Articles

Other

Best 4x4 cars: used four-wheel drive models by category and use

The best used 4x4 cars by use: estates, SUVs, small and affordable 4x4s, pick-ups and off-roaders. Which models to pick and what trade-offs to expect.

October 27, 2026

Best 4x4 cars: used four-wheel drive models by category and use

Key takeaways

For roads, winter trips to the mountains and family holidays, a 4x4 estate makes sense, for example the Škoda Octavia Scout III, the Škoda Superb Combi 4x4 III or the Subaru Outback. In 2017 specification the Octavia Scout has a boot of 610–1,740 litres.
For a rough access road, a compact or mid-size SUV with a higher seating position works well: Škoda Karoq 4x4, Škoda Kodiaq 4x4, Volkswagen Tiguan 4Motion or Toyota RAV4 V Hybrid AWD-i. The RAV4 is rated to tow a braked trailer of up to 1,650 kg.
An affordable 4x4 for hills and the countryside can be found among small SUVs and small cars such as the Suzuki Vitara IV AllGrip, Dacia Duster II 4x4, Škoda Yeti 4x4 or Fiat Panda 4x4.
For cargo and heavy trailers, choose a pick-up: depending on the version, the Ford Ranger T6 can tow up to 3,500 kg. Regular off-road driving calls for an off-roader with low-range gearing, such as the Suzuki Jimny IV.
Four-wheel drive helps when pulling away and climbing on slippery surfaces. It does not shorten braking distances and is no substitute for winter tyres.

The best 4x4 cars do not need a tall body or an off-road look. An estate is often enough for a snowy road up to a holiday cottage. Muddy ruts or a tonne of building material in the load bed, however, call for a different type of vehicle. You pay for four-wheel drive both when you buy the car and when you run it, so choose the category according to where you drive and what you carry. With a used car you also buy its service history: a common model with a well-maintained drivetrain is a better buy than a rare version with an unclear past. Detailed guides are available on the best 4x4 SUVs, the best small 4x4 SUVs, the 4x4 family car and the affordable 4x4 car. How the various drive systems differ is explained in How 4x4 works, and when four-wheel drive really pays off is covered in Is 4x4 worth it?.

Best 4x4 cars according to where you drive

For roads, mountains and the holiday cottage, choose between an estate and an SUV. A pick-up pays off if you regularly carry bulky or dirty loads or tow a heavy trailer, an off-roader if you drive away from paved roads. The table is therefore not a ranking: each category solves a different task.

Category	Typical used models	Who it suits	Main trade-off
4x4 estate	Škoda Octavia Combi 4x4 and Scout III (2014–2020), Škoda Superb Combi 4x4 III (2015–2023), Volkswagen Passat Alltrack B8, Subaru Outback VI, Volvo V60 Cross Country II	Most miles on tarmac, winter trips to the mountains, a family with plenty of luggage	Lower ground clearance and longer overhangs
Compact and mid-size SUV	Škoda Karoq I (from 2017), Škoda Kodiaq I (2016–2024), Volkswagen Tiguan II 4Motion (2016–2024), Toyota RAV4 V Hybrid AWD-i (launched 2019), Mazda CX-5 II AWD	Everyday driving, a rough access road, towing	More weight and aerodynamic drag than an estate, 4x4 only with some engines
Small SUV and small 4x4 car	Suzuki Vitara IV AllGrip (from 2015), Dacia Duster II 4x4, Škoda Yeti 4x4 (2009–2017), Fiat Panda 4x4 III	Countryside, hills, narrow lanes, a smaller budget	Smaller boot and cabin, less comfort on the motorway
Pick-up	Ford Ranger T6 (2011–2022), Mitsubishi L200 V, Toyota Hilux VIII, Volkswagen Amarok I	Cargo, heavy trailers, forestry or building-site work	Length, parking, an unsettled ride when unladen
Off-roader	Suzuki Jimny IV (from 2018), Toyota Land Cruiser J150, Land Rover Defender (from 2020), Mercedes-Benz G-Class (from 2018), Jeep Wrangler JL (from 2018)	Regular off-road use, forest and farm tracks	Fuel consumption, space and on-road comfort

4x4 estate: when you drive mostly on the road

Choose an estate if you cover most of your miles on tarmac and need four-wheel drive mainly in winter and in the mountains. The lower body benefits handling and, with a comparable engine, usually fuel consumption compared with an SUV. The boot is often just as big or bigger.

