Best SUVs 2025
High quality SUVs from rated and reviewed dealers
Best SUVs of 2025
The booming popularity of SUVs means there are now dozens to choose from in all shapes and sizes, making the prospect of picking the best SUV for you rather daunting.
The likes of the Kia Sportage and Dacia Bigster make for affordable family cars, the Skoda Kodiaq and BMW X7 offer seating for seven at extreme ends of the budget scale, and the Land Rover Defender will get you to the end of the road and then a little bit further still. You can also get SUVs with petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric power.
Modern SUVs are easy to live with, too. No longer the fuel-guzzling monsters of days gone by, the best SUVs are quiet, refined and good to drive. That said, they’re not perfect – being bigger and heavier than equivalent hatchbacks and saloons does mean they tend to be more expensive to buy and run.
That’s why Carwow’s expert reviews team has cut through the noise to bring you this list of the best SUVs on sale in the UK.
2026
Car of the Year Award
1. Chery Tiggo 8
Chery Tiggo 8 review
Best for: plug-in hybrid bargain
You’d be forgiven for not having heard of the Chery Tiggo 8, but we think it’s so good we named it the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year, where it beat more established models to the top spot.
Why? Well nothing else gives you quite so much bang for your buck as the Tiggo 8, and for families looking for a spacious car that won’t break the bank – yet one that doesn’t feel like you’ve made a compromise – it’s hard to look much further.
Let’s start with the price. This is a seven-seat SUV, yet it’s so much cheaper than most other seven-seaters that it’s tough to compare. And while it’s available with a pure-petrol engine if you’re really on a budget, the plug-in hybrid is the one to go for – you can get low-cost electrified motoring for £10,000 less than equivalent versions of the Peugeot 5008 and Kia Sorento. Even the top trim PHEV version of the Tiggo 8 costs less than the basic versions of those alternatives.
Interior quality is comparable, too, with posh materials and solid build quality. You also get a big infotainment display with a sharp display and quick-loading screens, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Navigating around some of the menus is a bit clunky, though.
More good news for families is the space on offer. The rear seats are spacious enough for lanky teenagers or babies in bulky child seats, while the third row is adequately roomy for kids. With seven seats in place the boot is tiny, but if you don’t need the extra chairs you can fold them down and have a boot that’s bigger than most families will ever need (even if it isn’t as capacious as the 5008 and Sorento boots).
The entry-level petrol engine is unrefined and uneconomical. The plug-in hybrid, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. You get 56 miles of electric range and that means that if you keep it regularly topped up then fuel costs will be low – we saw over 50mpg even on a long motorway journey of the sort that PHEVs usually struggle with.
You’d be forgiven for not having heard of the Chery Tiggo 8, but we think it’s so good we named it the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year, where it beat more established models to the top spot.
Why? Well nothing else gives you quite so much bang for your buck as the Tiggo 8, and for families looking for a spacious car that won’t break the bank – yet one that doesn’t feel like you’ve made a compromise – it’s hard to look much further.
Let’s start with the price. This is a seven-seat SUV, yet it’s so much cheaper than most other seven-seaters that it’s tough to compare. And while it’s available with a pure-petrol engine if you’re really on a budget, the plug-in hybrid is the one to go for – you can get low-cost electrified motoring for £10,000 less than equivalent versions of the Peugeot 5008 and Kia Sorento. Even the top trim PHEV version of the Tiggo 8 costs less than the basic versions of those alternatives.
Interior quality is comparable, too, with posh materials and solid build quality. You also get a big infotainment display with a sharp display and quick-loading screens, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Navigating around some of the menus is a bit clunky, though.
More good news for families is the space on offer. The rear seats are spacious enough for lanky teenagers or babies in bulky child seats, while the third row is adequately roomy for kids. With seven seats in place the boot is tiny, but if you don’t need the extra chairs you can fold them down and have a boot that’s bigger than most families will ever need (even if it isn’t as capacious as the 5008 and Sorento boots).
