Best used family SUVs: eight picks, mostly under €15,000
A used family SUV needs three things: a boot that takes a pushchair and a week's luggage, a good crash rating and running costs a family budget can carry. This list focuses on compact and mid-size SUVs whose whole-generation median asking price on AutoScout24 was under €15,000 in November 2026. Two larger cars, the Skoda Kodiaq and the Toyota RAV4, are included as stretch picks at around €18,000-19,000 in November 2026. Boot volumes are with the rear seats up, quoted from the review or manufacturer source named in the sources list.
Four of these cars have their own used buying guides with known faults, engine advice and checklists: the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai and Toyota RAV4. For new models, see the best family SUVs.
Quick picks
- Best overall: Kia Sportage QL - 503-litre boot, What Car? diesel score 98.1%.
- Biggest boot under €15,000 (Nov 2026): Peugeot 3008 II - 520 litres, 591 with the floor lowered.
- Cheapest: Nissan Qashqai J11 - median about €8,900 in November 2026.
- Seven seats: Skoda Kodiaq I - 720 litres with five seats in use.
| Model (generation, years) | Used price now | Best version | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Sportage QL (2015-2021) | about €10,900 (Nov 2026) | Diesel, front-wheel drive | Remaining 7-year warranty |
| Hyundai Tucson TL (2015-2020) | about €12,900 (Nov 2026) | Front-wheel drive, 513-litre boot | Weaker What Car? score (73.0%) |
| Mazda CX-5 KE (2012-2017) | about €11,900 (Nov 2026) | 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol | Rust and service history |
| SEAT Ateca (2016-) | about €13,000 (Nov 2026) | TSI petrol, front-wheel drive | 4Drive boot 25 litres smaller |
| Peugeot 3008 II (2016-2023) | about €13,000 (Nov 2026) | Diesel (What Car? 96.8%) | Hybrid boot only 395 litres |
| Nissan Qashqai J11 (2013-2021) | about €8,900 (Nov 2026) | Diesel (scored above petrol) | Low What Car? scores |
| Skoda Kodiaq I (2016-2026) | about €19,000 (Nov 2026) | 2.0 TDI 110 kW (150 PS) | Price above the €15,000 target |
| Toyota RAV4 XA40 (2012-2018) | about €17,900 (Nov 2026) | 2.5 Hybrid, 2016-2018 | 12V battery on hybrids |
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1. Kia Sportage QL
Best all-round family SUV
- Production years
- 2015–2021
- Body type
- SUV
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel
- Power output
- 85–179 kW (116–243 PS)
- Used today
- about €9,000–16,000 (AutoScout24, Nov 2026)
- New price
- from about €19,990 (2016)
The fourth Sportage combines a 503-litre boot with the best reliability record here: What Car? owners gave the 2016-2021 diesel a 98.1% score, and Kia's 7-year warranty paid for most repairs. The median asking price in November 2026 is about €10,900, with most cars between €9,000 and €16,000. Kia's warranty runs 7 years or 150,000 km, so cars registered in 2020 or 2021 may still be covered in November 2026 if the service record is complete. Euro NCAP gave it five stars in 2015.
Pros
- 503-litre boot
- 98.1% in What Car? survey (diesel)
- Five-star Euro NCAP (2015)
Cons
- Older cars have no warranty left
- Survey score covers the diesel only
Spec sheet: Kia Sportage QL 1.6 l 97 kW (132 PS)
Full review: Kia Sportage QL -
2. Hyundai Tucson III
Biggest boot of the Korean pair
- Production years
- 2015–2018
- Body type
- SUV
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel
- Power output
- 110–136 kW (150–185 PS)
- Used today
- about €11,500–14,500 (AutoScout24, Nov 2026)
- New price
- from about €22,840 (2015)
The Tucson TL shares its platform with the Sportage and has a 513-litre boot, reduced to 459 litres in the four-wheel-drive mild-hybrid diesel. The median asking price in November 2026 is about €12,900, with an unusually narrow range of €11,500-14,500. The catch is reliability: What Car? owners rated the 2015-2020 Tucson only 73.0%, well behind the Kia. Euro NCAP gave it five stars in 2015. Buy one with a full Hyundai service record and check that all recall work has been done.
