Best used family SUVs for less than £10,000

Thanks to the popularity of family SUVs there's now more choice than ever on the second-hand car market, even if your budget is limited to a maximum of just £10,000.

But with so much on offer, which ones should you go for? To help you decide, we've collated a list of our top 10 favourites. We've even linked them to our used cars classified site so if you're tempted by one of our 10 you could actually put it on your driveway.

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The much-loved Skoda Yeti is an excellent family SUV; its only real downside is that its infotainment technology is a little dated now compared with more modern rivals. The Yeti isn't the biggest SUV on the outside, but thanks to its boxy exterior it's remarkably roomy inside, and versatile seating makes the most of that space. It's chunky, still funky and remarkably practical.

"The very definition of the go-anywhere, do-anything SUV. Affordable, chic, even though it's old now and there are far more modern SUVs out there I still love the Yeti. Buy one of the last in rugged 'Outdoor' trim." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

We found: 2017 Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI SE Business Outdoor, 74,000 miles, £9230

Strengths

• Fun to drive for an SUV
• Spacious interior for passengers and luggage
• Economical diesel engines

Weaknesses

• Too much wind and road noise at high speeds
• Ride is jittery on poorer road surfaces
• Removable rear seats are fiddly

Compared with the Hyundai Tuscon it is closely related to, the Kia Sportage is a slightly better drive and comes with a longer (seven years from new as opposed to five) manufacturer's warranty. It was a popular new choice too, so there are loads of examples out there to pick from. Petrol versions are more reliable than diesels (according to our Reliability Survey), so we'd advise choosing one of those.

"The Sportage is a car that has improved immeasurably over the years. This model was the first that was good to drive and really practical. I love the looks of it and at this price it's very desirable." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

We found: 2018 Kia Sportage 1.6 GDi 2, 69,000 miles, £8995

Strengths

• Spacious and practical interior ideal for families
• Good value for money as a used buy
• Petrol-engined Sportages have a good reliability record

Weaknesses

• Diesel-engined cars have a poor reliability record
• Handling is not particularly engaging or fun
• Ride can be badly unsettled by larger wheel options
• Some interior materials do not feel as premium as its rivals

Speaking of good fuel economy, diesel versions of the ever-popular Nissan Qashqai can embarrass much smaller cars when it comes to efficiency. Mid-range Acenta examples are the ones to go for because you get dual-zone climate control, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, along with Bluetooth connectivity. Reliability can be an issue, though.

"The one that started the trend for family SUVs and still a good car today. This model I ran as a long-termer and found it spacious and comfortable for my family." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

We found: 2018 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi Acenta, 38,000 miles, £8799

Strengths

• Smooth ride over rough road surfaces
• Spacious interior with plenty of storage options
• Strong fuel economy, especially on diesel options

Weaknesses

• Some reliability issues reported by owners
• Restricted rear visibility without parking aids
• Higher trims can compromise ride comfort

Despite being essentially the same underneath as the Nissan Qashqai, the Renault Kadjar is a fraction more practical than its sibling thanks to its bigger boot. Fuel efficiency is slightly better if you go for the diesel, but we'd suggest you go for the entry-level petrol that's much more refined. A great reliability result for the Kadjar in our most recent reliability survey seals the deal.

"When is a Qashqai not a Qashqai? When it's a Kadjar. This is the unknown twin and a good car for SUV work. Good value too. And look at that great reliability rating." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

We found: 2018 Renault Kadjar 1.5 dCi Dynamique Nav, 51,000 miles, £8750

Strengths

• Spacious interior
• Bigger boot than sibling Nissan Qashqai
• Quiet petrol engines

Weaknesses

• So-so quality
• Grabby brakes
• Choppy ride on big alloys

You could apply the Ronseal tagline of 'Does exactly what it says on the tin' to the Hyundai Tucson because it gives you everything you'd expect of a family SUV: lots of space, plenty of equipment and an easy drive. Go for a front-wheel-drive 1.7-litre diesel over a four-wheel-drive 2.0-litre and it'll be inexpensive to buy and to run. Reliability looks good, too.