The entry-level petrol engine is unrefined and uneconomical. The plug-in hybrid, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. You get 56 miles of electric range and that means that if you keep it regularly topped up then fuel costs will be low – we saw over 50mpg even on a long motorway journey of the sort that PHEVs usually struggle with.
2. BMW X5
BMW X5 review
Battery range up to 45 miles
Best for: driving experience
BMW’s tagline is ‘the ultimate driving machine’ and nowhere is that clearer than in the BMW X5. Looking at this SUV’s sheer size, you might expect it to drive like a bus, but no matter whether you opt for one of the regular diesel or petrol engines, the plug-in hybrid or the firebreathing V8-powered X5 M, all feel like a sports saloon in the corners.
The X5’s combination of prowess on the road, surprising ability off-road and a hugely roomy and practical interior are all reasons we awarded it the ‘Adventurer’s Choice’ award in the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year awards.
As standard, the X5 is powered by a smooth six-cylinder diesel engine which provides all the power you could reasonably want with pretty good efficiency - you should see 40mpg if you’re gentle with your right foot. But the really impressive engine is the plug-in hybrid, which can go more than 60 miles on electricity alone but unlike some alternatives has a proper six-cylinder petrol engine to back it up, bringing great performance as well as a nice engine note.
The plug-in hybrid X5 is a five-seater but other engines get the option of a third row, adding extra flexibility - but all have a luxurious rear seat with loads of space. The front seats are even better thanks to the panoramic infotainment and instrument screens, which give a real cinematic effect to the dashboard - and everything’s built from sumptuously luxurious materials. You can even get cut-crystal effect switchgear, which just about straddles the border between cool and tacky and you’ll probably want to see on a showroom car before you commit.
The X5 isn’t cheap but you can see where your money’s going - if you’re looking to spend this much money on a family SUV, you won’t be disappointed. The closely-related BMW X7 is also a fantastic option, which doesn’t offer the X5’s plug-in hybrid engine but in return has seven seats as standard with room for a six-foot adult to stretch out.
BMW’s tagline is ‘the ultimate driving machine’ and nowhere is that clearer than in the BMW X5. Looking at this SUV’s sheer size, you might expect it to drive like a bus, but no matter whether you opt for one of the regular diesel or petrol engines, the plug-in hybrid or the firebreathing V8-powered X5 M, all feel like a sports saloon in the corners.
The X5’s combination of prowess on the road, surprising ability off-road and a hugely roomy and practical interior are all reasons we awarded it the ‘Adventurer’s Choice’ award in the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year awards.
As standard, the X5 is powered by a smooth six-cylinder diesel engine which provides all the power you could reasonably want with pretty good efficiency - you should see 40mpg if you’re gentle with your right foot. But the really impressive engine is the plug-in hybrid, which can go more than 60 miles on electricity alone but unlike some alternatives has a proper six-cylinder petrol engine to back it up, bringing great performance as well as a nice engine note.
The plug-in hybrid X5 is a five-seater but other engines get the option of a third row, adding extra flexibility - but all have a luxurious rear seat with loads of space. The front seats are even better thanks to the panoramic infotainment and instrument screens, which give a real cinematic effect to the dashboard - and everything’s built from sumptuously luxurious materials. You can even get cut-crystal effect switchgear, which just about straddles the border between cool and tacky and you’ll probably want to see on a showroom car before you commit.
The X5 isn’t cheap but you can see where your money’s going - if you’re looking to spend this much money on a family SUV, you won’t be disappointed. The closely-related BMW X7 is also a fantastic option, which doesn’t offer the X5’s plug-in hybrid engine but in return has seven seats as standard with room for a six-foot adult to stretch out.
Best for: a fun to drive EV
BMW’s new iX3 is a proper game-changer, an electric SUV that you can drive for a potential 500 miles on one charge — and that isn’t a total fantasy number, either. It’s based on BMW’s all-new and all-important ‘Neue Klasse’ electric car platform (the new electric 3 Series is going to use the same basic setup) and it gets ultra-efficient new batteries, plus a fast-charging setup that can cope with up to 400kW of DC power. It’s so advanced we awarded it ‘Tech Trailblazer’ in the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year awards.
