FAMILY drivers looking for a cheap, rugged 4×4 are in luck – a group of experts has identified 10 great second-hand options.
These include an ultra-comfortable Honda and a spacious Dacia model that’s available for under £10,000.
For all-wheel-drive prowess on a budget, car sellers HeyCar have shown that you don’t have to spend a fortune to buy a quality SUV.
Honda’s iconic CR-V model has been around since 1995 – although here we’re focusing on the model built between 2018 and 2023.
This mighty machine offers ample space inside with up to seven seats and a quality finish.
You can expect to pick up a good quality used example for around £15,000 upwards.
The top-selling Nissan Qashqai is hugely popular among UK drivers and in 2023 was the nation’s best-selling car.
Available in four-wheel drive, the spacious, British-made motor can cost as little as £12,000 second-hand – provided you’re happy with the previous generation model – with the experts at HeyCar recommending the Tekna trim which includes a 1.6-litre DCI diesel engine, manual gearbox and all-wheel drive.
The interior has a premium feel, is incredibly spacious, and the seats are comfortable, with a particularly generous boot capacity of 430 litres.
By 2030, the mega-selling Qashqai, as well as the Nissan Juke, will be electric only, like the Leaf.
A hit since its release in 2017, Skoda recently released the second-gen Kodiaq.
This means the original is now a second-hand bargain, providing drivers with a brilliant all-round family car for a low price.
With all-wheel-drive, plenty of space, and great cabin features, experts at HeyCar suggest looking out for the Scout model with its higher ground clearance, perfect for tackling rough trails.
A good, used Kodiaq will cost around £15,000.
How about a Mini?
The MINI Countryman can be ranked alongside the likes of the Dacia Duster as a small SUV with upmarket features, all for as little as £12,500.
It comes with a petrol engine and automatic gearbox, with a diesel version also available.
It’s great to drive, whether you’re in the city or the countryside.
One of the cheapest options around, the Dacia Duster is a bargain 4×4 that doesn’t fall short in quality.
Comfortable off-road, with Sun Motors supremo Rob Gill describing it as “chiselled, tough and cool, inside and out”, the latest edition includes a 1.2-litre petrol version that’s turbocharged to give it plenty of oomph, while the 1.6 hybrid and a 100 Bi-Fuel model that can run on LPG is a great option for saving money at the pumps.
For an even cheaper option, there are plenty of second-hand models available for less than £10,000, though these will be the second-gen models that are around five years old.
The little-known SsangYong Korando is considered an affordable alternative to the likes of the Qashqai and Karoq.
It doesn’t feel like a budget option though, offering generous standard equipment levels and even a seven-year warranty.
SsangYong, now called KGM, offers the new Korando for just over £25,000, but without the option of four-wheel drive.
But according to HeyCar, second-hand examples with low mileage can be found for less than £20,000, and often considerably less.
The Fiat Panda is one of the world’s most renowned small cars, though their 4×4 version, first released in 1982, is roomier and more rugged.
The third-gen model, built from 2011, has only recently been pulled from sale by Fiat, with a new EV version on the way.
The most recent 4×4 Panda won Top Gear’s ‘SUV of the Year’ award in 2012 and is considered one of the most affordable four-wheel drive vehicles around, costing £5,000 or less in some instances.
HeyCar urges drivers to keep an eye out for the four-wheel-drive model, as most Pandas are two-wheel-drive.
Mitsubishi is known for its 4×4 power, with the Pajero an icon among fans and the four-wheel drive version of the Lancer Evolution widely loved for its historic rallying prowess.
These days, the relatively recent ASX has taken centre stage, released in 2010 and currently on its second generation.
While it doesn’t match the sales force of the Qashqai, the ASX is a dependable option for family drivers and can be picked up at a bargain price, especially the first-gen version.
Like Mitsubishi, Subaru has become a favourite among family drivers looking for 4×4 capability.
The XV, also known as the Crosstrek, is a compact SUV that’s a great alternative to the Peugeot 3008.
It’s usually available for around £12,000 for a 2017 model, with all XV versions coming with the same Active Torque Split AWD system, with either a 1.6 or 2.0-litre petrol engine.
While the Jimny is the more iconic, the Ignis is perhaps the more ideal choice for those watching their budget.
The second iteration of the model, released from 2016, is available in four-wheel drive but might be hard to find at used car dealerships.
Suzuki is preparing for a significant shift as they pave the way for their first EV, which includes binning off the Ignis hatchback and the Jimny LCV.
The Japanese car brand is looking to scrap four models in the UK as they prepare for the government’s zero-emission vehicle mandate, which forces manufacturers to sell an increasing number of EVs over the next decade.
Elsewhere, petrolheads are getting a look into the world’s toughest bus, designed to go off-road on the most dangerous terrain and is even used by emergency crews.
The monstrous 35-seat Torsus Praetorian is packed full of extreme features, including military-grade air-conditioning designed to protect occupants in the harshest of conditions.
