Best used SUVs that hold their value

Renowned for its unparralled off-road performance, the iconic Land Rover Defender is an SUV designed for the adventuring lifestyle, able to traverse the toughest conditions on or off the beaten track. Unsurprisingly popular with farmers and in rural locations, the Defender offers an impressive 4×4 performance, tackling the harshest terrain with ease and with few rivals in this domain. Easy to maintain and repair, the car also makes a great companion for sporting enthusiasts, thanks to the huge boot with over 1,000 litres of room to play with. Attach a roof rack and tow a trailer and the Defender will not only look the part, it’ll carry all your equipment, from canoes to mountain bikes, for an exciting day out. With a highly regarded reputation and iconic design, the Defender is an SUV that holds its value, doing very well on the used market.

Offering a high level of luxury, the Porsche Macan is a small compact SUV that is one of the best in its segment. It offers a class-leading driving experience, with precise steering and a punchy performance, proving lots of fun to drive. Adding to its appeal, the cabin is suitably plush, finished with high-grade materials and offering premium extras like leather upgrades. It’s comfortable, practical, refined, and roomy, and comes with handy equipment such as front and rear parking sensors. Whilst many luxury cars depreciate quite quickly in the first three years, the Porsche Macan holds onto its value, no doubt aided by the prestigious Porsche moniker and by the fact that it is a leading car in its sector.

When it comes to the best driving experience of an SUV, the Jaguar F-Pace is at the top alongside the Porsche Macan. Renowned as the driver’s SUV of choice, the F-Pace is sheer fun on the road thanks to its agile handling and precise control that defies its size. It also has fantastic performance, which can (amazingly) be increased to supercar beating levels, with the V8-powered SVR version that hits 0-60mph in a mere 4.1 seconds. But it’s not just about numbers. The F-Pace has that unmistakable Jaguar seal of quality, with a premium, upmarket cabin cocooned in soft leather. It’s practical too, with a large boot and a spacious interior. And, like many a Jaguar car, it retains its value well.

Another SUV from Land Rover that holds its value, the Range Rover Evoque also benefits from the renowned marque’s signature go-anywhere capability. Like the Defender, the 4×4 Evoque can tackle whatever harsh terrain is thrown at it, able to travel off the beaten track for muddy adventures. Increasing its appeal, the Evoque is equally impressive on the tarmac, offering a smooth and refined driving experience. Quite simply, the Evoque is good to drive on and off-road. Inside, it has a classy interior wrapped in high-quality materials, enjoying plenty of cabin space for comfortable journeys. Throw into the mix the stylish exterior design and you have a recipe for what is Land Rover’s biggest selling model. Unsurprisingly, it has good residuals and low depreciation as well.

The Kia Niro is a crossover SUV that has excellent fuel economy and low running costs thanks to a choice of three powertrains, with an all-electric model, a plug-in hybrid, and a self-charging hybrid. Even at the lower scale of fuel efficiency with the self-charging hybrid, the Niro still pumps out a strong 58.9mpg, with the plug-in version extending that figure even further. On top of that, the Niro is comfortable and quiet, offering a refined driving experience that suits a leisurely pace. It has a large boot and a practical cabin with lots of interior space, ticking all the right boxes as a family vehicle. If you opt for the Kia Niro, we recommend the optional ‘advanced driving assistance pack’ as it increases the car’s Euro NCAP safety rating from four to five stars.

Another SUV that is great to drive, the stylish Toyota C-HR came to market in 2016 impressing with its hybrid powertrains. Initially offered with an alternative turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine (pre 2019), the C-HR has a sportier feel to its driving experience, thanks to a low centre of gravity  and nimble handling. Whilst the sportier approach, to both the styling and driving, result in an SUV that isn’t quite as practical compared to some rivals, it still has a relatively good-size boot and a roomy cabin that is comfortable with plenty of leg and headroom in the front and rear. As a hybrid, the C-HR also offers excellent fuel efficiency and low running costs, which alone makes it an attractive proposition. Hybrid models in particular also hold onto their value as well.

Iconic and instantly recognisable, the Jeep Wrangler is one of the rare 4×4 SUVs to actually challenge the Land Rover Defender’s off-road ability. Now in its fourth generation, the Wrangler continues to be a rugged car that is an unstoppable mud monster. Simply put, for going off the beaten track, the Wrangler is tough to beat as one of the most capable 4x4s on the market. Available as a 2 or 4 door SUV and with a removable hard-top roof, the Wrangler offers something a bit different from the average sports utility vehicle and is definitely well suited to those who enjoy an active lifestyle. After all, the Wrangler’s very styling has become synonymous with exploring the great outdoors. It also has a very practical boot for carting all your sports equipment about too. To round it off, the Wrangler commands strong prices on the used market no doubt aided by its iconic status.

Balancing practicality and a spacious interior with good driving characteristics, the Mini Countryman crossover is a stylish SUV that captures all the charm of the iconic Mini brand. It also has a unique, yet wholly stylish exterior design that retains the playfulness of the marque. As you’d expect from the company, the Countryman has a high-quality cabin with premium appeal, offering plenty of leg and headroom in the front and rear, dispelling any timeworn stereotypes about a Mini’s interior space. It’s very practical too, with lots of storage cubbies and a large boot. Plus, it is available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, or as a plug-in hybrid for greener credentials and greater fuel economy. Furthermore, it retains strong residual values as well.

Unveiled in 2007, Volkswagen were ahead of the crossover curve with the VW Tiguan, impressing out the gate with a very practical design, strong build quality, and a very refined driving experience that sets the high standards for the class. It is available with a broad range of trim options and a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, from the frugal to punchier choices. Furthermore, there is the option of a 7-seater model for larger families as well. Inside, the modern interior is nicely built with a premium finish and plenty of cabin space, providing a comfy environment for long journeys. In short, the Tiguan is a great family SUV, particularly for those who seek comfort, refinement, and practicality, and a vehicle which holds its price for potential resale.

Introduced in 2008 with the second generation following in 2017, the Peugeot 3008 has been developed into a bold car that stands out from the competition. Recent models certainly impress with modern styling and a sporty design, which extends to the spacious and comfortable cabin. The mid-size crossover is also good to drive and suitably refined, offering strong levels of practicality and a class-leading boot. It has a decent choice of petrol and diesel engines too, with both proving surprisingly economical. Whilst the 3008 comes with a slightly higher starting price compared to its rivals, it does come well-equipped as standard and it also holds its value, which counterbalances that aspect. Overall, it’s a brilliant and practical family SUV.