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Best small SUVs 2026 and the one to avoid – tried and tested
Thinking of buying a new small SUV? Then make sure you read our rundown of the top 10 cars in this booming sector – plus, find out which one we'd avoid
Steve Huntingford
Updated: 3 October 2026
There are now more small SUVs to choose from than ever before, and whether you're shopping on a budget – or not – want something powered by electricity, petrol, or a mixture of both, or want something from an established brand or a relative newcomer, you'll be well catered for.
In this story we'll be running down our list of the top 10 best small SUVs, but the short answer is this: the Volkswagen T-Roc is the best small SUV you can buy, because it's comfortable, practical and good to drive.
Of course, different buyers want different attributes from their cars. And if that's the case and the T-Roc doesn't take your fancy, then you might want to consider the Kia EV3 if you're looking to go electric, or the Lexus LBX if you're looking for a truly premium experience.
How we choose the best small SUVs
To find Britain's best small SUVs, our expert team of road testers have spent hundreds of hours behind the wheel of every new model on the market, driving them both on public roads, and back-to-back against key rivals at our private test track.
As well as looking at how well each small SUV drives, how comfortable it is and how easy it is to live with, we also pay special attention to those areas where our real-world data suggests buyers are most interested. And in the case of small SUVs, those areas are reliablity, a comfortable driving position, and the level of standard equipment each car comes with. You can find more information about our testing process at the bottom of this page.
This story lists the best small SUVs on sale in the UK. At What Car? we categorise a small SUV as being 4.4 metres long or shorter. Any small SUV that's currently on sale to UK buyers is eligible to be included here, and we consider every version of each car.
Best small SUVs to buy now – and how to get the best deal
Make and modelBest forWhy it makes our listVolkswagen T-RocOur overall best small SUV choiceComfortable and quiet, great high-set driving position, practical bootKia EV3Going electricComfortable ride, a long electric range, Kia's seven-year warrantyLexus LBXMixing hybrid efficiency with a premium interiorFrugal hybrid power, properly premium interior, lots of standard kitSkoda KaroqSpace and practicalityExcellent space inside, smart and sturdy interior, good range of enginesRenault 4Going electric on a budgetTemptingly priced, good to drive, more spacious than you might think
The 2026 What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now
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Volkswagen T-Roc
Best buy: 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 8.9 sec
MPG/range: 50.4 mpg
C02 emissions: 128 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 475 litres
Insurance group: 18E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Comfortable ride and quiet on the motorway
- High-set driving position for a small SUV
- Good-size boot by class standards
Weaknesses
- Touch-sensitive interior controls can be fiddly
- Upper trims are costly
- Not as fun to drive as some of its rivals
Best for: the best all-rounder
The Volkswagen T-Roc is the best small SUV you can buy right now, earning our top spot by offering a fantastic blend of exactly the kind of attributes which small SUV buyers are looking for.
For one thing, it's punchy. There are three petrol engines to choose from at the moment, and each comes with mild hybrid technology to help lower your fuel bills. The mid-range 148bhp eTSI model is our firm favourite, because it has more mid-range punch than the entry-level engine, yet still returns decent fuel economy. Indeed, with this engine fitted, we timed a 0-62mph sprint in the T-Roc at 8.9 seconds – almost half a second quicker than the rival Lexus LBX can manage.
While the T-Roc handles well enough and feels surefooted along flowing country roads, it's not a match for the Ford Puma for sheer driver enjoyment. That car does a better job at raising a smile, but that's not to say that the T-Roc feels cumbersome, because it doesn't. And even on its standard suspension setup, the T-Roc does an excellent job of soaking up all of the lumps and bumps which you're likely to find on UK roads. It's so good, in fact, that we don't think you should pay more for the adaptive suspension.
Being slightly longer than its predecessor, the latest T-Roc is even more spacious inside than that car, meaning four tall adults will find they have room to stretch out on a long journey. And while the Dacia Duster has a slightly bigger boot on paper, we still managed to fit seven carry-on suitcases into the T-Roc's boot, which is more than enough for the needs of most families. The seats are impressively versatile, too, with a handy ski-hatch that's ideal for loading in longer items.
