How to buy a first-class off-roader for economy money

Six of the best from around £10,000
Six first-class off-roaders for under £10,000
Graham Scott10 January 2016

Looking for a first-class off roader that doesn't cost the earth?

Here are six impressive options...

1. Range Rover (1970-2012)

Range Rover (1970-2012)

The granddaddy of the luxury 4x4 market has been running since 1970 and is still going strong. But while prices are north of £60k you could buy something for as little as £5k. However, we’d caution against that, and recommend you find at least £10k which will buy you an earlier example, maybe even a third-generation vehicle.

You’ll get lots of leather, lots of wood and, ideally, a big, lazy V8. But do bear in mind that Range Rovers go wrong and they cost a packet to fix, so make sure that everything works and you’re totally happy before parting with your hard-earned.

2. Audi Q7 (2005-2015)

Audi Q7 (2005-2015)

The latest Q7 is quite a bit of kit and shares its underpinnings with the Bentley Bentayga – so we won’t be looking at one of those. Instead let’s look at the first generation Q7, a true seven-seater SUV with four-wheel drive. The most available engine will be a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel so economy is not bad but it’s not going to be the cheapest to run.

However you should find a good example with change from £20k, but may sure you check for any electronic issues and for unusual front tyre wear.

3. Cadillac Escalade (1999-2014)

Cadillac Escalade (1999-2014)

So the same tick-boxes as the Range Rover then – tons of wood, acres of leather, a big V8 and a separate ladder-frame chassis, all ticked. But, as the looks indicate, this isn’t exactly a Range Rover. It is a great big truck of a thing with the sophistication to match. But if you is looking for a bling rig, then look no further, so long as you have around £15,000 in your wad.

4. Mercedes-Benz GL (2006-2012)

Mercedes-Benz GL (2006-2012)

This was Merc’s challenge to the Q7. Like the Audi, you get full seven-seat capability, but if you put all the seats down you get a whopping 2300 litres of space, more than some London flats can offer.

Along with the huge interior space go a range of fairly big engines with consumptions to match – you’ll be lucky to manage 30mpg from even the smallest V6 turbodiesel. But this is a lot of truck for your buck, and a very sound low-mileage example will go for about £30k.

5. Infiniti FX (2008-2013)

Infiniti FX (2008-2013)

If you’re looking for something different that isn’t Germanic then the Infiniti, as Nissan’s separate brand, may well suit. It looks different to your average SUV, is well equipped and shouldn’t have any problems in the reliability stakes.

On the other hand the looks mean you don’t get the interior space you might expect with a fair sized SUV for either rear passengers or cargo. Also, the handling is very sure-footed by SUV standards but then you pay the price with a rather tough ride quality. Something different will set you back about £22k.

6. BMW X6 (2008-2014)

BMW X6 (2008-2014)

In the sports utility vehicle sector this one veers more towards the sports bit. The lines are very much a personal taste decision but the engines are pretty sound. A good compromise at this level would be the xDrive40d which will give you 300bhp+ along with fuel consumption that’s sort of okay. You can get silly by upgrading to the M models but we’d stick further down the range, where you’ll still need about £25k to get in the game. As with the others, make sure the electrics are all working perfectly before purchase.

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