In this piece, we pick out our top SUVs for purchase, new or used in the UK. Within this, we will split the cars into most reliable, most popular and best value.
What are the most reliable SUVs in the UK?
Land Rover Discovery
At the top end of the SUV range, the Land Rover Discovery is perhaps a tough sell at a price anywhere from £50,000 to £70,000. The Land Rover Discovery has blended off-road domination with a smooth, sophisticated on-road driving experience creating a car that ticks all the boxes. Seven seats and an updated look make the Discovery a contemporary road vehicle with off-road capabilities. Land Rovers are typically reliable and well built, putting the discovery firmly in our list of the top SUVs.
Volvo XC40
This car has retained the typical features that make a Volvo what it is, the unmistakable headlight design and striking rear LD lights combined with reliable design and build. The XC40 is a previous ‘what car?’ winner, and with good reason, reliability, plenty of interior space, and safety make this a fantastic option if you have a small family. With the car itself, engines have plenty of choices, providing you are not looking for diesel. Certain features on the interior may appear below the level of the Audi Q7 and BMW X1 counterparts, but the car is easy to live with and comfortably; it does the job and isn’t overly flashy. A competent, reliable car with everything you need as a family, what more could you want for an affordable price?
Skoda Kodiaq
The 2021 Drive Power survey shows that the Skoda Kodiaq is the most reliable SUV. This is in no small part down to the high-quality finish on both the interior and exterior. The car isn’t as attractive as the Audi Q range or Range Rover Evoque, but it makes up for this in its construction and performance. It’s easy to run and solidly built, with an interior that appeals to the more premium end of the market. The option of front or four-wheel drive only adds strings to the bow of this impressive vehicle. Prices start at around £28,000 and can reach £40,000, which we feel is a bargain for the quality and reliability you get.
Skoda Karoq
This car is the answer to the VW Tiguan, Nissan Qashqai, Seat Ateca and Peugeot 3008. The Karoq is not as sporty as the Tiguan but more comfortable and practical than the Ateca. With the Karoq, there is plenty of room for customisation, offering a range of petrol and diesel engines and the choice of front or four-wheel drive. The choice doesn’t end there; you can either change gear manually or utilise a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. With plenty of choice and a reliable build, the Skoda Karoq makes it onto our most reliable SUV list.
What are the most popular SUVs in the UK?
Audi Q Range
The Audi Q Range has forever been a popular choice for SUV lovers, with an almost perfect blend of size, interior quality, sportiness and usability. The look is iconic within the SUV range, with the stylish front grill and quintessential Audi appearance retained in a bigger car. Travel off-road, at speed, or stylishly in comfort; the Q Range has many options depending on your desired driving experience. As a range, the Q stumps the Skoda range and any counterparts, sitting at the premium end of the market and with reason. Audi’s reputation and the product level results in a steeper price for premium cars at the top of the Q range. Others are priced more competitively, and if buying a used vehicle, you could net an Audi Q model for a modest £17,000-£20,000. The seemingly low second-hand price with Audi’s fantastic reputation and quality makes the Q Range one of the most popular SUVs on the market.
Ford Kuga
The Zetec trim of the Ford Kuga only comes with air-con, cruise control and alloys, so we would advise the next level Titanium, which has all the technology you would need in a modern car. Where the Kuga lacks in elegance and speed, it makes up for safety and practicality. This car is a favourite with families; the understated yet aesthetic appearance echoes Ford’s commitment to making an SUV that does its job. The Kuga has been given a slick look, with bodywork and edges that put the car firmly in the modern era of SUV.
Range Rover Evoque
The most popular model in the Land Rover series, the Evoque is a stylish and classy SUV at a reasonable price. The car is comfortable to drive and practical if you have a family, with the added benefit of the luxury equipment that comes with the car. The earlier model Evoques faced criticism for their clunky drive feel and performance, but the demand for small SUVs and subsequent competition has forced Range Rover to up their game. The result is a car that is comfortable, luxurious and great to drive. If you have a family, we would recommend the Evoque.
BMW X3
The BMW X3 once dominated the SUV space, but competition saw them lose the top spot. BMW has responded by producing a competitive modern X3 that goes up against its rivals. The look is synonymous with a BMW X3, with an updated look and internal bodywork to match. 4-wheel drive as standard and an automatic gearbox only add to the strengths of the X3 – we feel it is a great SUV option.
What Are The Best Value SUVs in the UK?
Nissan Qashqai
Improved technology and increased practicality make this SUV a desirable purchase. However, alternatives in the market, such as the Audi Q Range and the Range Rover Evoque, weaken the demand for a Qashqai. The Qashqai is not as flashy as its rivals, but it succeeds in its price. A new Qashqai will likely set you back £30,000, but a used model can fetch as low as £10,000. For the price, the Qashqai is reliable, well respected within the industry and ultimately perfect as an SUV. For this reason, the Nissan Qashqai makes our best-value SUV list. The Qashqai improved technology and increased practicality make this SUV a desirable purchase.
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Tiguan is Volkswagen’s best-selling model worldwide, which tells you enough about the success and popularity of this model, especially when considering it’s up against the Polo and Golf VW ranges. The Tiguan is family-friendly and contemporary in image, combined with a lower price than alternatives such as the BMW X1 and the Volvo XC40. The Tiguan offers petrol and a plug-in hybrid with five different trims: Tiguan, Life, Active, Elegance and R Line. The Tiguan can perform off-road with a 4-wheel drive system, although it is much more suited to road conditions. The price sits at circa £30,000 for a brand new car and significantly lower for used. A car model with a strong pedigree and modernisation, at a price of less than £20,000, is simply too good to turn down. For this reason, the Volkswagen Tiguan completes the best value SUV list.
Closing Thoughts
Within this piece, we have provided our top picks for the SUV category across various factors. We feel that any car on this list is more than capable of fulfilling your SUV needs. Have you seen an SUV that’s of interest? If so, and you would like to finance the vehicle, contact us for a consultation from a member of our team!