The latest T-Roc is too new to have featured as part of our annual What Car? Reliability Survey, but the old car was a strong performer in the small SUV class. You get a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty as standard, which is a bit of a way behind rival warranties offered by Kia and Toyota. Those last up to seven and ten years respectively.
You'll pay more for a T-Roc than you would for some rival small SUVs as a cash purchase, but on the kind of PCP finance deal which most buyers are likely to go for, it's actually a very competitive option.
"I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the entry-level T-Roc feels inside, with its padded fabric on the dash and door cards – it helps this small SUV to feel a cut above the competition." – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
Read our in-depth Volkswagen T-Roc review
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Volkswagen T-Roc
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £259.60 Initial payment £3,115.20
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,360 total upfront (£3,115 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 24 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Kia EV3
Best buy: Standard Range 58.3kWh Air Auto 5dr
0-62 mph: 7.5 sec
Range: 270 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 460 litres
Insurance group: 33D
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Well-equipped for the price
- Long range (especially in the, er, Long Range)
- Comfortable ride
Weaknesses
- Rivals have more versatile rear seats
- Not very agile
- List price is higher than some rivals
Best for: going electric
We mentioned in the introduction of this article that there are now plenty of electric small SUVs to choose from, and if an electric car fits in with your lifestyle and budget, the Kia EV3 is what you should choose. It's our reigning Small Electric SUV of the Year.
While you can pay for a Long Range model which offers an impressive 375 miles of range, we think the Standard Range version, with its 270-mile official range, will suit most people just fine. The single 201bhp electric motor which powers the front wheels offers plenty of punch, and allows for a 0-62mph sprint time of 7.5sec. Some versions of the rival Smart #3 or Volvo EX30 are even faster, though.
Most versions of the Kia EV3 deal well with lumps and bumps around town, and although no version of the feels especially agile to drive, it does at least handle predictably so long as you don't put your foot down all the time. This is an electric SUV which rewards you driving more sedately.
It's also a cracking choice for your family, with more space for rear passengers than in the rival Jeep Avenger Electric or Mini Aceman. Plus, the boot is only slightly smaller than that of the Kia EV6 from the class above – in our tests, we managed to fit six carry-on suitcases below the load cover.
The EV3 benefits from a full five-star safety rating from the experts at Euro NCAP, and just like the rest of Kia's road cars, it's covered by a seven-year warranty as standard. The battery is covered for eight years, capped at 100,000 miles. Better still, our early data suggests that the EV3 should be a very reliable choice.
On paper, the EV3 looks like an expensive proposition, because it'll cost you more than the Avenger Electric or Aceman. But when you consider how far it can travel between charges, and how much kit you get as standard, we think it represents great value.
"I like having somewhere to store my charging cables, and in the EV3, that's in a dedicated storage area underneath the bonnet. That means I don't have to go rummaging for them in the main boot, which might be full of luggage." – Oliver Young, Reviewer
Read our in-depth Kia EV3 review
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From £27,895
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From £321
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What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Kia EV3
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £320.69 Initial payment £3,848.28
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£4,093 total upfront (£3,848 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Lexus LBX
Best buy: 1.5 VVT-iE Premium Plus E-CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 9.2 sec
MPG/range: 61.4 mpg
C02 emissions: 103 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 0 litres
Insurance group: 24E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- High-quality interior
- Efficient hybrid system
- Very well equipped
Weaknesses
- Slightly unsettled low-speed ride
- Tight rear seat space
- Rivals have a more intuitive infotainment system
Best for: mixing hybrid efficiency with a premium interior
The Lexus LBX is the car to turn to if you can't go electric but still want to cut your fuel bills**.** You see, it's a hybrid, meaning that it has an electric motor as well as a petrol engine, and it can drive at lower speeds on electric power alone. And that adds up to upwards of 50mpg in real-world conditions, potentially saving you a small fortune at the pumps.
While it's not the most fun small SUV to drive, the LBX strikes a good balance between agility and comfort, while its ride does a good job of soaking up lumps and bumps in the road. It's also worth noting that the LBX is one of the few small SUVs available with four-wheel drive, which helps you to gain traction in tough conditions.
The LBX is family friendly, too. A couple of tall passengers will be perfectly happy on the rear bench, while the boot should have no trouble in swallowing your holiday suitcases. The Volkswagen T-Roc can carry more still, though.
