Compare the best SUVs with carwow
High quality SUVs from rated and reviewed dealers
Best SUVs 2021
Good SUVs really do it all. Not only do they tend to look a bit posher than their hatchback or saloon car equivalents, you get that classic raised driving position too. Then there’s the additional passenger and luggage space, and the fact that many come with four-wheel drive - which is always handy when the weather is grim. If you’re after a new SUV, here are some of our favourites currently on sale.
1. Volvo XC40
We think the Volvo XC40 is one of the best SUVs around. Its funky styling helps it to stand out, and there’s plenty of space inside for small families. There are economical plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions, and it’s comfy out on the road. Add in a load of safety tech, and this SUV is hard to beat.
Read our review
2. Skoda Kodiaq
The Skoda Kodiaq is an extremely versatile family SUV. You can have it with five or seven seats, so there’s plenty of room for bigger families. Its engines are smooth and economical, and build quality is good. There’s a new one just around the corner, too.
Read our review
3. BMW X3
The BMW X3 brings a healthy dose of premium appeal to the SUV class, and it’s surprisingly fun to drive too. There’s plenty of room in its plush cabin, and it has one of the best infotainment systems around. Optional extras can be a bit pricey.
Read our review
4. Skoda Karoq
The Skoda Karoq is about as family-friendly as SUVs come. It’s by no means a fun car to drive, but it’s comfortable, spacious and very well-made. It looks a bit bland, but if you’re after a box-ticker, it’s hard to go wrong with a Karoq.
Read our review
5. Audi Q5
The Q5 packs a typical amount of Audi tech and plush wow-factor into a practical, well-made family SUV. It’s impressively comfortable on the road, and hushed on longer motorway drives. A BMW X3 will be more fun to drive, however.
6. Volkswagen Tiguan
The latest Volkswagen Tiguan will slip into your life with incredible ease. Not only does it look good, it’s practical, easy to drive and decently comfortable too. It’s one of the more expensive ‘affordable’ family SUVs, though.
7. Ford Kuga
If you want a family SUV that’s both affordable and fun to drive, then take a look at the Ford Kuga. It comes with plenty of standard equipment and there’s decent passenger space, but its boot could be bigger.
8. Peugeot 3008
The Peugeot 3008 is an SUV with plenty of characterful style appeal and a spacious interior. It’s impressively comfortable to drive, and has one of the largest boots around. Its dashboard and control layout can be a bit baffling, mind.
9. Nissan Qashqai
The latest Nissan Qashqai keeps all the qualities that made the last one such a success, but adds a small dose of style and a more premium cabin. It’s well-equipped, more practical than ever and decent to drive, but doesn’t truly stand out in any area.
Read our review
10. Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson’s striking looks might not be to everyone’s tastes, but at least it stands out. And under the skin is a roomy, well-equipped SUV with a nice interior and frugal hybrid engine options. The ride can be a bit firm, however.
Best cheap SUVs
Great styling and great practicality all for a great price… Our experts have picked the best cheap SUVs.
1. Dacia Duster
The Dacia Duster is the best cheap SUV. It looks and feels basic, but that’s to be expected when you can have it for less than £10,000. It does looks like a proper SUV, though, has space for four adults and big boot. While not quick, the Dacia is cheap to run particularly if you go for the diesel model.
Read our review
2. SsangYong Tivoli
The SsangYong Tivoli lacks the Tonka-toy appeal of the Dacia Duster, but it’s still recommendable as a cheap SUV thanks to its decent interior space and long five-year warranty. It’ll even handle light off-roading if fitted with the optional four-wheel drive system.
Read our review
3. Fiat Panda
The Fiat Panda 4×4 looks quite expensive in this company, but it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a proper off-roader that doesn’t make you compromise in other areas. It’s cheap to run and has just enough space for four people with a few bags of shopping.
Read our review
4. Ford KA+ active
Okay, so the Ford Ka+ Active isn’t really an SUV – it’s just a small car with raised suspension and chunky bumpers. On the flipside, it’s cheap to run and its small size makes it perfect for town. It’s small inside, but should have space for four and two small suitcases
Read our review
5. Suzuki Jimny
Nothing else looks quite like the Suzuki Jimny, and not a lot will keep up with it off-road. On-road, though, it’s poor. Inside this cheap SUV is functional rather than fun. There’s swathes of hard, scratchy plastics might not look pretty, but will happily stand up to a harsh life.
Read our review
Best electric SUV
Electric SUVs combine the best of all words - great fun to drive, practical interiors and are emissions free. Bookmark this page and come back regularly as more electric SUVs come on sale.
1. Audi e-tron
Posh and practical, the Audi e-tron is a quick and spacious electric SUV. Packed full of high-tech kit, the interior looks like it’s been lifted out of a spaceship.
Read our review
2. Jaguar I-Pace
Consider the Jaguar I-pace if you’re after an electric SUV that’s packed with futuristic features, just be prepared for a high price tag.
Read our review
3. Kia e-Niro
There’s not much to choose between the Kia e-Niro and the Hyundai Kona EV. The e-Niro is slightly bigger, has a slightly longer range and is a bit more expensive.
Read our review
4. Mercedes EQC
The Mercedes EQC has stylish looks and is very comfortable to drive. You get the benefit of a good, high-up driving position and lots of high-tech features too.
Read our review
5. Kona Electric
The Hyundai Kona Electric is quick and has a long range. Its boot is smaller than the standard Kona but it’s still practical enough to be a usable family car.
Read our review
Best small SUVs
Sometimes called SUV-b cars, small SUVs have a go-anywhere image and a higher driving position that give them more appeal than a run-of-the-mill small car. The best small SUVs are practical, easy to drive with a great view out and come with reasonable running costs. Here are the 10 highest-rated SUVs...
