SUVs have taken over UK roads as the most popular bodystyle, so the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. From compact city models to luxury family offerings, there’s now an SUV for almost every buyer.
It's easy to understand why SUVs are so popular. They combine the raised driving position that many drivers prefer with the roominess and practicality of a larger cabin and boot space. Plus, these days SUVs have much more efficient and powerful powertrains, including many electric and hybrid options to choose from, that really balance performance with reduced running costs.
However, when it comes to choosing an SUV, it doesn't always come down to size or price. The strongest choices balance comfort, practicality, smart tech, efficiency and driving experience, while standing out in an ever-increasing competitive car market.
This list highlights a small selection of some of the best used SUVs available today, with each choice carefully selected for the unique qualities it brings to the segment, whether that's how many passengers it can carry or its 0 to 62mph performance.
- Kia Sportage
- Dacia Duster
- Renault 4 E-Tech
- Hyundai IONIQ 9
- Volvo XC40
- Dacia Bigster
- Skoda Enyaq
- BMW X5
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
- Jeep Wrangler
- Frequently Asked Questions
Kia Sportage
Practical and popular, Kia's offering is a family-focused staple in the SUV market. With long transferable warranties, efficent powertrains, and practicality throughout, the Sportage is one of the most well-rounded SUVs for everyday family life.
And by no means is it boring when it comes to performance. The top-of-the-range plug-in hybrid powertrain delivers 283bhp, a combined mpg of 104.6, and 43 miles of electric range for short, about-town journeys.
For those wanting something a bit tamer, or who don't have home charging infrastructure, there is a full hybrid (HEV) and a petrol-only option. All drive smoothly, and for extra road handling and off-roading capabilities, the hybrid powertrains are also available with all-wheel drive (AWD).
Inside is where the Sportage shines, with plenty of space for three rear passengers and lots of standard equipment, including a futuristic wraparound dash with 12.3-inch digital dials and widescreen infotainment touchscreens in higher-spec trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, and there are a generous number of USB sockets and adjustable cup-holders available.
The Sportage may not be the SUV that grabs the most attention, but it will succeed where it matters most, offering a practical, comfortable, and well-equipped SUV for families.
Search Used Kia SportageDacia Duster
For those who want ruggedness on a budget, a Dacia Duster makes a strong case. It balances SUV off-road aesthetics, thanks to its bold front end, protective plastic surrounds, and high ride height, with everyday practicality. This makes it appealing for those who love that adventure-inspired design but also need a functional car to do the weekly shop in.
Duster models come with a range of powertrains to suit your everyday lifestyle, including an economical full hybrid (HEV) and a couple of mild hybrid (mHEV) options; one of these being four-wheel drive (4x4), suiting those who commute during the week and adventure at the weekend.
Although Dacia models' equipment levels are typically more basic with older, entry-level trims, these days you get digital dials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone pairing as standard. Meanwhile, the cabin remains focused on practicality with comfortable seating throughout and plenty of space for three adults in the back. Boot space is also generous for a small family-size SUV, ranging from 349 to 474 litres depending on trim level.
The Dacia Duster is a family SUV for the great outdoors, especially the 4x4 version, that'll lend itself to daily commutes and drives without feeling too much out of place. Few SUVs deliver this level of rugged DNA and versatility in a single car.
Search Used Dacia DusterRenault 4 E-Tech
The retro-inspired Renault 4 E-Tech sits on the boundary between a hatchback like the Renault 5 E-Tech and an SUV like Renault's larger SUV the Scenic, offering a reasonable amount of practical features and an all-electric powertrain. Smaller than a lot of SUVs on this list, it still comes with a lot of SUV character blended with its heritage authenticity, such as a raised ride height, chunky wheel arch cladding and higher driving position. It'll appeal to those who love an SUV profile but need a more compact car for everyday driving.
It takes its profile inspiration from the original 1961 version, with many styling details such as the front grille design and three-part rear lighting shape. After that, it's a completely different car altogether. Its single-option all-electric powertrain is solid, offering 148bhp and a WLTP range of up to 249 miles, enough for a weekend away or more than a week's worth of regular driving.
