Daihatsu Terios 1.5 (2010)
Daihatsu left SA a while ago already, but parts are still readily available. The Terios, only available with a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine, is uncomplicated and hardy.
Kia Sportage 2.0 Auto (2011)
I was a big fan of the third-generation Sportage's shape, and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that you could get a sexy set of wheels like this for less than our cut-off price. The pre-facelift 2010 models may not be as good-looking, but offer good value. Also look for similar Hyundai Tucsons.
Kia Soul 1.6 High Spec (2010)
The quirky yet practical Kia Soul is as popular as ever, and the reliable 1.6-litre Souls aren't all that easy to come by, apparently. The bad news? There is only one. Raise your price filter slightly to view more.
Nissan X-Trail 2.0 (2009)
One thing Nissan's very good at, is building SUVs. The X-Trail will impress you with its robust, go-anywhere demeanour. Bear in mind, however, that X-Trails for this low price won't have low kilos.
Honda CR-V 2.4 Executive Auto (2011)
The CR-V is testament to Honda's engine longevity and family-friendliness. The CR-V is much sought-after, so if you find one in this price range with mileage that isn't sky-high, go for it.
Nissan Juke 1.6T (2012)
Some say it looks like a squatting frog, others love its anti-establishment looks, which has since become the norm for many SUV designs today. Whatever your opinion, the Juke is still a good used buy.
Suzuki SX4 2.0L (2011)
Suzuki's excellent aftersales reputation offers further peace of mind for potential buyers of the peppy, 2.0-litre SX4, which is almost more hatch than SUV. SX4s are highly popular and finding low-kilo models that are not too old, can be challenging.
Mitsubishi ASX 2.0 GL (2012)
A sophisticated SUV for its price, with decent fuel economy and performance from the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine. Kilos are a little high in this price range, but standard spec is good, at least.
Fancy something slightly newer with fewer kilos on the odo?
A thousand bucks is not a lot of money these days, so you can't exactly take your pick, but you can definitely look into budget-orientated cars such as the GWM M4, GMW M6, and the Mahindra KUV100 in our sales section.
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