Used Car Hunter: tech-filled, premium SUVs for £50,000
Our Car Hunter has £50,000 for an upmarket SUV that’s crammed with top-shelf tech
Dear Auto Express, I’m looking for a premium mid to large-size SUV with loads of tech and 4WD for £50,000 – what do you recommend? - Des Trevelyan, Hampshire
There’s no shortage of premium SUVs on the UK’s roads, and a £50,000 budget can go a very long way on the used car market. For this sort of cash, you can afford to be a bit picky, and our Used Car Hunter has picked out three of the very best buys that you can pick up right now, all of which are filled with up-to-date tech.
Naturally, with great tech comes great cabin quality, and these cars are no exception. Whether you prefer sportiness or all-out plushness, our expert SUV selections should cater to your needs. There’s plenty of space inside each car for all the family, too. We’ve highlighted the BMW X5, Jaguar F-Pace and Mercedes GLE here, but it’s a crowded market.
The BMW X5 is a sporty all-rounder, offering a refined driving experience, loads of space and a smart cabin. Thankfully, an enjoyable driving experience doesn’t impede this large SUV’s ability to cover long distances very comfortably.
Alternatively, the Jaguar F-Pace is even more engaging to drive, with sharp steering and a dynamic feel that sets it ahead of the pack. There’s no shortage of space and features inside, either..
If comfort is higher on your priorities list than excitement, the Mercedes GLE is the SUV for you. The Merc’s cabin feels a notch above the rest, and it copes very well with the worst of the nation’s tarmac.
Here's our expert pick for three of the best tech-filled SUVs available for £50,000, together with links to buy them through our Find a Car service…
If our trio of candidates doesn’t quite make the grade, you might consider the Audi Q7, Porsche Macan, Range Rover Sport or Volvo XC90. All are excellent, and each has a style of its own.
BMW X5 - the driver’s choice
- For: Sporty drive, luxurious cabin, seven seats
- Against: Limited use off-road, few engine choices, pricey
BMW’s X5 is arguably the archetypal large German luxury SUV, plus one of the best for sporty dynamics and driver-focused ergonomics. It’s also crammed with tech, and the X5’s roomy cabin is undoubtedly luxurious, albeit lacking some of the opulent feel of its two rivals.
New ones start from £73,430, so you’ll need all your budget to net a 340bhp 2022 xDrive40d in M Sport trim with under 30,000 miles on the clock. If you prioritise excitement over fuel economy,, we also found a2022 M50i with 530bhp and around 33,000 miles.
X5s have an edgy, angular dashboard design, and a hi-tech feel that’s backed up by the iDrive 7.0 infotainment system with its large 12.3-inch central display. There’s another big screen for the instrument pack, and the X5 predictably comes with excellent audio and sat-nav functions.
The X5 is a supremely practical family car, too, with lots of interior storage, and a split tailgate opening onto the boxy luggage area. Three can sit abreast with ease on the rear bench, due to a low transmission tunnel, but like the GLE, the third row in the seven-seat version is best suited to kids.
Jaguar F-Pace - the best of British choice
- For: Svelte style, great value, plenty of space
- Against: Rougher diesels, only five seats, road-biased
The fine-handling F Pace was facelifted in late 2020, when the infotainment was upgraded to a larger 11.4-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen. With £50k, it would be foolish to opt for an earlier car and not enjoy those benefits, along with the F-Pace’s supple ride and club-class cabin.
Brand-new examples are no longer available, but the F-Pace originally started from around £46,000. Depreciation has taken its toll, though, so you can now find t higher-spec models well within budget. Search hard enough and you could even bag a punchy 550bhp F-Pace SVR. These were over £75,000 when new, but now you can pick up a 2021 example with only 34,179 miles for under £48,500.
The facelifted F-Pace’s interior has a palm-shifter instead of the old rotary dial for gear selection, and of course a glamorous-looking touchscreen and swanky dash. The fixtures and fittings all combine to provide a truly upmarket ambience, and the infotainment tech performs just as it looks – beautifully. There’s loads of space for occupants up front, and in spite of the svelte and swoopy rear-end styling, room for rear passengers is good, too, albeit pinched a little for the tallest by the panoramic roof option. Plus, the 650-litre boot is as roomy as the bigger X5’s.
See our used Jaguar F-Pace deals
Mercedes GLE - the luxury choice
- For: Fabulous cabin, upmarket image, seven-seat option
- Against: Costly to run, cramped third row
Picking a 2022 GLE 400d with 330bhp of diesel power and under 17,000 miles will leave you with around £1,000 in change from a £50,000 budget. These cars should all be beautifully presented at dealers, but prices will vary due the range of options and powertrains on offer.
One of the real highlights of the GLE is its cabin, and it’s hard to beat in terms of design and quality at any price. Fantastic trim materials and finishes are the order of the day, and you’re also blessed with Mercedes’ near-peerless MBUX entertainment system.
A 12.3-inch touchscreen and similarly sized driver display panel are standard, while all cars above 300 d grade come with seven seats, as well as four-zone climate control and USB ports for every passenger. While there’s no such thing as a base-spec GLE, look out for the Premium Plus trim package if you want to feel truly spoiled. This adds a Burmester surround sound system and a panoramic roof.
See our used Mercedes GLE deals
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