As popular as ever, the sometimes boxy-profiled SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) are becoming the number one choice of car for those who have families or are planning one, offering the perfect blend of space and everyday practicality, alongside good safety records and top-level ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) included.
In addition to practicality and comfort, SUVs are becoming more stylish, and thanks to advancements in engine technology, they are now more affordable to run, with powertrain choices ranging from efficient petrols and diesels right through to hybrids and all-electrics, suiting everyone's lifestyle and driving preferences.
A used family SUV is a good option, allowing you to stretch your budget further and choose from a broader range of models with better specifications without compromising on reliability. Plus, many cars still retain their original warranty, which is transferable to their new owner.
Whether you're looking for a seven-seater, an off-roader, or just simply a larger car for the school run, we have narrowed down your search and listed 10 of the best used family SUVs to suit your individual requirements.
- Renault Scenic E-Tech
- Volvo XC60
- Renault 4 E-Tech
- Ford Kuga
- Hyundai SANTA FE
- Honda CR-V
- Dacia Duster
- Hyundai KONA Electric
- Skoda Kodiaq
- Mercedes-Benz GLE
- Honourable Mentions
- Frequently Asked Questions
Renault Scenic E-Tech
Long gone are the days of the original 1990s MPV Scenic, with its aircraft-inspired interior and clever modular rear seating. These days, the Renault Scenic E-Tech has reinvented the nameplate, offering an SUV-shaped all-electric vehicle created for families.
Available with either an entry-level 168bhp motor and 60kWh battery offering a respectable 260-mile WLTP range. Or a more powerful version with 217bhp and an 87kWh battery, delivering an impressive range of up to 381 miles, reducing range anxiety and letting you travel further without stopping for a top-up.
Inside, Renault has designed the Scenic E-Tech with ample rear space for children or tall teenagers, while parents will love the comfortable seating and the easy-to-navigate central infotainment touchscreen. Higher spec trims come fitted with a solarbay® panoramic glass roof for stargazing or watching the world go by, which can adjust its transparency at the touch of a button. With a 545-litre boot and 30 ADAS safety features, including a smart rear-view mirror and active driver assist, it’s built for family life.
For families wanting an SUV with an impressive range, all the creature comforts, and everyday practicality, a used Scenic E-Tech makes a compelling choice.
Search Used Renault ScenicVolvo XC60
Sitting between the smaller XC40 and larger XC90, the Volvo XC60 is one of the brand's most popular SUVs that comes with the Volvo safety stamp of approval, making it ideal for families. A used XC60 doesn't have the room of the XC90, but on the flip side, it means that battling school-morning traffic and city driving is much easier.
It is powered by either a 2.0-litre petrol mild hybrid rated at 247bhp and 36.2mpg or a pair of 2.0-litre petrol PHEV versions offering 345bhp and a tuned 449bhp option. The PHEVs also offer 51 miles of electric range, making them especially economical during the school run, everyday commuting, and heading into the city.
Inside, you get quality throughout. Upfront is plush, offering excellent ride comfort for the driver and passenger, while in the back, you get plenty of space for transporting your children, with excellent touches such as an integrated child seat that folds up from the seat base and two ISOFIX points in the rear. Plus, its 468-litre boot space means you'll fit everything in for weekend journeys, and a pushchair, should you need it.
The best bit? The Volvo XC60 was built to be one of the safest cars ever. Volvo has a strong reputation as a safe manufacturer, so parents will feel at ease transporting their children in this SUV, which scored the maximum of five stars in the Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) safety tests.
Search Used Volvo XC60Renault 4 E-Tech
If you're after an all-electric crossover for the family, a used Renault 4 E-Tech deserves a place on your shortlist. Full of retro character, with front and rear lighting profiles and interior features that nod to the original, while its overall silhouette pays homage to the iconic 1961 model. Beyond the nostalgic looks, however, the Renault 4 E-Tech is a practical electric SUV, ideal for a small or growing family.
To keep things simple, it currently offers a single motor producing 148bhp and an impressive 250-mile WLTP range, making it perfect for school runs and commutes and great for weekend trips with the family without having to stop too often for charging.
Inside, it's big for a crossover, fitting two adults in the back with ease and two children even more easily. You also get up to 26 ADAS features for safer driving and a sizable 420 litres of boot space, which fits plenty of luggage for holidaying or the seemingly infinite amount of hobby equipment children accumulate over time.
If you're after more contemporary stylings than the Renault 4 E-Tech the Ford Puma Gen-E or Vauxhall Mokka might be more your taste. However, if you're after a fun, retro-inspired all-electric SUV for the family, you can't go far wrong with a used Renault 4 E-Tech.
