Best SUVs under £40k in the UK

SUVs are just about the most popular type of car to buy these days. Not only are they practical, tech-filled and offer a high-up driving position – they’re also getting much more affordable. 

New SUVs can still be pricey, but if you opt for a used one, you can save a fortune. We’ve detailed six of the best SUVs you can buy for less than £40,000, all of which can be bought on finance to help spread the cost. 

What are the best SUVs under £40k in the UK? 

• Audi e-tron 

• Lexus NX450h+ 

• BMW X5 

• Porsche Macan 

• Ford Puma 

• Land Rover Discovery 

The six best SUVs under £40k in the UK 

Audi e-tron 

Best electric SUV under £40k UK 

The Audi e-tron is one of the fanciest electric cars on the used market. It’s obviously posh given the badge on the front, but it proves that when you look inside at the plush interior and frankly massive 605-litre boot (1,755 with the rear seats folded). 

It's based on the Q8 platform but offers a range of different electric motors with power up to 496hp and a range up to around 250 miles.  

Being electric means it’s quiet, refined and should cost plenty less to run than its petrol or diesel counterparts. 

Lexus NX 450h+ 

Best hybrid SUV under £40k UK 

A plug-in hybrid SUV is the best of both worlds. Not only do you have a very clever electric motor, but there’s a dependable combustion engine when you need it. And when they work together, they’re an unbeatable combination. 

On electric power alone, the Lexus NX 450h+ should return around 40 miles, which is more than enough for driving around town or through a city. All this helps it reach its claimed 313.8mpg, though that’s based on electric power alone, so expect closer to 60mpg in the real world. 

Since it’s a Lexus, you’ll get the reliability of a Toyota (Lexus is owned by the Japanese powerhouse) and some lovely luxurious touches to make the NX450+ a great place to be. Plus, you get a 545-litre boot which grows to 1,436 litres when the rear seats are folded flat. 

• Read our Lexus NX review 

BMW X5 

Best luxury SUV under £40k 

The BMW X5 bucks the ‘boring’ SUV trope (if that even still exists...) and makes for a car that’s not only incredibly luxurious but also fun to drive. 

Inside is where it’s seriously special, and there’s no wonder this car was so expensive new. You get vegan-friendly leather, plush materials throughout, a large infotainment system and beefy Harman/Kardon speakers for all your tunes. 

Not to mention its cavernous 650-litre boot (growing to 1,870 litres) for all your storage needs and the frugal choice of engines on offer. 

• Read our BMW X5 review

Porsche Macan

Best sporty SUV under £40k 

When you hear ‘Porsche’, the first thing that springs to mind for most of us is ‘sports car’. And the truth is the premium German brand applies that same flavour to its SUVs.  

The Porsche Macan is one of the most capable sports SUVs in the world, and to be able to pick one up for less than £40k is great news for all of us. 

Powered by either a four-cylinder or V6 engine, the Macan produces 230p in its basic form and up to 440hp in its top-spec GTS trim. All this while carrying up to five people and a 488-litre boot full of all their gear. 

• Read our Porsche Macan review

Ford Puma 

Best small SUV under £40k 

Small SUVs don’t have to be boring, and that’s why the Ford Puma is a stand-out model. It offers a great driving experience, all the bells and whistles you need and sporty styling to boot. 

With a budget of £40,000, you can get yourself the very best Puma ST and still have a massive stack of cash left over. It’s a testament to just how good the Ford Puma is that it can hold its own among the big guns in this price range.  

And it feels far from cheap thanks to soft-touch materials throughout and plenty of space for you and your family, plus a 456-litre boot. 

• Read our Ford Puma review

Land Rover Discovery 

Best off-road SUV under £40k 

There are so many great off-road SUVs you can buy for less than £40k, but the one that consistently rises to the top is the Land Rover Discovery. 

It's not just capable off the beaten track thanks to its four-wheel drive system, but it’s also incredibly comfortable inside, even when the exterior is caked in mud. 

All Land Rovers are well kitted out – that’s just a fact, and the Discovery’s leather seats, Pivi Pro infotainment system and powerful sound system are just some of the highlights.  

Not to mention its huge 1,137-litre boot (expanding to 2,406 when the rear seats are folded flat). 

• Read our Land Rover Discovery review

Discover used SUVs 

With so many great options, finding your perfect used SUV can be a bit confusing – we get it. That’s why, at cinch, we make sure to make the buying process as faff-free as possible. 

If one of the cars on this list has your heart, simply head over to our used car page and begin your quick and painless buying journey to have your dream car on your driveway in no time.