It's impressive that the LBX's starting price is roughly on par with the non-hybrid Audi Q2, while even the most expensive versions of the LBX undercut the Range Rover Evoque. We'd recommend going for Premium Plus trim, because this gets you 18in alloy wheels, keyless entry and a powered tailgate.
It's a shame that the LBX performed poorly in our latest Reliability Survey, but at least you can extend the standard three-year warranty up to 10 years if you get your car serviced at a Lexus dealer.
"Not only is the LBX’s interior beautifully screwed together, but it also features a more appealing mix of materials than any of its rivals. In our recommended Premium Plus model, for example, I like the squidgy leather which sits atop the dashboard." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth Lexus LBX review
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Available now from: £35,864
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Nearly new deals
From £27,350
Leasing deals
From £333
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Lexus LBX
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 36 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £333.09 Initial payment £3,997.08
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£4,242 total upfront (£3,997 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 36 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Skoda Karoq
Best buy: 1.5 TSI ACT SE L Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 9 sec
MPG/range: 46.3 mpg
C02 emissions: 139 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 521 litres
Insurance group: 19E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Good to drive
- Excellent interior space
- Smart and sturdy-feeling interior
Weaknesses
- Seat Ateca is more fun to drive
- VarioFlex seats no longer standard
- No hybrid options
Best for: space and practicality
The Skoda Karoq wins the space race in the small SUV class, because you won't find a better option for carrying people or cargo. Indeed, with a 521-litre boot – or up to 588 litres if you choose the optional Varioflex rear seats – the Karoq has one of the largest spaces in the class to store your luggage, meaning your holiday suitcases won't be a problem.
If you're carrying people instead, then the Karoq still comes out on top. Taller passengers will find that they have plenty of space to stretch out in the front or rear seats, with excellent head and leg room. Plus, getting into the back of the Karoq is easy because its doors open nice and wide. You can fit three people side-by-side if need be, but they'll be more comfortable in a Kia Sportage.
The Karoq is an excellent choice for value, too. That's because, while the Karoq is keenly priced against rivals anyway, it comes loaded with all of the kit you'll want. Indeed, even entry-level models give you 17in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and automatic lights and wipers. And upgrading to our preferred SE L Edition trim, with its larger wheels and more adjustable rear seats, won't cost much either.
Skoda's mid-range petrol engine, badged as the 1.5 TSI 150, is our pick of the range, because with 148bhp it never feels out of puff, yet it should still keep your running costs in check. As a bonus, the Karoq's ride is much more comfortable than that of the closely related Seat Ateca.
"One of the reasons why I'd recommend Karoq's SEL trim is because it brings Varioflex rear seats that can slide and recline independently of one another, and even be removed entirely." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Read our in-depth Skoda Karoq review
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £24,999
RRP from: £30,960
Nearly new deals
From £20,998
Leasing deals
From £238
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Skoda Karoq
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £237.62 Initial payment £2,851.44
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,096 total upfront (£2,851 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 24 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Renault 4
Best buy: comfort range 52kWh techno+ Auto 5dr
0-62 mph: 8.2 sec
Range: 244 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 420 litres
Insurance group: 26E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Good to drive
- Tempting pricing
- Practical boot
Weaknesses
- Rear seats are tight for adults
- Some rivals have longer warranties
Best for: going electric on a budget
If you like the idea of going electric but your budget won't stretch to the Kia EV3 mentioned further up this list, then we'd urge you to look at the Renault 4 (or Renault 4 E-Tech, to give the car its full title). That's because this small electric SUV undercuts most of its rivals on price, meaning it will cost you less to put one on your driveway than a BYD Atto 2, Ford Puma Gen-E or Jeep Avenger Electric.
And since the Renault 4 is based on a former What Car? Car of the Year, the Renault 5, it takes many of the things that we love about that car, and translates them onto a more practical SUV body. While nobody is going to claim that the 4 is an ideal car in which to transport four lanky passengers, there are at least four decently-sized seats with good knee room – it's the room for your feet and your head which are at a premium.