Search Used Renault 4 E-TechFord Kuga
When it comes to mid-size family SUVs, the Ford Kuga pops up time and time again. The reason? It's practical and comfortable, with a decent range of powertrain options, making it a great used car.
Choice is what you get with a used Ford Kuga. It has lots of trim options and a respectable number of powertrains, including pure petrols, two full hybrids and a plug-in hybrid, for those with space for the charging infrastructure. All drive incredibly well, with the all-wheel drive (AWD) being the best choice for those who venture off the beaten track at weekends, and the PHEV for those who prioritise fuel efficiency and a 42-mile all-electric range for commutes, school runs, and everyday errands.
Inside, there is plenty of standard equipment, with different trims offering upgrades, and enough space for four adults (or two adults and two kids) easily. 412 litres of boot space is also there to take advantage of, expanding to 1,500 or 1,650 litres with the seats down, depending on which trim you opt for, so keep a close eye what's available on the used Kuga market.
Ford has always made capable cars, and for those who need a solid medium-sized family SUV, you really can't go wrong with a Ford Kuga. With lots of options throughout, you can really whittle down your choices and find the right used SUV for your lifestyle.
Search Used Ford KugaHyundai SANTA FE
From a distance, you might mistake the Hyundai SANTA FE for a Land Rover Defender, but up close, it's a different machine altogether. Its boxy silhouette is not for everyone, but for those with larger families who want the ultimate in ride comfort, this seven-seat (or six-seat) family SUV might just be the one.
Hybrid powertrains are where the SANTA FE is at, with a couple of full hybrids in FWD and 4WD form and a 4WD PHEV with a WLTP electric range of 34 miles for short runs and everyday driving. Inside are options for six- or seven-seat configurations, depending on family size and lifestyle, and a practical 621 litres when set up as a five-seater. Whichever configuration suits you, it'll be pure comfort, with all versions offering a smooth ride.
If you're one for pulling a caravan at the weekend, a used SANTA FE is exceptional, with both HEVs offering a maximum braked towing capacity of 2000kg, great for adventuring families. Pair that with its boot space, and it becomes a long tourer that lets you take everyone and the kitchen sink with you.
A used SANTA FE is big, but not so big that it's a chore to drive on narrower roads. Instead, Hyundai have created a large SUV that combines impressive space with ride comfort and refinement, making it a brilliant choice for families who need a true all-rounder (and seven seats).
Search Used Hyundai SANTA FEHonda CR-V
Practical and reliable, the Honda CR-V delivers everything you'll need in a used family SUV. Sleeker in design than previous generations, the latest version is smart-looking and full of great safety features such as the Honda-designed Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), which is designed to reduce the severity of an unavoidable frontal collision or prevent it altogether.
The CR-V has two powertrain options: a full hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, with the latter offering 51 miles of all-electric range, making school runs, teenage drop-offs, and everyday driving extremely economical. There is also lots of room for everyone inside, with rear passengers (young or older) getting loads of leg and headroom to stretch out.
There is also 596-litre (HEV) to 635-litre (PHEV) boot space, which suits many families needing room for a pushchair and everyday essentials. The CR-V also arrives with a plethora of tech and ADAS, from smartphone integration to automated parking systems in higher specs.
It may not be the flashiest SUV in its class, but when it comes to everyday usability and practicality, a used Honda CR-V is one of the most complete family SUVs on the market.
Search Used Honda CR-VDacia Duster
Affordable, comfortable and robust, the Duster showcases the Dacia brand's reputation for delivering practical, no-nonsense cars with exceptional value. Its rugged looks will appeal to the explorer types, and there's an all-wheel-drive system available in some specs, making it a bargain SUV and your go-to choice for off-roading with the whole family.
The entry-level Access version does without often-expensive creature comforts in terms of equipment, but some people are content with a practical SUV, which the Duster is, without any modern, high-tech features. However, you can search for the Essential trim if you worry you'll miss features like air conditioning, a radio, Bluetooth, and split-folding rear seats.
Children can be safely secured in car seats thanks to the ISOFIX points on the two outer rear seats. Plus, there's plenty of space in the boot for a fold-up pushchair, a large family food shop or holiday luggage for the whole family.
With outdoor adventures at its heart, a used Dacia Duster could be a good fit for active families who value practicality over prestige and pomp. It gives dependable performance whether you're on the daily school run or navigating a hilly country track. For families on a budget, it's one of the best-value used SUVs you can buy.
Search Used Dacia DusterHyundai KONA Electric
Like the Renault 4 E-Tech, the Hyundai KONA Electric is a subcompact SUV with an all-electric powertrain, designed for growing or small families who want to go greener.