Full review: Hyundai Tucson IIIPros
- 513-litre boot (most versions)
- Five-star Euro NCAP (2015)
- Narrow price range
Cons
- 73.0% in What Car? survey
- 459-litre boot in mild-hybrid 4WD
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3. Mazda CX-5 KE
Best to drive
- Production years
- 2012–2017
- Body type
- SUV
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel
- Power output
- 110–141 kW (150–192 PS)
- Used today
- about €6,900–14,000 (AutoScout24, Nov 2026)
- New price
- from about €23,990 (2012)
The first CX-5 has a 503-litre boot and five Euro NCAP stars from 2012, and ADAC's 2026 breakdown statistics name the CX-5 among the most reliable cars in its class. The median asking price in November 2026 is about €11,900, with a range of €6,900-14,000. For a family that mostly drives short trips, the 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol avoids diesel particulate filter regeneration problems. Check the underbody and rear arches for corrosion on cars from northern Europe, and ask for regular oil changes in the service history.
Pros
- 503-litre boot
- Best in class in ADAC breakdown data 2026
- Five-star Euro NCAP (2012)
Cons
- Oldest design on this list
- Fewer offers than the Korean pair
Spec sheet: Mazda CX-5 KE 2.2 l Skyactiv-D 150 110 kW (150 PS)
Full review: Mazda CX-5 KE -
4. SEAT Ateca KH7
Best for town and motorway
- Production years
- 2016–2026
- Body type
- SUV
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel
- Used today
- about €9,700–17,000 (AutoScout24, Nov 2026)
- New price
- from about €20,980 (2016)
The Ateca is compact outside, yet the front-wheel-drive car holds 510 litres; the 4Drive version loses 25 litres to its rear driveshaft. The median asking price in November 2026 is about €13,000 (range €9,700-17,000). ADAC's 2026 breakdown statistics put the Ateca among the most reliable cars in its class, and What Car? owners scored it 93.1%. Petrol TSI engines suit families doing mostly short trips. Check that DSG gearbox oil changes are in the service record on automatic cars.
Full review: SEAT Ateca KH7Pros
- 510-litre boot (front-wheel drive)
- Best in class in ADAC breakdown data 2026
- 7,311 offers in November 2026
Cons
- 485-litre boot with 4Drive
- Not in What Car?'s latest survey
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5. Peugeot 3008 II
Biggest boot in the budget
- Production years
- 2016–2023
- Body type
- SUV
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid, Electric
- Used today
- about €9,000–15,000 (AutoScout24, Nov 2026)
- New price
- from about €23,650 (2016)
The second 3008 has the largest boot of the cars under €15,000 in November 2026: 520 litres, or 591 litres with the adjustable floor in its lowest position. Its median asking price in November 2026 is about €13,000, with most cars between €9,000 and €14,900. What Car? owners scored the diesel 96.8% and the petrol 95.8%, while earlier survey years were weaker. Euro NCAP gave it five stars in 2016. Avoid the plug-in hybrid if space matters, because its boot shrinks to 395 litres.
Full review: Peugeot 3008 IIPros
- 520-591-litre boot
- Five-star Euro NCAP (2016)
- 96.8% in What Car? survey (diesel)
Cons
- Plug-in hybrid boot only 395 litres
- Weaker survey results in earlier years
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6. Nissan Qashqai J11
Cheapest, with conditions
- Production years
- 2013–2021
- Body type
- SUV
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel
- Power output
- 81–120 kW (110–163 PS)
- Used today
- about €7,000–12,000 (AutoScout24, Nov 2026)
- New price
- from about €19,990 (2014)
The J11 Qashqai is the cheapest car here: the median is about €8,900 in November 2026 and most cars ask between €7,000 and €11,900, with more than 6,600 offers to choose from. The boot holds 430 litres, the smallest on the list, and Euro NCAP gave it five stars in 2014. The weak point is reliability: What Car? owners rated the 2014-2021 diesel 74.0% and the petrol 64.4%, and ADAC listed 2019 cars among the worst in their class. Budget for repairs and buy on condition and history.
