Every used car buyer has their own wishes: one absolutely wants rear-wheel drive and another wants an automatic, but easy entry and exit is also a must for some. On AutoWeek’s used car platform, there are thousands of cars with an entry height of at least 700 mm; we’re examining the five cheapest cars. Cars intended for export, company cars, and cars whose engines need replacement are not included in this overview.
Renault Espace €850
This French car is the cheapest car with a higher entry height. For €850, you get 740 mm of entry height for the front seats. This blue-gray specimen belongs to the fourth generation Espace, has driven 273,794 km, and is very spacious like its predecessors. The Renault Espace accommodates seven people. With the third row of seats installed, there remains 291 liters of luggage space. To utilize it, you must lift over a loading sill of 570 mm. However, the seats are easy to slide or remove, allowing the luggage space to increase to 2,860 liters.
The Espace is large and therefore heavy, weighing 1,660 kg empty. The 170 hp strong two-liter petrol turbo engine, according to factory specifications, accelerates it to 100 km/h in just under 10 seconds. The top speed is 205 km/h. The engine in this Espace probably won’t achieve that. The advertisement states that the turbo is ‘not in order’. The exact problem is not mentioned. Replacing the entire turbo can cost around €1,500. The Espace consumes 9.7 liters of petrol per 100 km (1 in 10.3).
Furthermore, the Renault is built for long, comfortable travel. Don’t expect sporty driving behavior, but count on French suspension and somewhat vague steering. This specimen has the Privilège equipment level and is well-equipped for the money, featuring cruise control, climate control, rain sensor, and parking assistance. Despite that parking assistance, there are a few scratches on the car.
Chrysler Voyager €1,750
Americans aren’t averse to a high seating position, and you notice that in this 2005 Chrysler Voyager. The silver-gray Chrysler costs €1,750 and the entry height is 780 mm. The Voyager, like the Renault Espace, is an MPV pioneer. The first Voyagers came onto the Dutch market in 1988. The 2005 Voyager belongs to the fourth generation. The odometer shows 301,926 km.
The Chrysler Voyager 2.4 SE is a heavy one (1,805 kg) and seats seven people. The seats can be slid into the rails in various ways, giving you the choice between a meeting configuration and a conventional seating arrangement. With all seats in place, there remains 440 liters of luggage space; to reach it, you must lift over a loading sill of 600 mm.
The Voyager for sale is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder petrol engine. It delivers 147 hp, with which the American accelerates to 100 km/h in 12.5 seconds. Its top speed is 183 km/h. The engine isn’t very economical: it guzzles 9.9 liters per 100 km driven (1 in 10.1).
The MPV is built to transport many people quietly. The chassis is soft, despite the leaf springs at the rear, and the seats also contribute to the comfort. A dent can be spotted on the outside of this Chrysler, but considering the mileage, it still looks quite neat. The interior also seems to be in good condition. What also contributes to a comfortable journey is the air conditioning with which this Voyager is equipped.
Fiat Dobló €1,950
The shared third place goes to Italy with a baby blue Fiat Doblò. It has an entry height of 700 mm for the front seats and costs €1,950. This car is from 2004, meaning it’s a first-generation Doblò. It has 334,071 kilometers on the odometer.
The Fiat was designed as a van, and you see that in various aspects. Just look at the plastic body parts. Sliding doors are also present, allowing rear passengers to easily get in and out. Additionally, the trunk with 750 liters is very usable. The loading sill is 540 mm high.
The Fiat Doblò 1.6 16V Active is powered by a 104 hp strong four-cylinder petrol engine. If you want, you can sprint to 100 km/h with the Fiat in 12.6 seconds; you can push the Doblò to 168 km/h. The average consumption is 8.6 liters per 100 km (1 in 11.6).
The van genes of the Doblò are also felt in the driving behavior. Don’t expect sporty performance, but a car that tends to lean and slips on the front wheels when going faster. The interior is sturdy, but it doesn’t look very sparkling or luxurious. However, the Doblò is equipped with air conditioning. This bargain sits on alloy wheels and also looks fine on the outside.
Kia Sorento €1,950
For lovers of diesel engines combined with high entry height, there’s also plenty to choose from. Take a look at this silver-gray Kia Sorento costing €1,950 with a 780 mm high entry.
While the current Kia Sorento has only been available as a plug-in hybrid since the most recent facelift, the first generation (2002-2006) was still delivered with petrol and diesel engines. The Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi Adventure for sale here has quite some experience with its 427,364 km. Under the hood lies a 142 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The Sorento is the only automatic in this list. With that 142 hp, the SUV sprints to 100 km/h in 15.5 seconds, certainly no sprint wonder. Its top speed according to Kia is 167 km/h. According to the factory, consumption is 8.4 liters per 100 km (1 in 11.9).
The Sorento drives all four wheels and sits on a classic ladder chassis, which benefits off-road performance but also has a disadvantage. Due to this technology, the Kia becomes quite heavy. The Sorento almost hits two tons (1,959 kg). The car offers a minimum of 900 and a maximum of 1,960 liters of luggage space, but to utilize it, you must lift your goods over a substantial loading sill of 820 mm.
The Kia Sorento here looks quite neat on the outside, especially considering the mileage. The interior is also in good condition, apart from some entry wear on the driver’s seat. The driver’s life is made more pleasant with options like cruise control and climate control.
It runs on diesel, which brings another disadvantage besides high road tax. This Sorento belongs to emission class 3, meaning you can’t enter every environmental zone.
Hyundai Tucson €1,985
Fifth place also goes to South Korea. For 1,985 bucks, you buy this Hyundai Tucson with an entry height of 700 mm. This silver-gray Tucson is from 2007, making it part of the first generation of this SUV. The Tucson was also available as a diesel, but this used car runs on petrol. The mileage is 359.215 km.
That petrol fuels a 141 hp strong two-liter four-cylinder. With it, the Hyundai accelerates to 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds. The top speed is 180 km/h. According to the factory, the four-cylinder in the Tucson consumes 8 liters per 100 km (1 in 12.5). Although the Tucson was also available as a four-wheel drive, most Tucsons were front-wheel drive because most buyers rarely drove their cars off the beaten path. This specimen also has front-wheel drive.
The Tucson offers, once you’re over the 700 mm high loading sill, 644 liters of luggage space, and it’s easy to access, even if you’re parked too tightly to open the trunk lid completely. For that, Hyundai came up with a nice solution: the rear window can be opened separately, so you can still access your belongings.
This Tucson is executed as a ‘StyleVersion’ and brings several nice options. For example, the leather front seats are equipped with seat heating, there is automatic climate control, and you can rest your right foot by using the cruise control. Rear parking sensors are also present. The car still has a valid MOT until May 8, 2026.