The KONA Electric 39kWh has a WLTP range of 234 miles, whilst the punchier 64kWh version boasts a more impressive range of up to 319 miles, making it the one to opt for if you've got long miles on the horizon. You can, of course, get a conventional petrol or self-charging hybrid version of the Hyundai Kona if you prefer.
Alongside its impressive range, the KONA is full of useful kit: Lane-keeping assist and a Driver Attention Alert system are standard, whilst higher-specification models are even better equipped with luxuries such as heated rear seats. Plus, it features a transferable five-year manufacturer's warranty and an eight-year battery warranty, so it's an attractive option to purchase as a used car.
For smaller families wanting to switch to electric, a used Hyundai KONA Electric is an easy SUV to recommend. Lots of standard equipment and an impressive range in a compact SUV, that's a practical everyday partner for your family trips.
Search Used Hyundai KonaSkoda Kodiaq
Another family SUV on our list with seven seats is the Skoda Kodiaq. It's a fantastic choice of SUV if you have a larger family, with plenty of equipment fitted as standard, as well as optional kit available too.
It has a great selection of powertrains, but the star of the show is the PHEV, which pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. If you've got space for charging infrastructure, this one will do an amazing 75 miles of all-electric range. In real terms, you can do all the regular weekly trips and local commutes without using a drop of fuel.
Practicality is where the Kodiaq really shines. If you need to seat three children in child seats, you're in luck with the Kodiaq, as it has three ISOFIX points across the middle row. Even with all seven seats in use, the boot is still large enough for luggage and holiday gear. It's also a great choice for families who tow, with the powerful AWD petrol and diesel powertrains offering impressive braked towing capacities of up to 2,350kg and 2,400 kg, respectively.
But the Kodiaq’s appeal goes beyond practicality. There's a good amount of ADAS and safety equipment fitted as standard. And for complete peace of mind, the Kodiaq scored the maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. With the seven-seat capability and all these options available to you, a Kodiaq makes a very convincing case as one of the best all-round used family SUVs on the market today.
Search Used Skoda KodiaqMercedes-Benz GLE
If you want to transport your family around in plush refinement and executive style, then cast your eyes over a used Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV. German engineering at its finest.
The GLE offers a broad range of powertrains, from efficient mild-hybrids and plug-in hybrids, to a couple of track-led AMG performance models. The most fuel-efficient options include the petrol plug-in hybrid, which adds an impressive electric range of up to 70 miles for everyday driving and school drop-offs without using any fuel, while the diesel mild-hybrid excels at covering long motorway miles and family weekends away.
Inside, as expected, it is plush and comfortable with options for seven or five seats. The seven-seater gives you space for two extra bodies but loses boot space, while the five-seater gains a tremendous 630 litres of boot space, expanding to 825 litres with the rear seats slid forward. Enough for a pushchair or some luggage for family holidays.
Premium is where it's at with a used GLE, and Mercedes-Benz has loaded it with standard equipment and up-to-date tech, making the quiet ride and smooth journey the centre of the SUV experience. If your budget allows and you're after a family SUV with a bit of luxury and elegance, a used Mercedes-Benz GLE is difficult to beat.
Search Used Mercedes-Benz GLEHonourable Mentions
As with many car-buying guides, the same names will appear time and time again, so to highlight other great SUV options, we've added the Nissan Qashqai, the Kia Sportage and the Toyota RAV4 as additional recommendations. All are fantastic examples of used family SUVs with plenty of choice across different trims and specifications.
Search Used SUVsFrequently asked questions
SUV stands for Sports Utility Vehicle. It's a broad term for a car with rugged features such as four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), higher ground clearance, and a higher seating position. They have lots of space, with ample boot space and comfortable, spacious interiors for everyone travelling. There are different sizes of SUVs, including compact/subcompact, mid-sized, and large, which often seat up to seven people and are not MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicles).
Japanese brands such as Toyota and Honda, including the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, are considered the most reliable, with excellent build quality and tech levels. For larger families, the Skoda Kodiaq provides unbeatable practicality and seven-seat versatility with proven dependability in its class.
There are many top-level second-hand SUVs on the market today. The Kia Sportage is a strong contender for its unmatched warranty and practicality, while the Dacia Duster is a value choice for families on a budget.
Find your perfect used family SUV
With so many great examples of used family SUVs available, the hardest part is choosing the one that fits your lifestyle and budget. Whether you prioritise space, comfort, efficiency, or value, there’s a model ready to meet your needs.
Visit your nearest Evans Halshaw retailer, and one of our team members will help you discover a family-friendly used SUV that makes everyday journeys easier.