Pros
- Lowest price on the list
- 6,647 offers in November 2026
- Five-star Euro NCAP (2014)
Cons
- 64.4-74.0% in What Car? survey
- Smallest boot here at 430 litres
Spec sheet: Nissan Qashqai J11 1.2 l 85 kW (116 PS)
Full review: Nissan Qashqai J11 -
7. Skoda Kodiaq NS7
Best for larger families
- Production years
- 2016–2026
- Body type
- SUV
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel
- Power output
- 92–180 kW (125–245 PS)
- Used today
- about €15,000–23,000 (AutoScout24, Nov 2026)
- New price
- from about €26,550 (2017)
The Kodiaq is the stretch pick for families who need space: Skoda quotes 720 litres with five seats in use and 2,065 litres with the rear seats folded, and seven seats were optional. The median asking price in November 2026 is about €19,000 (range €15,000-23,000). The 2.0 TDI with 110 kW (150 PS) is the sensible engine for towing and long trips. What Car? owners rated the diesel 94.7% and the petrol 91.8%. Euro NCAP gave it five stars in 2017.
Pros
- 720-litre boot with five seats in use
- Optional third row
- 94.7% in What Car? survey (diesel)
Cons
- Median above €15,000 in November 2026
- Petrol scored lower than diesel
Spec sheet: Skoda Kodiaq NS7 2.0 l 132 kW (179 PS)
Full review: Skoda Kodiaq NS7 -
8. Toyota RAV4 XA40
Best hybrid family SUV
- Production years
- 2012–2018
- Body type
- SUV
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
- Power output
- 91–145 kW (124–197 PS)
- Used today
- about €11,500–20,000 (AutoScout24, Nov 2026)
- New price
- from about €26,290 (2013)
The RAV4 XA40 has a 547-litre boot in petrol and diesel form and 501 litres in the hybrid, which arrived in January 2016. The median for the whole generation is about €17,900 in November 2026 (range €11,700-20,000). The hybrid is the version to buy for town driving and no particulate filter. ADAC's 2026 breakdown statistics list RAV4s from 2017 to 2022 for starter battery failures, and Toyota released a software update in February 2025; check it has been done. Check whether a space-saver spare or only a repair kit is fitted, because Toyota changed this during production.
Pros
- 547-litre boot (501 hybrid)
- Five-star Euro NCAP (2013)
- Hybrid with four-wheel drive available
Cons
- 12V battery failures in ADAC data
- Median above €15,000 in November 2026
Spec sheet: Toyota RAV4 XA40 2.0 l 107 kW (145 PS)
Full review: Toyota RAV4 XA40
How we chose
Data. Used prices are AutoScout24 asking prices from eight EU countries collected on 5 November 2026: median and the 10th to 90th percentile range of each whole generation. Launch prices are ADAC list prices in Germany. Real prices depend on year, mileage, engine and condition.
Selection. SUVs with at least 1,000 offers and a five-star Euro NCAP rating, a median under €15,000 in November 2026 (two stretch picks above) and a boot of at least 430 litres. Reliability comes from What Car?'s owner survey of used family SUVs and the ADAC breakdown statistics 2026. The Volkswagen Tiguan II was left out because its median of about €16,500 in November 2026 sits above the target and What Car? scored the diesel at 88.1%.
Ranking. Editorial: reliability data first, then space, safety and price.
Frequently asked questions
Which used family SUV has the biggest boot for under €15,000?
The Peugeot 3008 II, with 520 litres or 591 litres with the floor lowered and a median of about €13,000 in November 2026. The Hyundai Tucson TL follows with 513 litres. If you can stretch, the Skoda Kodiaq holds 720 litres with five seats in use.
Is a used Kia Sportage still under warranty?
Possibly. Kia's warranty runs 7 years or 150,000 km, so a Sportage QL registered in 2020 or 2021 may still be covered in November 2026. Ask a Kia dealer to confirm the warranty start date and service history with the VIN.
Petrol or diesel for a used family SUV?
Petrol or hybrid if most trips are short, because diesel particulate filters need longer runs to regenerate. A diesel makes sense for frequent motorway trips and towing, where the Kodiaq 2.0 TDI and the Sportage diesel suit well.
Why is the Nissan Qashqai so cheap?
It is the most common car in this list, with more than 6,600 offers in November 2026, and owner surveys rate it below its rivals: What Car? gave the 2014-2021 petrol 64.4% and the diesel 74.0%. A well-maintained example is still good value.
