by Scanning the classified ads for family SUVs can easily fool even the most discerning buyer. With so many models entering the used market now, you’re spoiled for choice, so it’s hard to work out which one best suits your needs.
With recent increases in used car prices, your money doesn’t go as far as it used to. So what does £10,000 buy in terms of a family-friendly SUV? Space, practicality and reliability are big factors in this sector – but there are also options with a bit of style. And believe it or not, you don’t have to live with a car that’s as clean as boiled cabbage to drive.
To prove it, here are six of our favorite family SUVs, all available for £10,000 plus an example of what not to buy – a car to be shunned because of its questionable reliability record.
6. Kia Sorento (2010-2015)
If you are looking for driving pleasure, look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a big, sensible SUV with room for the whole family, the Sorento is a pretty good bet for this sum.
At its heart is a noisy, reliable, chain-driven 2.2-litre diesel engine that powers an impregnable four-wheel drive system. Inside, the Sorento is plasticky but the interior is well laid out and built to last.
There’s room for adults in the rearmost seats – almost – and there’s even low-spec versions (although for this budget you can afford to splash out on the top-of-the-range KX-4, which comes in full swing. equipment).
And while the Sorento is a bit mind-blowing to drive, it goes nicely smoothly, making it a comfortable cruiser.
Price to pay: from £3,000
We found: 2014 Sorento KX-4, 94,000 miles, full service history, £9,499
Look out for: Spoiled timing chains, glitchy electronics, slipping clutches, abused drag cars.
5. Toyota C-HR (2017-2023)
It may not be as practical as its Honda CR-V rival (see below), but the C-HR has an even better reliability record – not to mention Toyota’s activated warranty offer for cars up to 10 years old.
And while it may be related to the hybrid versions that came later, early C-HRs were available with the option of a sweet 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine which kept the weight down and made them great fun to drive. These are what is available for our £10,000 budget.
The usual C-HR horrors apply: due to the swoopy styling, rear headroom is a bit tight, although boot space isn’t as good as more pragmatic rivals. But this is a car that’s as much about style as it is about dependability – and if you can live without huge amounts of space in the back, the C-HR is a very exciting choice.
Price to pay: from £9,000
We found: 2017 C-HR 1.2 VVT-i Icon, 63,000 miles, one owner from new, £9,950
Look out for: Electrical glitches, cracked windscreens, damp carpets from water ingress.
4. Dacia Duster (2017-2024)
Dacia cars are known for their affordability and this is no exception. See how a new car you get for your money; Our budget gets you into the second generation Duster, which was a huge step up from its predecessor, especially when powered by one of the great turbo petrol engines.
Granted, there are some drawbacks; the Duster is not fully equipped and the interior plastics are rather dour. But at the end of the day this is a useful, practical little SUV with plenty of room for a family, a good reputation for reliability and enough comfort to keep all but the most discerning buyers happy. At this price, it is a great deal.
Price to pay: from £6,000
We found: 2020 1.3 TCE Comfort, 44,000 miles, one owner from new, £10,000
Look out for: Creaks and rattles from the interior trim, glitchy electricity panel, engine hesitation under acceleration.
3. Honda CR-V (2012-2018)
What’s great about the CR-V is that it combines plenty of space – the boot is voluminous – with comfort, excellent build quality and reliability. You get a choice of two diesel engines; the super-frugal 1.6 and 2.2 are almost as efficient, but provide more punch. There is also a petrol alternative, although it needs to work hard to make good progress.
The interior is strong enough to withstand the worst a family could throw at it – in fact, pieces rarely fall off no matter how extreme the abuse. Meanwhile, handling is safe and secure, if not exhilarating, and the CR-V’s leanings towards comfort ensure it’s easy and effortless on family holidays.
In addition, the CR-V has one of the best reliability records of any SUV of this age. If you value practicality and dependability, there isn’t much better.
Price to pay: from £4,000
We found: 2016 CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC EX, 83,000 miles, full service history, £9,750
Look out for: Low-mileage diesels with possible particulate filter (DPF) issues, poorly maintained examples with a sketchy history.
2. Seat Ateca (2016-present)
The Spanish firm’s first SUV was a relatively compact offering built to take on family favorites such as the Nissan Qashqai. And for a first attempt, it was impressive, combining the snappy handling and engaging driving experience that Seat is known for with sharp styling, inside and out.
But the Ateca did not appeal to the heart only; the interior was full and practical, too, with a good-sized boot, large rear seats and wide doors to make it easy to belt children into the back.
These days, the Ateca is a great value on the used market, but there is a caveat, which is that it is quite specification-sensitive; models with larger engines with four-wheel drive and large wheels can feel a touch on the firm side. Opt instead for a smaller two-wheel drive car, which offers a great balance between ride quality and driver enjoyment.
Price to pay: from £7,000
We found: 2018 1.0 TSI SE Technology, 55,000 miles, full service history, £10,000
Look out for: Faulty electronic hand brakes, failing electronic boot lids, rusty rear doors, clogged diesel particulate filters.
1. Skoda Yeti (2009-2017)
Probably not everyone’s looks but if you like them – or can see them – the Yeti is still the most practical family SUV available at this price, earning first down.
What makes the Yeti so special is its versatility. Each of the three individual rear seats can be slid forward and backward, folded down, folded forward or even completely removed, allowing for a wide variety of configurations to suit passengers and cargo.
What’s more, the Yeti is good to drive, with surprisingly good body control, which means it doesn’t go over at first sight of a bend, although its gutsy petrol and diesel engines are still efficient. All in all, he is a great player.
Price to pay: from £2,500
We found: 2016 1.2 TSI SE Offroad, 58,000 miles, full service history, £9,995
Look out for: Smoky turbochargers, stale air conditioning, blocked diesel particulate filters, oil consumption on early 1.8-litre engines.
And the one to avoid…
Range Rover Evoque (2011-2018)
The Evoque might be tempting at this price, with serious off-road ability, a smooth driving experience and the kind of badge kudos that will make you a superstar on the school run. But the first-generation model lacks the best level of interior fit and finish while its rear seats and boot are on the narrow side.
But the biggest question mark concerns the Evoque’s patchy reputation for reliability – it regularly finishes at or near the bottom of its class in reliability studies. So avoid it if you can – and if you just need to own the smallest Range Rover, caveat emptor.
