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Top 10 best small SUVs 2024

If you want the advantages of an SUV with the running costs of a family hatchback, our top 10 run-down explains which are the best small SUVs to buy

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The last decade or so has seen an explosion in the popularity of SUVs, with more and more buyers forgoing hatchbacks and saloons as their family cars of choice in favour of the practical and fashionable bodystyle. Small SUVs offer the same looks in a compact package that makes driving around town easier, with the benefit of a higher ride height that gives a good view of the road and helps iron out potholes.

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Cars such as the Nissan Juke pioneered the small-SUV craze, but since then, many more small SUV rivals have come along to make a name for themselves, such as the Hyundai Kona, Kia Niro and Renault Captur among others. Many of these come in a choice of petrol, hybrid and electric versions, making them more versatile than ever.

Top 10 best hybrid SUVs 2023Top 10 best hybrid SUVs 2024

Smaller SUVs and crossovers are often based closely on a supermini within the same range – the Renault Captur, for example, shares its platform with the Renault Clio. This helps to keep these cars relatively affordable, and often promises low running costs thanks to small, economical engines. Despite this, they're often just as spacious as a brand's family hatchback.

If you need something a little larger, we've also produced a guide for the best medium-sized SUVs, as well as a top 10 of the best SUVs across all classes and sizes. This last list in particular is well worth a look, as some of the best small SUVs manage to hold their own remarkably well, even when pitched against bigger models.

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Read on for our list of the top 10 best small SUVs.

Hyundai Kona review – a class-leading small SUV

Best Small Family Car: Hyundai Kona
Carbuyer rating

5 out of 5

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The Hyundai Kona is our favourite small SUV and won our award for Best Small Family car in the 2024 Carbuyer Awards. It’s a massive improvement over the old model, with the South Korean brand listening to feedback by increasing practicality. The latest Kona comes as either a petrol, hybrid or fully electric model, making it appeal to a wide range of buyers.

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Our favourite version of the Kona is the electric model, thanks to its low running costs and smooth motor, but if you can’t spring for that version, the 1.0-litre petrol model is still a great buy. It feels peppier than its on-paper numbers might suggest, and it’s the sweet spot in the petrol lineup. It even feels well-refined at motorway speeds and the standard six-speed manual feels slick to use – we think it’s even better than the automatic transmission in the 1.6-litre version.

What’s most apparent about the latest Kona is the improved interior over the last model. It feels airy, pleasant and well put-together, with lots of physical buttons rather than virtual ones hidden away in the car’s infotainment system. The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system itself is great to use, and even entry-level Advance cars come with useful kit like front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

Jeep Avenger review – a characterful and value-packed small SUV

Jeep Avenger petrol front 3/4
Carbuyer rating

4.2 out of 5

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Despite being based on the same underpinnings as electric cars from sister brands such as the Vauxhall Mokka and Peugeot E-2008, the Jeep Avenger stands out thanks to its competitive price, added off-road capability and generous tech offering. Although originally offered just as an EV, Jeep later decided to introduce hybrid and petrol versions, bringing down the Avenger’s price even further.

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We were really impressed with the original electric version, though – it feels great to drive, with enough power for most drivers, and felt comfortable and smooth to ride in as a passenger, too. Cheap running costs certainly add to the appeal, and the Avenger has a reasonable range of up to 248 miles to a charge, making it very usable for most drivers. In our time with the car in cold, wintry conditions, we achieved a respectable range of around 220 miles. We found the Avenger to be surprisingly roomy inside despite its small size, being capable of seating up to four adults in comfort, which can’t be said of some other rivals.

Kia Niro SUV review

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Carbuyer rating

4.3 out of 5

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The new Kia Niro is not only our favourite small SUV, but it was also our Car of the Year for 2023. With a design that’s much more striking than its understated predecessor, the new Niro is still available with self-charging hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully-electric powertrains, meaning there’s a model for you, no matter what stage you’re at on the transition to electric power. The Kia’s boxy shape means even adults can sit in the rear comfortably, plus the 451-litre boot should be sufficient for most family trips or pushchairs.