Inside, the cabin is comfortable and will easily fit four adults without too much of a squeeze, thanks to a stretched version of the Renault 5 E-Tech platform. This extra space opens up the boot space to a much more practical 420 litres, with 1,405 litres with the seats folded. What's more, the front passenger seat folds flat for long item transport.
Although not a fully fledged large- or even mid-size SUV, the Renault 4 still has ingrained SUV DNA in a more compact frame, making it excellent for city driving and long-distance travel in equal measure. And if you really want to lean into those historic Renault 4 touches, you can even have a plein sud™ canvas sunroof on some trim levels.
Search Used Renault 4Hyundai IONIQ 9
With its bold 'pixel-fused' styling and commanding road presence, the Hyundai IONIQ 9 is a flagship all-electric SUV that blends long-range with enough space to transport seven in refined luxury. But the IONIQ 9's appeal isn't just about space and comfort. If you've ever seen one in the wild, you'll know that it's a real head turner, with smooth lines and a fluid silhouette that almost has an estate-like profile, but bigger.
Underneath the futuristic design, the IONIQ 9 offers three electric powertrain options, allowing you to prioritise either efficiency, performance or a balance of both. The range-focused rear-wheel drive model delivers an impressive WLTP of 385 miles, while the 421bhp AWD range-topper trades range for performance, delivering a rapid 0 to 62mph sprint in 4.9 seconds. If you like a bit of column A and a bit of column B, the middle 303bhp AWD version balances performance and range.
The IONIQ 9 comes into its own with its interior. Designed as a lounge on wheels, you get plush seating all around, surrounded by high-end technology that makes long trips easy and relaxing. Hyundai's intelligent AI assistant controls much of the equipment through voice commands, while other highlights such as heated and ventilated seating, a heat pump for cold-weather efficiency, and a swivelling second-row seat add to the IONIQ 9's lounge appeal. Combined with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the IONIQ 9 feels every bit the flagship SUV Hyundai intended it to be.
As an alternative to the usual German executive options, the IONIQ 9 is a premium all-electric SUV that challenges the established order. With long-distance capability, a luxurious interior, high-tech equipment, and seven seats, delivered in equal measures, it makes a strong case for one of the best SUVs on the market.
Search Used Hyundai IONIQ 9Volvo XC40
Sitting below the popular XC60 in the series is its smaller sibling, the Volvo XC40. A compact SUV, designed for families, coming with the Swedish brand's super-safe stamp of approval. Although it lands in the compact SUV area, it's probably a little bigger than most of its rivals, or at least it feels that way. That extra presence is matched by classic Volvo design language, with its instantly recognisable front grille and confident silhouette, reflecting decades of safety-focused engineering.
On the road, it drives refined, keeping bumps and dips at bay and your passengers comfortable in its serene, Scandi-type interior. Soft touches and detailed curves make it feel calming, while the seating is ultra-comfortable and outside noise is kept to a minimum.
And of course it has a huge range of clever safety features, resulting in its solid five-star Euro NCAP rating. Smart systems such as Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Steer Assist and City Safety (Collision Avoidance) that detects vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and even large animals, offering warnings and full autonomous emergency braking (AEB) if you fail to react in time.
Because the focus is on comfort and safety, Volvo doesn't offer loads of different powertrain options with the XC40. Just a single, efficient mild hybrid 2.0-litre petrol offering 161bhp or a slightly pacier 194bhp and a reasonable 42.2mpg in both versions. Neither version is engineered to deliver a thrilling road performance, but that isn't what the XC40 is created for. This is a vehicle built around refinement and safety, making it a top choice for families and the safety-conscious driver.
Search Used Volvo XC40Dacia Bigster
If the Duster's footprint is just too compact for your family but you still love its rugged off-road aesthetics and adventure character, then check out the Dacia Bigster, a grown-up version of the Duster. Arriving with a similar bold front end, chunky plastic cladding and a high ride height, the Bigster offers the same off-road design language in a larger format.
