The best SUVs UK 2025
We've rounded up the 10 best SUVs to buy in the UK that are worthy of your cash.
)
By Craig Hale
Last updated: 19 March 2025
Looking for the best SUV to buy? You’ll want to consider seating options and boot space on the practicality front, and efficiency and power on the engine front. Then there’s the style, budget and size to think about.
We’ve got 10 of the best SUVs in the UK to consider when deciding what’s the best SUV to buy, all at a variety of price points and serving slightly different drivers.
)
What is the best SUV to buy?
BMW X5
Kia EV9
Nissan Qashqai
Volkswagen Tiguan
MG HS
Peugeot 5008
Honda CR-V
Volvo XC90
MINI Countryman
Tesla Model Y
The 10 best SUVs in the UK
BMW X5
 "BMW X5 front three quarters")
Our pick: BMW X5 xDrive40d M Sport
A used BMW X5 offers a sumptuous blend of luxury and power to deliver an easy-breezy driving experience, thanks to its powerful engines and smooth automatic gearbox.
It might be a practical family SUV first and foremost, but it’s an agile and sporty car at heart, which is why this is a great option for driving enthusiasts who need the extra space.
All models come with the excellent iDrive infotainment system, but look out for premium upgrades like a Harman/Kardon sound system and the digital key option (which lets you unlock the car with your Apple Wallet).
)
Kia EV9
 "Kia EV9")
Our pick: Kia EV9 GT-Line
It can be hard to find a seven-seater that can genuinely accommodate seven adults. Add the desire for electric propulsion into the mix and you could be struggling – until you find a used Kia EV9.
Its boxy shape gives it an extremely spacious interior with stacks of boot space, but it’s also incredibly high-tech, with a dual-screen set-up and cooled, reclining seats on certain trim levels.
Take your pick from punchy rear-wheel-drive or bonkers-fast four-wheel-drive models. They all come with a 99.8kWh battery, which gives you a range of up to around 350 miles between charges.
)
Nissan Qashqai
)
Our pick: Nissan Qashqai e-POWER Tekna
The Nissan Qashqai frequently appears in the list of Britain’s best-selling cars, with its affordable price tag and high-spec interior.
Apart from its smart styling, you get plenty of gadgets, such as a large infotainment system, ProPILOT driver aids including adaptive cruise control and steering assist, alongside heating for the seats and steering wheel.
The mild hybrid petrol engines are great, but we’d upgrade to the e-POWER model any day of the week. The wheels are wholly driven by an electric motor for a pleasurable driving experience, and a petrol engine keeps the battery topped up. In other words, you get all the benefits of an EV without having to think about charging.
)
Volkswagen Tiguan
 "Volkswagen Tiguan")
Our pick: Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI R-Line
Another family favourite, the Tiguan has been the go-to SUV for families after a premium option since it first hit UK roads in 2007.
We’ve had several updates since then, but it’s the second-generation model we’d put our money on. Pick up a used VW Tiguan in the aggressive-looking R-Line trim for stylish looks, but all engines will serve you and your family well.
Some of the Tiguan’s key selling points are its exceptional build quality, alongside its subtly high-tech interior with full smartphone connectivity (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) plus a digital instrument cluster. It also boasts endless safety kit befitting of its five-star Euro NCAP rating – and that’s on any generation used Volkswagen Tiguan.
)
MG HS
)
Our pick: MG HS 1.5 T-GDI PHEV Trophy
Talk about outright value for money, the MG HS gives you all the mod cons without cutting corners – just pounds off the price tag.
We couldn’t recommend the second-generation HS enough. With its premium Audi-like quality and styling, its standard equipment is excellent. A reversing camera, 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and MG Pilot driver aids, including adaptive cruise control and intelligent high beams, all come as part of the package
The turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine is punchy, but the plug-in hybrid powertrain is even more impressive. It has a total of 299hp and can drive up to 75 miles on electric power alone.
