's low used value has second-car appeal
- Enyaq 80 with fast charging a sensible motorway commuter
The market for used electric vehicles is busy, with a large variety on offer now. Inevitably, most can be classed as SUVs and there are bargains to be had for premium brands such as BMW and Jaguar.
Those bargains often come with unexpected surprise expense, which is why you won't find a BMW iX3 or Jaguar I-Pace in this list. However, the Skoda Enyaq is probably the best all-rounder in VW Group's first round of all-new EVs and it's excellent value used thanks to a recent facelift pushing prices down.
You can get the smaller battery 62kWh Enyaq 60 models for around £13,000 outside of the franchised network, though they will be higher mileage and may have category markers. With a £17,000 budget – the cost of most of the cheap, small new EVs on the market – you'll find higher mileage Skoda Enyaq 80 versions with 82kWh batteries for longer drives.
Although it's a five-seater, the Skoda Enyaq is closer in size to the Skoda Kodiaq than the Skoda Karoq and offers impressive space and comfort. Optional 125kW charging with the larger battery packs making motorway top-ups a bit quicker. For the Skoda Enyaq 60, motorway and dual carriage way speeds can push the range down to around 140 miles, but if you spend most of your time driving below 50mph the cheaper option might be all you need.
9. Mazda CX-60 (2022-on)
- Versatile plug-in hybrid with 4x4 and great handling
- Lower-spec models have better ride and comfort
- Good value on approved-used schemes and nearly-new
Like most cars since 2020, the Mazda CX-60's list price has gone up enough that you may think twice about affording one – but first year depreciation means you get a lot of car for your money for an ex-demo or low mileage model.
For example, to finance a new Mazda CX-60, even with promotions, could mean a £9500 deposit and £17,000 final payment with £490 a month to pay in between. That's because the mid-range Homura Plus now costs £56,000 on the road new.
Find a main dealer approved-used model with less than 20,000 miles that's under two years old and there's a wide choice for around £27,000. In other words, you can take that deposit and finance the £17,000. Over four years you've bought the car outright with no worries about mileage allowance.
In return you get around 36-45 miles of real-world zero-emissions EV range, 326PS of power that's actually enjoyable to use on a twisty road and when the battery is drained it will achieve 46mpg. Add a big boot, comfortable seats and and you've got a great upmarket SUV for about the same price as a new Ford Puma.
10. Mitsubishi Shogun Sport (2018-2021)
- Used prices from £15,000
- Full-time 4x4 and versatile seven-seater body
- Proven L200 running gear – but avoid neglected examples
if you want a proper SUV for towing and family adventures it's hard to find options that avoid the complexity and maintenance costs of a premium, luxury model. The Mitsubishi Shogun Sport is a rare combination of all-wheel drive flexibility, separate chassis and 'just enough' equipment without having complicated and expensive tech to go wrong.
Underneath, it's based on the popular Mitsubishi L200 pickup but has coil springs and a more sophisticated gearbox. Inside, the interior is very similar but while it has less showroom appeal than a Land Rover Discovery, it's nonetheless rugged and easy to maintain.
Towing capacity tops out at 3.1 tonnes – more than enough when you can also carry six passengers – and the 2.4-litre diesel is strong enough for brisk performance. Unlike its closest rival, the SsangYong Rexton (now the KGM Rexton) the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport can have four-wheel drive engaged on tarmac for bad weather.
You'll still want to look at the Rexton if you want 3.5-tonne towing and some models were sold with a seven-year warranty – but if your budget is around £20,000 there are few good examples of the SsangYong and plenty of Shogun Sports on offer.
Mitsubishi left the UK market for new car sales in 2021, but continues to offer spares and support via its old network. For most owners, the main concern will be ensuring rustproofing and maintenance of the chassis is up to date, as plenty of independent mechanics are very familiar with Mitsubishi L200 running gear.
What is the most reliable used SUV?
