Which mid-size SUV for €20,000?
What would you recommend in terms of a mid-size 4X4/SUV? Diesel is the preferred option with a sensible tax band a major consideration as well as decent fuel economy. I have circa €20,000 to spend on straight cash deal.
Maurice Hannon (Galway)
Dec 2010 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Maurice,
If I were spending my own money on something like this I would probably narrow my search down to a few key models. I would also look at something that was pre-July 2008 as the road tax is a little easier to stomach. You didn't specify whether you need it to be a 4x4, because this does tend to make them a little harder on fuel.
The Toyota RAV4 isn't massive but it is seriously well put together and you could have a 2.2-litre 2007 model with low mileage for €17,950.
Here's an example on beepbeep.ie.
Road tax at €860 is still a lot though, so that might rule this out.
If you don't need 4x4, then a Nissan Qashqai is quite an obvious choice. You could have a 2009 model, with low mileage and road tax of a just €156 per year, for €20,495. These are popular for a reason, but forget about it if you need to go off-road.
Here's an example on beepbeep.ie.
Again, no four-wheel drive options for your budget, but you could have a Skoda Yeti, which is a great SUV with a decent 2.0-litre TDI engine for €22,750 - although I'd be pushing for closer to €20,000 in a cash deal.
You could have a Nissan X-Trail too, although they can be a little hard to find. They are really good value. Most are two-wheel drive but there are four-wheel drive ones about. This one is a two-wheel drive version, but at €18,500 for a 2008 model it is great value.
Finally, the latest Land Rover Freelander is much better than the model that went before it. You can have it with a 2.2-litre diesel engine and four-wheel drive and that would be in and around the right money.
Out of this lot, I'd be inclined to go for the Nissan X-Trail.
Hope that helps. Let us know what you end up going for.
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