Every Renault 4 comes with a 148bhp electric motor which drives the front wheels, and which draws its energy from a 52kWh (usable capacity) battery. The resulting official range is around 245 miles, and that's not as far as the rival Kia EV3 can manage. However, it's in the same league as a lot of other electric SUV rivals, including the Avenger Electric and Puma Gen-E.
A tight turning circle makes the 4 a doddle to drive around town, and although the ride is slightly firmer than we'd like at low speeds, it's supple enough to take the sting out of sharp edges and potholes.
“The range between charges should be fine for lots of buyers, but I think it’s a shame there isn’t the option of an even bigger battery.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
Read our in-depth Renault 4 review
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Best price from £23,445
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £23,445
RRP from: £27,195
Nearly new deals
From £23,295
Leasing deals
From £205
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Renault 4
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £204.54 Initial payment £2,454.48
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£2,699 total upfront (£2,454 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 24 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Skoda Kamiq
Best buy: 1.0 TSI SE Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 9.7 sec
MPG/range: 52.2 mpg
C02 emissions: 122 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 400 litres
Insurance group: 15E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Remarkably roomy rear seats
- Huge boot by class standards
- Comfortable ride
Weaknesses
- No sliding or reclining rear seats
- Not especially well equipped
- Other small SUVs have higher driving positions
Best for: a car-like driving position
In contrast to most other small SUVs, which place you higher up inide the car, the Skoda Kamiq's driving position is barely any higher than that of a traditional family car. So if you want to feel closer to the ground, it's well worth considering.
Once you're inside the Kamiq, the driving position is good, and you get plenty of adjustment so getting comfortable shouldn't be a problem. Your passengers will have plenty of space to get comfy, too – there's noticably more leg room than there is in the Ford Puma, for example – and you can fit more into the Kamiq's boot than you can into the rival Lexus LBX or Nissan Juke.
It's the mid-range 113bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine that's our preferred choice in the Kamiq, where it brings the kind of flexible performance which makes driving a doddle, whether you're pootling around town or venturing onto faster roads.
The Kamiq is competitively priced among its small SUV rivals, and strong resale values should ensure that you get a decent amount of money back when you come to sell it on. While the Kamiq didn't do especially well in our 2024 Reliability Survey – finishing in 18th place out of 23 small SUVs – you do get a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty to cover any faults.
"I really enjoyed threading the Kamiq through tight urban streets, because it has a tighter turning circle and lighter steering than most rivals." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor
Read our in-depth Skoda Kamiq review
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Best price from £20,999
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £20,999
RRP from: £25,730
Nearly new deals
From £16,000
Leasing deals
From £225
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Skoda Kamiq
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 36 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £224.89 Initial payment £2,698.68
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£2,944 total upfront (£2,699 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 36 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Nissan Leaf
Best buy: 75kWh Engage Auto 5dr
0-62 mph: 7.6 sec
Range: 387 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 0 litres
Insurance group: 31E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Long expected ranges
- Competitive starting price
- Decent interior with Google-enhanced infotainment
Weaknesses
- Rear-seat headroom tight for adults
- Other rivals have a more polished ride and handling balance
- Poor brake pedal feel
Best for: built-in-Britain status
For the patriotic small SUV driver who wants to support British businesses, the Nissan Leaf is the car to turn to. That's because it's made in Sunderland in the north-east of England.
There's plenty more to like about the Leaf other than where it's made, though. Although it'll cost you more as a cash purchase than the smaller Renault 4, it will also cost you less than equivalent versions of the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq, and that's before you take the Government's electric car grant into account. And no matter which version you go for, you get plenty of kit, with even entry-level Engage models coming with 18in alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control and a heat pump to warm the interior efficiently.
Every Leaf gets the same 75kWh battery which sends 215bhp to the car's front wheels. The result is a 0-62mph sprint time of 7.2sec, which is slightly faster than the Kia EV3 can manage. With an official range of 386 miles, the Leaf can travel further than any version of the EV3, Renault 4 or Elroq, which is good news for range-conscious buyers. But if you live in the city, a version with a smaller battery is arriving soon, offering around 270 miles and dropping the price even lower.
In terms of a warranty, every Leaf is covered under the brand's three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, with the battery itself covered for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes sooner. Our latest discounts give you a hefty saving on the Leaf, with savings of up to £3754 available at the time of writing. That discount applies to the 75kWh Evolve model, but there are similarly tempting offers available across the range.
