Best used large SUVs to buy in 2024

Sales figures show us each month what the most popular used cars are for Australian buyers, but popular doesn't also mean best.

When it comes to the hugely popular large SUV, you should make sure the three models below are high on your list of cars to consider.

JUMP AHEAD

• Near new: Toyota Kluger
• Mid range: Santa Fe
• Budget: Kia Sorento

Near new: Toyota Kluger

Big, yet feels small to drive, and sips fuel

Toyota’s Kluger Hybrid applies the RAV4 Hybrid’s excellent 2.5-litre petrol/electric powertrain to answer a question few large seven-seaters can. Namely: How do you haul a big family without a thirsty big petrol or turbo-diesel?

With a 6.0L/100km city consumption figure (5.6L/100km combined), Kluger Hybrid is massively more frugal than the now-discontinued 3.5-litre V6 petrol, which officially used 11.8L/100km(!) in city driving.

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It’s also thriftier than the alternatives on the used market, and does its best fuel-saving work in the ’burbs, where the average Kluger will do most of its driving.

As with many Toyotas, there’s a substantial wait time for a new Kluger Hybrid so while used prices are high, at least you could drive away today in a ’22 model with manufacturer’s warranty.

Pay around $50K for a base GX or spend about $5K more on a Kluger GXL eFour, which brings nav, powered and heated pews, three-zone climate and a powered tailgate, though if you’re averse to clammy artificial leather, stick with the cloth-seated GX.

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Mid range: Santa Fe

Impressive all-rounder offers terrific value

Thirty five thousand bucks buys you a low-kilometre, low-to-mid grade Hyundai Santa Fe as recent as 2021, or even a higher-mileage Highlander, which represents a fine way to haul a large family in comfort and style.

But which powertrain to choose? With a robust 440Nm, we reckon the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel best fits the job, as did the vast majority of new buyers. Helpfully, the oiler’s better buying used than the 3.5-litre petrol V6, too.

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If the price of entry to Hyundai’s popular seven-seater seems high, well, that’s today’s used market. But it also reflects the model’s stout resale, supported in the initial years by the brand’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Target an Elite grade, which comes standard with the 2.2 diesel, eight-speed auto and AWD, and get niceties such as leather, powered front seats, 8.0-inch multimedia/nav, Infinity audio, dual-zone climate, proximity keys, a power tailgate and 18-inch alloys.

Alternatively, forego some fruit and opt for a newer, lower-kilometre Active (or Active X, if you can find one).

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Budget: Kia Sorento

Kia’s definitive SUV is both suave and stocked

A 2017/18 Kia Sorento with a year’s warranty left is a shrewd buy for seven-seat family-wagon shoppers looking to stretch a $25K budget as far as humanly possible.

Resist the allure of GT-Line and Platinum grades because, while you’ll find some in the $25-30K range, you’ll get far more mileage from a well-maintained, low-kilometre Si, Sport or SLi. You can take your pick of V6 petrol FWD or turbo-diesel AWD, which both feature an eight-speed automatic transmission.

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Thankfully, the range-opening Sorento Si is pretty well equipped, with an 8.0-inch multimedia/nav unit, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, a reversing camera, dual-zone climate control, LED DRLs and 17-inch alloys.

On the safety front, you get AEB, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise, which is great.

The Sport adds leather and 18s – nice – while the SLi adds 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio, proximity keys, powered front seats, and a powered tailgate – nicer, still.

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