10 best used SUVs to buy 2024
Most car makers have at least one SUV that combines practicality with performance for drivers who want both. Here are 10 great examples
For anyone who’s ever wished for a bigger family car that offers more comfort and interior space, we present to you the SUV.
Combining the ability to swallow up large amounts of luggage – along with plenty of passengers – with sometimes blistering performance, they really do bring you the best of both worlds.
Basically, if you want to look ahead to your future with a large family, while also keeping in touch with your youthful past through sporty handling, these are for you.
Best of all, an increasing number are entering the used car market, so there’s a good choice out there.
Here are 10 used SUVs that you might like:
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Range Rover Sport
Range Rover’s ever-expanding range of variations includes one of the best sports SUVs money can buy.
The Range Rover Sport offers all the power and performance you'll ever need, especially with its 4.4-litre V8 engine, which gives the kind of acceleration that some sports cars can’t match.
As you’d expect, the interior is luxurious and refined too. Once more, it’s a genuine off-roader, but hardly any owners use it for anything other than driving up and down Knightsbridge or trundling down to their local Waitrose.
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Jaguar F-Pace
Jaguar has always been known for its saloons and sports cars, so the brains at Jaguar combined this knowledge into producing the very impressive F-Pace.
It’s its first step into the world of SUVs – and it has received a lot of praise since its launch.
The extensive use of lighter materials such as aluminium means it's a far nimbler car than you might imagine, handling well on all surfaces.
The interior in this used Jag is largely copied from the XE saloon, making it very comfortable indeed, with lots of practical features added into the mix.
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Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is the real monster in this line-up – it’s simply huge.
Not only can its performance leave plenty of sports cars standing, but this used Audi can also carry up to seven people in vast amounts of comfort and style.
Its extraordinary acceleration for such a large and heavy car – 2.2 tonnes in all – comes from some innovative technology called an 'Electric Powered Compressor' that makes the twin turbochargers kick in instantly.
It’s well worth looking out for a used version that comes with the 'Driving Dynamics' package too, as this means even better handling for an already very impressive car.
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BMW X3
BMW has been knocking out the X3 since 2003, giving it plenty of tinkering time to refine the car to its current very high standards.
Despite being a large SUV, the X3 is a real driver’s car, handling brilliantly and always feeling responsive whatever the driving and road conditions.
There’s a choice of petrol and diesel engines to choose from, from the pretty frugal 2.0-litre diesel upwards.
It shares many of its components with other used BMWs, so you can be sure that it more than lives up to the maker’s reputation for quality and reliability.
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Mercedes-Benz GLC
It’s no surprise that the higher up the Mercedes GLC ladder you go, the more bells and whistles you get.
Even the basic version of this used Mercedes is more well-equipped than many of its rivals, with features including heated front seats, climate control and a first-class infotainment system.
If you’re planning to go off-road with the car, it’s worth looking out for one that's been fitted with the appropriate package and features downhill speed control and reinforced underbody protection.
However, it's unlikely you would take this luxury SUV off-road – but it's nice to know you could if you wanted to.
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Porsche Cayenne
When Porsche first launched the Cayenne SUV in 2003, it somewhat saved the brand from going under.
It arrived at a pivotal point in Porsche's history, and now it's one of its most popular models.
Since it's been out for so long, the Cayenne has gradually become better-looking, growing longer and lower as time has gone on – creating more of a coupé appearance.
Its standard engine is an undeniably thirsty 3.0-litre petrol version, but for a more dramatic driving experience, opt for the 4.0-litre V8 engine.
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Volkswagen T-Roc
Price-wise, a used Volkswagen T-Roc is one of the cheaper SUVs you can buy, but you're still getting one cracking car.
Its sporty qualities are alluded to in the 'Roc' part of its name, which honours the popular Scirocco model that was discontinued a few years ago.
You’ll probably also be able to find used VW T-Rocs in some of the more unusual paint colours that come as standard (we like the vibrant orange). And, with up to 60mpg possible from the 2.0-litre diesel engine, its running costs are pretty low too.
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Cupra Ateca
In case you didn’t know, Cupra is the more upmarket and sporty sub-brand of the Spanish car maker SEAT.
The Cupra Ateca is the hotter version of the parent company’s popular SUV that's powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that propels it from 0-60mph in less than five seconds.
For such a fast car, it’s very roomy inside, with plenty of space even for six-footers in the back.
The interior is also a considerable step up from SEAT's version, obviously to justify the higher price.
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Ford Puma ST
The looks of the Ford Puma ST might not be to everybody’s tastes, but if you’re in the market for a small SUV, then it’s hard to beat.
Its handling is superb and there’s a real responsiveness in the steering. This used Ford even comes with Recaro racing seats that add to the sporty feel of the car.
In fact, it’s hard to imagine that the Puma is really based on the Ford Fiesta because it looks and feels so much different behind the wheel.
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Tesla Model X
The Tesla Model X is the only electric car on this list, and that's simply because it's one of the best on the used car market.
Being one of the largest production electric cars you can buy, the Model X offers plenty of interior space and quality – as well as some fancy 'falcon wing' doors to keep the kids entertained.
It has great range too, as it's rated at offering up to 330 miles on a single charge. Sure, this may be slightly less in a used car, but it should still sit around the 300-mile figure.
Let’s hit the road!
As you can see, there are plenty of sporty SUVs out there to choose from – including several options to suit every budget.
Now’s the time to start your search