A CAR expert has named the five best family SUVs you can buy this year for under £5,000.
Alex Robbins, resident motors whizz for The Telegraph, shared his advice for those drivers who need more bang for their buck.
Motors expert Alex Robbins shared the best used SUVs to pick up for under £5,000
Hyundai Sante Fe
HandoutHyundai Santa Fe[/caption]
Offering both petrol and diesel options as well as a seven-seater configuration, the Sante Fe’s strength lies in its versatility.
It’s as comfortable sitting in urban traffic as it is winding down country roads with luggage strapped to the top.
Generally cheap to service and decently reliable too, it’s a great option for family trips.
Alex particularly recommended it for towing a caravan given its heft and “study construction”.
However, when you do get into the city just be aware that diesel models are unlikely to comply with ULEZ or CAZ emissions standards.
They’ve also been known to have issues with the particulate filters in the exhaust system and windscreen chipping.
Prices start from around £1,500.
Nissan Qashqai
GettyNissan Qashqai[/caption]
Alex awarded the Qashqai the crown in the affordability category, explaining that compared to other small SUVs it’s among the cheapest to buy and run.
With basic models clocking in at just £2,000 and low maintenance costs to match, it really is a car for almost any budget.
It also allows drivers a slightly more refined design, especially the post-2010 models, and smaller dimensions mean a more discreet presence on the road.
Again, particulate filters and emissions can be an issue for diesels, while the automatic spec occasionally suffers from gearbox issues.
Toyota RAV4
Roddy Scott – The Sun GlasgowToyota RAV4[/caption]
The RAV4 is effectively a more compact version of the brand’s iconic Land Cruiser.
Like its larger cousin, it is famed for its reliability and is able to endure heavy use in the harshest of climates.
Indeed, one of the main issues to look out for on second-hand models is evidence of being ridden too hard off-road which, after a while, will start to catch up with any car.
Third-generation versions start from around £1,500 and petrol models don’t suffer from the same emissions concerns as other entries on the list, while the diesel range is much more limited.
VW Tiguan
Volkswagen TiguanHandout
The Tiguan comes in at the higher end of the budget, with even the most basic starting from around £3,500.
This is not, though, without good reason as Alex rated it best-in-class for comfort.
He praised the “excellent seats, smooth ride and low levels of noise” behind the wheel.
Issues to check for include fuel leaks and, unusually, child lock failures.
Honda CR-V
Auto TraderHonda CR-V[/caption]
This was the model named as the best buy for Alex and his team, providing the best all-round experience.
He dubbed the third generation “one of the best in the model’s history”, with a petrol engine renowned for durability.
Starting from around £1,700 they are not too over the top on price either.
The diesel version is a little less reliable, with fuel injection faults seen on occasion while both variants can see some clutch wear.