6 of the best SUVs for less than £2000

They’re practical, spacious, and some can even seat seven people. That’s a lot of metal for your money, so here are our favourite top six.

1: Mitsubishi Shogun

Real example: 2.8 TD GLS, 100,000 miles, FSH, £1995

The older Shoguns are not exactly sparkly performers. Handling can be sluggish and so can the response from the diesel engines, but you will get there. And they’re great if you need to carry up to seven and you also want to tow something heavy – like a fairground attraction.

2: Lexus RX300

Real example: 2001 SE, 108,000 miles, FSH, £2000

This couldn’t be more different. It’s fast, thanks to the 3.0-litre petrol engine, sophisticated and a very good on-road performer – it’s not much of an off-roader. Unsurprisingly you’ll be spending large at the fuel pumps. However, reliability is excellent, and this looks like a very classy SUV for £2000.

3: Land Rover Freelander

Real example: 2.0 TD4 Kalahari, 106,000 miles, part service history, £1895

Everyone knows by now that if you’re buying one of these then you’re probably not getting the most reliable vehicle in the world. However, by this age most of the issues should have been addressed one way or another, and that rep does keep the prices down. You’re getting proper off-road performance, a spacious cabin and, if you avoid the 1.8-litre petrol engine and go for the 2.0-litre or V6, you’ll be gaining a strong and reliable engine.

4: Nissan X-Trail

Real example: 2.0i Sport, 108,000 miles, £1999

This is a big, rugged SUV which also has some decent off-road ability. It’s spacious inside, for both people and luggage, and hard wearing. The diesel engine may not be the most reliable or potent, but it’s a generally steady performer, assuming you don’t want to go the petrol route.

5: Toyota RAV4

Real example: 2003 2.0 VVT-i GX 5dr, 79,000 miles, £2000

Although it’s way over a decade old, this RAV4 still looks reasonably contemporary and of course it has Toyota’s well-deserved reputation for reliability. The handling is quite sporty and fun, although the ride is a bit hard as a consequence. We’d go for the five-door for the space rather than the three-door and the petrol rather than diesel engines, and then we’d be very happy for what we’d got for the budget.

6: Honda CR-V

Real example: 2002 2.0 i-VTEC SE, 102,000 miles, FSH, £1999

Honda consistently wins the award for making the most reliable used vehicles. This practical, spacious SUV also has a sliding rear seat so you get a huge amount of flexibility to go with the easy driving and comfort. Again, we’d choose petrol over diesel, partly because of the latter’s habit of eating clutches, but this second-gen CR-V is otherwise a peach.