Peugeot 5008
 "Peugeot e-5008")
Our pick: Peugeot 5008 1.2 MHEV GT Line
SUVs aren’t typically known for their sporty handling, but the Peugeot 5008 is one exception. It already feels agile and has precise steering, but the i-Cockpit design (with a smaller, lower-positioned steering wheel) gives it an even more sporty feel.
Great for solo drivers who want extra space, it’s also the ultimate family car, with its fold-out picnic tables for middle-seat occupants, three individual sliding middle seats, plus two additional seats that fold out of the boot floor.
There’s an option for everyone, including a highly impressive mild hybrid, a cheap-to-run plug-in hybrid and even a long-range electric model (badged e-5008) with up to 414 miles of range.
 "Peugeot e-5008 banner")
Honda CR-V
 "Honda CR-V")
Our pick: Honda CR-V 2.0 e:HEV Advance
The Honda CR-V is a dependable, reliable and economical SUV that should last you years with proper care. And because it’s less obvious than some of its rivals, you might be able to pick up a used one for less.
Most sixth-generation models, sold from 2022, come with a powered tailgate, all-round parking sensors, a reversing camera, keyless entry and heating for the front seats and steering wheel. So you won’t even need to budget for stepping up a trim level.
Instead, consider spending that extra cash on a plug-in hybrid model. The self-charging hybrid is great, but you can’t turn your nose up at 50 miles of electric-only range from the PHEV - and it doesn’t cost a whole lot more.
)
Volvo XC90
 "Volvo XC90")
Our pick: Volvo XC90 T8 Plus Dark
If you need a large, premium SUV, the Volvo XC90 is a strong choice. It combines minimalist Scandinavian design with smart Google-powered tech and enjoys Volvo’s relentless reputation for safety.
The five-star Euro NCAP safety rating is a given for any modern Volvo, but what this means for the driver is Pilot Assist aids like adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert and even washer jets for the bright LED headlights for optimal visibility.
Power comes exclusively from 2.0-litre engines, and diesel was phased out a few years ago. So unless you can live with around 30mpg from the mild hybrid petrol, we’d recommend a plug-in hybrid with over 40 miles of electric-only range.
)
MINI Countryman
 "MINI Countryman")
Our pick: MINI Countryman E Exclusive
MINIs might be known for their compact dimensions and retro styling, but the third-generation (2023-onwards) Countryman is all grown up. It’s so big now that MINI had to introduce an all-new compact Aceman crossover into the mix to plug the gap.
The 450-litre boot is tens of litres more than you’d get in a family hatchback, all in a car that feels no bigger to drive. But we think the best feature is the smart interior. It all centres around a circular OLED touchscreen display, which in Tesla-like fashion, contains driver information like your speedo as well as mapping and media.
There really isn’t a bad engine choice – even the entry-level 170hp Countryman C is pretty spritely. But if you’re green-minded, why not consider a used MINI Countryman with a plug-in hybrid or fully electric powertrain?
)
Tesla Model Y
 "Tesla Model Y")
Our pick: Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD
There’s a reason the Tesla Model Y spent several months as Britain’s best-selling car when it first launched. And with a second-generation model (codenamed ‘Juniper’) hitting UK roads, now’s a better time than ever to pick up a bargain used Model Y.
The lack of trim levels means any Model Y you pick will be loaded to the brim, with heating for the four outermost seats and steering wheel, adaptive LED headlights and a huge central touchscreen for controlling every single element of the car.
There are many reasons to choose a used Tesla Model Y, from the Supercharger network to the free over-the-air (OTA) updates with new additional features, not to mention the smartphone app, which is the best in the business. But our pick would be the Long Range AWD model for the best balance of power and range.
Explore used SUVs for sale
We Brits love an SUV, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when there’s just that much choice.
Whether you’re seeking something luxurious and powerful or a practical and efficient family car, your options certainly won’t be limited.
The 10 SUVs we’ve picked above are the best in the business, ticking multiple boxes without compromise, but we’ve got plenty more used SUVs to choose from if they don’t quite fit the bill.
If you’ve got a different SUV in mind, why not read our reviews to separate the wheat from the chaff?