The best used all-wheel-drive cars make easier progress in poor conditions then you may well be looking at some traditional SUVs. You might be doing yourself a disservice by doing so, however, which is why you should check out this list of used cars.
An SUV is typically big, heavy and expensive to run, after all, and many aren’t that good to drive. And although they might be large, they can often prove to be not as practical as you’d hope. This is why, instead, you could consider a saloon, estate or hatchback with all-wheel drive.
This doesn’t entail opting for an expensive or high-performance version, either; you’re probably familiar with Audi’s quattro technology that’s found in myriad models, but other manufacturers that offer all-wheel-drive in their conventional cars include Volvo, Suzuki, BMW, Alfa Romeo, Ford, and more.
Opting for an all-wheel drive car can be useful, as it will generally be easier to drive and put its power down better in challenging situations. There are some downsides, though, including higher running costs and complexity. Some cars may also have reduced boot space, so remember to check the figures.
But, that all said, there’s one other thing you need to think about first: tyres. It doesn’t matter if the car you want is front-, rear- or all-wheel drive; if it’s got inappropriate tyres for the job, it’s potentially going to be a handful.
A front-wheel-drive car with winter tyres, for example, will run rings around an all-wheel-drive car on summer tyres on icy surfaces and snow-covered roads – even when moving off. But if you get an all-wheel-drive car with appropriate tyres, it’ll be tremendously surefooted and make easier progress.
So, if you’re looking for a second-hand car packing some additional traction, read on to find out more about some of the best used all-wheel-drive saloons, estates and hatchbacks around.
Editor’s choice: Volvo XC70 (2007-2016)
Safety first Volvo keeps you on the road in all weathers
Pros:
✅ Solid, dependable image
✅ Practicality and comfort
Cons:
❌ Neglected examples expensive to fix
❌ Good examples becoming rare
The Volvo XC70 is another rough-road version of a conventional estate, in this case the V70. This means you get a tremendously spacious, safe and practical estate, that’s built to a high standard, with the added benefit of all-wheel drive, additional body protection and increased ground clearance.
You can get the XC70 with a choice of diesel or petrol engines, including a punchy turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol – but the running costs for that particular variant might make you wince a bit. There are lots of used examples around and prices vary significantly but buy the best you can, as these are complicated cars and an older, cheaper, higher-mileage XC70 could end up costing a lot to maintain.
Fiat Panda 4×4 (2012-)
If mountain goats drove cars, they’d have a Panda 4×4
Pros:
✅ Small, city friendly, cheap insurance
✅ Remarkably capable off-road
Cons:
❌ Cheap trim and expensive parts
❌ Engines can be fragile, owners reluctant to sell good ones
The charming Fiat Panda 4×4 is worth considering if you need a small car with some proper off-road credentials. Its all-wheel-drive system, raised ground clearance, additional body protection and light weight make it capable and easy to handle in poor conditions, while its compact size allows it to squeeze through gaps that might otherwise prove problematic in a larger car.
You have a choice between a characterful two-cylinder petrol TwinAir engine or a four-cylinder MultiJet diesel, both of which are economical. You’ll pay north of £5,000 for either, and there’s also the more expensive Cross model if you want something plusher and rugged-looking. Prominent downsides? Weak headlights, noticeable dash reflections in the windscreen, and some low-rent quality in places.
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Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2016-)
Seamless AWD without pre-packaged performance
Pros:
✅ Sensible engines and trim, but with 4Matic option
✅ Immensely capable, grown-up image
Cons:
❌ Diesel emissions systems can be troublesome
❌ Good trim and colours command a premium
You have plenty of options if you want a larger car with all-wheel drive, including choices such as the BMW 5 Series and Jaguar XF. If you’re looking for outright comfort and class, though, we’d recommend taking a look at a Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Around £18,000 will get you a smart example of an E220d with the brand’s 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. Outfit it with appropriate tyres and you’ll have a luxurious executive car that, when the weather gets poor, will keep you motoring along with ease.
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BMW 3 Series (2012-2019)
Not all BMWs are first to get stuck in the snow
Pros:
✅ Great to drive, subtle
✅ Good variety of engines with xDrive
Cons:
❌ Servicing can be expensive
❌ Some engines prone to timing chain wear
The BMW 3 Series is the go-to choice if you want a compact executive saloon or an upmarket family car with all-wheel drive. It’s a fantastic all-rounder that offers up stacks of traction, great handling, a refined interior and a wide array of options.
Used examples of the F30-generation 3 Series, which was launched in 2012, can be had in all-wheel-drive xDrive configuration with either petrol or diesel engines, giving you even more choice. Prices start from around £6,000 and, if you need more space, there are even Touring versions.
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Suzuki Swift 4×4 (2013-2016)
An unstoppable supermini from the firm that brought you the Jimny
Pros:
✅ Lots of fun, ideal for rural towns
✅ Cheap to run
Cons:
❌ Crude interior and infotainment
❌ Rarely offered for sale as owners like them
There are lots of used all-wheel-drive saloons and estates around but they can be expensive to buy and maintain, which is where cars such the Suzuki Swift 4×4 come in. The affordable and frugal 1.2-litre petrol hatch can be had in 4×4 specification and, used, you can pick one up for £5,000. More importantly, it’ll cost buttons to run compared to a bigger, thirstier and more complicated car.