“Activating 'e-pedal' gives you a one-pedal driving mode, so when you lift off the accelerator the car comes to a complete stop – I found this useful around town, meaning I hardly had to touch the brakes myself.” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Read our in-depth Nissan Leaf review
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Best price from £28,499
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £28,499
RRP from: £32,599
Nearly new deals
From £1,799
Leasing deals
From £271
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Nissan Leaf
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 36 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £270.58 Initial payment £3,246.96
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,492 total upfront (£3,247 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 36 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Volkswagen T-Cross
Best buy: 1.0 TSI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 10.1 sec
MPG/range: 50.4 mpg
C02 emissions: 126 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 455 litres
Insurance group: 14E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Spacious interior
- Good to drive
- Generous standard equipment
Weaknesses
- Fiddly climate control panel on higher trims
- Top-spec Style Edition and R-Line trims are pricey
- Disappointing safety score
Best for: comfortable ride
You might think that Volkswagen would be in danger of competing with itself, given that the T-Cross competes not only with the slightly larger Volkswagen T-Roc, but also with the brand's other small SUV, the Taigo, but in fact each has a slightly different niché – with the T-Cross being pitched as more of an urban companion.
Our preferred engine choice, the entry-level 1.0-litre petrol, has plenty of pep for town driving, though it is a little slower to get up to motorway speeds than the equivalent engine in the Ford Puma. The T-Cross rides pretty well compared with most other small SUVs, soaking up lumps and bumps easily, while its light steering makes it easy to weave and dodge around city traffic.
Despite its small size, there's a surprising amount of space in the T-Cross, and more head and leg room than you'll find in the Ford Puma or Nissan Juke. With the rear seats slid all the way back, there's 385 litres of available space in the boot, which we found was enough to take five carry-on suitcases. It's worth noting that some rival small SUVs offer more space, though.
Stick with the low trim levels to keep costs down, because the further up the range you go, the less financial sense the T-Cross makes. It should be a reliable choice, with the T-Cross finishing in seventh position out of 23 small SUVs in our 2024 Reliability Survey. And if anything does go wrong, you get a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty as standard, which is about typical for the class.
"I can imagine plenty of buyers being tempted by the 18in alloy wheels which are optional on some trim levels, but I think these make the ride overly firm. Instead, stick with the smaller 16in and 17in rims." – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
Read our in-depth Volkswagen T-Cross review
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What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Volkswagen T-Cross
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £178.61 Initial payment £2,143.32
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£2,388 total upfront (£2,143 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 24 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Ford Puma
Best buy: 1.0T EcoBoost MHEV ST DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 7.4 sec
MPG/range: 47.9 mpg
C02 emissions: 135 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 456 litres
Insurance group: 21E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Great fun to drive
- Remarkable blend of performance and fuel economy
- Big and cleverly designed boot
Weaknesses
- Rear space is adequate rather than outstanding
- Interior quality could be better
- There are more comfortable and quieter rivals
Best for: engaging drive
A former What Car? Car of the Year winner, the Ford Puma is the best small SUV to drive, offering the kind of nimble handling and bump-absorbing ride which means you'll want to thread it along a country road. Helping that feeling is the peppy yet frugal 1.0-litre petrol engine, which revs well and puts its power down smoothly.
The Puma is also a practical choice, with a big boot which can swallow six carry-on suitcases. That's one less than we managed to fit into the rival Skoda Kamiq and Volkswagen T-Roc, but still enough for the needs of most families. Likewise, while you're unlikely to hear many complaints from rear-seat passengers, it's worth noting that some rival small SUVs offer more knee-room. Where the Puma fights back is in its secret under-boot storage area, which can easily swallow your muddy boots or an extra bag – it also contains a plug so can be hosed down if things get a bit muddy.
You'll pay more to put a Puma on your driveway than you would for a Nissan Juke or Skoda Kamiq, but then again, that's partly because no trim is considered basic – even entry-level Titanium comes with luxuries including 17in alloy wheels, automatic climate control and a 12.8in digital driver's display.
While the Puma's disappointing 32nd-place finish in our latest Reliability Survey is cause for concern, it's good to know that all Pumas come with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty as standard, and that can be extended up to 100,000 miles and five years for an extra charge.