It’s also one of the best-looking BMWs in recent years. Sure, it’s chunky (and it weighs 2.3-tonnes) but small grilles are back in (hurrah!) and the front end of the car uses LED light instead of bad-for-the-environment chrome trim.
If anything, the interior is even better. There’s a fabulous new instrument layout, which moves everything to a shallow but wide screen that runs the full width of the windscreen. BMW calls it the Panoramic View display, and it works brilliantly. It also means you don’t need to bother with the extra expense of a projected head-up display. The cabin is roomy, and the 520 litre boot is a decent size. There’s a handy ‘froot’ storage area in the nose too, but we’d like to see a bit more adjustability in the driving position.
All of this would count for naught if the iX3 wasn’t any good to drive, but thankfully it is. The clever computer systems (named the ‘Heart of Joy’ - no, really) juggle the electronic control systems so well that the iX3 feels natural to drive, and it has the steering response you expect from a proper BMW. It’s also proper BMW stiff in the suspension, but excellent damping keeps the worst of the bumps at bay. Even a spin on a race track didn’t show the iX3 up — not bad for a big, electric SUV.
That range isn’t an illusion either. We thrashed an iX3 for a solid day up and down mountain roads, along fast-flowing motorways, and through congested city streets, and at the end of a long day, it still said it could do another 250 miles. That’s serious electric practicality, delivered with traditional BMW style.
BMW’s new iX3 is a proper game-changer, an electric SUV that you can drive for a potential 500 miles on one charge — and that isn’t a total fantasy number, either. It’s based on BMW’s all-new and all-important ‘Neue Klasse’ electric car platform (the new electric 3 Series is going to use the same basic setup) and it gets ultra-efficient new batteries, plus a fast-charging setup that can cope with up to 400kW of DC power. It’s so advanced we awarded it ‘Tech Trailblazer’ in the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year awards.
It’s also one of the best-looking BMWs in recent years. Sure, it’s chunky (and it weighs 2.3-tonnes) but small grilles are back in (hurrah!) and the front end of the car uses LED light instead of bad-for-the-environment chrome trim.
If anything, the interior is even better. There’s a fabulous new instrument layout, which moves everything to a shallow but wide screen that runs the full width of the windscreen. BMW calls it the Panoramic View display, and it works brilliantly. It also means you don’t need to bother with the extra expense of a projected head-up display. The cabin is roomy, and the 520 litre boot is a decent size. There’s a handy ‘froot’ storage area in the nose too, but we’d like to see a bit more adjustability in the driving position.
All of this would count for naught if the iX3 wasn’t any good to drive, but thankfully it is. The clever computer systems (named the ‘Heart of Joy’ - no, really) juggle the electronic control systems so well that the iX3 feels natural to drive, and it has the steering response you expect from a proper BMW. It’s also proper BMW stiff in the suspension, but excellent damping keeps the worst of the bumps at bay. Even a spin on a race track didn’t show the iX3 up — not bad for a big, electric SUV.
That range isn’t an illusion either. We thrashed an iX3 for a solid day up and down mountain roads, along fast-flowing motorways, and through congested city streets, and at the end of a long day, it still said it could do another 250 miles. That’s serious electric practicality, delivered with traditional BMW style.
2026
Comfortable Cruiser Award
Winner
4. Hyundai Ioniq 9
Hyundai Ioniq 9 review
Battery range up to 385 miles
Best for: comfortable cruising
Hyundai’s big new seven seat electric car doesn’t do things normally. Unlike its cousin, the Kia EV9, which looks like a traditional, big SUV, the Ioniq 9 is tapered at either end, with a slightly odd blunt-faced look and a drooping rear. It’s not ugly, just a bit unusual...
It’ll go a little further than the Kia on one charge too, thanks to a slightly larger battery, but being so big, the Ioniq 9 struggles a bit with efficiency, so you’re going to be charging it up lots if you’re a big-miles driver. Still, big miles are kind of the Ioniq 9’s thing, as it’s incredibly comfortable and smooth to drive, although it’s a bit big for tight and twisty back roads.