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If you can afford it, we recommend stepping up to the top-spec ‘4’ trim as this gets the same curved, dual-screen infotainment setup as the larger Kia Sportage. Regardless of what model you choose, standard equipment is strong, with LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, and a reversing camera fitted to all cars.

Renault Captur SUV review

2021 Renault Captur
Carbuyer rating

4.3 out of 5

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The latest model of the Renault Captur represents an upgrade from the previous one in almost every area. It’s slightly bigger, so space in the rear seats and in the boot is better than before, and the rear seats can slide fore and aft so you can prioritise room for feet or luggage. Between 422 and 536 litres of boot space is available.

The interior is now much plusher and tech-filled, with a hi-res 9.3-inch portrait touchscreen on top-spec cars and optional elsewhere. Adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning are standard, though. There’s a choice of five engines (three petrol and two hybrid), with between 89 and 153bhp, including a new E-Tech plug-in hybrid. A diesel capable of nearly 60mpg was available but the petrols or the hybrid will be best for drivers who do most of their driving in town.

Skoda Kamiq review - a practical, well-equipped small SUV

Skoda Kamiq facelift
Carbuyer rating

4.3 out of 5

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The Skoda Kamiq is the firm's third entry into the already packed SUV arena, and it could be their best yet. Featuring Skoda’s familiar design on a smaller scale, the Kamiq is a thoroughly modern, rugged-looking SUV. Beneath the sharp looks, it sits on the same platform as the Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia and Skoda Scala hatchbacks.

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Inside the Kamiq features a solidly constructed interior with simple-to-use controls and plenty of soft-touch materials. It also has a 400-litre boot and smart features like an ice scraper stored in the fuel filler cap. Two petrol engines are available, with a turbocharged 1.0-litre in either 94 or 113bhp power outputs, while a more powerful 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine uses cylinder-on-demand technology, helping to save fuel. Even as standard, the Kamiq is well equipped with a touchscreen, DAB radio, LED headlights, air con and three sets of ISOFIX points.

Ford Puma SUV review

Ford Puma SUV driving
Carbuyer rating

4.2 out of 5

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The Ford Puma has returned as a small SUV, with a style-led design like the original coupe but now with more space for families. Like the revered coupe, the Puma also boasts class-leading handling, so if you want your crossover to be a fun steer this is the one to choose. There's even a range-topping Puma ST model.

Its sharp chassis is complemented by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol with either 124 or 153bhp and, as well as peppy performance, both also offer impressive fuel economy of around 50mpg. This is partly thanks to clever mild-hybrid technology that stores energy as you drive to give the engine a helping hand in traffic and when accelerating. Ford hasn't ignored the interior, either, giving the Puma a sizeable 401-litre boot that's bigger than you'll find in the Ford Focus. Not only this, but a washable 80-litre storage box under the boot floor adds to its everyday practicality. Families can also be confident in the Puma's safety thanks to a five-star Euro NCAP rating, with a 94% score for adult occupant protection.

Citroën C3 Aircross review - the most comfortable small SUV?

Citroen C3 Aircross front quarter dynamic
Carbuyer rating

4.1 out of 5

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Citroen has mastered a comeback in the last few years, embracing the quirky design philosophy that made its classic models stand out and concentrating on comfort. So, not only does the Citroen C3 Aircross look unique, it’s also one of the most relaxing small SUVs to spend time in, with a smooth ride and soft, comfortable seats. Offered with advanced 1.2-litre petrol or 1.5-litre diesel turbocharged engines, it’s easy on the wallet, too, without sacrificing performance.

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Even the entry-level model gets Bluetooth, DAB radio and air-conditioning, but there are lots of options to upgrade with more desirable features, colour schemes and interior ‘ambiences’. It’s not a case of style over substance though, the C3 Aircross has a boot that can expand to 520 litres.

