Best Small SUVs

You needn’t be an expert on cars to recognise that SUVs rule the road in the UK now… and we don’t just mean big, beefy off roaders, we’re talking affordable, trendy and practical small SUVs.

Indeed, the rise of the small SUV has helped counter some of the lesser favourable connotations attached to the body type – they don’t take up too much space on the road, they’re as friendly to the environment as hatchbacks and they are affordable to buy and run.

Better yet, being higher off the ground means they still offer more commanding views of the road, make many feel safer when driving and are often more practical than their hatchback equivalents.

It’s little wonder then that this is possibly the most competitive segment in the automotive world… and that means there are some truly excellent small SUVs available at Vertu right now. Here is our pick of the bunch.

Ford Puma

Engines – 1.0T EcoBoost (Petrol-Mild Hybrid), 43kWh (Gen-E Electric)

MPG – 52.3mpg (1.0T EcoBoost MHEV Titanium)

Boot Space – 456-litres

Insurance Group (Lowest) – 12E

Here it is, the Ford Puma, aka. the best-selling car in the United Kingdom right now… and by some margin too.

Picking up the baton from the dearly departed Ford Fiesta (for so long the UK’s favourite car), the Puma builds on the strengths of its ancestor by getting the fundamentals very much spot on.

It might be a common sight on the road but the Puma is still funky to look at, while it comfortably out-performs its rivals here when it comes to a sporty driving experience thanks to its perky 1.0-litre Turbo EcoBoost.

It also has a bigger boot than you might expect, while it is well-built and well-equipped too. Plus, there is now the electric Gen-E, which we will cover in more detail in our Best Small Electric SUVs guide.

Volkswagen T-Cross

Engines – 1.0TSI, 1.5TSI

MPG – 51.4mpg (1.0TSI Life)

Boot Space – 455-litres

Insurance Group (Lowest) – 11E

While many of the models here bear some resemblance to equivalent hatchback models within their own range, the Volkswagen T-Cross is only distant visual cousin to the Polo.

This is no bad thing, the T-Cross gaining a pleasingly more rugged, utilitarian character to complement its upright profile and raised ride-height.

That’s not to say the Polo hasn’t loaned some of its best features to the T-Cross, which gets a premium interior to match, is temptingly cheap to run and is refined on the move.

Better yet, not only is it more practical than the Polo with a sizeable 455-litre boot, it makes it bigger in the back than both the larger Volkswagen Taigo and Volkswagen T-Roc.

Hyundai KONA

Engines – 1.6h-GDi (Petrol Hybrid), 65.4kWh (Electric)

MPG – 60.1mpg (1.6h-GDi Advance)

Boot Space – 466-litres

Insurance Group (Lowest) – 16E

While it is on the cusp of what might be considered a small SUV in terms of size and power – such was the step up in dimensions between the first and second-generation models - the Hyundai KONA remains keenly priced versus smaller rivals.

Also one of the UK’s most popular new models, while the KONA has several redeeming features, it majors on offering class-leading family practicality thanks to a 465-litre boot and generous head and legroom.

With generous kit levels ensuring your passengers are well catered for, drivers will enjoy the high-tech, high-end dashboard and comfortable driving experience.

Like the Puma, the Hyundai KONA is also available in electric trim, but the petrol version is still affordable to run by returning over 60mpg.

Nissan Juke

Engines – 1.0 DiG-T, 1.6 (Petrol)

MPG – 58.9mpg (1.6-litre)

Boot Space – 422-litres

Insurance Group (Lowest) – 13E

The car that is credited with starting the small SUV craze, the Nissan Juke – like its similarly pioneering sibling, the Nissan Qashqai – endures as one of the segment’s most popular offerings.

Though the original ground-breaking design has been toned down through the years, the Juke is still arguably the funkiest small SUV out there with its bold mix of rounded features and sharp edges.

Much like the exterior, it’s also smart yet fun on the inside, while the 422-litre boot is competitive.

The choice of either 1.0-litre or 1.6-litre turbo petrol engines are efficient and economical, while there is a broad range of trims to ensure you can customise it the way you want to keep the trendy theme going.

Renault Captur

Engines – 1.0 TCe, 1.6 TCe

MPG – 60.1mpg (1.6 TCe)

Boot Space – 422-litres

Insurance Group (Lowest) – 11E

The French may have been late to the SUV party but not only is that a fashionable thing to do, the Renault Captur is proof that good things come from those that wait.

Using the critically-acclaimed Renault Clio as its base is a very promising start but the Captur has always been – if you whisper – possibly the best-looking small SUV for some time now.

The latest version is no exception, even if the current design trades some of the previous model’s appealing bulbous-ness for something more sharp-suited and contemporary.

Beauty is skin-deep too though with a well-laid and well-kitted out interior, while it’s comfortable and frugal to drive too.

