Five of the Best Used SUVs

If you have a growing family or simply want a better driving position or a little more space, the sports utility vehicle (SUV) is a route more than a million UK drivers have chosen to take. Around 40% of all annual car sales in the UK today are SUVs, which means there’s a thriving used SUV market out there with some cracking deals to be had if you know where to look.

But what are the best used SUVs to buy and what sort of price should you expect to pay for all that comfort, interior space, and in some cases, blistering performance? Read the Tangelo guide to the best second-hand SUVs for sale in the UK and then take a look at our quality-checked range of used SUVs.

Land Rover Discovery Sport

The Land Rover Discovery Sport is one of the smaller and more affordable cars in Land Rover’s range, making it a great way to bag yourself a premium SUV with a high-quality interior, family-friendly practicality and good off-road capabilities. 

Despite being much smaller and easier to park than the full-size Discovery, the Discovery Sport is still available with seven seats, so there’s plenty of space for the kids and the grandparents, too. As of 2020, all Discovery Sports have been fitted with mild-hybrid technology, which makes this used SUV more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. 

BMW X3

BMW has been knocking out this large SUV since 2003, which means there are plenty of good used BMW X3s out there. It’s also given BMW plenty of tinkering time to get the more recent X3s just right.

Despite being a big car, the X3’s brilliant handling and responsiveness make it feel almost nippy. There’s also a good range of petrol and diesel engines to choose from, with two petrol and three diesel engines from 2018 onwards, all equipped with four-wheel drive. The 187bhp 2.0-litre diesel is the most frugal engine while the 355bhp 3.0-litre M40i is blisteringly fast. 

Kia Sportage

If value for money features high up on your used SUV wishlist, you’ll be hard-pressed to beat the ever-dependable Kia Sportage. It combines a spacious and practical interior with good handling and a reputation for being one of the most reliable used SUVs on the road. And of course, it comes with Kia’s splendid seven-year warranty from new, so there should still be plenty of cover left on a used model for extra peace of mind. 

Although the Sportage has been around for decades, it underwent a well-judged facelift in 2018 that modernised the looks and introduced more efficient engines. Speaking of which, there are three diesel and a couple of petrol engines to choose from, including a 174bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged unit if you want a little fun. Some mild hybrid tech was also introduced to some of the diesel range from late 2019 onwards to boost their fuel efficiency. 

Audi Q3

If you want something a little smaller, this premium compact SUV is certainly worth serious consideration. It combines the practicality and high driving position that SUV owners love with more manageable dimensions that make it a more sensible choice for driving around town. 

Although the Audi Q3 is perhaps not as fun as its main rival the BMW X1 to drive, it more than makes up for it in the comfort stakes. Despite being a compact SUV, the Q3 also provides plenty of space, with lots of leg and headroom in the front seats and more than enough for all but the tallest adults in the rear seats. The boot is also more than big enough for all the equipment that travels with young families, with heavy loads easy to slide in and out with ease. 

Engine-wise, there are three petrol and two diesels to choose from, as well as a plug-in hybrid version called the Q3 45 TFSIe, which doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. There’s also a super-sporting RS Q3, although used examples are expensive and rare.

Range Rover

A car rarely reaches iconic status, but as perhaps the best British car ever built, the Range Rover is at that level. This luxury SUV has become a worldwide success thanks to its smart styling, high-class interior and just how extraordinarily comfortable it is to drive.

As you’d probably expect, the Range Rover is spacious inside, although it’s strictly a four or five-seater - you’ll need to look at the Range Rover Sport or Land Rover Discovery if you want room for seven. However, the boot is enormous and plenty big enough to carry all the luggage for a family holiday. 

Despite its size, the Range Rover feels easily manageable on the roads and comes with a good range of engines, including two 3.0-litre V6 diesels and a 4.4-litre V8. There’s also a 2.0-litre petrol hybrid called the P400e, as well as a couple of frighteningly fast 5.0-litre supercharged petrol V8s. 

Start your search with Tangelo

At Tangelo, we have high-quality used SUVs to suit every budget, whether you’re looking to part exchange your current vehicle, buy it outright or apply for finance.

Explore our SUV Range in Exeter today.