"Our favourite petrol engine isn't just punchy, it's also frugal thanks to mild hybrid technology. I found it could return 45mpg without trying too hard." – Oliver Young, Reviewer
Read our in-depth Ford Puma review
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RRP from: £27,145
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From £16,995
Leasing deals
From £285
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Ford Puma
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £284.67 Initial payment £3,416.04
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,661 total upfront (£3,416 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Dacia Duster
Best buy: 1.2 TCe MHEV Expression Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 9.4 sec
MPG/range: 52.3 mpg
C02 emissions: 123 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 517 litres
Insurance group: 24A
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Cheap to buy and run
- Spacious boot
- 4x4 version is very capable off road
Weaknesses
- Some rivals are better to drive
- Lots of hard plastics inside
- Entry-level model is sparsely equipped
Best for: value
The Dacia brand is synonymous with building cars for smaller budgets, so as you'd hope, the Dacia Duster is one of the cheapest small SUVs you can buy, comfortably undercutting most small SUV rivals. And don't think that means you don't get any kit, because even entry-level Expression cars come with cruise control, air conditioning and 17in alloy wheels. In fact, we don't think there's much reason to venture further up the trim ladder.
You can choose between mild hybrid and full hybrid power in the Duster, and it's the former which we recommend. This setup includes a punchy petrol engine which can hit 62mph in 9.4sec, so it's quite a bit faster than the rival Renault Captur in entry-level form.
Thanks to new underpinnings shared with the latest Dacia Sandero and Renault Clio, the latest Duster rides comfortably, and feels more settled over broken surfaces than the rival MG ZS. And while the best small SUVs, such as the Volkswagen T-Roc, ride and handle with more aplomb, the Duster can happily take the sting out of potholes and the like.
Where the Duster feels like it's been built to a price is inside, where you'll find plenty of hard surfaces and not much design flourish. Still, if you view your small SUV as being a family workhorse, this approach makes a lot of sense. You get a good view out of the Duster, thanks to a high driving position.
Dacia as a brand performed well in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, but in case something does go wrong, every Duster is covered for up to seven years or 75,000 miles if you get it serviced at an authorised dealer every year. That's better than the warranties you get from most rivals.
“Like some other Dacia car models, the Duster is available with a YouClip for clipping your phone or other items to the interior. I'd find it quite handy.” – George Hill, Used Car Writer
Read our in-depth Dacia Duster review
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New car deals
Best price from £21,345
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £21,345
RRP from: £21,845
Nearly new deals
From £19,490
Leasing deals
From £261
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Dacia Duster
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £260.62 Initial payment £3,127.44
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,372 total upfront (£3,127 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
And the small SUV to avoid...
KGM Tivoli
The Tivoli might seem tempting at first, because it's reasonably priced, well equipped and relatively roomy inside. However, it's poor to drive, its 1.5-litre petrol engine is thirsty, and its interior feels dated and cheap.
Read our review
How to choose the best small SUV
As the name suggests, small SUVs tend to combine the tough looks and elevated seating that are commonly associated with SUVs, with much more compact and manageable proportions. But at what point does an SUV stop being ‘small’?
Well, at What Car?, we consider an SUV that’s 4.4 metres long or shorter to be small. However, that still covers a huge variety of models: everything from the Mini Aceman, which is about the same size as a Volkswagen Polo, to the Skoda Karoq, which is almost a metre longer.
So, to help you decide which model is right for you, we’d suggest you ask yourself the following questions.
How small is too small?
A major reason for choosing an SUV – even a small one – is practicality. So, think about your lifestyle and how much space you really need.
Even the most compact of SUVs should have enough room in their boots for your groceries. However, if you need to carry around a pushchair or enough luggage for a family holiday, you’ll want to look at the larger models in this class.
Similarly, while all small SUVs can seat at least four people, only the bigger models will comfortably accommodate tall adults in their back seats.
What sort of roads will you mostly be driving on?
The smallest SUVs are often among the easiest cars of any sort to park, because they combine their dinky dimensions with short overhangs and good visibility.
That said, even bigger models in this class can be very easy to manoeuvre. For example, the Kia EV3 has a turning circle of just 10.4 metres, whereas a Polo requires 10.6 metres.