Škoda Octavia Scout III: an estate with raised suspension

The Octavia Scout III (2014–2020) sits between the regular Octavia Combi 4x4 and an SUV. The raised suspension helps over potholes and on poor access roads, while the car keeps its on-road character. In 2017 specification it has a 610-litre boot, or 1,740 litres with the rear seats folded. For child seats it offers ISOFIX and Top Tether anchorage points.

In the Scout, four-wheel drive came with the 1.8 TSI petrol engine and the 2.0 TDI diesel. Petrol makes sense for shorter and irregular trips, diesel for regular long-distance driving. The Scout is still an estate, though. In deep ruts or on a sharp off-road crest its overhang will touch the ground before the wheels run out of grip.

Other estates with four-wheel drive

If you need more space, look at the Škoda Superb Combi 4x4 III. The Volkswagen Passat Alltrack B8 and the Audi A4 allroad quattro B9 follow the same recipe as the Scout: an estate with raised suspension and protective wheel-arch trims. The Subaru Outback has four-wheel drive in every version. The Volvo V60 Cross Country II is the premium alternative. A detailed guide including generations is available in the article on the 4x4 estate car.

A large crew can also consider an MPV with four-wheel drive. The Ford S-MAX II, for example, was sold with iAWD four-wheel drive and 2.0 TDCi diesels rated at 150 and 180 PS.

4x4 SUV: a higher seating position and more ground clearance

An SUV adds a higher seating position and usually more ground clearance. In the countryside, or when you often strap children into their seats, it is more convenient than a low estate. A bigger body does not improve traction on snow, though, so choose the size according to the cabin and the luggage you need.

Škoda Karoq I: a compact SUV for town and the cottage

The Škoda Karoq I (from 2017) suits a driver who wants one 4x4 for town, longer journeys and the drive up to a holiday cottage. Compared with larger SUVs it is easier to park and takes up less room on a narrow lane.

Four-wheel drive came only with selected engines and gearboxes. In the 2017 launch range, the 2.0 TDI with 140 kW was sold with four-wheel drive and a seven-speed DSG as standard. Less powerful engines drove only the front wheels, so the Karoq name alone in a listing tells you nothing about the drivetrain.

Toyota RAV4 V Hybrid AWD-i: a larger SUV without diesel

The fifth-generation Toyota RAV4, launched in 2019, is a good choice in Hybrid AWD-i form for buyers who want a roomier SUV but do not want a diesel. In this version the 2.5-litre hybrid system delivers 163 kW and the permitted braked trailer weight is 1,650 kg. The rear wheels are driven by a separate electric motor.

A brand's reputation is no substitute for the condition of a used car, however. In its breakdown statistics for 2025, ADAC listed the RAV4 among models with a noticeably high number of breakdowns requiring roadside assistance. Here too, a car with a documented service history and a clean diagnostic check should come first.

Larger and premium SUVs

The Škoda Kodiaq I 4x4 (2016–2024) and the Volkswagen Tiguan II 4Motion (2016–2024) are typical choices for a family that travels with a full boot or a trailer. Premium alternatives include the Volvo XC60 II AWD, the BMW X3 xDrive (G01) and the Audi Q5 quattro (FY). A larger SUV only makes sense if you use its cabin. For two people and a weekend in the mountains it mainly means more expensive tyres and harder parking.

