Best used SUVs for less than £10,000

So you fancy the on-trend practicality of an SUV but can't commit to a huge spend? Don't worry, there are still many used examples to choose from at surprisingly modest prices. Here, we’ve picked out 10 SUVs of varying sizes that we think will fit a variety of different bills, all for an upper price limit of £10,000.

You can choose from SUVs both big and small, depending on your needs, but whatever the dimensions there are many qualities that all these cars share, including a spacious and versatile interior and a relaxing drive.

Our top team of used car testers have been on the case and if you want to know which car they rate above all others read on. Click on the links below each review and you can even put one of the cars on your driveway.

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Handsome, spacious and cheap to run, the Renault Kadjar is a fine family SUV that built on the success of its smaller sibling, the Captur. It shares a lot of its underpinnings with the highly successful second-generation Nissan Qashqai. Its interior quality is a little mixed but its reliability record has improved immeasurably over recent years, so this could be all the workhorse you'll need.

"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." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found 2018 Renault Kadjar 1.5 dCi Dynamique Nav, 52,000 miles, £9990

Strengths

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

Weaknesses

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

The previous-generation Kia Sportage has a spacious and practical interior, perfect for families, and is now great value bought used. True, the Sportage is not quite as engaging to drive as some of its rivals, but it betters many of them in so many other areas that it's a worthy contender here. It's a seriously good SUV and its looks will impress the neighbours, too. A previous number one in this list, its poor showing for the 2018-2021 cars in our most recent reliability survey relegates it down the chart here.

"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 1.7 CRDi 1, 52,000 miles, £9990

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

The Hyundai Kona is more than just a good-looking and reliable SUV. It offers decent performance, good practicality, plenty of standard equipment and a solid and classy interior that few of its competitors can match. The more expensive all-electric version is worth a look, too, if you can stretch to it. But it's the petrol-engined car's value for money that shines, though, because you can put a really good and clean example on your driveway for well within our budget here.

We found 2019 Hyundai Kona 1.0 T-GDi SE, 53,000 miles, £8995

Strengths

• Decent performance
• Generous kit
• Good infotainment
• Terrific reliability

Weaknesses

• Bumpy ride on 18in wheels
• Not as practical as some more modern rivals
• Auto braking not standard

The Suzuki Vitara is good to drive, has a comfortable ride, loads of interior space, and a good touchscreen infotainment system in SZ-T trim or higher. On top of that, its reliability record is very strong and it's also surprisingly economical. It's been on sale since 2015 so there's plenty of choice on the used forecourts, but our £10k budget now buys you a good 2019 car with a low mileage.

"Compact and boxy but to my eyes a handsome beast in the way a small SUV should be. The Vitara is maybe not the last word in refinement but it is surprisingly practical." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found 2019 Suzuki Vitara 1.6 SZ4, 38,000 miles, £9500

Strengths

• Good driving manners
• Spacious and practical interior
• Well equipped
• Reliability very strong

Weaknesses

• High emissions on some petrol models
• Diesel engines can be noisy
• Some of the trim feels flimsy

The very apogee of the family SUV, the Nissan Qashqai has pointed the way for all others since it started the trend way back in 2008. This second-generation version really upped the game when it was introduced in 2014. It's immensely practical and spacious inside, and comfortable. It's had a few average showings in our What Car? Reliability Survey but our recent results have given it an above-average marking.

"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 needs." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found 2019 Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DIG-T Acenta, 55,000 miles, £9700

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

Rugged, rocky and arid, that's what the name Hyundai Tucson suggests, and it lives up to it, too, to a certain degree. In fact, space and practicality are the Tucson's real forte, and it's the perfect size and shape for families. It's nice to drive, too, if not outstandingly sharp or quick, and it looks great. Our budget should get you a good, average mileage version of the previous-generation car from 2018, and it'll come with an above-average reliability record, too.

"Separating the Tucson from the Sportage is like choosing your favourite child but whichever you go for you'll get a highly competent and practical SUV. I like the fact the Tucson looks rather butch, as its name suggests, and it's more reliable than the Sportage." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found 2018 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 CRDi 136 SE Nav, 30,000 miles, £9490

Strengths

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

Weaknesses

• Plasticky interior
• Firm ride
• Some thirsty engines

Be warned, if you like a high-riding SUV, the Skoda Kamiq puts you quite low to the ground, with a driving position that is barely any more elevated than that of the Skoda Scala family hatchback. However, in every other respect, it's a brilliant used choice, with a supple, well-controlled ride and a remarkably spacious and classy interior. It's very practical, too. The entry-level 94bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine is peppy enough and economical and it's the cheapest Kamiq on the used car forecourt.

"All who drive or even live with the Kamiq come away impressed. It's easy to drive and it's got more space than you'd think, too, which makes it a really nice car for day-to-day use." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2020 Skoda Kamiq 1.0 TSI 95 SE, 55,000 miles, £10,000

Strengths

• Remarkably roomy interior and large boot
• Better-finished inside than many of its rivals
• Comfortable ride

Weaknesses

• No sliding or reclining rear seats
• Not especially well equipped
• Other small SUVs have a higher driving position
• Reliability mixed

The latest Dacia Duster not only looks rugged and handsome in a chisel-jawed sort-of way, it's also good to drive, comfortable and cheap to run. Space is very good, too; four adults should have few complaints about longer journeys and you can even take five – at a pinch. The boot capacity is also excellent. It might not be of the highest quality inside, but it'll stand up to abuse from even the most ardent DIYer, or the most abusive toddler. Its reliability record is strong and existing owners love them. Our budget buys a good 2021 model, making it one of the newest cars here.

"You gotta love the Duster. I do. This version is much better to drive than the original Duster. It'll do all the practical stuff that all the other cars here do and even more than that but at a lower cost, age-for-age." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found 2021 Dacia Duster 1.5 DCi Laureate, 36,000 miles, £9999

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

The Peugeot 3008 is a great family SUV and a good used buy. Its striking looks are still on-trend today, with its eye-catching, raised up and blocky styling, and that tough-looking black plastic cladding all over its handsome exterior. The interior lives up to the billing supplied by the outside, being neat, practical and nicely made. It's nice to drive, comfortable to ride in and well equipped. Used examples are now proving to be good and very solid buys.

"I've always been sold on the 3008's film-star looks but it's more than got the goods to back it up. It's good to drive, easy to live with and really good value for money. "- George Hill, used cars writer

We found 2019 Peugeot 3008 1.2 Puretech Allure, 30,000 miles, £9495

Strengths

• Upmarket interior
• Standard safety kit
• Practicality

Weaknesses

• Vague controls
• Popular, so can be pricier than other used rivals
• Slow infotainment system
• Reliability a bit mixed

A great family SUV, the Seat Ateca is one of the very best of its kind to drive – feeling sure-footed on a challenging B-road, nimble on city streets and refined on a motorway. It’s also backed up by a cracking range of engines. Practicality is still a top priority: the doors open wide to make putting a child car seat in easier, the boot is big and the interior is spacious. It's a great used buy, too; our budget buys a 2017 car, but shop around and you should be able to find a 2018 model.

"The Ateca's a terrific car and still cheaper age-for-age than the Skoda Karoq. One thing I really like about the Ateca's interior is the fact the dashboard is angled towards the driver, which means the controls are within easy reach." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

We found: 2018 Seat Ateca 1.5 TSI SE Technology, 51,000 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 Vauxhall Mokka X looks like good value. Sadly, it's no more than a very light facelift of its predecessor, the Mokka, and one which failed to sort that car's myriad problems. It is, therefore, best avoided.