The Best Small SUVs

The Puma has been a sensation for Ford. While many wept as the name of a classic Blue Oval model was revived on a compact SUV, the majority of the UK’s car-buying public can’t get enough of this high-riding yet good-to-drive model. The Puma is based on the now-discontinued Fiesta and while it retains the compact proportions of its hatchback cousin, this upright compact SUV manages to pack in more spaciousness.
How? Well, a lot of that comes down to the Puma’s clever MegaBox storage area. It’s a 90-litre space under the boot floor which is covered in hard-wearing plastic and features a drain port, so you can hose it down after you’ve used it to store muddy wellies or football kit. But as well as this practicality, the Puma remains just as good to drive as the agile Fiesta.

Audi’s big-hitter SUVs are usually thought to be cars like the Q5 or Q7, but the Q2 – which is the smallest SUV that the firm offers – accounts for a lot of its sales as well. There’s good reason for this popularity too, as with its premium design and well-made interior the Q2 really feels like a shrunken full-size Audi, rather than a budget-friendly model.

Thanks to efficient engines, the Q2 won’t command the running costs of its larger siblings while plentiful in-car tech means that it still feels current today.

You might think of large estates or spacious saloons when Skoda is mentioned, but in recent times this Czech manufacturer has been far more concentrated on its range of SUVs. At the top sits the seven-seater Kodiaq, while on the more compact end of the scale is this – the Kamiq. It’s the same basic car underneath as the Volkswagen T-Cross or Seat Arona but in typical Skoda fashion has a more value-focused approach than its two Volkswagen Group cousins.

The Kamiq is well-made inside and more than robust enough to cope with family life, while its range of compact and fuel-efficient engines ensure that this is one SUV that won’t cost the earth to run

Peugeot might have an impressive back catalogue of hatchbacks, but its series of modern SUVs have been just as successful. The 2008 is its most compact high-riding model and packs in some edgy looks with plenty of technology and a user-friendly design.

In fact, it was this new look which completely differentiated this new generation of 2008 from its predecessor, which offered a somewhat lacklustre design. This sharp new SUV brought a variety of powertrain options, too, including compact and efficient petrols, diesels and even a fully electric setup – ideal for those drivers looking to make the switch to a battery-powered model.

Dacia’s presence in the UK has expanded rapidly over recent years and a lot of this is down to the Duster. This no-nonsense SUV has been a refreshing antidote to the tech-heavy rivals that it faces up against, offering robust build quality and a value-orientated approach that is so lost by others in the market.

In more recent times it has, in truth, grown a little more upmarket than before. But even with the addition of climate control and a central infotainment system on some models, this is still a very cost-effective way of entering the small SUV segment – and with its rugged looks and go-anywhere appeal, the Duster remains a very characterful option.

Vauxhall’s Mokka X is the kind of the car that gets the job done. Sure, it may not have the eye-catching styling of others on this list, but it’s a car with a very user-friendly driving experience that ensures motorists of all experiences can quickly get accustomed to life behind the wheel.

It’s a well equipped car, too, with lots of must-have features inside such as a seven-inch infotainment system and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring systems. Plus, light steering makes the Mokka X an absolute breeze to drive around town while used prices remain very competitive. The Mokka X is a good option if you’re looking for a cheap used small SUV, that’s for sure.

It’s hard to travel on a road in the UK without seeing a Nissan Juke. This pint-sized SUV has proven immensely popular and, thanks to this, there’s plenty of availability in the used market. As a result, it’s a great second-hand buy and one which brings a whole load of plus-points.

The Juke has a quirky approach to styling which still looks fresh today, while two petrols and one diesel ensure that there’s a good spread of engine options. It might be a bit small inside, but the Juke’s compact size means that it’s ideal for inner-city driving. Just watch out: rearward visibility is quite compromised by the Juke’s styling, so make sure you’re happy with this before buying.

The Mini Countryman may fly in the face of the ethos of the original and teeny-tiny classic, but it’s a car which, for many people, more than fits the bill.

It’s got the retro-infused styling which has made the modern Mini such a success, yet has more space to offer than the standard hatch. As a result, it’s a far better fit for families or buyers after a little extra roominess from their next Mini. A number of engine choices are available for the Countryman, too, and somehow Mini managed to instil some of the great handling characteristics from the standard hatch into this higher-riding model – so the Countryman is still great to drive on your favourite twisty road.

While BMW may have had a strong heritage of sports cars and saloons, these days its line-up is dominated by SUVs. The X1 is the most compact of these, bringing the high level of build quality that you’d expect from a BMW in a smaller and easier-to-live with package.

This second-generation X1 finessed the formula, making this compact SUV better to drive and more pleasant inside without losing the easy-to-park dimensions that had made it such a hit in the first place. The X1 ditched usual rear-wheel-drive BMW convention and switched to front-wheel-drive instead, though you can look for xDrive all-wheel-drive versions if you’re after a little extra traction in poor conditions.

Hyundai took a multi-pronged approach with the Kona when it launched in 2017. This used small SUV was released with regular hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric setups when it first hit the road, meaning that there’s sure to be something for everyone.

It’s backed up by quirky looks and a well-made interior which feels robust enough for daily life but hardly boring. Opt for the big-battery electric version and you’ll get a range of around 300 miles, too, which is impressive for this size of car. However, with two other fuel-sipping powertrains to choose from, there’s still an option for those drivers that still want a Kona but don’t want to dive into full EV ownership just yet.