Small SUV and affordable 4x4 car

Suzuki Vitara IV AllGrip: a small 4x4 for the hills

The Suzuki Vitara IV AllGrip (from 2015) is a good choice for a driver who needs traction in the hills but does not want a big car. At launch, four-wheel drive was offered with a 1.6-litre 88 kW petrol engine and a five-speed manual or a 1.6-litre 88 kW diesel and a six-speed manual. For shorter trips and lower annual mileage, petrol is the more natural choice.

Duster, Yeti, Panda and others

The Dacia Duster II 4x4 is one of the cheapest ways to get four-wheel drive in a compact SUV. For the lower price it offers a simpler interior and less sound insulation. Thanks to its short overhangs, the Škoda Yeti 4x4 (2009–2017) copes with rougher tracks, but as an older used car it usually has higher mileage. The Fiat Panda 4x4 III is one of the smallest 4x4s on the used market and suits mountain roads and narrow village lanes. The Volkswagen T-Roc I 4Motion and the Jeep Renegade 4x4 round out the choice, but they had four-wheel drive only with selected engines.

What to expect from an affordable 4x4

If you are looking for an affordable 4x4, start with the size you really need. A smaller petrol 4x4 is often a more sensible buy than an old large premium SUV at a similar price, whose servicing and parts still cost as much as in its original class years later. A cheap 4x4 must leave room in the budget for an initial service, tyres and repairs. With older cars, the most common extra costs are corrosion and a neglected four-wheel drive system. Prices and older used cars are covered in detail in the article on the affordable 4x4 car.

Best pick-up: Ranger, L200, Hilux or Amarok

Choose a pick-up if you regularly carry materials, equipment or loads you do not want in the cabin, or if you tow a heavy trailer. When it comes to the cab, a simple rule applies: more room for passengers means a shorter load bed.

Ford Ranger T6: load bed and heavy trailers

In its 2016 facelifted range, the Ford Ranger T6 (2011–2022) was sold with four-wheel drive and 2.2 TDCi 160 PS and 3.2 TDCi 200 PS diesels. Depending on the specification, the XL version can tow a trailer of up to 3,500 kg and carry up to 1,041 kg. Both maximums apply only to certain versions, and you usually cannot use both at once because the whole combination has its own limit.

Mitsubishi L200, Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok

After its 2019 facelift, the fifth-generation Mitsubishi L200 has a 2.2-litre 110 kW diesel with a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. Depending on the trim, it has the simpler part-time Easy Select 4WD system or Super Select 4WD II, which allows four-wheel drive on dry tarmac as well. The maximum towing capacity is 3,100 kg. The Toyota Hilux VIII is the typical workhorse, while the Volkswagen Amarok I offers a cabin closer to a passenger car.

As a replacement for a family SUV, a pick-up has clear drawbacks. It is long, harder to park and bounces over bumps when unladen. Choose the best pick-up according to the load and trailer, not the looks. Cab types and drive systems are covered in the article on the best pick-up truck.

Off-road vehicle: when the road runs out

An off-roader has low-range gearing, more ground clearance and usually a separate chassis. An SUV with four-wheel drive generally lacks such equipment, and on a forest track its underbody will hit the ground before it runs out of traction.

Suzuki Jimny IV: a small car for serious terrain

In its European three-door version, the Suzuki Jimny IV (from 2018) has a 1.5-litre petrol engine, a ladder-frame chassis, rigid axles and four-wheel drive with low range. Its compact dimensions help between trees and on narrow tracks. As a family's only car, however, it offers little space and is noisy and unsettled on the motorway.

Larger off-roaders include the Toyota Land Cruiser J150, the Land Rover Defender (from 2020), the Mercedes-Benz G-Class (from 2018) and the Jeep Wrangler JL (from 2018). If you only ever drive to your cottage on a well-kept gravel track, an estate or an SUV will do, and you will drive more economically and comfortably for the rest of the week. The differences between an off-roader and an SUV are explained in the article on off-road vehicles.

