Cheapest SUVs 2024
Family cars can be expensive, but that doesn't mean you need to spend more than you need to on an SUV. On the contrary, there are dozens of cheap SUVs on the market, many of which are just as good as cars costing double the price.
Don't believe us? Check out our list of the cheapest SUVs in the UK, which includes a couple that are available with four-wheel-drive, one with seven seats and even one with an electric option. Some come with five- or seven-year warranties, so buying a cheap new car needn't be a game of chance.
Thanks to fuel-efficient engines and low insurance groups, these SUVs should also be cheap to run, so you could be laughing all the way to the bank (or your smartphone if you're an online banker).
Cheapest SUVs in the UK |
Dacia Duster
The Dacia brand is all about value for money and the Duster SUV exemplifies this perfectly. A family-sized five-seater, plentiful passenger space is supported by a holiday-ready 445-litre boot. Entry-level Essential spec is pretty basic – you don’t get alloy wheels or a touchscreen media system – but does include air-con and electric windows, so it’s still tolerable. Most customers, however, choose the posher Expression, Journey or Extreme trims, and even these are priced below some basic small cars. The sweet turbocharged petrol engine is just enough for everyday driving and, uniquely, you can get a Bi-Fuel version, allowing you to fill up with half-price LPG.
Suzuki Ignis
The Suzuki Ignis is a micro-sized SUV. A really distinctive design, its boxy lines give it a rugged look. Despite measuring just 3.7 metres in length, though, it still squeezes in five-door functionality. Space inside is eye-opening, given its dimensions, with even adults likely to find the rear seats comfortable. Suzuki fits an efficient mild hybrid engine, which is a real fuel-sipper, and also sells the top-spec variant with four-wheel-drive guise, for guaranteed grip in all weathers. Equipment levels aren’t bad: even base-model cars come with a colour touchscreen, which offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
MG ZS
The MG ZS is a well-priced alternative to pricier rivals such as the Ford Puma and Volkswagen T-Cross. Both Excite and Exclusive grades have a good haul of standard features, and even the entry-level engine is a 1.5-litre unit with 106PS. If you can stretch to it, we prefer the 1.0-litre turbo – power is similar but it’s more flexible and has a six-speed gearbox for quieter motorway running. You can have it with an automatic gearbox, too. Neatly styled and with a smart interior, the MG ZS bolsters its cheapest SUV credentials further with a competitive seven-year warranty, giving reassurance for those who plan to own their car for many years.
Skoda Kamiq
Just because an SUV is cheap doesn’t necessarily mean it’s small. The Dacia Jogger is remarkably high up this list because it’s a big seven-seat family SUV, and what’s more, it’s really rather good. All models have the full seven seats as standard, and if you only need five then you can fold the third row down to create a pretty huge boot space. The engines are frugal, and it should be reliable too. With a starting price of just £18,295, the Dacia Jogger might be one of the most genuine bargains you can get at a car dealer.
SsangYong Tivoli
The SsangYong Tivoli is another bargain-priced family SUV – and the most obvious rival for the Dacia Duster. It’s similar in size, has an interior that’s just as roomy, and almost matches the Dacia for boot space, with 423 litres on offer. Powering all versions is a 1.5-litre petrol engine offering plenty of oomph for long journeys. Equipment levels are good, especially if you opt for the lavish Ultimate Nav trim, which comes with an automatic gearbox as standard. You even get a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
Kia Stonic
The Stonic is the funky SUV alternative to the Kia Rio small car. It uses the same selection of fuel-efficient engines, including an advanced range-topper with a DCT automatic gearbox and 48V mild hybrid tech. We like the cheapest 1.0-litre turbo engine best, which is capable of more than 51mpg and 0-62mph in under 11 seconds. All versions of the Stonic offer a good standard spec, including a comprehensive array of active safety equipment. Kia’s famed seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty also reassures – and suggests how reliable the Stonic is likely to be.
Citroen C3 Aircross
The Citroen C3 Aircross earns its place in our guide to the UK’s cheapest SUVs thanks to a new, value-packed variant called the You! (including the exclamation mark). Despite a low price, it still comes with alloy wheels, climate control, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and tinted rear windows, so it’s hardly a stripped-out special. The Citroen Advanced Comfort programme brings special ultra-soft seats and a ride quality tuned for absorbency, making it a luxurious feeling car to drive. It’s also extremely practical, with a big boot and fold-flat rear seats. There’s even a folding passenger seat, allowing the C3 Aircross to swallow loads up to 2.4 metres long.
Suzuki Vitara
The Suzuki Vitara might be a bit long in the tooth, but it's still a solid choice if you're in the market for a cheap SUV. It has a strong reputation for reliability, comes with a long list of equipment as standard and Suzuki dealers are known for delivering excellent customer service. Prices start from around £20,500, and while the entry-level versions are mild-hybrids, the high-spec SZ-T model is a proper 'self-charging' hybrid. This means you get an official 54.3mpg for around £25,000. A bargain.
 (2).jpg?width=620)
Nissan Juke
The Nissan Juke arguably invented the small SUV sector and this second-generation car is a larger, more sophisticated evolution of the original. It certainly still stands out, while Nissan has made big steps forward in terms of practicality and interior quality. It’s a much nicer car to travel in than the original, helped by increased rear-seat space and a much more useful 422-litre boot. There’s just a single 1.0-litre turbo engine on offer, but it’s a fairly powerful one, producing 114PS. You can also have a DCT automatic version, complete with Nissan’s advanced ProPilot driver-assist technology.
Hyundai Bayon
The Bayon is a new arrival in Hyundai’s comprehensive line-up of SUVs. Intended as a roomier, more practical alternative to the sporty Kona, the Bayon has a large and accommodating interior, plus a 401-litre boot that expands to more than 1200 litres with the rear seats folded. With its slimline LED running lights, the Bayon has distinctive front-end styling. We also like the infotainment system, with a screen that measures up to 10.25 inches. Buyers can choose an optional Bose premium audio system, while even the most affordable version features 48V mild-hybrid technology, designed to save fuel in everyday driving.
Are the cheapest SUVs safe?
Modern cars rarely compromise on safety and even the cheapest SUVs in the UK generally have solid Euro NCAP crash-test ratings. Hyundai’s Bayon is one of the newest cars on this list and scored four stars in the 2021 Euro NCAP safety tests – tests that become more challenging all the time. The exception is the Dacia Jogger, which scored just one star, mainly because it lacks the latest active safety features – Dacia doesn’t think its customers want to pay extra for them. These features include lane-departure warning and autonomous emergency braking, which can detect pedestrians and cyclists is a particularly valuable addition.
How roomy are the cheapest SUVs?
The cheapest SUVs certainly don’t require you to compromise here. Even the smallest of all, the Suzuki Ignis, is far roomier inside than you’d expect. Meanwhile, the UK’s cheapest SUV, the Dacia Duster, offers levels of space inside comparable with family hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf, and the Dacia Jogger can seat seven. Because SUVs are taller than regular cars, they generally all have good headroom, while their boxy lines allow for decent-sized boots. Fold down the rear seats and you’ll have an even larger and more practical space.
Can you get an electric version of the cheapest SUVs?
The MG ZS is one of the UK’s cheapest SUVs – and is also available in pure electric MG ZS EV guise. Naturally, this too is one of the UK’s cheapest electric cars. It’s not as affordable as the petrol version, admittedly, but it’s still competitively priced. Look out for an electric option coming to some of the other cheapest SUVs soon. Dacia is readying its true bargain-priced SUV EV, the Spring, for sale in the UK in 2024.
Which small SUV should I buy for under £10,000?
