What are the best small SUVs?

The best small SUVs give you the commanding driving position and rugged style of a larger SUV with hatchback-like running costs. They're also easy to park and, because there are so many different models to choose from, you're sure to find one that suits your needs, whether you value cost-effectiveness, a sporty drive, comfort, space or luxury. Or a lovely mix of all these factors!

How we chose these cars

Given the breadth of choice in the small SUV sector, we’ve used our expertise to come up with a list of the best small SUVs that includes to suit a variety of needs and budgets. We’re focusing on used cars, although many of our selections are also available brand-new. Here, in no particular order, are our recommendations for the top ten small SUVs you can buy.

1.Ford Puma

The Ford Puma is as popular as choc-chip ice cream on a summer’s day – it was the UK’s best-selling new car in 2023 and, as of October 2024, is on track to repeat that feat in 2024. It’s not hard to see why it’s flying out of showrooms – it’s a very stylish car that’s fun to drive and crams a lot of space into a compact package. 

Despite being little larger than compact hatchbacks such as the Vauxhall Corsa, the Puma has enough space to make it a realistic option for families, especially because the boot is unusually large for a car this size. If that wasn’t enough the Puma has a trick up its sleeve – the Megabox. This is a large additional storage compartment under the boot floor that’s made of tough plastic and has a plug at the bottom – which means you can throw muddy boots and mucky gear in, then simply hose it out when you need to. Genius.

2.Mini Countryman (2017-2024)

If you love the retro look of the modern Mini but want more space and higher driving position, the Mini Countryman could be right up your street. You get a lot of extra practicality, yet the Countryman is still compact and easy to park. 

As with every Mini, the Countryman feels nimble and responsive to drive. It gives you lots of confidence in the cut and thrust of city streets and you can really enjoy whizzing down a favourite road. All of the engines are fuel-efficient and there are some very nippy versions if that’s your thing. Alternatively, you might prefer the plug-in hybrid model, which could give low running costs if you have a home charger to keep the battery topped up. A huge range of colour and trim combinations are available, so there should be one out there that’s a perfect fit for you.

3.Seat Arona

The Seat Arona showcases all the best attributes of the Seat brand, with its youthful character, fun-to-drive nature and excellent value. It’s practical too – despite being smaller than mid-size hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus, the Arona has as much interior space and a larger boot than many of them. You don’t sit as high in the Arona as you do in some small SUVs but you could argue that suits its sporty look and character. 

Keenly priced when new, the Arona is an absolute bargain as a used buy and all but the cheapest versions are well-equipped. The engines give great fuel economy and other running costs should be affordable due to low insurance and tax groupings.

4.Renault Captur

The Renault Captur has been around longer than most small SUVs, with the first model going on sale way back in 2013. You can now pick up one of those early cars for a song or, our recommendation, splash out to get one of the post-2019 models (pictured), which are even better still. 

This is a small SUV that’s geared towards comfort, with supportive seats and a smooth ride. The interior is stylish, with a smart-looking touchscreen, and unusually spacious. The boot is large but if you need more space you can slide the rear seat forwards to make it even bigger. All post-2019 cars are really well-equipped, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, LED headlights and lots of safety features as standard.

5.Audi Q2

The Audi Q2 is a premium choice among small SUVs. You pay more for it, but you get a big feelgood factor for your money. Jump inside and you instantly know this is a high-quality product – everything looks and feels expensive and built to last. The infotainment system is easy to use and packed with features, while the seats are comfortable and supportive.

It’s no surprise that the Q2 feels just as well-engineered on the move – it’s smooth and quiet to drive and available with some powerful engines. Even the earliest and most cost-effective versions are well-equipped, while high-spec versions are truly fancy.

6.MG ZS EV

Not all pure-electric SUVs are huge and expensive, as the MG ZS EV proves. In fact, it’s such great value that it actually costs less than a lot of similar cars with a petrol or diesel engine. And if you’re worried about battery range then think again because the latest long-range versions can cover more than 270 miles with a fully charged battery, according to official figures. Some versions have a smaller battery that gives a lot less than that, but they cost a lot less to buy, too.

While the interior of the ZS looks rather basic compared with some rival cars it’s solid and roomy and has a touchscreen that’s big, bold and easy to use. You get some useful features, too – most models have a 360-degree parking camera that gives you a birds-eye view of the car and its surroundings on the centre display screen. Perfect for when you’re trying to edge your way into or out of a tricky parking space.

7.Hyundai Kona (2023-present)

If you like your small SUV with a high-tech edge, the Hyundai Kona should be on your list. The latest model – on sale since 2023 – has a futuristic design inside and out (we can’t help thinking it looks like something straight out of Star Wars) and tech to match. Standard features for all versions include a huge (12.3-inch) centre touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and USB C charging points for the front and rear seats. High-spec models have an electrically powered bootlid, wireless phone charging pad and a heated steering wheel. 

It’s available with petrol, hybrid or pure-electric power, so you can choose what works best for you. The Kona is a light, easy drive and the interior has a good amount of space. If your budget can’t stretch to the latest model, the previous Kona (on sale new between 2017 and 2024) has a similar blend of abilities for a lower price, although it’s not quite as spacious inside.

8.Dacia Duster (2018-2024)

Compared with the rest of the cars on this list the Dacia Duster looks much more like a conventional ‘4x4’, with its boxy, upright shape and tall stance. Some versions do have four-wheel drive and are genuinely good off-road but the real selling points of the Duster are just how affordable and practical it is. 

One thing to note is that the cheapest versions don’t come with a lot of standard equipment, but all the basics are covered and the higher-spec models have plenty of features. An all-new Duster went on sale in September 2024, but if you want to bag a bargain seek out the previous model (pictured), which was sold new between 2018 and 2024.

9.Volkswagen T-Roc

The Volkswagen T-Roc is the designer handbag of the small SUV world – a touch more costly than average and maybe not quite as practical but beautifully designed and very desirable. 

Thanks to its curvy roofline the T-Roc doesn’t have as much headroom as some similar cars but it’s practical nonetheless. The interior has the solid feel and user-friendly layout that Volkswagens are famous for, while some smart design features and high-tech kit lift it above the norm. The T-Roc does give you a lot of equipment for your money – most come with front and rear parking sensors, LED headlights and various driver-assistance safety systems and many have sat-nav and a reversing camera.

10.Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota is famous for no-nonsense 4x4s such as the Land Cruiser but the natural habitat of the Toyota Yaris Cross is more urban streets than winding mountain tracks. Toyota is also famous for its hybrids, and the Yaris Cross is only available with hybrid power, with a petrol engine combining with an electric motor, or two in the case of the four-wheel-drive version. 

As with many of Toyota’s cars, the interior of the Yaris is a bit uninspiring to look at but it’s wonderfully easy to use and feels like it will last forever. Chances are it will, because Toyota’s reputation for reliability is second to none. If that wasn’t reassuring enough, the Yaris Cross is covered by Toyota’s incredible ten-year warranty, which is valid as long as the car is serviced at a Toyota dealership each year.