Until quite recently, SUVs were hulking behemoths. They chewed through fuel like oil tankers, towered above other traffic and rolled around in corners like drunken hippos. But car manufacturers have since refined the formula – and the best SUVs you can buy today are no more inconvenient to own than the hatchbacks of the early 2000s. Especially if you go for one of the many small SUVs at the lowest end of the market.
The compact SUVs you’ll find on this page have roughly the same footprint as a modern supermini, but they have loftier ride heights, taller driving positions and a little more boot space. Most are also front-wheel drive and some even have hybrid systems, meaning they’re far more fuel efficient than their larger four-wheel drive SUV forebears.
For these reasons, small SUVs are becoming the default choice for everyone from young drivers, to small families to retirees – or indeed anyone who wants a slice of those tough off-roader looks without the expensive large SUV running costs.
To help you reach a decision, we’ve corralled (almost) every small SUV on sale at Parkers HQ to hash out a definitive top 10 list. We reckon this is the most thorough group test of the segment ever conducted by a British motoring magazine – none of our competitors have yet managed to gather every small SUV on sale in the same place at the same time.
Scroll down to read a summary of our experts’ opinions on each car or, if you’d like to learn more about a particular model, follow the links at the bottom of each entry to read our detailed review pages.
For the purposes of this page, we’ve concentrated on the best combustion-powered small SUVs. However, if you want to go green but don’t want to drive around in a massive tank, we’ve got a dedicated page for the best small electric cars on sale now.
Winner: the best small SUV to buy in 2025
Best for: All-round practicality and comfort on a budget
Why? Well, a big part of the Kamiq’s dominance can be chalked up to its simplicity. Skoda hasn’t weighed the car down with useless features such as oversized infotainment screens, AI assistants or augmented reality head-up displays. It’s just a functional, reliable tool that does its intended job expertly.
You get enough room inside for four adults, along with 400 litres of boot space. Plus, the Kamiq’s most powerful 1.5-litre engine will return an easy 40mpg, while its suspension offers a great compromise between comfort and body control.
Don’t think Skoda hasn’t innovated, though. Like its larger cars, the Kamiq comes with a range of Simply Clever features that are designed to keep your car looking tidy and make your life more convenient. These include an ice scraper built into the fuel filler cap, storage drawers under the front seats and even a waste bin in the front door cards for things like sweet wrappers and chewing gum.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Kamiq review
Luke Wilkinson
Pros
- Handles well, comfortable ride
- Bright and well-made interior
- Very spacious for its size
Cons
- Not what you'd call fun
- Clunky automatic gearbox
Highly recommended: other small SUVs to consider
Best for: Low pricing and generous equipment levels
At the time of writing, the cheapest ZS leasing deal was priced from £213 per month with a £2,900 deposit, a screaming deal for a car of this size. Plus, with a £19,495 cash price, it’s the cheapest to buy outright.
Affordability stands any car in good stead these days, but does it feel like a cut-rate option inside? The ZS certainly isn’t as plush as a comparably sized Skoda or Volkswagen but the cabin feels adequately appointed and a little nicer than the price would suggest.
The seats are comfortable, and it’s roomy enough inside to bed down in for a long journey without feeling cramped. Not only is the ZS commodious and generally well-built, it also features a 102hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine boosted by a 136hp electric motor. Together they produce 196hp for 0-62mph in a sharp(ish) 8.7-seconds. Any drawbacks? Aside from a general lack of character, they’re few and far between, though the ride could be softer.
To find out more, read our full MG ZS review
Seth Walton
Pros
- Great value for a hybrid
- Surprisingly good handling
- Spacious interior
Cons
- Bland interior design
- Ride is a little harsh
Best for: Combining premium feel and practicality in a compact SUV
The T-Roc's biggest selling points are its roomy interior space, practicality and user-friendly tech, though a few scratchy plastics let the interior down. We also admire the T-Roc for the way it handles on the road, plus its quirky styling that separates it from the closely related yet slightly more earnest Audi Q2.