The cabin is superb, with acres of space, and just about enough room for grown-ups in the third row. Overall quality is excellent too, aside from one or two oddly cheap-looking bits. The big screens are good to use, but the menus run too deep for them to be easy to navigate on the move. The little extra climate screen is hidden behind the steering wheel too, although thankfully Hyundai does still give you some proper physical buttons.
The boot is massive — 900 litres with the third row down — and it’s fast to charge up too. If you can handle the looks, it’s a great electric family choice.
Hyundai’s big new seven seat electric car doesn’t do things normally. Unlike its cousin, the Kia EV9, which looks like a traditional, big SUV, the Ioniq 9 is tapered at either end, with a slightly odd blunt-faced look and a drooping rear. It’s not ugly, just a bit unusual...
It’ll go a little further than the Kia on one charge too, thanks to a slightly larger battery, but being so big, the Ioniq 9 struggles a bit with efficiency, so you’re going to be charging it up lots if you’re a big-miles driver. Still, big miles are kind of the Ioniq 9’s thing, as it’s incredibly comfortable and smooth to drive, although it’s a bit big for tight and twisty back roads.
The cabin is superb, with acres of space, and just about enough room for grown-ups in the third row. Overall quality is excellent too, aside from one or two oddly cheap-looking bits. The big screens are good to use, but the menus run too deep for them to be easy to navigate on the move. The little extra climate screen is hidden behind the steering wheel too, although thankfully Hyundai does still give you some proper physical buttons.
The boot is massive — 900 litres with the third row down — and it’s fast to charge up too. If you can handle the looks, it’s a great electric family choice.
2026
Family Values Award
Winner
5. Citroen C5 Aircross
Citroen C5 Aircross review
Best for: family-sized value
The Citroen C5 Aircross is one of those cars that knows what it wants to do well and doesn’t bother trying to do much else. So it’s not at all fun to drive - with modest power outputs from its hybrid engine range, and steering set up to be light and easy round town rather than thrilling on a back road.
Citroen’s main focus instead has been on comfort. The C5 Aircross uses Citroen’s ‘Advanced Comfort’ suspension, which has hydraulic elements in it a bit like Citroens of old. It doesn’t quite provide the ‘magic carpet’ ride that those cars were known for, but it does absorb lumps and bumps in the road better than just about any other SUV short of a £70,000 air-sprung Mercedes. That’s improved upon further by the seats, which look flat but are amazingly comfortable and supportive especially on long journeys.
The C5 Aircross is also absolutely cracking value. The basic price is already very reasonable, being comparable with much smaller SUVs like the Volkswagen T-Cross - but with Carwow discounts, it can be compared to some small hatchbacks. Considering the C5 Aircross features a massive boot, roomy back seats and that commanding SUV driving position, it’s a very attractive offering and ideal if you have big SUV dreams but without a big SUV budget.
The Citroen C5 Aircross is one of those cars that knows what it wants to do well and doesn’t bother trying to do much else. So it’s not at all fun to drive - with modest power outputs from its hybrid engine range, and steering set up to be light and easy round town rather than thrilling on a back road.
Citroen’s main focus instead has been on comfort. The C5 Aircross uses Citroen’s ‘Advanced Comfort’ suspension, which has hydraulic elements in it a bit like Citroens of old. It doesn’t quite provide the ‘magic carpet’ ride that those cars were known for, but it does absorb lumps and bumps in the road better than just about any other SUV short of a £70,000 air-sprung Mercedes. That’s improved upon further by the seats, which look flat but are amazingly comfortable and supportive especially on long journeys.
The C5 Aircross is also absolutely cracking value. The basic price is already very reasonable, being comparable with much smaller SUVs like the Volkswagen T-Cross - but with Carwow discounts, it can be compared to some small hatchbacks. Considering the C5 Aircross features a massive boot, roomy back seats and that commanding SUV driving position, it’s a very attractive offering and ideal if you have big SUV dreams but without a big SUV budget.
Best for: sleek styling
Ten years old and still going strong, the Volvo XC90 was originally supposed to be replaced by the all-electric brand new EX90, but customers still love their petrol engines, so the XC90 has been given a small update and it’ll keep going till it’s well into its teenage years.
