Global events mean that more and more of us are planning a ‘staycation’ this year, where we stay in the UK and explore national tourist spots with the family rather than heading to the airport.
This means many people will be looking for a used SUV, as these models are great for holiday trips. They’re practical and spacious inside, so there’s room for all the bags, bikes and balls you take with you on this kind of trip.
We’ve put together a list of our ten favourite used SUVs here to help, with a little information about each car to help you make your decision.
As with any car buying decision, you should have a budget in mind before you begin searching for your next car. You can get a car valuation online to find out what your current car is worth, for example – this can be really helpful in finding the right car for you.
Read on to find out more about the ten best used SUVs for a ‘staycation’.
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Ford Kuga
The Ford Kuga is based on the Focus family car, which means it’s good to drive and comfortable on a long trip. There are plenty of engines to choose from, though we reckon a diesel version is best for long trips like a family holiday since it’s the most economical on the motorway.
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Mazda CX-3
The Mazda CX-3 isn’t the most roomy option on this list, but if you have a smaller family then it’s still a good choice. It’s great to drive, has a pleasant and upmarket interior, is efficient and comfortable too. It’s well-equipped too, so no matter which version you go for there’s a good amount of tech on board. It should be reliable, too.
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Nissan Qashqai
The Nissan Qashqai offers loads of practicality – there’s a big boot and roomy rear seats for the kids – at a great price. Since there are so many on our roads (it was a big seller when new), prices are competitive and maintenance isn’t too expensive. There are plenty of engine options including frugal diesels and quieter petrol units. The Qashqai has lots of safety equipment as well.
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Suzuki Vitara
The Suzuki Vitara is a small, efficient and good-to-drive SUV that has more room inside than it looks from the outside. This means it’s great for the kind of tight, twisty lanes you get in British holiday spots like Cornwall and the Lake District. The Vitrara has some off-road ability in four-wheel drive form, but most buyers won’t need this.
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Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is great value – all models are well equipped and really spacious inside, so you get a lot of car for the money. The interior is a little plain but it’s well-built and easy to use, plus you get a high driving position and comfortable seats. The engines aren’t the quietest, but the Sportage is economical and reliable. Models under seven years old will still have factory warranty left on them, too.
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Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is a reliable, stylish-looking and practical choice. It has a spacious interior and a big boot, plus dependable engine options and plenty of standard kit. It’s comfortable and the light controls mean it’s nice and easy to drive.
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Fiat 500X
The Fiat 500X blends the stylish looks of the 500 city car with SUV styling and even some off-road ability. It features an attractive interior design to go along with the funky exterior looks and a high driving position that means it’s easy to drive. It’s not the most roomy option here but it’s far more practical than a Fiat 500.
3.Renault Captur
The Renault Captur is another small SUV that isn’t the most practical option but it makes a lot of sense for those with smaller families. There’s a good amount of room inside for a small car, plus lots of equipment for the money. It’s good value and comfortable, though the small engines might not be the ideal option for a long motorway trip.
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Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is an often-overlooked option, which means it’s good value second-hand. It’s roomy inside and has a big boot, plus it’s surprisingly good to drive as well. There’s smartphone connectivity and plenty of standard kit in the cabin, and the interesting exterior design means it stands out.
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Dacia Duster
The Dacia Duster is one of the cheapest SUVs you can buy when new, and that means it’s a bargain second-hand. It’s roomy, comfortable, good to drive and economical, though you should take care to avoid low-spec models as some don’t even have a radio fitted. You’ll be best choosing a Laureate model for the best balance of equipment and price.
