We've had a bit of an SUV-heavy time here recently at CompleteCar what with test-driving the new Volvo XC90, Honda CR-V, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Kia Sorento, Suzuki Vitara and Jeep Renegade. So, we thought it might be nice to pick out a car that's a perfect 'starter' SUV, a car that will ease you nicely into ownership of all things big, boxy and rugged.
It's a Nissan X-Trail from 2012 and we can tell you that it's one of the most underrated cars ever made. The second-generation X-Trail was launched at the same time as the first Qashqai and it was the smaller brother that garnered all the praise, publicity and column inches. The X-Trail kind of got lost in the mix but it's actually the superior vehicle.
The styling is a bit on the chunky side, but they're really excellent to drive, very comfortable, spacious and properly rugged. Most were sold as front-wheel drive but if you can track down a 4x4 one, then you have something that's really all-weather capable. Reliability is also excellent - always a good thing.
We found a really nice 2012 model, which seems to have been fitted with every option going. For €22,950 it's a big, spacious SUV for the same price as a pretty basic Focus.
Click here to view our #FridayFind used car - 2012 Nissan X-Trail 2.0 DSL
Then again, what if SUVs aren't for you? Maybe you want something small and nippy for getting about town but you can't face the prospect of a dreary, cheap-o small car? Well, then good news - you can buy an original Mini for about a third the cost of something like a Hyundai i10. Crumple zones? Safety kit? Reliability? No, none of that came as standard but you do get iconic looks and handling that you would honestly need to upgrade to a Lotus to beat.
We found one on sale for €3,950, a last-of-the-line 2000-registered one in desirable Mayfair spec. Budget plenty for spare parts and buy a Haynes manual so that you can sort out inevitable little niggles on your own. A tin of Hammerite applied to the underside wouldn't go astray either...
Click here to view our #FridayFind used car - 2000 Austin Mini 1.3 Mayfair