Most of the popular SUVs on the market come from brands that offer long warranties and it's no surprise that the longest warranty – ten years – comes from the brand with the strongest reputation - Toyota. While Toyota and Lexus (and Suzuki, which offers a couple of rebranded Toyotas alongside its own models) are clearly ahead, Kia's seven-year warranty has been matched by KGM Motors (formerly SsangYong) on some models. MG and several new Chinese brands joining the UK have also opted for seven year warranties to provide peace of mind for buyers trying something unfamiliar.
Are used SUVs safe?
For the occupants, yes! The days of choosing a luxury 4x4 and finding out the hard way that they don't handle like a car are long gone, with most SUVs on the market using the same suspension design and low-profile tyres found on family hatchbacks. Driver assistance tech is usually top-notch too, with stability control and ABS keeping the car stable in bends plus autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control reducing stress overall.
Many SUVs are heavier than hatchbacks or estate cars offering similar interior space and have taller front ends, so their safety for other road users is questionable. But the influence of Euro NCAP has gone some way to softening the front ends and rounding off the sharp edges.
How much do used SUVs cost to run?
By and large, SUVs do cost a bit more to run. They consume a little more fuel than a regular car and insurance can be more expensive. However, the differences aren’t enormous and the best used SUVs should broadly be comparable with regular cars in terms of running costs. Models such as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid can actually have a positive impact on your fuel bills, thanks to their efficiency. Electric cars like the MG ZS EV and Jaguar I-Pace can be even more cost-effective, as there are fewer moving parts to go wrong. Equally, choosing a Kia Sportage or KGM Rexton means you won’t have to consider an extended warranty until the vehicle is seven years old.
Financing a used SUV
When looking at used cars of any kind it's worth comparing the finance terms and monthly costs, as you may find with cars less than three years old you could be paying the same, or less, per month for a new one.
All cars are a monthly cost, whether you pay cash and depreciation, lease/PCP or hire purchase – and there's no benefit to owning one at high outlay if you don't plan on keeping it until it cannot be driven anymore.
Check the deposit, APR and monthly cost - and factor in the mileage allowance. For cars with a long warranty, either manufacturer or approved-used manufacturer, you can be more forgiving than a typical used car with third-party warranty, where the risk of any mechanical failure could wipe out the savings elsewhere.
Promotions can make lease models very appealing if the mileage and term suits your needs. Sometimes a lease can actually be cheaper than a cash purchase, if the aim is to sell the car after two or three years and save on interest. Leases also do not, as a rule, put the full value of the car on your debt file.
Why used-car PCP finance is not always the best option
PCP is the tricky one - you pay a deposit and monthly payments, but usually at a higher interest rate for a used car compared with new.
There may be deposit contributions making the new car cheaper, as well. However, the worst aspect of buying a used SUV on PCP is the amount of debt you carry and what you get at the end. If you finance a three-year old used car at 40,000 miles, and have to pay £11,000 to keep it at the end of the term, you're buying a seven-year old car with 70,000 miles.
Yet you might find the new car finance is only a few pounds a month more with low, or even 0% finance. The balloon payment may be higher, but reflecting the nature of depreciation and desire to keep some equity for your next model, it may only be £13,000 in this example. For a three-year old, 30,000 mile car you know all the history of.
Adding to this, if you finance a used car that is out of warranty on PCP, you're stuck with paying for it to the end of the term. If it suffers an expensive mechanical failure, there's no voluntary termination option to hand it back.
For this reason, we would also suggest checking that your insurance policy or finance includes GAP cover for any shortfall in debt and vehicle value if it is written off.
Hire purchase - a good plan for long-term ownership
If you're looking at a used SUV that's got warranty remaining and is a suitably large saving over the equivalent new model, hire purchase finance is a great choice if you can get a good interest rate.
You're financing the full amount of the car with no balloon payment and once half of the amount is paid, you have the option of voluntary termination if your circumstances change.
This is in comparison with unsecured finance or homeowner loans where if the car goes wrong or doesn't fit your needs, the debt is still there to be paid for the duration. Always check your deals and seek professional advice if in doubt.
