The best bargain used SUVs

Slide of SUVs come in all shapes and to suit all needs. And you can find one to suit every budget on the used market. Here’s our pick of the best SUV bargains out there, including those which can travel into ULEZ charging zones without the need to pay extra. The list is arranged alphabetically. Slide of Audi Q7 For half the price of the most basic new Audi Q7, you could be driving a used version of this current generation. £20,000 will net you a 2015 model with slightly higher than average miles, but given the Q7’s granite-like build quality this is not something to worry about. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel is the most commonly found model and it’s exempt from ultra-low emissions zone payments thanks to it meeting Euro 6 regulations. Inside, the Q7 offers masses of space with the option of seven seat capacity, and refinement is top drawer. The only drawback is the Audi is not as sharp to drive as a BMW X5, but that’s not a major concern when a private number plate will have the neighbours convinced it’s brand new. Slide of BMW X5 A relatively short five-year lifespan for the third-generation X5 introduced in 2013 narrows your hunting ground slightly, but you can easily find these cars from £15,000. For that sum, you can pick between the 2.0- and 3.0-litre diesel model, both exempt from ULEZ charges courtesy of their Euro 6 emissions ratings. What you get for this sort of money is a handsome, large SUV with plenty of space, equipment, and high grade build quality. The X5 is also among the best to drive in its class, though M Sport models have a ride that tends towards the very firm on grizzly road surfaces. Slide of Dodge Nitro For less than £3000, you could be driving one of the most distinctive SUVs out there in the shape of a Dodge Nitro. Granted, there are caveats such as the Nitro’s mediocre on-road handling and only the thirsty 3.7-litre V6 model gets past ULEZ charging. However, if you need a sturdy, off-road able SUV, the Dodge is a funky alternative to a Land Rover Freelander. Introduced in 2007, the Nitro’s bold looks are a big part of the appeal. The 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine is a solid workhorse of a motor, which makes the Dodge an intriguing alternative to a battered pick-up for anyone needing a useful, capable, affordable 4x4. Slide of Ford Edge Introduced in 2016, the Ford Edge had a short life in the sales charts as it disappeared in 2019. However, there’s a good number for sale and for anyone who doesn’t need the added practicality of seven seats, the Edge is a sound choice. From £13,000, you can find tidy examples of this well-equipped five-seat SUV. All Edges are exempt from ULEZ charges and the diesel engines are hushed. The drive is not Ford’s most engaging effort and the cabin doesn’t feel quite up to the same standard as the latest Kuga’s, but comfort is a big part of the appeal of this spacious SUV. Slide of Hummer H3 There’s a small irony in a car seen as one of the most conspicuous emblems of motoring consumption is also exempt from ULEZ charges. Welcome to the wacky world of Hummer H3 ownership, then, as this 3.7-litre V6 petrol-powered beasty sidesteps this charge while looking like it’s escaped from a Transformers film set. The H3 is big and unwieldy in town, so it’s better as a car for the open road, where you might see more than 20mpg combined economy. The bargain bit with the Hummer is, once you’ve bought one from around £12,500, it simply won’t lose value as there are so few around and there’s a small but keen following for them. Slide of Hyundai Santa Fe Always big on value, the Hyundai Santa Fe is rightly very popular with families as a hugely versatile, comfortable SUV with the option of seven seats. With prices from £6,000 for cars from early in this model’s life that was launched in 2013, you can have a generously kitted out car with mid-40s combined economy and a smooth driving experience. For anyone venturing into an ULEZ zone, you’ll need to spend from around £13,00 for a 2016-on Santa Fe with the Euro 6-compliant diesel engine and average miles for the year. Slide of Infiniti QX70 Finding an Infiniti QX70 will be the biggest hurdle to ownership of this short-lived SUV. On sale between 2013 and 2018, it tried to rival the Range Rover Sport and Porsche Macan, and the petrol 3.7 V6 and 5.0 V8 models offered similar pace. However, almost every new customer for a QX70 chose the far more economical 3.0 V6 turbodiesel, which is not allowed in ULEZ zones without paying a charge. If that’s not an issue for you, the QX70 provides a vast amount of equipment in its cabin, as well as strong performance from the diesel engine. Fuel economy is on a par with similarly powered rivals. Prices from £11,000. Slide of Jeep Commander SUVs don’t come much more full-sized than the Jeep Commander. Launched in 2006, it pitched itself as an alternative to the Land Rove