It shares the powertrains with the Duster, including the four-wheel drive (4x4) mild hybrid, which is favourable for the outdoor types, making the Bigster a great family adventure SUV. Inside, you get a digital driver's display, plus a 10.1-inch touchscreen as standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. If you go for the top trim, features such as a panoramic roof, powered tailgate, and dual-zone climate control are available.
You can really use the Bigster on the trails thanks to its add-on accessories, with a fold-out bed, blackout blinds, and even a specialist tent that integrates with the rear of the car all available aftermarket. There is even a cargo box available if the spacious 677-litre boot space isn't enough.
Countryside adventures aside, the Bigster is a very functional and capable medium SUV that has plenty of inside space and features to make everyday family life easier. It may not offer the premium feel of some rivals, but that's not what it's designed for; its appeal lies in its practical design and impressive value, with a bit of rugged character thrown in for good measure.
Search Used Dacia BigsterSkoda Enyaq
If an all-electric medium SUV is where you want to be, the Skoda Enyaq is where it's at. One of the strongest SUVs in the all-electric segment, the Enyaq comes with a sleek silhouette and refined profile that will attract many potential buyers with its updated architectural styling.
With various battery and powertrain options available, the most appealing one is right in the middle, offering a balanced combination of performance (282bhp) and an impressive 359 miles of WLTP range. This is also available as an all-wheel drive (AWD) option if you live in a rural area and need more traction on country lanes. And if you're after hot hatch performance with SUV practicality, the flagship vRS model offers 335bhp and a 5.4-second o to 62mph time.
Coming back down to a sensible level, Skoda won't disappoint. Everyone will enjoy the smooth, quiet ride, with reduced wind noise on motorways. And of course, the seating is comfortable, with lots of headroom and legroom for rear passengers, thanks to its flat floor. Upfront, it has a great driver position, while tech such as a generous 13-inch central infotainment screen is easy to use and controls all the Enyaq's features. There are also nice touches such as the umbrella located in the driver’s door and an ice scraper hidden in the tailgate.
What really sets the Skoda Enyaq apart, however, is its effortless way of blending all the positive features such as practicality, refinement and long-distance usability into an all-electric family SUV.
Search Used Skoda EnyaqBMW X5
Certain things spring to mind when you think of a BMW X5, and you'll be glad to know it meets, and exceeds all of those expectations. The X5 is a solid choice as a premium SUV from everyone's second favourite German brand. Bold, prominent and road-owning, the X5 is a beast on the road, while the inside delivers a plusher, more refined feel.
Because BMW is performance-oriented, let's discuss engines. BMW offers a powertrain for every type of buyer, from the efficient mild hybrid 3.0-litre diesel for long-distance driving to the meaty V8-powered M60i for embarrassing hot hatches. However, the sweet spot is the petrol plug-in hybrid, which marries performance and economy, offering 489bhp alongside 64 miles of electric driving, which covers most commutes and everyday driving during the week.
Alongside power, BMW has ensured that the interior is plush, full of useful tech, including a very user-friendly infotainment system, and well-finished, with glossy surfaces and body-hugging, comfortable seats in both the front and back. There is lots of legroom and space for rear passengers, instilling confidence that the BMW X5 is a good family SUV. In some versions, there is an optional third row, making it a seven-seater.
The X5's strengths lie in its ability to blend thunderous performance with everyday practicality, especially with the PHEV version. It can handle anything from cross-country business trips and tours of Europe, right down to the local school run, with a performance and driving enjoyment that many SUVs have forgotten.
Search Used BMW X5Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Supercar performance. SUV practicality. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio blends both in one seriously quick package with enough space for all the family. The Quadrifoglio version takes the still quick Alfa Romeo Stelvio and adds some race-ready details throughout, engineered for those who can't let go of performance driving.
Its muscular frame features lots of sculpted Alfa Romeo lines, all pointing to the traditional V-shaped Scudetto grille up front across all the range. That aggressive design hints at what lies beneath. To reach those lofty performance figures, it arrives with a 513bhp 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo petrol delivering power to all wheels, thanks to the Stelvio's Q4 All-Wheel Drive, which makes the Stelvio Quadrifoglio good on the road in bad weather. It accelerates from 0 to 62mph in a staggering 3.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of around 177mph. This is a seriously fast car.