Peugeot 2008 review – more sophisticated than before

Peugeot 2008 facelift
Carbuyer rating

4.1 out of 5

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The Peugeot 2008 is a great small SUV and the most recent version has proved very popular among buyers. In 2023 it underwent a facelift, bringing a more upmarket look and Peugeot’s latest branding.

The interior is a standout feature of the latest 2008 – not only is the design futuristic, but it’s high quality too, with piano-key buttons, a 10-inch HD touchscreen and Peugeot’s impressive i-Cockpit dominating the dashboard. Interior space is also impressive, with good legroom and boot space. Equipment levels are good across all trim levels, but the 2008 does cost slightly more than other small SUVs like the Renault Captur. A 1.2-litre petrol engine is available in three power outputs (98bhp, 128bhp and a 136bhp model with mild-hybrid assistance). There’s also an electric model called the E-2008 with 154bhp.

All models are front-wheel drive but Peugeot’s ‘Advance Grip Control’ is offered to help in slippery conditions. The latest E-2008 comes with a 54kWh battery capable of a 252-mile range, compared to 214 miles on pre-facelift cars.

Volkswagen T-Cross review – a well-equipped small SUV

Volkswagen T-Cross 2024
Carbuyer rating

4.1 out of 5

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The Volkswagen T-Cross has a smart looking design, with some sleek detailing that makes it stand out. From any angle, it's easy to spot that it's from the VW range, with a wide front grille and black bodywork detailing providing contrast to the bright palette of paint colours. Inside, the T-Cross offers space for five adults, a modern eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system and smartly designed sliding rear seats to help create more luggage space when you need it.

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VW has prioritised comfort over sporty handling, but the T-Cross is still refined at speed, keeping its composure over rough road surfaces. Power comes from a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, with the 108bhp version providing enough punch for most buyers. You can also specify a T-Cross with a DSG automatic gearbox, which adds a premium to the price but could prove useful for commuters. The strongest all-round spec is the SE trim, which represents good value with an excellent level of standard kit - Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control amongst other things.

Toyota C-HR review - stylish and efficient, but lacks rear space

Toyota C-HR UK front dynamic
Carbuyer rating

3.8 out of 5

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The original Toyota C-HR was one of the boldest cars released by Toyota in quite some time, with a unique and quirky design that stood out in a car park. The latest model has built on this formula, introducing a better quality interior and improved refinement.

If efficiency is what you’re after in a small SUV, the C-HR delivers thanks to Toyota’s tried-and-tested hybrid system. This time around there’s the choice of a 1.8-litre or 2.0-litre engine paired with an electric motor in the self-charging hybrid models, or a plug-in hybrid version with the larger 2.0-litre petrol engine. We recommend sticking to the 1.8-litre self-charging version as we think it represents better value for money, and its official fuel economy figure of 58.9mpg is impressive enough for most buyers making short trips.

Admittedly, one of the C-HR’s biggest downsides is that it’s not particularly practical for a small SUV, but the interior is one of the most sophisticated and attractive made by the Japanese brand – it features high-quality materials and upmarket suede upholstery on higher-spec models, as well as a good balance of virtual and physical controls.

Top 10 best small SUVs 2024

  1. Hyundai Kona
  2. Jeep Avenger
  3. Kia Niro
  4. Renault Captur
  5. Skoda Kamiq
  6. Ford Puma
  7. Citroen C3 Aircross
  8. Peugeot 2008
  9. Volkswagen T-Cross
  10. Toyota C-HR
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Charlie writes and edits news, review and advice articles for Carbuyer, as well as publishing content to its social media platforms. He has also been a regular contributor to its sister titles Auto Express, DrivingElectric and evo. As well as being consumed by everything automotive, Charlie is a speaker of five languages and once lived in Chile, Siberia and the Czech Republic, returning to the UK to write about his life-long passion: cars.

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