That’s not a bad thing — the XC90 has been continually updated and improved throughout its life, and you can feel that. It’s a really well-finished car, even if the cabin quality slips in one or two places. The new touchscreen is good to use (Google software helps) but the screen itself does look a bit tacked-on. There’s lots of space inside, so seven adults will just about fit, although the boot is a little small compared to more recently-designed cars.
There are some lovely Volvo-y touches though, such as a built-in pop-up booster cushion for kids in the back seat, and a little Swedish flag sewn into the edge of the front seat. The stereo is also utterly amazing, and can replicate the sound quality of the concert hall in Volvo’s home town of Gothenburg.
The mild-hybrid petrol version is pretty thirsty, so go for the plug-in hybrid, but make sure you plug it in lots, or your fuel bills will be big ‘uns. The PHEV is also fast, and the XC90 feels more enthusiastic through corners than you might expect, but it has a pretty firm ride quality, so it doesn’t like bumps very much.
Ten years old and still going strong, the Volvo XC90 was originally supposed to be replaced by the all-electric brand new EX90, but customers still love their petrol engines, so the XC90 has been given a small update and it’ll keep going till it’s well into its teenage years.
That’s not a bad thing — the XC90 has been continually updated and improved throughout its life, and you can feel that. It’s a really well-finished car, even if the cabin quality slips in one or two places. The new touchscreen is good to use (Google software helps) but the screen itself does look a bit tacked-on. There’s lots of space inside, so seven adults will just about fit, although the boot is a little small compared to more recently-designed cars.
There are some lovely Volvo-y touches though, such as a built-in pop-up booster cushion for kids in the back seat, and a little Swedish flag sewn into the edge of the front seat. The stereo is also utterly amazing, and can replicate the sound quality of the concert hall in Volvo’s home town of Gothenburg.
The mild-hybrid petrol version is pretty thirsty, so go for the plug-in hybrid, but make sure you plug it in lots, or your fuel bills will be big ‘uns. The PHEV is also fast, and the XC90 feels more enthusiastic through corners than you might expect, but it has a pretty firm ride quality, so it doesn’t like bumps very much.
2026
Adventurer's Choice Award
Highly Commended
7. Skoda Kodiaq
Skoda Kodiaq review
Best for: simple practicality
The Skoda Koadiq is somewhat old-school in some ways, not least because you can still buy one with a diesel engine (shock!). It’s also an old-school family car in that it’s basically a big box with lots of space and lots of seats. You can get seats for up to seven, but you’ll find that the extra seats in the boot are on the tight side and are really a kiddies-only zone.
Also, if you fancy the plug-in-hybrid — and you should because it’ll do 60 miles on electric power and isn’t too thirsty on a long run — you can’t have seven seats as the battery takes up all the space under the boot floor. Shame.
Ah well, at least that boot is massive either way, stretching to as much as 910 litres depending on the version, and there’s tonnes of space and legroom in the middle row. Up front, the dash design looks more interesting than that of the old Kodiaq, but the older model definitely felt more solidly built. On the upside, there’s loads of handy storage space, so your phone, keys, and wallet or purse will always find a happy home.
The Kodiaq is a bit dull to drive, but it’s mostly smooth and comfy. Just watch for some of the options, which can push the price up to a point where it all feels a bit much for a car with a Skoda badge.
The Skoda Koadiq is somewhat old-school in some ways, not least because you can still buy one with a diesel engine (shock!). It’s also an old-school family car in that it’s basically a big box with lots of space and lots of seats. You can get seats for up to seven, but you’ll find that the extra seats in the boot are on the tight side and are really a kiddies-only zone.
Also, if you fancy the plug-in-hybrid — and you should because it’ll do 60 miles on electric power and isn’t too thirsty on a long run — you can’t have seven seats as the battery takes up all the space under the boot floor. Shame.
Ah well, at least that boot is massive either way, stretching to as much as 910 litres depending on the version, and there’s tonnes of space and legroom in the middle row. Up front, the dash design looks more interesting than that of the old Kodiaq, but the older model definitely felt more solidly built. On the upside, there’s loads of handy storage space, so your phone, keys, and wallet or purse will always find a happy home.