All versions benefit from a 25mm increase in ride height, helping them negotiate rougher routes slightly more easily, and SZ4 versions also get chunky-looking body protection and front and rear skid plates. Suzuki still makes a 4×4 version of the Swift, too, ticking a box for buyers who want a new small hatchback with all-wheel drive.
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Subaru Impreza (2017-)
One-time rally legend has lost the snarl, but not the grip
Pros:
✅ Easy to drive, good safety tech
✅ Slightly quirky character remains
Cons:
❌ CVT gearbox makes a meal of making progress
❌ One of the least economical options
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense family hatchback with all-wheel drive, take a look at a fifth-generation Subaru Impreza. It doesn’t have the charm or driver appeal of previous Imprezas, but what it does offer is a wide array of standard-fit equipment, a five-star Euro NCAP rating and good reliability.
Like most Subarus, the interior isn’t much to write home about, and some buyers may be put off by the sole transmission option of a CVT. But for some, the automatic-only choice will pair neatly with the Subaru’s straightforward and fuss-free nature. Expect to pay north of £9,000 for one, or go for the previous-gen hatch if you need something cheaper. Not oddball enough? Well, you could always consider a Suzuki Kizashi saloon.
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Skoda Octavia Scout (2007-2012)
Common-sense package that’s sadly rather rare in Britain
Pros:
✅ Paramedics and emergency services love them
✅ Big boot, sensible costs, ample grip
Cons:
❌ Paramedics don’t want to part with them
❌ Some petrol engines unreliable
The Skoda Octavia Scout is a great choice if you want a big and practical all-wheel-drive estate. Like the diminutive Suzuki, the Scout blends an all-wheel-drive system with additional protection and a bump in ride height, helping it tackle crummier conditions. It’s also safe, spacious, effortless to drive, full of storage points and decently supported, all of which makes it easier to live with.
Prices start at around £4,000 and diesel and petrol versions are available. However, a significant downside is that the TSI petrol engine is unreliable. If you can’t abide a diesel, and if you can’t find a petrol model that’s been rebuilt, it’s best to scratch the Skoda off your list. Fortunately, in that case, there are plenty of petrol-engined alternatives – including the Audi A4, Audi A6 and Volkswagen Passat.
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BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer
Unusual MPV breaks all the BMW stereotypes – to great effect
Pros:
✅ Nicer than most MPVs to drive
✅ Genuinely clever tech underneath
Cons:
❌ It doesn’t always feel like a BMW
❌ A little cramped for a seven-seater
If you need seven seats in your all-wheel-drive car, a BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer could fit the bill. It’s admittedly not as practical as some other conventional seven-seat MPVs, but the fact it’s offered with all-wheel drive alone might be compensation enough. It’s also much better to drive than many a rival, and its premium nature counts further in its favour.
That isn’t to say that it’s the sole all-wheel-drive seven-seat MPV around, though; Ford, for example, makes all-wheel-drive versions of the S-Max and Galaxy. They’re often hard to find, though, and command a premium. Used 2 Series Gran Tourers are more common, and prices start at around £11,000.
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Volkswagen Passat Estate (2005-2011)
Popular load-lugger is worth seeking out with AWD
Pros:
✅ Sensible large estate
✅ Proven engines and AWD system
Cons:
❌ Rare in 4×4 form
❌ Expensive parts, demanding maintenance
Buyers seeking a straightforward all-wheel-drive family car will appreciate the affordable nature of Volkswagen’s older Passat models. The 2005-on generation estate is available with 4Motion all-wheel drive, with petrol or diesel engines, and you’ll often only pay around £3,000-£4,000 for a good example.
Go for a 2.0-litre diesel if you need to keep fuel costs in check, or the smooth 3.2-litre petrol V6 if you want something more refined and running costs aren’t a concern. Avoid the complicated W8 variants, though, and only go for the high-performance R36 model if you really like that particular car. If you do want something newer and more upmarket, then look at the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Jaguar XF.
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Audi TT (2006-2014)
Compact coupe is fun in summer and safe in winter with quattro
Pros:
✅ Great to drive
✅ Clever interior
Cons:
❌ FWD models almost as good on good tyres
❌ Suspension and Haldex neglect can be expensive
There are lots of coupes and high-performance cars around with all-wheel drive. The second-generation Audi TT, however, is one of the most accessible and sensible used purchases, with even lower-mileage newer examples available for around £10,000. You can get them for less, of course, but just watch out for used TTs that haven’t been serviced properly.
For your money you’ll get a smartly styled coupe with good build quality, a refined interior and agile handling. You’d admittedly have more fun driving a Boxster, but then those aren’t available with all-wheel drive. TTs are also reliable and efficient, provided they’re looked after, making them easy to live with – and convertible and diesel models are available, too.