The downside of going for one of the smaller cars is that they tend to feel less settled at higher speeds. So, if you regularly drive out of town, bigger might be better.
How high do you want to sit?
Another major reason for choosing an SUV is because you like an elevated driving position. However, if this is something you value, it’s worth remembering that choosing one of the bigger small SUVs won’t automatically leave you sitting higher.
In a Skoda Kamiq you sit barely any higher than you do in a conventional family hatchback, whereas the Volkswagen T-Roc feels like a proper SUV from behind the wheel, despite actually being slightly shorter.
So, make sure you read the interior section of our reviews before deciding which small SUV to buy.
What sort of engine would suit you best?
Like most modern cars, small SUVs come in petrol, hybrid and fully electric forms, with each having their merits.
If you don’t cover a lot of miles, a petrol can still make a lot of sense because these are generally cheapest upfront.
With a hybrid it will take you quite a while before you’re quids in, but you will be able to run on electric power for short bursts around town – or quite a few miles if you go for a plug-in hybrid – while still having the reassurance of a petrol engine.
Or, if you can charge at home, you might want to consider going fully electric, given that you’ll be able to top-up cheaply overnight.
How important is safety to you?
There are plenty of small SUVs that have been awarded a five-star rating by the safety experts at Euro NCAP. However, if you want one of the cheapest models in the class, chances are you’re going to have to compromise in this area.
The Dacia Duster, for example, received only three stars out of five when it was tested in 2024, after scoring 70% for adult occupant protection and 57% for Safety Assist.
By comparison, the five-star rated Toyota C-HR (tested the same year) scored 85% and 79% respectively. But then, that car is quite a bit pricier, whether you’re buying outright or on PCP finance.
Should I buy a small SUV?
Buy one if:
- You prefer a high driving position
- You want low running costs
Don’t buy one if:
- Driving fun is your top priority
- You have a big family
FAQs
Which small SUV is the most fun to drive?
The best small SUV to drive is the Ford Puma, because it feels agile and composed through corners and has steering that gives you a far better sense of connection to the front wheels than you get in most rivals. Although it's out-classed as an all-rounder by the some of the other models within our top 10 list, the Puma remains a brilliant choice if driving enjoyment is your top priority.
Which small SUV has the most room?
The Skoda Karoq is the most practical small SUV on sale, offering plenty of space for five occupants and their luggage. With 521 litres of boot space – rising to 588 litres if you choose Skoda's VarioFlex seats, the Karoq has one of the largest boots in the small SUV class. In our tests, it managed to swallow an impressive nine carry-on suitcases.
What is the best secondhand small SUV in the UK?
We reckon the Ford Puma is the best used small SUV on sale, because it offers the same mix of practicality and driving fun as a new Puma, but looks much better value relative to rivals. And despite not costing the Earth to buy in the first place, used versions of the Puma represent fantastic value – indeed, used prices start from a tempting £10,000, though you'll need to budget closer to £12,500 if you want our preferred ST-Line models.
Which small SUV is the easiest to get in and out of?
Lots of buyers like small SUVs because you don't need to stoop down to get into them in the way that you do with a family hatchback. However, while most of the small SUVs in our top 10 score strongly in this respect, the Volkswagen T-Roc is notable for its wide doors and the fact that its generous rear leg room gives you lots of space to manoeuvre your legs in.
Which is the most reliable small SUV?
The Kia EV3 is the most reliable small SUV on sale, according to the real-world data collected in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, with a score of 100%. That means none of the models we were told about as part of the survey experienced any problems. The previous-generation Volkswagen T-Roc, and the Hyundai Kona, also scored very well.
At the other end of the scale, the 2019-present Nissan Juke was rated the least reliable small SUV by owners, with them reporting numerous electrical faults, as well as issues with the brakes, bodywork and steering; it scored 50%.
Which small SUV has the highest seating position?
One of the perceived benefits of buying a small SUV is the visibility you get from sitting high up. But while some make you feel like you're the King or Queen of the road, others disappoint in this area. The Range Rover Evoque offers a particularly lofty driving position, while the Skoda Kamiq places its driver barely any higher than a regular family hatchback would.
Top 10
Best small SUVs
News and advice
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