Used Suzuki Grand Vitara 4x4 1998 - 2005 review

You'll have to dig deeper to bag the XL-7 seven-seat version, but otherwise used Grand Vitaras are affordably priced, so you're off to a good start.

You may need it, though, because you'll be looking at service intervals of just 6000 miles (petrols and diesels), and that means big maintenance bills. A Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 should all be cheaper to service.

Insurance costs are more in line with the competition, though. The five-seat V6 models come in for a reasonable group 12 - the same as the 2.0 petrol and turbodiesels. The 1.6 versions (three-door only) are group 10, including the soft-top - that's low for a convertible 4x4.

You won't have to blow too much dosh at the fuel pumps, either. The turbodiesel should be good for high-30s to the gallon, the 1.6 mid-30s, the 2.0 about 30mpg and the V6s 3mpg or so less.