Best used 4x4s 2025 (and one to avoid)
Tempted by the idea of a used 4x4? Then these are the models you should be considering – and the ones that are best avoided...
Buyers of SUVs and off-roaders expect a lot from their cars: comfort, practicality, a commanding driving position and, in many cases, the added security and off-road potential that comes with four-wheel drive.
All of the models we present here deliver these things but to varying degrees. Some have seven seats and are more suited to on-road driving, while others provide incredible ability when conditions get really tough.
But whatever you're after from your 4x4, you'll find something in this top 10 to meet your needs, and having done that, click on the links below the reviews to find examples for sale.
Strengths
- Smooth ride, even on rough road surfaces
- Luxurious interior with high-quality materials
- Powerful engine options, including hybrids
Weaknesses
- High running and maintenance costs
- Reliability in the past has been a bit mixed
- Limited rear seat space for middle passengers
The Range Rover Sport is a very capable car. On the road, it's superb to drive, with a supple ride that makes long journeys an absolute breeze. Meanwhile, the Terrain Response system makes off-roading remarkably easy — just select the appropriate setting for conditions like snow, mud or sand, and away you go. For added reassurance, its recent reliability record is strong, placing third out of 16 luxury cars in our latest reliability survey. It's also surprisingly good value, which helps solidify its position of being the best used 4x4 you can buy.
"The Range Rover Sport has a broad range of engines, but I think the 3.0-litre V6 diesel is the best of the bunch. It's smooth, punchy and flexible. It's one of the more efficient options, too." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer
We found: 2019 Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 HSE, 55,723 miles, £27,950
Read our full used Range Rover Sport review
Search for a used Range Rover Sport for sale
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
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 SE L 4x4, 47,703 miles, £15,995
Read our full used Skoda Karoq review
Search for a used Skoda Karoq for sale
Strengths
- Comfortable on the road, excellent off it
- Roomy, expensive-feeling interior
- Variety of body styles, engines and trims to choose from
Weaknesses
- Poor fuel economy
- Tiny boot in 90 models
- Question mark over Land Rover's reliability record
The Land Rover Defender is renowned for its off-road ability, but unlike the original, this new version is very capable on the road, too. It's comfortable and refined, plus it's available with a silky smooth six-cylinder diesel engine, which is our favourite. If Land Rover's reliability record is a concern, you can be reassured by the Defender's fourth place finish out of 16 luxury cars in our latest reliability survey. Only a high price stops it from finishing further up this list.
"A real star, the Defender. I've loaded up a 110 with children and holiday paraphernalia and it swallowed it all up without breaking a sweat. It's impressive both on and off road, too." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor
We found: 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 3.0 D250 S, 39,600 miles, £45,499
Read our full used Land Rover Defender review
Search for a used Land Rover Defender for sale
Strengths
- Comfortable driving condition
- Well equipped
- Excellent traction in slippery conditions
Weaknesses
- Still a question mark over long-term reliability
- Some rivals have better fuel economy
- Not particularly swift
The Range Rover Evoque might be the smallest Land Rover, but that doesn't make it any less capable in the rough stuff. Like its siblings, it comes with Land Rover's Terrain Response system that helps you set the car up for various conditions. On the road, the Evoque is comfortable to drive, with a supple ride and tidy handling. For maximum capability, be it on or off the road, make sure you go for one of the versions with four-wheel drive, because some of the entry-level versions are front-wheel drive.
"The Evoque might be a small SUV, but I like how it places you high above the road. It gives you a great view forwards." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor
We found: 2020 Range Rover Evoque D180 R-Dynamic S, 47,521 miles, £17,980
Read our full used Range Rover Evoque review
Search for a used Range Rover Evoque for sale
Strengths
- Classy interior
- Seven-seat versatility
- Well equipped
Weaknesses
- Ride slightly unsettled
- Road and suspension noise
- Audi Q7 is more refined
- Reliability reports a bit mixed
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."– George Hill, Used Cars Writer
We found: 2021 Volvo XC90 2.0 B5 MHEV Momentum, 51,388 miles, £29,249
Read our full used Volvo XC90 review
Search for a used Volvo XC90 for sale
Strengths
- Sharp handling
- Class-leading infotainment
- Strong engines
- Good value used
Weaknesses
- Firm ride in M Sport trim
- Popular 20d engine sounds gruff
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 a fantastic used buy.
"If it's driving pleasure that concerns you and yet you want the security of four-wheel drive, look no further than the X3. It's one of my favourites." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor
We found: 2021 BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport, 45,972 miles, £25,506
Read our full used BMW X3 review
Search for a used BMW X3 for sale
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
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: 2022 Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi Prestige 4x4, 40,601 miles, £15,300
Read our full used Dacia Duster review
Search for a used Dacia Duster for sale
Strengths
- Huge boot
- Seven-seat practicality
- Well equipped
- Top-notch reliability
Weaknesses
- Jiggly ride
- Heavy-ish steering
- Interior quality iffy in places
- Still not cheap to buy
If you’re looking for a four-wheel-drive car with hybrid power, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a good choice. It features a hybrid system that pairs a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and battery, delivering strong performance and respectable efficiency. While it’s not as rugged as some of the other cars on this list, it offers outstanding value on the used market thanks to its competitive pricing and generous equipment levels. It’s also extremely practical, making it a great choice if you need a seven-seater with four-wheel drive.
"What reassures me about the Santa Fe is its reliability record. In our latest reliability survey, it finished in first place out of 14 seven-seaters. That's really impressive." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor
We found: 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6h T-GDi Premium 4WD, 39,896 miles, £24,492
Read our full used Hyundai Santa Fe review
Search for a used Hyundai Santa Fe for sale
Strengths
- Incredibly spacious
- Well-rounded engine range
- Plenty of kit present
Weaknesses
- Currently still quite pricey
- A similar Hyundai Santa Fe offers better value
- Larger wheels make for a worse ride
The Kia Sorento is a close relative of the Hyundai Santa Fe. While it's not as cheap as that car used, it still offers many of the same benefits. If you want four-wheel drive, you can have it with either hybrid or diesel power, while its interior is absolutely cavernous. All versions are really well equipped; entry-level 2 trim comes with 17in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and adaptive cruise control.
"In terms of trims, 2 is a good choice, but I'd recommend going for 3 if you can. It's similarly priced to 2 on the used market, but adds extras like a powered tailgate and heated outer seats in the second row." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer
We found: 2021 Kia Sorento 1.6h T-GDi 2 4WD, 28,095 miles, £26,300
Read our full used Kia Sorento review
Search for a used Kia Sorento for sale
Strengths
- Great off road
- Reliable
- Well equipped
Weaknesses
- Rudimentary on road handling
- Interior not that plush
- Rear hinged door terrible in tight car parks
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: 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8D Active, 40,249 miles, £35,398
Read our full used Toyota Land Cruiser review
Search for a used Toyota Land Cruiser for sale
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