The Kodiaq is a bit dull to drive, but it’s mostly smooth and comfy. Just watch for some of the options, which can push the price up to a point where it all feels a bit much for a car with a Skoda badge.
Sell your car for what it's really worth
The free, easy way to get 5,500+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car
Learn how to
sell your car
with Carwow
8. Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Santa Fe review
Best for: just about everything
The Hyundai Santa Fe isn’t just a good SUV - it’s an excellent one. That’s why we named it Carwow’s Car of the Year for our previous awards, in 2025. It's big, bold and hugely practical - if a bit dull to drive.
First impressions are always important and the Santa Fe doesn’t disappoint. Its big, blocky body has a real space-age feel about it - it definitely wouldn’t look out of place on the set of a Judge Dredd movie. Squared-off edges, cool H-shaped LED daytime running lights and chunky wheel designs all mean it stands out from the crowd.
It has seven seats as standard, with room in the third row for adults and, if you fold the rearmost seats down, a huge boot. Every occupant will be able to stay hydrated, too - there’s a grand total of 17 cupholders, plus plenty of other storage slots and charging solutions.
There are self-charging and plug-in hybrid engine options available, as well as optional four-wheel drive. It’s comfortable to drive, reasonably efficient for such a big SUV and manages to combine practicality with cool factor in a way nothing else does. The Hyundai Santa Fe is an absolutely cracking all-rounder, providing more utility and luxury than many SUVs that cost thousands of pounds more.
The Hyundai Santa Fe isn’t just a good SUV - it’s an excellent one. That’s why we named it Carwow’s Car of the Year for our previous awards, in 2025. It's big, bold and hugely practical - if a bit dull to drive.
First impressions are always important and the Santa Fe doesn’t disappoint. Its big, blocky body has a real space-age feel about it - it definitely wouldn’t look out of place on the set of a Judge Dredd movie. Squared-off edges, cool H-shaped LED daytime running lights and chunky wheel designs all mean it stands out from the crowd.
It has seven seats as standard, with room in the third row for adults and, if you fold the rearmost seats down, a huge boot. Every occupant will be able to stay hydrated, too - there’s a grand total of 17 cupholders, plus plenty of other storage slots and charging solutions.
There are self-charging and plug-in hybrid engine options available, as well as optional four-wheel drive. It’s comfortable to drive, reasonably efficient for such a big SUV and manages to combine practicality with cool factor in a way nothing else does. The Hyundai Santa Fe is an absolutely cracking all-rounder, providing more utility and luxury than many SUVs that cost thousands of pounds more.
Best for: luxurious interior design
Get past the way the BMW iX looks - after all, you can’t see it when you’re driving unless you’re paying attention to your reflection in shop windows - and you’ll find that it’s one of the best electric SUVs on sale.
The interior is a particular highlight. Feeling more like a curated art gallery than a dashboard, the iX is particularly striking in some of its lighter colour combinations, where you get swooping lines, two huge displays and even cut-crystal switchgear. The tech on offer is extensive but remains easy to use, and there’s even the option of a rotary dial instead of having to use the touchscreen for everything.
The iX drives brilliantly, too. Performance is remarkable - the basic model is pretty quick, but the xDrive60 and M70 models are blisteringly fast. Yet all can do more than 300 miles on a charge, while the xDrive60 returns an official 426 miles between top-ups - making it one of the longest-range electric cars on sale.
It’s also roomy, comfortable, and refined on a long journey. Yes, like the BMW X5 (above) it’s expensive, but you definitely get what you pay for with this SUV.
Get past the way the BMW iX looks - after all, you can’t see it when you’re driving unless you’re paying attention to your reflection in shop windows - and you’ll find that it’s one of the best electric SUVs on sale.
The interior is a particular highlight. Feeling more like a curated art gallery than a dashboard, the iX is particularly striking in some of its lighter colour combinations, where you get swooping lines, two huge displays and even cut-crystal switchgear. The tech on offer is extensive but remains easy to use, and there’s even the option of a rotary dial instead of having to use the touchscreen for everything.