Dacia Duster

Engines – 1.0 TCe (Bi-Fuel), 1.2 TCe MHEV, 1.6 Hybrid

MPG – 55.3mpg (1.6 Hybrid)

Boot Space – 478-litres

Insurance Group (Lowest) – 17E

While the manufacturer itself would be the first to admit that the original Dacia Duster put function over form, not only does the latest generation retain the function, but it’s added a lot more desirability into the mix this time around.

The result is a car that cuts a refreshing dash amid its small SUV rivals with an unashamedly rugged appearance and utilitarian but hard-wearing interior.

Excitingly, it’s not all for show, the Duster coming with the option of four-wheel drive that will actually tackle the rough stuff, though the two-wheel drive with a hybrid powertrain is the more affordable option.

Either way, the Duster remains exceptional value-for-money, matching or even beating most rivals on price despite being noticeably bigger with its huge cabin and 478-litre boot.

Vauxhall Mokka

Engines – 1.2 Turbo, 1.2 MHEV (Petrol), 44kWh & 54kWh (Electric)

MPG – 58.9 (1.2 MHEV)

Boot Space – 350-litres

Insurance Group (Lowest) – 20E

If you need the practicality – and two extra seats – then the recently-launched Vauxhall Frontera is the way to go, but if you want to make a statement on the road, the Vauxhall Mokka is still one of the most striking models out there.

The distinctive design gives the Mokka a more premier feeling than most SUVs in this class – not to mention most Vauxhalls too – but while that might be enough for you to part with your cash, there is substance to go with the style.

The interior is a pleasant place to spend time, while the Mokka is well-equipped versus rivals in its price bracket as well.

It also comes with a full house of powertrain options, including petrol, hybrid and electric, while Vauxhall have even revived memories of its hot hatch past with the recent addition of a scorching 281bhp GSE version.

Skoda Kamiq

Engines – 1.0 TSI, 1.5 TSI

MPG – 52.0mpg (1.0 TSI SE Edition)

Boot Space – 400-litres

Insurance Group (Lowest) – 12E

With its ‘Simply Clever’ tagline, it’s easy to see why Skoda has forged such an enviable reputation for building cars that are functional and enjoyable to live with, even if they don’t exactly shout about it.

As the smallest SUV in the Czechia firm’s parallel petrol-electric line-up, the Skoda Kamiq trades some first impression desirability for a longer list of attributes that you’d appreciate more over a period of time.

It’s affordable to buy and just as affordable to run, it hasn’t devoted its entire interior to technology but still gets plenty of modern features, while it doesn’t just use its Volkswagen-developed platform, it stretches it to offer superior cabin practicality.

Coupled with a reliability record that is the envy of nearly every manufacturer, while the Skoda Kamiq might not spark initial desire for the heart, your head will be very happy in the long-term.

Toyota Yaris Cross

Engines – 1.5 Hybrid

MPG – 64.2mpg (1.5 Hybrid)

Boot Space – 397-litres

Insurance Group (Lowest) – 11E

The Toyota Yaris is already one of the UK’s best-selling cars, so it stands to reason that the hiked-up, more rugged version – the Toyota Yaris Cross – is now just as popular.

Much like its hatchback sibling, the Yaris Cross offers lots of showroom appeal with its self-charging hybrid system, which is not only easy-to-live with but genuinely improves fuel economy to the tune of over 60mpg.

The low-down electric input means a quicker pull away from junctions too, while the light steering makes agile work of city lanes.

Generous specifications up the premium factor, while the Yaris Cross also comes with an industry-leading warranty of up to ten years.

Peugeot 2008

Engines – 1.2 PureTech, 1.2 MHEV (Petrol), 50kWh & 54kWh

MPG – 52.3mpg (1.2 PureTech)

Boot Space – 434-litres

Insurance Group (Lowest) – 16E

More than ever, Peugeot have been living up to its proud ‘lion’ motif with some suitably aggressive designs in recent years – after all, just check out the claws on the front of the Peugeot 2008.

Don’t be fooled into thinking the 2008 is unapproachable though for it is a stylish, comfortable and practical small SUV that will accommodate the whole family.

Inside, the 2008 lives up to Peugeot’s recently forged reputation for cabins that punch above the price tag with plenty of premium materials, plus the intuitive i-Cockpit dashboard set-up.

Stylish to look at and sit in, the 2008 seals the deal with a refined driving experience and a smooth ride.

Also consider…

SEAT Arona

A recent update has helped bring the SEAT Arona up to date, but the fundamentals of a well-built interior, funky looks and cheap running costs continue to appeal

Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V echoes the Jazz for impressive efficiency from its 1.5-litre Hybrid set-up, while it features one of most premium interiors in the class.

Citroen C3-Aircross

If you need seven-seats but aren’t keen on shelling out for a much bigger car, the Citroen C3-Aircross – with its optional third row – is (like the sister Frontera) a unique proposition here.

Vauxhall Frontera

If the Vauxhall Mokka is a bit too outlandish for you, know that there is the more conventional Vauxhall Frontera, which is more spacious and can even come with seven-seats.

Kia Stonic

A fresh facelifted model is on the way to give the Kia Stonic a boost in building on the runaway success of the larger Kia Sportage. One to watch…