Cheapest SUVs 2024

Looking for a good, cheap SUV? Lucky for you there's a near endless choice, and we have all the best deals right here

By Simon Ostler, John Evans

SUVs are all over the place these days. They've become a hugely popular choice as a family car, but they're also ideal for towing a caravan, cruising on the motorway or even going off-road in some cases.

We don't blame you if you feel like your next car might be an SUV. They're hugely practical, and very easy to drive thanks to their high up driving position. One thing that often gets thrown in the direction of SUVs is that they are too expensive, and there is some truth to that if you're looking at the more upmarket models, but there are plenty of smaller crossovers that are similarly priced to the hatchbacks they're based on.

Thanks to their enormous popularity, there are plenty of SUVs to choose from, and better still, they're available from as little as £6,000 or around £130 per month here on BuyaCar. Don't let the low prices fool you, though, the Nissan Qashqai (see below) has proven to be one of the most popular cars in the UK since it first arrived, and it has proven to be the benchmark that many other SUVs are measured against.

Along with the Qashqai there are plenty of other great cheap SUVs on the market, and we've picked out a few of the best here with some great value used prices, as well as some great savings on the newest generation of models.

1. Nissan Qashqai

Our pick Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi Acenta
Used deals from £8,547
Monthly finance from £178.07*

The Nissan Qashqai was the SUV that kick started the craze, while there have been several attempts to de-throne it as the most popular SUV on the market, nothing has yet matched the Qashqai's all-round performance as a comfortable, practical and driveable family car.

The second-generation model was on sale from 2013-2021, and it received an update in 2017 that added more features and gave the styling a refresh. Even the earlier models are well equipped, which makes the price of it now as a used car even more unmissable. Acenta models available from less than £10,000 on BuyaCar feature touches of leather in the cabin, cruise control and Bluetooth connectivity for your smartphone.

If you are willing to spend a little more, updated Acenta models are fitted with a five-inch touchscreen media display, dual-zone climate control and hill start assist, while the newer diesel engines are also compliant with the ULEZ restrictions, so you don't need to worry about driving into central London either.

NISSAN QASHQAI BUYERS' GUIDE

2. Dacia Duster

Our pick Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 110 Laureate
Used deals from £7,099
Monthly finance from £152.18*

Cheap but certainly not cheerless; the Dacia Duster is a practical, distinctive and reliable SUV that, if you like counting the pennies, will leave you feeling just a little bit smug.

It’s without doubt the cheapest model in this selection, with plenty of well-specced models available for less than £10,000, including top-spec Laureate versions. That said, on the opposite end of the scale, entry-level Access models are best avoided for their lack of air-conditioning and electric windows.

DACIA DUSTER BUYERS' GUIDE

3. Renault Captur

Our pick Renault Captur 0.9 TCe Dynamique S Nav
Used deals from £6,851
Monthly finance from £146.91*

Just look around you: car buyers have really taken the Captur to their hearts and it’s not hard to see why. Gallic style – tick. Compact but still relatively spacious– tick. Economical and easy to drive – tick.

It’s also great value for money with plenty of economical diesels to choose from, though the 0.9-litre turbocharged petrol engine will likely be just as good around town.

USED RENAULT CAPTUR BUYERS' GUIDE

4. Suzuki Vitara

Our pick Suzuki Vitara 1.6 SZ4
Used deals from £8,995
Monthly finance from £171.35*

Once the choice of surfers looking to cut a dash by the beach, the Vitara has matured into a thoroughly grown-up, practical and capable family-size SUV. Not too grown-up, though; there are still some zingy colours to choose from.

Generous interior space is one of the first things you’ll notice about the Vitara, and then the fact that there are no diesel engines to choose from. No problem: it means you don't have to worry about future emissions penalties.

USED SUZUKI VITARA BUYERS' GUIDE

1. Dacia Duster

Our pick Dacia Duster 1.0 TCe 90 Essential
List price £15,295
Nearly new deals from £7,099
Monthly finance from £152.18*

Dacia has staked its reputation on being the cheapest, so no surprise its Duster SUV features here. The Dacia Duster is a much better car than its cheap label implies. While the price has risen noticeably since the latest version was launched, it remains the cheapest SUV on the market, and you do get more equipment included for your money.

The cheapest Essential models now come fitted with a digital radio complete with Bluetooth connectivity - a far cry from the radio-less Dacias from earlier generations. There's also cruise control, hill start assist and a height adjustable steering wheel to help make your journey more relaxed, while air-conditioning might all but seal the deal.

The Duster is no longer a sub-£10,000 car, but it comes with two very economical engines, either the 1.0-litre TCe 90 capable of around 45mpg, or the Bi-Fuel TCe 100 which makes use of cheaper liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

DACIA DUSTER BUYERS' GUIDE

2. Citroen C3 Aircross

Our pick Citroen C3 Aircross PureTech 110 C-Series Edition
List price £20,635
Nearly new deals from £9,200
Monthly finance from £158.37*

The C3 Aircross is a recent addition to the compact SUV, or crossover, market and it’s proving popular. With rivals including the Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008 to consider, it’s gone in guns blazing with eye-catching styling, decent practicality (it has a genuinely spacious boot), a smooth and comfortable ride and good fuel economy.

The cheapest version suffers for having the lowest powered 1.2-litre petrol engine. It’s fine for town driving but you want the more powerful PureTech 110 if longer journeys are anticipated. Touch trim features air con and a digital radio. That’s not bad but if you can find another £2,000 or finance the increased monthly payments, we’d advise upgrading to Feel trim with the aforementioned PureTech 110 engine.

CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS BUYERS' GUIDE

3. Renault Captur

Our pick Renault Captur 1.0 TCe 90 Evolution
List price £22,195
Nearly new deals from £6,851
Monthly finance from £146.91*

For many people, the Renault Captur is as much SUV as they need. Think of it as a larger, more practical Renault Clio but with all the low running costs of that model.

To these promising ingredients, the car maker has added a welcome helping of style and technology. The Capture isn’t the most fun compact SUV to drive but its small, 0.9-litre turbocharged petrol engine, although a little slow, is smooth, quiet and a relaxed cruiser at reasonable speeds.

RENAULT CAPTUR BUYERS' GUIDE

4. Suzuki Vitara

Our pick Suzuki Vitara 1.4 BoostJet Mild Hybrid SZ-T
List price £23,749
Nearly new deals from £8,995
Monthly finance from £171.35*

Away from the Dacia Duster and up among more mainstream SUVs, the Nissan Qashqai, with a starting price of £19,300, is one of the more obvious choices.

But there are cheaper, such as the Suzuki Vitara. It’s more straightforward than most cars of its type with clean lines and a simple interior, both reflected in its price. It lacks a little polish on the move with a slightly bouncy ride and a tendency to lean in corners but despite this is actually fun to drive.

SUZUKI VITARA BUYERS' GUIDE

*Representative PCP finance - Ford Fiesta:

48 monthly payments of £192
Deposit: £0
Mileage limit: 8,000 per year
Optional final payment to buy car: £2,923
Total amount payable to buy car: £11,926
Total cost of credit: £2,426
Amount borrowed: £9,500
APR: 9.9%

BuyaCar is a credit broker, not a lender. Our rates start from 6.9% APR. The rate you are offered will depend on your individual circumstances.