"Separating the Tucson from the likes of the similar Sportage is like choosing your favourite child but whichever you go for you'll get a highly competent and practical SUV. Tucson reliability looks better at the mo. I like the fact the Tucson looks rather butch, as its name suggests." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

We found: 2018 Hyundai Tucson 1.7 CRDi SE Nav, 69,000 miles, £9250

Strengths

• Plenty of space
• Lots of equipment
• Relatively cheap to buy used

Weaknesses

• Plasticky interior
• Firm ride
• Some thirsty engines

The stylish Peugeot 3008 is great to drive and comfortable to ride in and very nice to look at. The interior is a little different from most, too, with that small steering wheel and a relatively high seating position. It's practical, smart and good value. Only a distinctly average showing in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey relegates it down our list.

"I ran one as a long-termer and enjoyed it. For a car devoid of a premium badge, I found the 3008's interior pretty stylish and plush." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

We found 2018 Peugeot 3008 1.2 PureTech Allure, 60,000 miles, £8750

Strengths

• Upmarket interior
• Standard safety kit
• Practicality

Weaknesses

• Vague controls
• Reliability results have occasionally been a bit mixed
• Slow infotainment system

Some people just want a no-nonsense car to see them through, and the Dacia Duster delivers on that promise and more. You can get into a top-spec Prestige example of the second-generation model for our budget, and it'll have below-average mileage too. While it comes well equipped, don't expect interior quality to be as good as what you'll find in a Skoda Karoq.

"You gotta love the Duster. I do. It'll do all the practical stuff that all the other cars here do but at a lower cost, age-for-age." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

We found: 2019 Dacia Duster 1.3 TCe Prestige, 68,000 miles, £8649

Strengths

• A lot of car for the money
• Big boot
• 4x4 version very capable

Weaknesses

• Sparse equipment on lower trims
• Interior feels very cheap
• Disappointing Euro NCAP safety rating

Car buyers do like a premium brand, and they don’t come much more blue-chip than BMW. The BMW X1 is great to drive, plus it has bags of room inside and a high-quality interior with the excellent iDrive infotainment system. It's well equipped, too, and our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey found it to be one of the most reliable family SUVs available.

"If your budget can stretch to it, above our limit here, I think the 2020 facelift models are worth going for. These cars come with much improved in-car technology with Apple CarPlay and a larger 8.8in infotainment screen." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

We found: 2016 BMW X1 2.0 18d SE sDrive, 67,000 miles, £9295

Strengths

• Smooth handling and responsive steering
• High-quality interior with solid materials
• Spacious boot with plenty of practical loading options
• Reliability looks good

Weaknesses

• Noticeable wind and road noise at speed
• Higher servicing costs than some of its rivals
• Some electrical issues have been reported by owners

You'll have to shop around, but early examples of the award-winning Seat Ateca are into the sub-£10k category, giving buyers yet another reason to go for this great family SUV. Even the base 1.0-litre petrol is remarkably capable, and the Ateca drives far better than everything on this list. What's more, it is incredibly practical with a huge boot that's perfect for family life.

"I love the Ateca. It was the first family SUV that was good enough to please keen drivers. It was a deserved winner of our What Car? Used Car of the Year Award in 2019." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

We found: 2017 Seat Ateca 1.4 EcoTSI SE, 58,000 miles, £9995

Strengths

• Spacious interior
• Class-leading handling
• Boot space pips rivals
• Good value used

Weaknesses

• Some rivals offer more flexible seating
• Interior isn’t that plush
• One or two are more economical

The Skoda Karoq just edges out its broadly similar sibling the Seat Ateca to the top spot. It's extremely practical (even more so than the Ateca), plus it's good to drive and excellent value for money. The ride is cosseting too, and it's decently refined in town and on a motorway. The Karoq’s greatest asset, though, is its interior, which is flexible, smart and beautifully built, with loads of space for all your passengers. Be sure to go for a petrol version over a diesel for its superior reliability.

"You are spoilt for choice when it comes to engine options in the Skoda Karoq. I particularly like the 1.5-litre petrol engine, which produces 148bhp and provides flexible performance for everyday driving. It's even quite cheap to run." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

We found: 2018 Skoda Karoq 1.5 TSI SE, 72,000 miles, £9995

Strengths

• Spacious and practical interior with excellent driving position
• Comfortable ride, smooth on all roads
• A good choice of punchy engines

Weaknesses

• A little bland to drive
• Not as efficient as some of its rivals
• VarioFlex seats are only optional on some models