BARGAIN BUYS
Five SUVs that can be bought for under £5,000 – including reliable Toyota with a ‘reputation for longevity’
Plus which one the experts picked as their best buy
A MOTORS expert has shared their top picks for the best SUVs you can buy for under £5,000.
Whether you're looking for comfort, reliability or extra space, Alex Robbins had a range of options, including a Toyota with a "reputation for longevity".
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Alex, contributing motoring editor at , urged drivers to get their hands one of these motors while they can.
He wrote: "With used car values starting to fall, 2024 is a good time to act for buyers who’ve been waiting for the bubble to burst on affordable, used family cars.
"Some models that may have previously been out of reach are becoming more attainable – so for as little as £5,000, it’s possible to bag a very useful, reliable, family-friendly SUV.
"All of these cars are spacious enough for family use, with five roomy seats and boots big enough for anything a family might throw at them."
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VW Tiguan
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Model years: 2008-2016
Example price: 2008 Tiguan with 63,218 miles for £4,000
The Tiguan occupies a nice middle ground in VW's SUV range, sitting between the smaller T-Roc and the chunky Touareg.
The model debuted in 2007 and is still produced today but examples from the early to mid-2010s tend to fit the £5,000 budget best.
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Alex rated it as his pick for comfort, dubbing it "one of the most comfortable SUVs of its generation".
Combined with a smooth ride and excellent practicality that puts it among "probably the best all-rounders" on the market.
Nissan Qashqai
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Model years: 2010-2013
Example price: 2010 Qashqai with 104,000 miles for £2,390
Coming in as the most affordable option on the list, the Qashqai can be picked up in a good state for as little as £2,400.
Alex recommended a relatively narrow range in terms of model year, advising that the earlier models from 2006-10 had a "harsh ride".
If you want to max out the budget you can pick up a 2012 version with just 70,000 miles on it for bang on £5,000.
And, thanks to its compact size, the Qashqai is also one of the most economical models on the list, meaning it's as cheap to run as it is to buy.
Just be sure to keep an eye on the gearbox in the automatic versions as they can be prone to issues.
Hyundai Santa Fe
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Model years: 2006-2012
Example price: 2010 Sante Fe with 95,110 miles for £4,690
The Sante Fe tends to be one of the more expensive models on the list thanks to its massive, seven-seat spec.
That being said, it is one of the best bang for your buck options due to that extra space.
Alex said: "This is an attractive SUV that’s not only immensely practical, but also hugely versatile, with the option of seven well-sized seats on offer.
";What’s more, thanks to its heavy weight and sturdy construction, the Santa Fe is a great tow car."
He did, however, warn of windscreen chips and issues with the diesel particulate filter as problems sometimes found on older models.
Toyota RAV4
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Model years: 2006-12
Example price: 2008 RAV4 with 89,000 miles for £3,995
The spiritual successor to Toyota's legendary Land Cruiser, which gained iconic status in the '90s and early noughties, the RAV4 is a big beast that's ready for anything you can throw at it.
Alex praised its "excellent reputation for longevity" and dubbed it his most reliable SUV in the price range.
Its comfortable ride across all terrain and responsive steering make it a great option for drivers tackling trick journeys, especially in rural areas.
The only issue with its off-road capability is that some used models can show signs of excessive use so it's probably best to have it checked over professionally before buying one.
Honda CR-V
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Model years: 2007-2012
Example price: 2007 CR-V with 79,000 miles for £3,999
It was a close call, but Alex named the CR-V his best buy and the premier all-rounder in the SUV class.
Between the silky smooth ride, sharp handling and "no nonsense" build quality it checked all the boxes the modern driver might need.
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It's also available at an affordable price and will run well with relatively little maintenance for years.
Other than the occasional bit of clutch wear, you can't really do much better.
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