Best SUVs under £10k
Looking for your next used family SUV with a budget of £10,000? Here are your best options
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British drivers love SUVs because they tend to offer more space compared with family hatchbacks and can give a better view of the road.
Buying an SUV can be expensive, but there are plenty of models costing less than £10,000 to pick from.
We’ve rounded up some of our most affordable crossovers, including a 4x4 model and others that are as cheap to run as a regular hatchback.
Citroen C4 Cactus
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The Citroen C4 Cactus is an excellent choice for those after a small, comfortable crossover under £10,000.
It’s a model that’s known for its efficient fuel consumption, making it one of the cheapest SUVs to run.
One of the most notable features of the Citroen C4 Cactus is its unique exterior design. The plastic Airbumps along the body are meant to take the hit in the car park rather than your car’s bodywork, eliminating or reducing the cost of repairs.
The car was on sale between 2014 and 2021 and got a major upgrade in 2018 that changed how the car looked.
Depending on the model you pick, you can expect things like a touchscreen infotainment system, a reversing camera and A/C.
Most buyers picked the 1.2-litre petrol, which is reasonably quick and – more importantly – cheap to run.
There are also 1.5-litre diesel models for those who drive long journeys frequently – these are more efficient than the 1.6-litre diesels they replaced.
Ford EcoSport
 "Ford EcoSport")
The Ford EcoSport is a reliable and practical SUV made by one of Britain’s favourite brands.
The crossover is known for its solid build quality and reliability, making it a popular choice for families.
Because it’s based on the Fiesta, its handling feels quick and responsive, and it also gets some of Ford’s best engines, including the incredibly popular 1.0-litre ‘EcoBoost’ petrol engine.
Inside, the EcoSport is spacious, with plenty of headroom thanks to its boxy design. The 356-litre boot is smaller than some rivals, but it’s considerably larger than that of the Fiesta.
The car was on sale from 2014 to 2020, but like the C4 Cactus, it got a big update in 2018, but there’s one thing Ford didn’t change – the boot opening.
It opens outwards like a regular door rather than upwards as you might expect, which is worth considering if where you tend to park doesn’t leave much room behind the car.
Nissan Juke
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Nissan was one of the first manufacturers to make SUVs cool when it launched the Qashqai, so it’s little surprise that the eye-catching Juke has also sold well.
For a budget of £10,000, you’ll be looking at first-generation models, which have a bold appearance that’s unlike most other crossovers.
The enlarged wheel arches and raised ride height make the Juke look like a mini off-roader.
Inside, the sporty but comfortable seats and the design of the dashboard and centre console are designed to wrap around the driver, almost like a sports car.
However, unlike sports cars, they’re not just affordable to buy but cheap to run. You’ll find a good mix of diesel and petrol models – if you’re after a petrol, the turbocharged 1.2-litre units are most efficient.
Peugeot 2008
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The Peugeot 2008 is a stylish-looking crossover that’s also managed to still be practical and is known for its spacious interior and efficient engines.
Inside, the sense of openness comes from the steering wheel, which sits lower than most other cars.
Rather than looking through, Peugeot says you’re meant to look over the wheel, which can take some getting used to but means the cabin feels airier.
The Peugeot shares a lot of parts with the Citroen C4 Cactus, including its engines, which means you’ll find the same good choice of 1.2-litre petrols and 1.5-litre diesels that we rate highly.
The 360-litre boot is much more akin to a large family hatchback than it is to a small crossover and space for rear-seat passengers is also impressive.
Renault Captur
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Like the C4 Cactus, the Renault Captur looks more like a large hatchback than an SUV, which is great for anybody who’s coming from a smaller car and looking for something that’s not too big to drive.
The Captur has a well-designed interior with plenty of space for passengers and luggage, making it a good choice for families and dog owners.
Its best engine may be the smallest – it’s a 0.9-litre turbocharged petrol unit with around 90hp, found elsewhere in the Renault range, including the popular Clio. There are also extremely efficient diesel models.
The car’s suspension was designed to absorb harsh bumps in the roads reasonably well, which makes this small SUV a good pick for busy towns and cities.
Suzuki Ignis
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The Suzuki Ignis may not be an obvious choice, but it’s known for its unique design and strong capabilities on- and off-road.
Its most notable feature is its distinctive, quirky appearance. Despite its tiny dimensions, it has the same boxy look as the Suzuki Jimny.
The raised ground clearance also makes it good for some mild off-roading.
Fortunately, the Ignis is very well-equipped even though it’s cheaper than many other SUVs. We recommend scouting out a high-spec SZ-T model for luxuries like a touchscreen with a built-in reversing camera.
Power comes from a 1.2-litre petrol engine, which got mild hybrid assistance in later years to boost fuel economy. Look for one badged ‘SHVS’ if this sounds good to you.
Unless you need the extra grip, avoid four-wheel-drive models, badged ‘ALLGRIP’, because they use more fuel.
Vauxhall Crossland X
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The Crossland X is another car that's built on the same platform as the Peugeot 2008, and it inherits the Peugeot’s spacious and airy cabin.
Unlike the Peugeot, the steering wheel is in a normal place, but the rest of the car is pretty standard. There’s everything you’d expect, including a touchscreen infotainment system and some physical controls.
The Vauxhall is one of the larger crossovers on this list, which means drivers get a good view of the road, but it’s also one of the more comfortable models, alongside the Peugeot and Citroen.
It also has the biggest boot of the cars on this list, measuring 410 litres. If you’re after a small crossover that can handle family adventures, it’s one worth shortlisting.
Read our Vauxhall Crossland X review