Used Kia Sportage review: 2016 to 2021 (Mk4)
Best used SUVs to buy in 2024
There are plenty of great used SUVs to choose from – we pick the 10 models that you should be looking at
For many car buyers, a used SUV is the sensible choice for a practical, affordable family car. You’ll benefit from the high driving position and large boot space of the latest SUVs while avoiding the worst of the depreciation that nearly every new car experiences over the first couple of years of ownership.
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SUVs come in all shapes and sizes these days, from supermini-based urban runarounds to capable all-terrain 4x4s. There are different engine options to suit every buyer, as well, including fully electric SUVs for those ready to switch to zero-emissions driving. We’ve selected a variety of models on our list below, so there should be a used SUV for everyone.
If you plan to buy a used car, make sure you know how to get the best deal from a car dealership and how to test drive a car. SUVs often crop up in our weekly used deals roundup, so keep an eye out for any models that take your fancy.
The Kia Sportage not only took the crown as our Best Used Family Car, but also bagged the title of Used Car of the Year overall in our 2024 Carbuyer Best Used Car awards. Kias usually make great sense when buying used thanks to the brand’s generous, industry-leading seven-year, or 100,000-mile warranty, meaning that buyers still get peace of mind for years to come – but it’s not only that that makes a used Kia Sportage a compelling choice.
It boasts excellent practicality for a car of its size, good driving dynamics and was well equipped from new, so you’re likely to find an example that fits the bill on the second-hand market. We’d go for a model from 2020 onwards, as you can ensure you have plenty of years left of that warranty, as well as the fuel-economy benefits of the 134bhp 1.6-litre mild-hybrid diesel engine option that was introduced in 2018. If diesel isn’t your bag, then the 174bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol version is a good alternative.
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The second-generation Dacia Duster offered great value for money when it was new, and its arrival on the used market only makes it more affordable. An all-new Duster arrived in 2024, but that means there are now great deals to be found on the used car market for the outgoing model. What’s more, the outgoing Duster was voted the best car to own in the 2024 Driver Power survey, showing that owners have very few regrets about their purchase.
Although Dacia tends to prioritise function over form, the second-generation Duster introduced welcome features that made it more comfortable and appealing. It’s based on the same underpinnings as the Sandero hatchback and Renault Clio, so while it’s budget-focused, it still makes use of relatively modern parts compared to its predecessor.
The Access trim that was offered was very sparsely equipped, but Comfort brings features such as a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, sat nav and a reversing camera. Buying used means you can upgrade to a higher trim level for the same, or less than the cost of a more basic model, so we recommend doing so to get the best bang for your buck.
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The Jaguar I-Pace was one of the first electric SUVs to break into the mainstream market and it still makes for an excellent buy in 2024. We like the Jaguar I-Pace so much that we awarded it top spot for 2024’s Best Used Large Electric Car – it still feels fresh today despite having been on sale for several years. It may be a fairly large and heavy electric SUV, but it feels nimble and engaging to drive, and disguises its size with a sleek coupe-esque design.
You can expect up to 286 miles to a charge on models with the 90kWh battery and 19-inch wheels, though in real-world conditions we found around 220 miles was more realistic. Still – that will be more than enough for buyers after a stylish, premium SUV for shorter trips around town. Its interior is fairly conventional, but feels well-built and high-end – a 2020 update also brought a renewed version of Jaguar’s Pivi Pro infotainment software, so it’s worth checking if your used example has this version.
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We might sound like a broken record, but Kia’s seven-year warranty is hard to ignore, hence why another of its models makes this list. The Kia Sorento won our award for the Best Large Used Family Car in the 2024 Carbuyer Used Car Awards because it’s immensely practical with seven seats, feels fairly upmarket on the inside, and comes with a choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid or diesel engines.
A mid-life refresh in 2024 brought updated styling and a more modern interior to the Sorento, but that doesn’t mean the outgoing model feels outdated. You get the same range of engines as before and it’s just as practical, so you won’t be missing out on much if you shop used. In fact, you may be able to find some tempting deals for nearly-new examples of the outgoing Sorento as dealers make way for the new model, so make sure to shop around.
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Another large seven-seat SUV, the first-generation Skoda Kodiaq is a sensible family SUV that’s hugely practical. It ticks all the boxes that large family car buyers look for, so it’s no surprise that it won our 2024 Carbuyer Large Family Car award. The boot is enormous – even bigger for five-seater versions – and passengers have masses of room, so it’s hard to beat if space is your priority.
