Scanning the ads for a family SUV can easily fool even the most persistent buyer. With so many models appearing on the second-hand market, you're spoiled for choice, so it's difficult to figure out which one best suits your needs.
With the recent increases in used car prices, your money doesn't go as far as it used to. So what does £10,000 buy you in terms of a family-friendly SUV? Space, ease of use 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 boring as boiled cabbage to drive.
To prove it, here are six of our favorite family SUVs, all available for £10,000, along with an example of what not to buy: a car you should steer clear of because of its questionable reliability record.
6. Kia Sorento (2010-2015)
If you're looking for driving thrills, look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a large, sensible SUV with room for the whole family, the Sorento is a good choice for this amount of money.
At its heart is a noisy but reliable chain-driven 2.2-litre diesel engine, powering a fairly indestructible all-wheel drive system. Inside, the Sorento is plasticky, but the interior is well laid out and built to last.
There's - just about - room for adults in the rear seats and even the low-spec versions are well equipped (although at this budget you can afford to splash out on the top-spec KX-4, which is loaded with equipment) .
And while the Sorento is somewhat heavy to drive, it rides quite smoothly, making it a comfortable cruiser.
Price to be paid: from £3,000
We have found: 2014 Sorento KX-4, 94,000 miles, full service history, £9,499
Watch out for: Rattling timing chains, faltering electronics, slipping clutches, abused tow trucks.
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 service-activated warranty offering for cars up to 10 years old.
And while it's perhaps most associated with the hybrid versions that came later, early C-HRs were available with the option of a powerful 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that kept weight down and made them surprisingly fun to drive. These are available for our budget of £10,000.
The usual caveats about the C-HR apply: thanks to the swoopy styling, rear headroom is a little tight, while boot space isn't as good as that of more pragmatic rivals. But this is a car that's as much about style as it is about reliability - and if you can live without huge amounts of space in the back, that makes the C-HR a very tempting choice.
Price to be paid: from £9,000
We have found: 2017 C-HR 1.2 VVT-i Icon, 63,000 miles, one owner from new, £9,950
Watch out for: Electrical faults, creaking windshields, damp carpets caused by water ingress.
4. Dacia Duster (2017-2024)
Dacia cars are known for their affordability and this is no exception. Just look at how new a car you get for your money; Our budget gets you a second-generation Duster, which was a significant leap forward from its predecessor, especially when powered by one of the punchy petrol turbo engines.
Granted, there are some drawbacks; the Duster isn't packed with equipment and the plastics inside are quite stiff. But ultimately this is a useful, practical little SUV with enough room for a family, a good reputation for reliability and enough creature comforts to keep all but the most discerning buyer happy. For this price it's a great deal.
Price to be paid: from £6,000
We have found: 2020 1.3 TCe Comfort, 44,000 miles, one owner from new, £10,000
Watch out for: Creaking and rattling from the interior trim, faltering electronics in the dashboard, hesitant engine when accelerating.
3. Honda CR-V (2012-2018)
The great thing about the CR-V is that it combines plenty of space - the luggage compartment is voluminous - with comfort, excellent build quality and reliability. You get a choice of two diesel engines; the super-efficient 1.6 and a 2.2 that is almost as efficient, but offers more punch. There is also a petrol alternative, although it will require a lot of work to make any significant progress.
The interior is rugged enough to withstand the worst a family can throw at it. In fact, it is rare for pieces to fall off, no matter how extreme the abuse. The ride, meanwhile, is safe and certainly unexciting, while the CR-V's emphasis on comfort makes it easy and fuss-free on a family day out.
Additionally, the CR-V has one of the best reliability records of any SUV of this age. If you value functionality and reliability, there is little better.
Price to be paid: from £4,000
We have found: 2016 CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC EX, 133,000 miles, full service history, £9,750
Watch out for: Diesels with low mileage and possible problems with the particulate filter (DPF), poorly maintained examples with a patchy history.
2. Seat Ateca (2016-present)
The Spanish company's first SUV was a relatively compact car built for family favorites such as the Nissan Qashqai. And as a first effort it was quite impressive, combining the spirited handling and engaging driving experience for which Seat has become known with sharp styling, inside and out.
But the Ateca didn't just appeal to the heart; the interior was also spacious and practical, with a roomy boot, spacious rear seats and wide-opening doors so children could easily be strapped into the back.
Today the Ateca is a great value on the used market, but there's a caveat: it's quite specification-sensitive; Models with a larger engine, four-wheel drive and large wheels can feel a bit on the heavy side. Instead, opt for a car with a smaller engine and two-wheel drive, which offers an excellent balance between ride quality and driving pleasure.
Price to be paid: from £7,000
We have found: 2018 1.0 TSI SE Technology, 55,000 miles, full service history, £10,000
Watch out for: Defective electronic handbrakes, defective electronic trunk lids, rusty rear doors, clogged particulate filters.
1.Skoda Yeti (2009-2017)
Its looks probably won't be to everyone's taste, but if you like it - or can look past it - the Yeti remains the most practical, family-friendly SUV available at this price, earning it the top spot.
What makes the Yeti so special is its flexibility. Each of the three individual rear seats can be slid fore and aft, folded, folded forward or even removed completely, allowing a wide range of configurations for passengers and cargo.
What's more, the Yeti is fun to drive, with surprisingly good body control meaning it doesn't tip over at the first sight of a bend, while the petrol and diesel engines are brave yet efficient. All in all it is a brilliant all-rounder.
Price to be paid: from £2,500
We have found: 2016 1.2 TSI SE Outdoor, 58,000 miles, full service history, £9,995
Watch out for: Smoky turbochargers, defunct air conditioning, blocked particulate filters, oil consumption on early 1.8-liter engines.
And the ones to avoid...
Range Rover Evoque (2011-2018)
The Evoque might be tempting at this price, with serious off-road capability, a smooth ride and the kind of badge kudos that make you feel like a superstar on the school run. Still, the first-generation model doesn't have the best level of fit and finish inside, while the rear seat and cargo area are on the tight side.
But the biggest question mark concerns the Evoque's patchy reputation for reliability: it regularly finishes at or around the bottom of its class in reliability studies. So avoid it if you can - and if you just have to have the smallest Range Rover, be careful.