The iX drives brilliantly, too. Performance is remarkable - the basic model is pretty quick, but the xDrive60 and M70 models are blisteringly fast. Yet all can do more than 300 miles on a charge, while the xDrive60 returns an official 426 miles between top-ups - making it one of the longest-range electric cars on sale.
It’s also roomy, comfortable, and refined on a long journey. Yes, like the BMW X5 (above) it’s expensive, but you definitely get what you pay for with this SUV.
10. Dacia Bigster
Dacia Bigster review
Best for: practicality on a budget
Bigger is better, right? Well the Dacia Bigster adds to the Dacia Duster’s charming mix of affordability and off-road ability with even more space inside and a tad more road presence on the outside.
Describe the Bigster to someone over the phone and they’ll probably think you’re talking about the Duster, but that’s no bad thing. You get Dacia’s new signature Y-shaped headlight design and grille that goes the width of the front end, while some extra bumper cladding differentiates the Bigster from its smaller counterpart.
A taller roofline, upright tailgate and longer rear end further mark out the Bigster from a distance, but the interior is much the same as you’ll find in a Duster. It’s easy on the eye, but you can tell there’s been some cost-cutting in the scratchy plastics.
At least the base model gets a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen and digital driver’s display as standard.
The Bister’s larger proportions mean there’s loads of space front and back - even more than in the Duster - and the boot is simply enormous.
It could be more comfortable around town though, and you can feel yourself getting jiggled about on bad roads. Motorways feel more composed, and the Bigster feels surprisingly fleet-footed on a twisty road.
Bigger is better, right? Well the Dacia Bigster adds to the Dacia Duster’s charming mix of affordability and off-road ability with even more space inside and a tad more road presence on the outside.
Describe the Bigster to someone over the phone and they’ll probably think you’re talking about the Duster, but that’s no bad thing. You get Dacia’s new signature Y-shaped headlight design and grille that goes the width of the front end, while some extra bumper cladding differentiates the Bigster from its smaller counterpart.
A taller roofline, upright tailgate and longer rear end further mark out the Bigster from a distance, but the interior is much the same as you’ll find in a Duster. It’s easy on the eye, but you can tell there’s been some cost-cutting in the scratchy plastics.
At least the base model gets a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen and digital driver’s display as standard.
The Bister’s larger proportions mean there’s loads of space front and back - even more than in the Duster - and the boot is simply enormous.
It could be more comfortable around town though, and you can feel yourself getting jiggled about on bad roads. Motorways feel more composed, and the Bigster feels surprisingly fleet-footed on a twisty road.
Factors to consider
Cost
Naturally, how much you have to spend will dictate what you can buy. There are always great deals on Carwow, so while you might think you’re limited to smaller cars, you might find your budget can stretch to something bigger or posher.
Space
Do you need seven seats? Do you need a big boot? Can you get away with something smaller that might be cheaper to buy and run? Every car offers something a little different, so think about what you really need and find the cars that fit the bill.
Engine
Electric SUVs can be a great option if you have a home charger, in which case you could consider plug-in hybrids, too. But if not, self-charging hybrids can be great if you spend a lot of time driving around town, while diesel still makes sense if you do huge mileage.
Advertisement
Browse all SUVs
Advice about SUV cars
SUVs by make
- Alfa Romeo SUVs
- Audi SUVs
- BMW SUVs
- Citroen SUVs
- Cupra SUVs
- Ford SUVs
- Honda SUVs
- Hyundai SUVs
- Jaguar SUVs
- Jeep SUVs
- Kia SUVs
- Land Rover SUVs
- Lexus SUVs
- Maserati SUVs
- Mazda SUVs
- Mercedes-Benz SUVs
- MG SUVs
- Nissan SUVs
- Peugeot SUV
- Porsche SUVs
- Renault SUVs
- SEAT SUVs
- Skoda SUVs
- Suzuki SUVs
- Toyota SUVs
- Vauxhall SUVs
- Volkswagen SUVs
- Volvo SUVs