When we put this page together, you could get a T-Roc for around £218 per month, with £2,900 down. That's good value, especially compared to more premium options such as the Audi Q2. The cheapest leasing deal we could find on that was more than £300 per month, even though the two cars are basically identical under the skin.
Opt for the DSG auto if you fancy letting the car do the heavy lifting for you. We also advise you avoid the 1.0-litre engine if you cover a lot of motorway miles. It feels rather weedy in this setting.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen T-Roc review
Seth Walton
Pros
- Easy to live with
- Low running costs
- Nice handling
Cons
- Cheap cabin plastics
- No hybrid powertrain
Best for: Personalisation options and everyday usability
It’s not an exercise in the vow of poverty either, as even the base models escape looking austere and drab. Recycled materials cover a good chunk of the interior making it both visually interesting and raising it above the harsh black plastics other small SUVs rely upon. An update in 2024 saw quality improvements and a slick new infotainment system added.
It’s got a smaller footprint than other small SUVs but the Captur uses it well. Cabin space is decent unless you’re on the lanky side, and the 444-litre boot is genuinely impressive, especially when the rear seats can slide to give more room.
The base model gets a 1.0-litre petrol engine that’s a little weedy, the hybrid model is far punchier but does raise the price. Equipment levels are good, including a wireless phone charger, reversing camera and smart-looking 17-inch alloys as standard. Don’t forget Renault’s famously value-driven finance is hard to beat either. Expect affordable monthly payments, 0% APR and attractive deposit amounts too.
To find out more, read our full Renault Captur review
Ryan Gilmore
Pros
- Spacious, flexible interior
- Quality materials, good tech
- Great value for money
Cons
- Limited powertrain options
- Hybrid system isn't that refined
Best for: Interior space and badge appeal
This lets you choose between more space for luggage or passengers but, even in its standard configuration, the T-Cross offers space in the back for adults and a 385-litre boot, increasing to 455 litres with the rear seats slid forward. We’d argue it’s more useful than the Skoda Kamiq as a result.
Like the Kamiq and SEAT Arona, the T-Cross is only available with regular 1.0- and 1.5-litre petrol engines, but these offer decent pace and fuel economy without the need to rely on hybrid assistance. In fact, the entry-level 95hp engine is more than up to most tasks as long as you’re not in too much of a hurry.
The T-Cross is a car that generally manages to feel larger and more expensive than it is, with a robust interior and refined driving manners more in-tune with cars from the class above. Standard equipment is generous, too, especially on the mid-spec Match model, which gets adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera and keyless entry. Top-spec versions are expensive, so we recommend sticking with the cheaper versions.
To find out more read our full Volkswagen T-Cross review
Ted Welford
Pros
- Very spacious for its size
- Sliding rear seats are useful
- Good to drive
Cons
- Style and R-line trims are pricey
- Annoying climate control panel
Best for: Unbeatable value and rugged simplicity
But what it lacks in outright cheapness, it compensates for in value. You get a decent amount of kit for your money with the £21,000 Expression model coming as standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear parking camera, digital gauge cluster and safety features such as cruise control, automatic emergency braking and traffic sign recognition.
You can have it with either petrol or hybrid power and either front or four-wheel drive. Our advice is to go for the most powerful 130hp four-wheel drive model, because a Duster is made for going off-road. If you’re looking for a small SUV that you’re only going to drive on Tarmac, there are far better options out there. The Duster is just too unrefined.
We rather like the interior, too. There's a logical collection of physical controls for the air conditioning and heating, funky denim upholstery and stacks of storage space including a double-decker bin in the dashboard and even a pen holder. Plus, you can improve the car’s utility with Dacia’s YouClip system. It allows you to attach extra cupholders and phone mounts around the cabin.
To find out more, read our full Dacia Duster review
Luke Wilkinson
Pros
- Clever, sensible interior
- It'll embarrass big 4x4s off-road
- Efficient new hybrid powertrain
Cons
- Lots of wind and engine noise
- Rear legroom is a little tight
Best for: Fun handling and clever practicality
At least the standard Puma’s mechanicals haven’t changed. You still get the same range of punchy 1.0-litre three-cylinder mild hybrid petrol engines with either 125hp or 155hp. The more powerful option is obviously the most fun, but the entry-level option is no slouch. The only thing we urge you to do is to specify your Puma with a manual gearbox.
