Used cars for sale

What types of SUVs are there?

SUVs used to be big gas guzzlers, designed mostly for towing and tackling rough terrain. It wasn’t until the likes of the Nissan Qashqai came about in the late 2000s that these oversized cars became popular with most families.

These days, there’s an SUV to match every need, ranging from compact supermini-based crossovers like the BMW X1 to family models like the BMW X3, all the way up to luxury off-roaders like the BMW X5 and spaceships like the BMW X7.

Despite declining popularity, diesel power still suits SUVs well because it has more torque to handle the extra weight and size.

You can also pick an SUV with petrol or hybrid power, and there’s a growing number of electric SUVs available from nearly all manufacturers.

Popular SUV cars

SUVs are so popular that they make up the bulk of new car sales. The most sought-after models are the Ford Puma, Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai, Nissan Juke, Hyundai Tucson, MG HS and Volvo XC40.

There’s also an extensive range of Volkswagen SUVs – take your pick from, in size order, the T-Cross, Taigo, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace, Tayron and Touareg. There are also ID.4 and ID.5 electric SUVs available.

There’s so much demand for SUVs that many companies have created distinct names to separate them from the rest of the range, much like VW’s T-branded family. BMW SUVs use X-based names, Audi SUVs use Q names and Mercedes SUVs are based on the GL name.

Who are SUVs suitable for?

Used SUVs for sale are ideal for a wide range of drivers and lifestyles. Families often choose this type of car for its spacious interior, flexible seating and practical boot.

Outdoor enthusiasts might also benefit from the rugged off-road qualities of an SUV, particularly those configured with four-wheel drive.

Don’t think you need to live on a farm to drive an SUV, though, because they’re as much a fashion statement as anything else.

So much so that luxury cars like the Range Rover, Mercedes GLS and BMW X7 have taken up part of the luxury limousine market, previously dominated by large saloons like the Mercedes S-Class.

What are SUVs like to drive?

By their very nature, SUVs are inherently tall vehicles, and there are some tradeoffs with this.

The extra height equates to a higher centre of gravity, which means they can lean in corners and feel less stable than lower, sportier cars.

This was a problem many years ago, but modern SUVs have tackled this with suspension tweaks, so a twisty country lane shouldn’t faze any newer model.

Some performance-oriented SUVs can actually be incredibly fun to drive because they have even stiffer suspension and powerful engines to match, making them bigger and more practical alternatives to hot hatchbacks.

Petrol, diesel or electric SUVs?

Diesel power has traditionally been the go-to for SUVs because the extra torque makes them great for carrying or pulling a lot of weight, or putting the power down through a 4x4 system.

If you find yourself doing adventurous activities or driving with a full car, a diesel engine might be most suitable.

Many SUVs are front-wheel drive for efficiency, and it’s not uncommon to find an array of crossovers with petrol engines.

Hybrid systems are also popular – in fact, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was one of the first mainstream plug-in hybrids, and it’s a large SUV. Mostly combined with petrol engines, some Mercedes SUVs use diesel-hybrid systems for the best of both worlds.

Anyone spending a lot of time around town should consider a petrol or hybrid SUV, as they emit fewer emissions than a straight diesel engine.

Electric power delivers all the performance benefits of a diesel engine for your next adventure, but they can be extremely cheap to top up. Many offer 200-300 miles of range, if not more.

Whether you’re staying local or going further afield, an electric SUV offers significant running cost savings, but bear in mind that range can halve if you’re towing a heavy trailer or a caravan.