How to choose a used 4x4

Popularity, parts and servicing

A common model makes it easier to find parts and a workshop that knows the technology. The reliability of a particular car, however, is better judged from its service records, the condition of the suspension and how it has been driven. With a pick-up or an off-roader, it is worth inspecting the underside and the frame. For a road-going 4x4, the service book should show maintenance of the four-wheel drive system as well as engine oil changes.

Engine to suit your journeys

A diesel suits long, regular journeys, while petrol or a hybrid is better for short trips. The choice on the market is changing: according to a Carvago analysis, the share of electric cars and hybrids among used 4x4s more than doubled in six of the seven European countries tracked. The analysis compared January to September 2023 with the same period of 2026, when the share ranged from 8.8 to 23.9 per cent depending on the country. Four-wheel drive can be provided by a mechanical connection between the axles or by a separate electric motor. Neither the 4x4 nor the AWD badge tells you how demanding a terrain the car can handle.

What four-wheel drive costs extra

Compared with the same model driving only one axle, a 4x4 is usually more expensive to buy and adds more components to maintain. Fuel consumption rises because of the extra weight and, in an SUV, the larger body and wider tyres. A costlier mistake than the 4x4 premium itself, however, is buying a bigger car than you need.

What to watch out for before buying

Assuming every version has 4x4. Many SUVs and estates were sold mainly with front-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive must match the engine and gearbox of the particular car.
Mismatched tyres. Unevenly worn tyres on the two axles impair handling and put strain on the drivetrain. The set should be identical and evenly worn.
Mistaking traction for off-road ability. The underbody hits the ground before the car runs out of grip.
Towing capacity from the brochure. For a trailer, the figure in the particular car's documents applies, not the maximum for the whole model range.
Buying by the badge on the tailgate. Oil leaks, vibration and drivetrain hum belong in a professional pre-purchase inspection.

Carvago: the right 4x4 version in verified condition

With a used 4x4, finding the model is not enough. You also need the right engine, a gearbox paired with four-wheel drive and a well-kept car, and such combinations tend to be rare on the local market. Carvago has the widest selection of used cars: around a million cars from dealers in several European countries. The choice of Octavia Scouts, Karoq 4x4s or Vitara AllGrips is therefore usually many times larger than on the local market.

Before sale, every car is checked by a technician as part of the CarAudit™ inspection with up to 270 checkpoints. The inspection covers history and legal status, exterior and interior, technical components, diagnostics and a test drive. You know the result before you decide to buy, and Carvago guarantees the condition stated in the certificate. Problematic models on the Carvago Blacklist never make it into the range.

Before sale, Carvago buys the car from the original seller and takes over its risks, so you buy directly from Carvago. Once the purchase is approved, Carvago uses a power of attorney to register the car in your country and delivers it to your door. You then get into your 4x4 and drive off straight away.

FAQ

Does a 4x4 car need an automatic gearbox?

No. At launch, the Suzuki Vitara IV was sold with four-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. After its 2019 facelift, the Mitsubishi L200 was available with both a manual and an automatic. Some versions are tied to an automatic, however, such as the Škoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 140 kW in the launch range.

Can I tell four-wheel drive from the hybrid badge?

No. Hybrid describes the powertrain, not the number of driven axles. On hybrid Toyotas, look for the AWD-i designation; without it, only the front wheels are driven.

Does four-wheel drive need special maintenance?

Yes. The transfer case and the differentials have their own oil fills. On the Suzuki Vitara IV 1.6 4x4, for example, the oil in the transfer case and the differential is changed after eight years or 160,000 km. A car with this entry in its service book should be preferred.

Can a 4x4 carry a roof tent?

What matters for a tent is the roof load limit both while driving and when parked. In 2021 specification, the Subaru Outback Field VI has roof rails rated at 100 kg while driving and 318 kg when stationary. The driving limit includes both the tent and the roof rack.