However, Ford has neutered the hot Puma ST by killing off its 200hp 1.5-litre petrol engine. Now, you only get a 170hp version of the standard 1.0-litre unit – and its rubbish. To make matters worse, you can’t have the ST with a manual gearbox, either. It’s a disappointing seven-speed automatic or nothing. Boo.
Space inside hasn’t changed, but that’s not such a bad thing. You can just about squeak four six-footers into the cabin and you still get Ford’s excellent Megabox in the boot, which boosts its maximum capacity to 456 litres and offers you more loading height to transport tall items such as houseplants standing up.
The facelifted Puma’s a bit hit and miss. It’s still worthy of a place on this list overall, but it’s nowhere near as close to the top as it once was. Shame.
To find out more, read our full Ford Puma review
Luke Wilkinson
Pros
- Still great in the corners
- Six-speed manual is joyful
- Absolutely massive boot
Cons
- New interior is a step down
- ST model has been neutered
Best for: Fuel economy and hybrid efficiency.
The Yaris Cross is especially well suited to urban driving, where its hybrid system can run for more of the time on electricity, and prove very economical, too. Low running costs are all but guaranteed and, though Toyota claims an official 60mpg, we’ve passed this quite easily in our testing when driven carefully. As with most Toyota models, the Yaris Cross should prove very reliable. As long as you take it to one of the firm’s main dealers each year, it has a class-leading warranty lasting up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Its dealer network is also among the best around.
As a result, it’s an ideal car if you tend to keep your car for a longer period of time, and though you will pay more for it outright than many rivals, it holds onto its value well and doesn’t depreciate in the same way as many competitors.
Though the hybrid system isn’t the most refined if you put your foot down, once you learn to drive the Yaris Cross in a more leisurely fashion, it’s a very relaxing and easy car to drive. Stick with the entry-level versions as they come with plenty of key features including a 9.0-inch touchscreen, keyless entry and an impressive array of driver assistance technology.
To find out more read our full Toyota Yaris Cross review
Ted Welford
Pros
- Impressive fuel economy
- Superb reliability, long warranty
- Smooth hybrid system
Cons
- Plain-looking interior
- Rough ride on large wheels
Best for: Stylish urban driving with eco-friendly hybrid efficiency
In comparison, the new 600 looks good and feels fresh with styling cues from the Fiat 500e. The 600 is only available with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder latched to a mild hybrid system and six speed automatic gearbox. It’s not a full hybrid like with the Toyota Yaris Cross, but it’s refined, frugal and decently nippy too.
The interior is also very trendy and well-equipped, especially for a car that starts at £24,350. In La Prima spec there’s even more to show off on the school run, with electric adjustment and massage functions for the driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control and white vegan leather seats that brighten the whole cabin up.
There’s a surface-level luxury to it all though. Run your hands along any part of the interior and it won’t be long until you find a piece of cheap scratchy plastic. There’s also only one rear USB-C port, mounted centrally in the cramped rear, surely the source of many children’s device-charging-priority arguments. Boot size is average for this kind of car too at 385 litres, but the electric opening on La Prima is a neat premium touch.
To find out more, read our full Fiat 600 review
Ryan Gilmore
Pros
- Stylish inside and out
- Strong equipment levels
- Mild hybrid system is refined
Cons
- Disappointing cabin and boot space
- Cabin quality doesn't match the looks
Best for: Combining sporty handling with everyday practicality
In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The Arona is a great little car. It sits somewhere between the Ford Puma and the Skoda Kamiq, offering a similarly entertaining drive to the former and almost as much flexibility as the latter.
We advise you to avoid the 95hp petrol engine if you can because it doesn’t really suit the Arona’s sporty suspension setup. The 115hp engine is far sprightlier, especially on the motorway. Plus, even though the Arona corners keenly, it isn’t at the expense of ride quality. Just stick with the 17-inch alloys for the best comfort.
