Best used large SUVs and 4x4s 2022

Volvo XC90
Kia Sorento
Audi Q7
Skoda Kodiaq
SEAT Tarraco
Land Rover Discovery
Peugeot 5008
Hyundai Santa Fe

1. Volvo XC90 (Mk2)

Our pick: D5 Inscription AWD (2015/65, 77k miles, £25,790)

When it comes to combining head-turning style with seven-seat versatility, there are few machines that can match the excellent XC90. With the earliest versions now nearly eight years old, you can also add ‘second-hand bargain’ to its long list of strengths.

Despite its advancing years, the Volvo looks as sharp as ever; its imposing stance and distinctive ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED running lights help it stand out on the road. Inside, a mix of cool minimalist Scandinavian design, high-quality finish and that trademark portrait-style infotainment screen means it still feels a cut above, even after a few years.

Unlike many rivals, the XC90 is a genuine seven-seater; even adults won’t feel short-changed when riding in the third row. Better still, those rearmost chairs fold away at the touch of a button, revealing a vast 775-litre boot behind the powered tailgate. And of course, thanks to its solid construction and wide array of hi-tech driver aids, few rivals are as safe as the Volvo.

Light steering and soft suspension mean the XC90 is built for comfort rather than agility, but the handling is accurate and the 402bhp plug-in hybrid T8 can sprint from 0-62mph in a sports car-slaying 5.6 seconds. However, unless you live in a ULEZ zone, then the smooth and torquey D5 diesel best suits the XC90’s easy going nature, particularly because it’ll return an easy 40mpg.

So how much will you have to pay for this desirable and family-friendly SUV? Well, the good news is that prices have finally ducked under the £20,000 barrier. And while examples at this price have done around 100,000 miles, Volvo’s reputation for robust quality and strong reliability means there should be little to fear. What’s more, many are cherished vehicles with a fully stamped service history.

Whichever way you look at it, a used XC90 represents a lot of car for the price of a new mid-spec supermini.

BuyaCar finance options

With prices starting at more than £60,000, a new XC90 isn’t cheap. However, with its styling having changed little since its launch, why not get a used model for less than half that? Monthly payments for this car are £557 on a four-year contract with a £3,000 deposit through BuyaCar.co.uk. This is hire purchase so there’s no large final bill, and once you’ve made the last payment, you’ll own the car for less than £30,000.

Check out the latest used Volvo prices on our sister site Buyacar…

2. Kia Sorento (Mk3)

Last year’s winner finishes as a runner-up this time, but there’s still a lot to like. The Sorento looks smart and has an interior that mixes space with upmarket appeal and loads of kit. It’s also comfortable and refined, plus there’s the lure of the balance of the brand’s brilliant seven-year warranty.

Check out the latest used Kia Sorento prices on our sister site Buyacar…

3. Audi Q7 (Mk1)

If your budget can’t quite stretch as far as an XC90, then how about an original Q7? Our left-field choice still looks surprisingly fresh, while the interior is spacious and well built, even if the technology is dated. Electrical glitches and neglect can cause problems, but the 3.0-litre TDI engine is bombproof and prices start at around £3,500.

Check out the latest used Audi Q7 prices on our sister site Buyacar…

4. Skoda Kodiaq (Mk1)

The Skoda Kodiaq was launched in 2017, and it’s been one of the top contenders in its class ever since. This has coincided with an impressive purple patch for Skoda, with the company boasting its strongest ever line-up thanks to shared DNA with Volkswagen, its parent company.

Initially the Kodiaq was offered with a 1.4-litre petrol engine producing either 124bhp or 148bhp, a 2.0-litre petrol producing 178bhp, or a 2.0-litre diesel in 114bhp, 148bhp and 187bhp forms. Four-wheel drive could be found on the most powerful engines, with it being an optional extra on mid-spec powertrains. Mid-way through 2018, the 1.4-litre petrol was replaced with an improved 1.5-litre unit, while a sportier Kodiaq vRS arrived in 2019 with a twin-turbo diesel making 237bhp.

Now that depreciation has set in, you can net the Mk1 Kodiaq in a number of trims for a very reasonable price. If you’re willing to opt for petrol power then prices can dip even lower, however your running costs will be higher as none of the petrols are nearly as frugal. This is despite the 1.4- and 1.5-litre units employing cylinder shut-off technology.

If you can live with middling efficiency, the Kodiaq majors in practicality (Scout models come with seven seats), the infotainment system is slick and it drives very well indeed.

