Best used large SUVs and 4x4s to buy now
The best used large SUVs and 4x4s offer space, practicality, performance and low running costs
While the UK car market has been flooded with mid-size SUVs in recent times, many buyers — especially those with large families — are still fans of the sheer space and practicality that a full-size SUV brings. Of course, these bulky cars command some equally big prices if you’re buying brand new, but the best used large SUVs and 4x4s offer some massive savings if you can find the right one.
For many drivers, the temptation of four-wheel drive is a big pull, too. A 4x4 will take varied terrain in its stride, and while few SUVs are true off-roaders, large models equipped with 4WD will be in a better position to deal with slippery surfaces and who knows what else when the going gets tough in the winter. Running costs can be high for vehicles in this class but we’ve chosen models that shouldn’t break the bank.
Best used large SUVs and 4x4s to buy
Which used large SUV or 4x4 should you choose? Our expert road testers have rounded up the best models to buy right now, read on to find these listed below.
1. Kia Sorento (Mk3)
The Kia Sorento celebrated its 21st birthday in the UK this year, and if you want a barometer of how meteoric Kia’s rise has been over the past couple of decades, the brand's full-sized SUV is it. Although the original Sorento was capable and reliable, it was far from a stand-out car, but that’s exactly what the fourth-generation model is. Not only does the latest Sorento look like nothing else in the segment (in a good way), but its generous levels of standard equipment mean it also offers great value, despite some relatively steep prices when new.
It was launched in autumn 2020, and most trim levels were offered only with a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine in mild or plug-in hybrid form, but the mid-range Sorento 3 could also be fitted with a 2.2-litre diesel engine if buyers preferred. All three are worth a look, but the diesel offers muscle with economy, and it’s the one you should buy if you’re looking to tow, thanks to a 2,500kg limit, compared with just 1,010-1,100kg for the hybrids.
A look at the list of standard kit for the entry-level Sorento 2 shows you’re hardly left wanting; moving up the range only piles on the luxury, with items such as 10-way electrically adjustable ventilated front seats and a 12-speaker Bose hi-fi. Standard throughout the range are three rows of seats, each with their own air-con, and unlike many seven-seat SUVs, the Kia can carry adults in each row. Sure, the Land Rover Discovery is even bigger, but the Sorento offers more interior space than rivals such as the Skoda Kodiaq, SEAT Tarraco or Land Rover Discovery Sport.
It’s not all about space though, because the Sorento is versatile, well made and easy to live with, thanks to its user-friendly design and seven-year warranty that transfers between owners. It feels safe, and with four-wheel drive standard across the range, it provides brilliant year-round family transport.
2. Skoda Kodiaq (Mk1)
An all-new Skoda Kodiaq was recently unveiled, but that doesn’t make its predecessor any less appealing. Since it first arrived, the Kodiaq has achieved a top-10 place in every one of our annual Driver Power surveys. Owners love its spacious interior, value and quality.
3. Volvo XC90 (Mk2)
Volvo got it right first time with the original XC90 in 2002, and its 2014 successor built on that with an even more accomplished family car. We liked it so much that it was our 2015 Car of the Year, and our Large SUV of the Year in 2016. It's incredibly safe, refined and roomy, and can be had with some genuinely impressive petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
4. Lexus RX (Mk4)
Lexus’s flagship SUV has angular styling and a sumptuous interior that looks and feels the part, while its full-hybrid powertrain is smooth, eager and efficient. Refinement is first rate, too, and an impeccable reliability record (the RX took third in this year’s Driver Power survey) makes it a guaranteed stress-free choice.
5. Audi Q7 (Mk1)
If your budget can’t quite stretch as far as an XC90, then how about an original Audi Q7? Our left-field choice still looks surprisingly fresh, while the interior is spacious and well built, even if the technology is dated. Electrical glitches and neglect can cause problems, but the 3.0-litre TDI engine is bombproof.
6. SEAT Tarraco (Mk1)
The SEAT Tarraco is another large SUV with shared underpinnings, utilising the same platform as the Kodiaq. The SEAT is intended as the sportier offering, although this has more to do with the car’s styling than it does performance: the engine line-up is identical, although there’s no vRS equivalent of the Tarraco. If you want a SEAT with speed in mind, look at Cupra The 1.5-litre petrol feels underpowered due to its relative lack of torque, hitting 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds. Meanwhile the 2.0-litre petrol is much punchier with 320Nm at its disposal, taking the 0-62mph figure down to eight seconds flat. The 187bhp, 2.0-litre diesel is just as quick.
7. Land Rover Discovery (Mk5)
If off-roading really is your thing, then look no further than the Land Rover Discovery. Its ability to tackle the toughest terrain is unparalleled in the large SUV sector, thanks to permanent four-wheel drive, a huge amount of torque and - on the latest edition of the Disco - a diet that’s stripped almost half a tonne from the previous car. The latest Land Rover Discovery is also the best yet in terms of driving on the road. Refinement is excellent and ride comfort is excellent, especially on the smallest 19-inch alloy wheels. Despite the improvements, fuel economy is poor: you’ll struggle to draw more than 30mpg from any of the engines, while high CO2 emissions figures only serve to drive up road tax costs.
8. Peugeot 5008 (Mk2)
The Peugeot 5008 is about as good as it gets when it comes to large SUVs at this end of the price spectrum. No, it’s not as premium as the Volvo XC90 and Land Rover Discovery, but it gets the basics spot on and thanks to a lack of weaknesses, it’s one of the best all-rounders on the market. The Peugeot is lighter than most of its rivals, so even the smallest petrol engine packs enough punch to offer reasonable performance on the road. Inside you’ll find an eight-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital screen behind the steering wheel for ultra-clear information on the move. With the exception of a few materials in the lower part of the cabin, the 5008 is a high-quality place to sit, belying its status as one of the more affordable cars in its class.
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