It’s also attractively priced. The cheapest S model costs a shade over £20,000, while the top-spec Xperience version is just £29,000 – and it’s bursting with equipment such as a self-parking function, heated front seats, all-round parking sensors, a rear-view camera and a 10-inch digital gauge cluster.
To find out more, read our full SEAT Arona review
Luke Wilkinson
Pros
- Economical engines
- Cheap to buy and own
- Good to drive
Cons
- Average boot space
- No mild hybrid option
One to avoid
Why it's here: It’s cheap, but it’s too flawed to recommend
We’ll start with the practicality. The Juke’s sharply sloping roofline means tall passengers will need to crane their necks to fit on the rear bench, while the dark upholstery and narrow rear windows mean very little light enters the rear of the car. That means it’s quite dingy and claustrophobic – and you’ll struggle to see out of it when parking.
The rear doors are also very narrow and don’t open particularly wide, which makes it difficult to load young children into their car seats. Plus, the ride is uncomfortable, the standard petrol engine is gutless, and the top-spec hybrid model isn’t any more efficient in the real world than a Ford Puma mild hybrid.
When it was new, it wasn’t terrible. But the small SUV market has moved on while the Juke has stood still – and its rivals now offer a far greater breadth of ability. We certainly couldn’t overlook the likes of the Skoda Kamiq and the Ford Puma for the Juke. You shouldn’t either.
To find out more, read our full Nissan Juke review
Luke Wilkinson
Pros
- Decent standard equipment
- Competitively priced
- Good infotainment
Cons
- Claustrophobic cabin
- Uncomfortable ride
What is the best used small SUV?
If none of these shiny new picks tickle your fancy, don’t fear. We love new and used cars equally here at Parkers, so we’ve racked out expertise and trawled our index of reviews to find the three best used small SUVs.
It can make a lot of sense to buy used instead of new. Not only will it cost less upfront, but the cars will be tried and tested, so there are usually fewer question marks surrounding reliability.
There are downsides. There won’t be the same bells and whistles as with a new car, and there will be wear and tear; these are family car fodder after all. Used car finance isn’t especially competitive either – expect higher interest rates.
We’ve factored in what scored well when we tested it new, what’s proven dependable with age and which used example will give you the leanest running costs. Of course, we’ve also thrown a serving of what drives well into the mix too.
It's a former Parkers Car of The Year, you know?
We lavished praise on its quality as a family car. The boot was class-leading, and the interior was spacious and logical. The major controls were simple to master and ergonomic. Even better, it was just as happy being punted into a corner by a keen driver as it was returning solid fuel economy figures. In a nutshell, it was ace.
This generation of Puma won multiple awards, including our coveted Parkers Car of the Year Award. The new one wasn't even highly commended in this year's Small Family Car Award. That's why these earlier Pumas are the best-used small SUVs.
Used examples start at around £10,000, but we'd advise looking for models in the £12-15,000 ballpark for better-equipped models with lower miles. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine doesn't need to be avoided like in the Fiesta; it uses a timing chain instead of the dreaded wet-belt system. It's not immune to problems—Pumas are known to suffer from battery drain and small electrical gremlins.
Pros
- The best small SUV to drive
- Class-leading boot
- Frugal byut fun engines
Cons
- Rear legroom could be better
- Interior can be dark
Often imitated, never matched
The Yeti helped put Skodas on the map as the brand we all know and love today. The image of clever touches to make driving simple, affordable prices, and frugal engines all stem from the Yeti. As good as it is, its spiritual successor, the Kamiq, can't quite match the tactility a Yeti could offer, even if it's more refined.
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To top it off, a Yeti now makes for a secondhand bargain, with examples starting as low as £2,000. Most will have lived hard lives, so don't expect flawless interiors and low-mileage garage dwellers. So long as the service history is complete, there shouldn't be any real reliability issues. Tougher-than-tungsten internals have meant that Yetis have soaked up high miles and the rough-and-tumble of family life.
