Best used 4x4s 2025 (and one to avoid)

The Audi Q7 is one of our favourite luxury SUVs, and the good news is that it’s perhaps even better as a used buy; a 2019 facelift left it with a more hesitant automatic gearbox and a less user-friendly infotainment system. However, the update also brought some positive tweaks, including mild hybrid assistance which helps to reduce fuel consumption. All versions are great to drive, comfortable and spacious, and have a wonderfully classy interior.

"A real star, the Q7. I've loaded it up with children and holiday paraphernalia and it swallows it all up without breaking a sweat. Creamy smooth, too." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2018 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI 218 S line quattro, 61,000 miles, £24,950

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After the excellent second-generation 2012-2018 BMW X3, its successor had a lot to live up to. Fortunately, the third-generation car made sure to up its game even further in terms of technology, improved refinement and greater interior space. In addition, it's good to drive, especially with the xDrive four-wheel drive, which gives it real ability on snow and muddy surfaces, and it's well equipped and classy. Overall, its tidy handling and highly practical, high-quality interior make the X3 one of the best large SUVs you can buy. 

"If it's driving pleasure that concerns you and yet you want good off-road abilities too, look no further than the X3. My favourite here." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive20d SE, 50,000 miles, £25,999

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If you need a big seven-seater, the Volvo XC90 is a car you can buy with your head as well as your heart. Not only can it seat seven in reasonable comfort, but there’s still enough room behind the third-row seats for a decent amount of luggage. The four-wheel-drive XC90 is good to drive, too, and nicely finished and wonderfully stylish inside and out. It'll impress the neighbours and it's a bit of a used car bargain.

"It goes back a long way now, the XC90, which means there are loads of them for sale and some are really cheap." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2018 Volvo XC90 2.0 D5 Powerpulse Momentum, 67,000 miles, £24,950

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The Skoda Karoq is a fantastic family SUV, with compact dimensions that make it easy to handle around town, as well as a practical and versatile interior that gives it the capability to carry everything you need. Plus, the Karoq's raised ride height and large window area help to give the driver great all-around visibility. You'll need one of the bigger 2.0-litre diesel or 2.0-litre petrol engines if you want the very useful four-wheel drive, though.

"So blindingly sensible if your budget is limited and you just want something capable on rutted pathways and really good on-road. Bravo Skoda." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2019 Skoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 150 Sport Line 4x4, 60,000 miles, £13,500

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Car buyers do like a premium brand, and they don’t come much more blue-chip than BMW. This 2015-2022 BMW X1 is a fine family SUV that's great to drive in xDrive four-wheel drive form and comes with bags of room inside, and a quality interior that features the excellent iDrive infotainment system. It's well equipped, too, and according to our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey it's one of the most reliable family SUVs. Good value used, too. 

"Yes, it is a little like a shrunken X3 but the X1 has its own charms and it should be cheaper to run. Some good off-road potential and that strong reliability record is in its favour too." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2019 BMW X1 xDrive 20d Sport, 50,000 miles, £16,500

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This second-generation Audi Q5 is an immensely popular car and one of the best SUVs you can buy, new or used. It's smooth, refined and incredibly classy inside and out. It drives superbly, is well equipped and spacious and practical, too. With quattro four-wheel drive, there's plenty of traction, and the Q5 is stable and smooth riding. It's so popular that the only stumbling block is its relatively high used prices. 

"If you're looking for something easy-going and incredibly refined then the Q5 is it. I find it easier around town that the larger Q7, too." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2019 Audi Q5 2.0 TDI quattro Sport, 58,000 miles, £21,000

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Big, butch, roomy and rugged, the Toyota Land Cruiser comes with three or five doors and five or seven seats. Toyota has a great reputation for reliability, too, and you will count plenty of Land Cruisers in the hostile desert regions of the world, so it should prove to be a tough, go-anywhere off-roader. Indeed, if what you need is a genuine off-road vehicle, few do it better. Not the most refined thing on-road, though. 

"Now this is really one for those who live in rural areas beset by mud and grass and animals and fresh air. Nothing can touch it here for potential longevity and workhorse utilitarianism." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8d 177 AWD Utility, 50,000 miles, £28,900

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Find a used one for sale here

The Seat Ateca is a great family SUV and one of the best-handling SUVs on the market. It's spacious and practical, and, while not built of the plushest materials, the interior is suitably well made and fairly classy. Four-wheel-drive models are mostly found paired with a torquey 2.0-litre diesel engine that is both economical and refined at a motorway cruise.

"A quiet winner, the Ateca; always has been. if you want a good four-wheel drive car to tackle rougher urban and some mild off-road rural action the Ateca is a bit of a bargain.' - Mark Pearson, used cars editor 

We found: 2019 Seat Ateca 2.0 TDI 150 Xcellence 4Drive, 45,000 miles, £14,000

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A Dacia Duster is a surprisingly capable on and off-road tool. The four-wheel-drive models are really competent if you decide to leave paved roads behind. Four-wheel-drive cars also have a more sophisticated rear suspension, which is more supple, meaning there's a decent ride, too. There's plenty of space inside and a cavernous boot. For some light off-road motoring on a budget, it's hard to beat.

"Value for money starts here. I'm struggling to think of a car that offers so much for so little in this field. Or in a country field, come to that." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2019 Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 110 Laureate 4x4, 44,900 miles, £9999 

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There's good news and bad news about the diminutive Suzuki Jimny. The good news is that it's an absolute hoot and this second-generation version, launched in 2019, has become an instant classic. Living up to its AllGrip moniker, it's got unstoppable off-road abilities. The bad news is that the car is no longer on sale new, and demand for used models is so high that prices are rather steep. Oh, and it's a weeny bit crude to drive on-road. 

"Now, this is loud and noisy on Tarmac, admittedly, but it is also great fun and if you venture regularly off-road it's a hoot."  - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2019 Suzuki Jimny 1.5 SZ4 AllGrip, 38,000 miles, £20,000

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