Skoda is a brand known for offering excellent value for money, and the first-generation Kodiaq was no different. When new, it cost far less than many of the seven-seaters offered by rival car makers, while still providing a range of efficient engines and plenty of standard equipment. An all-new Kodiaq hit went on sale in 2024, but that only makes the outgoing car look like an even better deal on the used market.
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If you’re looking for something to transport the family around in every day, but want to enjoy driving thrills once you’ve dropped the kids off at school, then the Cupra Ateca is a great choice as a used buy, winning our Best Used Hot SUV title for 2024.
We love the Cupra Ateca thanks to its sporty looks, impressive handling and the broad engine range it’s been offered with over the years, meaning there’s lots to choose from on the used market. While there’s a flagship model with the same 296bhp 2.0-litre engine as you’d find in the Volkswagen Golf R, propelling it from 0-62mph in a blisteringly-quick 4.9 seconds, there are other, more sedate options bringing all the style with more everyday performance – these include a 1.5-litre version with 148bhp, or a 2.0-litre version with 187bhp.
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Although Ford’s choice to use the Puma name – previously used for a small, sporty model in the late 90s – on a new small SUV based on the old Fiesta stirred up controversy, it proved a big hit, topping the overall UK car sales charts in 2023. The benefit of its popularity means there are already many on the used market to choose from.
The Puma’s compact dimensions make it a doddle to drive around town but the car is also engaging on a twisty B-road, making it one of the most fun small SUVs to drive. The Puma also comes with lots of kit as standard. Entry-level Titanium models have all of the equipment you may need such as sat-nav, air conditioning and rear parking sensors. Step up to the ST-Line for sportier styling and supportive Recaro sports seats. While the Puma is not the largest SUV out there, it should be enough for small families, with its 456-litre boot one of the best in its class.
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The Lexus RX was recently replaced by an all-new model, but the outgoing version makes a great used premium SUV buy as it offers a high-quality interior, is quiet and smooth to drive, and still looks as sharp as the day it first hit the market. You can find turbocharged petrol-powered versions of this generation of RX, but this model was discontinued quite early on, so most will be hybrids using a 3.5-litre V6 engine mated to an electric motor for a total of 308bhp.
Inside the cabin feels very well built, and even lower-spec models got a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Since you’re buying used, though, your budget may be able to stretch to a racier-looking F Sport model or top-spec Takumi. F Sport got sports heated and ventilated seats and adjustable suspension, while Takumi brought niceties such as blind-spot monitoring, a premium Mark Levinson surround-sound system, 360-degree parking camera and panoramic sunroof – all features you’d expect of a brand new luxury SUV.
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The Mazda CX-5 is a great choice of used SUV if you want something that’s a little less common on UK roads. The Nissan Qashqai may be the obvious choice for many mid-size SUV buyers, but we think the CX-5 is well worth investigating, thanks to its lengthy standard kit list and fun driving experience.
On the inside, we think the CX-5 feels well-built thanks to the extensive use of high-quality materials, especially in post-2021 facelifted cars. Its layout is fairly straightforward, featuring a 10.25-inch infotainment screen atop the centre of the dash that gets simple, but effective software that makes it easy-to-use. Admittedly, some SUV rivals offer more boot space and rear passenger headroom, but the Mazda CX-5 is markedly more spacious than the Mazda3 hatchback despite having a similar footprint to that car – we think the CX-5 is a worthwhile upgrade.
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It may not be the most stylish or exciting SUV to drive on this list, but the Toyota RAV4 gets the basics right. It’s practical, thanks to a 580-litre boot and a spacious rear row of seats, and delivers an impressive level of refinement around town and at motorway speeds. The interior is well-built with chunky physical controls for the heating and ventilation system – a refreshing change from many of the touchscreen controls found in new cars. Sure, it lacks the flair and infotainment tech of the latest and greatest SUVs, but the RAV4’s interior is still comfortable and well-equipped.
What’s more, the RAV4 is backed up by Toyota’s class-leading warranty of up to 10 years and 100,000 miles (if serviced at an authorised service centre), meaning most used examples will have plenty of cover remaining. Not that you’ll need it – the RAV4’s 2.5-litre engine and self-charging hybrid system have proven to be hugely dependable, topping the 2024 Driver Power survey for reliability.
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Check out our guides to the Best family cars and the Best Large SUVs…
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