That being said, avoid the DSG gearbox if you can. Early examples have been known to break, which is a costly fix so we say to stick with a manual. We'd also pick a petrol example because the diesel engines will feature a diesel particulate filter (DPF), which can become clogged with age.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Yeti review
Pros
- Spacious and practical but compact
- Available with four-wheel drive
- Lots of choice on the used market
Cons
- Getting on a bit now, so may become more problematic
- They can get a bit rusty with age and neglect
Worth a look for the interior alone
The interior is easily the nicest of all the small SUVs we've tried. It's well-finished, attractive, simple to use, and built to a high standard. It's nice car to drive with tidy handling and a range of punchy engines. Pick one on smaller alloys, and it even rides well. It is a solid pick.
Prices have remained buoyant on the used market, both a blessing and a curse. The entry cost is fairly high, but the trade-off is a Q2 won't lose its value in a hurry either. The cost for a used one hovers around the £10,000 mark for a high-mile diesel, be prepared to pay £15,000 for a tidy, well-specced example. Good news, they are all fairly bombproof.
If you want to be savvy, a non-obvious private license plate will disguise the age of a secondhand Q2. Considering it only had light cosmetic touches over its nine-year production run, you could feasibly get away with the neighbours thinking it's newer than it is.
To find out more, read our full Audi Q2 review
Pros
- Impressive interior quality
- Great to drive
- Strong residual values
Cons
- Lacks the latest technology
- Starting to feel dated as a new buy
FAQs: Small SUV buyers guide
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What is the best small SUV around?
At Parkers, we rate the Skoda Kamiq as the best small SUV currently on sale. It might not shout the loudest in a class full of eye-catching rivals, but it consistently delivers where it matters: space, comfort, and value. The Kamiq offers more rear-seat and boot space than many larger SUVs, and it’s built with the kind of solid, 'simply clever' quality that makes everyday use a pleasure.
What really sets the Kamiq apart is how cleverly it's been packaged. It feels more like a family hatchback to drive – light, composed, and confidence-inspiring – yet it still gives you the raised seating position and chunky looks SUV buyers go for. Its engines are efficient, refinement is top-notch for the price, and the interior is refreshingly straightforward to use. In short, the Skoda Kamiq blends practicality and value better than anything else in its class, which is why we think it’s the small SUV to beat. -
Who makes the most reliable small SUV?
All of the models we've listed typically perform very well in reliability surveys. But if reliability is your key concern the obvious choice is the Toyota Yaris Cross. It's a relatively new entrant into the small SUV sector, but Toyota's reputation for both dependability and dealer service is outstanding. Plus you get a 10-year warranty.
Other reliable small SUVs include those built by the Volkswagen Group - so the Audi Q2, Skoda Kamiq and SEAT Arona as well as the VW T-Cross And those made by Hyundai and Kia. Not mentioned elsewhere on this page, Suzuki also has a great reputation for building reliable SUVs. -
Is a compact SUV better than a regular SUV?
This entirely depends on what you want to do with it. Small SUVs are great around town, where they can nip about in traffic and slot easily into parking spaces.
But compared with larger models they aren't going to have as much space inside for people and luggage, and small SUVs generally won't have the off-road prowess offered by some bigger, more technically capable models.
And finally… why we love small SUVs
It’s not just vanity that attracts people to compact SUVs. The higher seating position means they’re easy to get in and out of – it also makes loading and unloading child seats a doddle. Their raised suspension more easily copes with inner-city potholes, and the higher vantage point is reassuring in stop-start traffic.
The cost of this is financial and practical, though. Small SUVs like these are often based on supermini platforms but priced equivalent to a family hatchback or estate. And compared to these cars, they’re slightly less capacious – certainly in terms of boot space. They typically don’t drive as well as a family hatchback either, with weaker engines and less sophisticated chassis design.
However, as a blend of on-trend style, ease of use and functional practicality in a small package they remain tempting cars to buy. And the ones we’ve listed above should all serve you well.
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