Check out the latest used Skoda Kodiaq prices on our sister site Buyacar…

5. SEAT Tarraco (Mk1)

The SEAT Tarraco is another large SUV with shared underpinnings, utilising the same platform as the Kodiaq. The SEAT is intended as the sportier offering, although this has more to do with the car’s styling than it does performance: the engine line-up is identical, although there’s no vRS equivalent of the Tarraco. If you want a SEAT with speed in mind, look at Cupra…

The 1.5-litre petrol feels underpowered due to its relative lack of torque, hitting 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds. Meanwhile the 2.0-litre petrol is much punchier with 320Nm at its disposal, taking the 0-62mph figure down to eight seconds flat. The 187bhp, 2.0-litre diesel is just as quick.

The more engaging feel of the Tarraco comes from the reduced ride height, which is 20mm lower than in the Kodiaq. As a result it performs a bit better in corners, and the ride is excellent over a variety of surfaces.

Check out the latest used SEAT Tarraco prices on our sister site Buyacar…

6. Land Rover Discovery (Mk5)

If off-roading really is your thing, then look no further than the Land Rover Discovery. It’s ability to tackle the toughest terrain is unparalleled in the large SUV sector, thanks to permanent four-wheel drive, a huge amount of torque and – on the latest edition of the Disco – a diet that’s stripped almost half a tonne from the previous car.

The current engine line-up consists of a 2.0-litre petrol producing 296bhp, a 2.0-litre diesel with 237bhp and a 3.0-litre V6 diesel boasting 302bhp. All Discos get an eight-speed automatic gearbox, air suspension for that can be controlled electronically and a Terrain Response system that allows you set up the diffs, ride height and traction control to suit whichever conditions you find yourself in.

The latest Land Rover Discovery is also the best yet in terms of driving on the road. Refinement is excellent and ride comfort is excellent, especially on the smallest 19-inch alloy wheels. Despite the improvements, fuel economy is poor: you’ll struggle to draw more than 30mpg from any of the engines, while high CO2 emissions figures only serve to drive up road tax costs.

Check out the latest used Land Rover Discovery prices on our sister site Buyacar…

7. Peugeot 5008 (Mk3)

The Peugeot 5008 is about as good as it gets when it comes to large SUVs at this end of the price spectrum. No, it’s not as premium as the Volvo XC90 and Land Rover Discovery, but it gets the basics spot on and thanks to a lack of weaknesses, it’s one of the best all-rounders on the market.

The engine line-up features a 1.2 PureTech 130 petrol, a 1.6 PureTech 180 turbo petrol and a 2.0 Blue HDi 180 diesel. Previously there was a 1.6-litre diesel as well, but this was replaced by a 1.5-litre unit in 2018, with the new engine offering more power and improved fuel economy. At 57.3mpg according to official tests, this is one of the most fuel-efficient cars of this size.

The Peugeot is lighter than most of its rivals, so even the smallest petrol engine packs enough punch to offer reasonable performance on the road. Inside you’ll find an eight-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital screen behind the steering wheel for ultra-clear information on the move. With the exception of a few materials in the lower part of the cabin, the 5008 is a high-quality place to sit, belying its status as one of the more affordable cars in its class.

Check out the latest used Peugeot 5008 prices on our sister site Buyacar…

8. Hyundai Santa Fe (Mk3)

The Hyundai Santa Fe is one of our favourite large SUVs at the moment: not only does it boast lots of space inside, but it’s also very comfortable and comes with a very reasonable amount of kit as standard. There are two trim levels – Premium and Premium SE – and it’s the latter that adds bigger, 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and ventilated front seats for those stifling summer days.

There’s only one engine available in the Santa Fe, a turbocharged, 2.2-litre diesel that produces 197bhp and 440Nm of torque. All cars are four-wheel drive, although you’d be wise to stick to the road in the Santa Fe as the 4WD is really only designed to give extra grip on the asphalt, as opposed to off-road ability.Vs and 4x4s

The set-up works though, as the Santa Fe is one of the more composed SUVs when it comes to navigating B-roads. It doesn’t roll very much in corners, and self-levelling suspension means it doesn’t lumber from one extreme to the other.

Check out the latest used Hyundai Santa Fe prices on our sister site Buyacar…

Now find out more about the best used cars you can buy…

Keyword: Best used large SUVs and 4x4s 2022