Best small SUVs 2022
Thinking of buying a new small SUV? Then make sure you read our countdown of the top 10 cars in this booming sector – plus, find out which ones we'd avoid...

Small SUVs are among the most popular cars on sale, because they usually offer the high-set driving position, practicality and muscular looks of more traditional off-roaders, but without the high purchase price or running costs.
Here, we count down the top 10 you can currently buy – and reveal the small SUVs that are best to steer clear of. You'll see plenty of popular names here, including the car which started the small SUV craze, the Nissan Juke, as well as models from Audi, Ford and Volkswagen among others.
Finally, if you want to read more about a particular car or see what deals are currently available on it through our free New Car Buying service, just click on the relevant link.
Hyundai Bayon
Based on the i20 hatchback, the Bayon is decent to drive, with a comfortable ride and quieter cruising manners than most rivals. It's roomy in the back and well equipped, too, so it's a pity that Hyundai hasn’t made more of an effort to lift the perceived quality of the interior.
Pros
- Relatively smooth ride
- Good rear space
- Low CO2 emissions
Cons
- Low driving position won’t appeal to everyone
- Interior is far from plush
- No flexible seating options
Nissan Juke
The original Juke sold in huge numbers, despite having a hard ride and horribly cramped rear seats, but the latest version is much improved in both areas, and has one of the smartest interiors of any small SUV. The 115bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine is gutsy enough for most situations, while N-Connecta models get climate control, extra leather trim and keyless start, on top of the plethora of kit which already comes on Acenta cars.
Pros
- Strong safety rating and equipment
- Smart interior
- Lots of toys on our recommended trim
Cons
- Choppy ride
- So-so infotainment system
- Nissan's reliability record
- Hybrid isn't as fuel efficient as a Toyota Yaris Cross
Seat Arona
Once the class leader, the Arona remains an appealing choice, thanks to precise handling, good practicality and affordable PCP finance deals. Although the 94bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine is the baby of the range, we reckon it's also the best buy, especially if you'll mainly be driving on urban roads. Team it with SE Technology trim and you'll get an upgraded infotainment system as well as rear parking sensors.
Pros
- Tidy handling
- Roomier than many rivals
- Well equipped
Cons
- So-so interior quality
- Top trims are too pricey
- Rivals have more flexible rear seats
Peugeot 2008
Not only does the Peugeot 2008 look the part (both inside and out), it's well equipped and has a range of punchy, efficient petrol engines. The 129bhp 1.2 Puretech 130 is particularly good; in fact, it's strong enough to make the pricier Puretech 155 feel pointless. It's just a pity all 2008s are more expensive than most of their mainstream rivals.
Pros
- Classy interior
- Well equipped
- Punchy, frugal petrol engines
Cons
- More expensive than mainstream rivals
- Relatively heavy deprecation
- Average to drive
Toyota Yaris Cross
The Toyota Yaris Cross makes a strong case for itself against the crowd of small SUVs, especially if your top priorities are reliability and low running costs. Indeed, the Yaris Cross is the most efficient car we've ever put through our True MPG fuel economy test. Just bear in mind that it's quite cramped in the back.
Pros
- Very efficient
- Lofty driving position
- Uncluttered dashboard is easy to use
Cons
- Could be more spacious in the back seats
- Vocal engine when accelerating
- Not as fun to drive as the Puma
Audi Q2
Audi's Q2 was one of the first small SUVs to combine its compact dimensions with a premium badge. The handling is tidy and it holds its value well, but it’s the quality of the interior that will really blow you away. It also has one of the best infotainment systems around – better than those in bigger, more expensive Audi SUVs, in fact.
Pros
- Classy and user-friendly interior
- Tidy handling
- Slow depreciation
Cons
- More expensive than some rivals
- Mini Countryman is more practical
- Firm ride with 19in alloys
Volkswagen T-Cross
Volkswagen's T-Cross is exactly what many small SUV buyers are looking for. It’s comfortable and easy to drive, without feeling like a wallowy barge. It’s surprisingly roomy, yet small enough that it’s easy to handle in town. And it's competitive on running costs, whether you’re a company car driver or a private buyer.
Pros
- Spacious, flexible interior
- Impressive for safety
- Good to drive
Cons
- Only slightly cheaper than the superior T-Roc
- Interior is hardly plush
- SEL and R-Line trims too pricey
Volkswagen T-Roc
Stick to the cheaper engines and trims, and the T-Roc is an even better buy than its T-Cross sister. Its cosseting ride, superb refinement and practical boot will appeal to families, plus it has one of the best driving positions of any car in the class. Only the quality of the interior plastics relegates it to third place on this list
Pros
- Comfortable ride and quiet on the motorway
- High-set driving position for a small SUV
- Good boot by class standards
Cons
- Touch-sensitive controls can be fiddly
- Upper trims and engine options are too pricey
- Unexciting handling (the Ford Puma is a sharper drive)
Skoda Kamiq
In contrast to the T-Roc, the Kamiq puts you quite low to the ground; in fact, its driving position is barely any more elevated than that of Skoda's Scala hatchback. However, in every other respect it's a brilliant choice, with its supple, controlled ride and remarkably spacious interior particular highlights. That interior feels classier than the T-Roc's, too.
Pros
- Remarkably roomy seats and boot
- Better-finished interior than many of its rivals
- Comfortable ride
Cons
- No sliding or reclining rear seats
- Not especially well equipped
- Other small SUVs have a higher driving position
Ford Puma
As good as the other cars in this top 10 are, it's the Ford Puma that's the best small SUV you can buy today. Thanks to agile handling and surprisingly nippy performance, it will put a bigger smile on your face than any rival. But it’s also a car you can buy with your sensible hat on, thanks to its low CO2 emissions, excellent real-world fuel economy, clever boot and attractive monthly PCP costs. No wonder it was our 2020 Car of the Year.
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Pros
- Great fun to drive
- Remarkable blend of performance and fuel economy
- Big and cleverly designed boot
Cons
- Rear space is adequate rather than outstanding
- Visibility could be better
- Volkswagen T-Roc is more comfortable and quieter
And the small SUVs to avoid...
Ford's Ecosport is as bad as the Puma is good, suffering from disappointing handling, a poor ride and limited rear space. The side-hinged tailgate is pretty impractical, too. Read our review
The Renegade has its merits: it’s roomy and has genuine off-road ability, while the diesel engines sip fuel. However, it's comparatively expensive to buy, the ride is unsettled and refinement is woeful. Read our review

Best family SUVs 2022
Want practicality, class and an elevated driving position in a relatively compact package? Then these are the top 10 cars you should be looking at – and the ones that are best avoided