The Stelvio Quadrifoglio's suspension and steering have been adjusted to match its power, making it agile in and out of the corners, even with its large frame, while additions like the mechanical limited-slip rear differential improve traction. For further driving enhancements, it comes with a DNA Pro drive mode system with four different modes, from Advanced Efficiency for everyday driving right through to Race, recalibrating the Stelvio Quadrifoglio's systems to boost performance and make driving joyful and exhilarating.
We could talk about how it's comfortable and spacious inside and that the sizable boot opens up to 525 litres, making it a practical SUV. Still, most people won't consider a Stelvio Quadrifoglio for those reasons. They buy it for the exhaust note, the way it attacks corners and the theatre on the road; a rare SUV that prioritises excitement as much as functionality.
Search Used Alfa Romeo StelvioJeep Wrangler
Some SUVs are just large cars with big wheels, where true off-roading is just a dream. If you do want an authentic off-road SUV that will also happily transport the kids to school, then the Jeep Wrangler is an overland workhorse in a league of its own. With design DNA that hasn't really changed for many years, such as its boxy profile, signature seven-slot grille, and chunky tyres, the Wrangler remains instantly recognisable and true to its off-road roots.
There's not much choice when it comes to powertrains. In fact, there is just a single option, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 268bhp and sprints from 0 to 62mph in 7.6 seconds. However, where the Wrangler really comes to life is off the beaten track. It slips back into its utilitarian ways and attacks dirt tracks and mud crevices with ease and grace. And on regular roads?It still feels comfortable and smooth, whilst the wrangler isn't as road-focused as other models such as the Grand Cherokee, it still feels capable in day to day driving.
When it comes to the interior, Jeep has pulled the Wrangler into the 21st century, offering tech such as a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It's surprisingly comfortable, letting go of some of its stripped-back retro roots, and is much more modern, which makes it useful for the family. It's also comfortable in the back, thanks to its tall nature with lots of legroom and headroom for passengers of all sizes, and it comes with a 533-litre boot for carrying all your outdoor gear, like tents and inflatable dinghies.
A Jeep Wrangler isn't an SUV that you occasionally take off-road; it's an off-road machine that you occasionally take to the shops. Few SUVs deliver the same combination of heritage and personality, making it one of the last truly capable adventure vehicles still available today.
Search Used Jeep WranglerFrequently asked questions
SUV stands for Sport Utility Vehicle. It blends the passenger comfort of a traditional family car with off-road features like plastic cladding for protection, high ground clearance, sometimes four-wheel drive (4x4), also known as all-wheel drive (AWD), and a boxy-style shape. They come in various shapes and sizes, from compact SUVs like the Volvo XC40 and Chery Tiggo 4 to large seven-seat SUVs like the Kia EV9 and Land Rover Defender.
The BMW X5 is one of the best luxury SUVs for the money, balancing premium prestige and sporty handling. At the same time, the JAECOO 8 disrupts the market as a futuristic, massive 7-seat SUV that undercuts more established luxury SUV rivals. The Volvo XC90 is highly recommended thanks to its luxury Scandi-style interior, smooth powertrains and world-class safety,
Both the Range Rover and BMW X7 offer unmatched plushness, luxury and road quietness when it comes to comfortable SUVs for long trips, with the Hyundai SANTA FE also offering a smooth ride, thanks to its electric powertrains and advanced suspension. The Volvo XC40 offers excellent comfort both front and back and is considered one of the best family SUVs for long journeys.
Discover your next used SUV with Evans Halshaw
When it comes to buying a used SUV, it comes down to lifestyle and personal preferences. Whether you're after a small electric SUV for city driving, something with off-road capabilities, or a large luxury seven-seat SUV, there'll always be one to match your everyday needs.
Ready to take the next step? Our extensive range of used SUVs includes a variety of models from the world's best-known manufacturers. Drop into your local Evans Halshaw retailer and speak with one of our team. Alternatively, discover more of our buying guides that'll help you make an informed decision and find the SUV that’s right for your lifestyle, needs and budget.