1. Peugeot 2008
The Peugeot 2008 looks a bit like a Peugeot 208 that’s spent some quality time with a benchpress. It’s a small but butch SUV with a raised ride height, but still gets the 208’s superb cabin and tech. It’s a bit cramped in the back but looks way more stylish than the VW T-Cross.
Read our review
2. VW T-Cross
The Volkswagen T-Cross is a surprisingly spacious small SUV which comes with loads of standard equipment and a bright, responsive infotainment system.
Read our review
3. Skoda Karoq
The Skoda Karoq does pretty much everything you need a small SUV to do – it’s well made, very practical and has good space for passengers and luggage. You might not think it is the most exciting to look at, however.
Read our review
4, Hyundai Kona Electric
The Hyundai Kona Electric gives you a surprisingly good, electric-powered alternative to the other small SUVs here. OK, so the batteries eat into boot space and rear seat space will also be tight for tall adults, but you do get plenty of room up front and the Electric also feels nicer inside than a regular Kona. The best thing about the Kona Electric is its range though, you’ll go much further in a Kona than in any other comparable electric car.
Read our review
5. Audi Q2
The Audi Q2 just about has it all for a small SUV – a premium badge, a luxurious cabin, plenty of space, powerful engines and a relaxed driving experience. Equally, handsome looks dominated by its large upright grille and a contrasting patch behind the rear door help it stand out in a car park.
Read our review
6. Ford Puma
You sit lower down in the Puma than you do in other small SUVs, but if you can live with that then you’ll get a stylish, well equipped, and fun-to-drive SUV. Other cars here will have more room for back seat passengers but the Puma’s party trick is a particularly practical boot.
Read our review
7. Skoda Kamiq
The Skoda Kamiq ticks lots of small SUV boxes. It’s comfortable, practical and easy to drive. It’s quite spacious for this kind of car but it’s a bit of a shame you have to get the more expensive trim levels to get the biggest infotainment screen.
Read our review
8. Volkswagen T-Roc
The VW T-Roc is stylish, comfortable to drive and comes with a decent amount of standard kit. The interior quality isn’t quite what you’d hope, mind you, considering the T-Roc is a wee bit more expensive than some other small SUVs.
Read our review
9. Nissan Juke
The new Nissan Juke has grown up. Compared with the original it has sharpened looks and much better tech. It’s not as practical as the more humdrum looking SUVs mind you.
Read our review
10. Suzuki Vitara
If you prefer your small SUV to look like an actual off-roader and not some jacked-up hatchback on stilts check out the Suzuki Vitara. It’s a non-nonsense SUV that’s well equipped too. There are more posh SUVs on this list that come with much nicer interiors though.
Read our review
Best 7-seater SUVs
Seven-seaters SUVs used to be the preserve of parents bestowed with many children, but more and more people are buying them for the extra space they offer over regular five-seater models, as well as for the prestige that comes with that extra size.
1. Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is the best seven-seater SUV. It’s more luxurious than butch, yet its combination of abilities makes it a great choice for many purposes. It has an interior packed full of Audi’s latest technology including the swanky Virtual Cockpit digital driver’s display. The engines are smooth and impressively frugal when you consider the size of it. The Q7’s third row of seats is good enough for kids but adults will complain on longer journeys.
Read our review
2. Skoda Kodiaq
The Skoda Kodiaq has a much lower price than an Audi Q7 but matches it on 7-seat SUV ability in many areas, especially those that matter to families. The Kodiaq excels at swallowing passengers and luggage while the solid-built interior can withstand years of abuse. A further feather in the Kodiaq’s cap are the lively, yet frugal engines and the quick-shifting optional auto gearbox. The Kodiaq’s third row is not much bigger than in a Q7, so it will be alright for kids but slightly cramped for adults.
Read our review
3. Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 SUV is a nice halfway point between the sensible Kodiaq and the luxurious Q7. The XC90 has a posh interior with a great, minimalistic design, super comfy seats and huge space inside. It’s available as a hybrid, if you’re eco-conscious, and goes over bumps in impressive comfort. The XC90s third row is best reserved for kids – there’s very little legroom back there.
Read our review
4. Land Rover Discovery
The Land Rover Discovery is equally at home towering over other cars in congested city streets as it is blasting through fields and rough roads. The interior is spacious and well built, but avoid entry level models – they miss out on things like leather seats or sat nav. The Discovery engines, while not the most frugal here, are easily powerful enough to move this seven-seat SUV with ease. The Discovery’s third row is spacious enough for adults thanks to the boxy body so it’s the best SUV here for passengers.
Read our review
5. Kia Sorrento
The Kia Sorento might not have the tech-fest interior of the Audi Q7 or the off-road ability of the Land Rover Discovery, but what it does have is value in spades. For its price, the Sorento is a great seven-seater SUV. It has a solid interior, big boot, economical engines, even if they are a bit slow, and an easy-to-use infotainment system. The Sorento’s third row is more spacious than the Kodiaq’s but less so than the Discovery’s meaning you can fit two adults back there, but just for short trips.
Read our review
Best petrol SUVs
Choosing to drive an SUV doesn’t mean you have to settle for rumbly diesel engine. These are the best petrol SUVs available, with smooth engines that are better suited to town driving.
1. Peugeot 3008
The Peugeot 3008 is the best petrol SUV. It’s a sensible family car that manages not be dull. It looks great and it’s interior makes most other cars’ cabins look bland, yet it has space for four and their luggage. The 130hp 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine makes the 3008 nippy but also cheap to run.
Read our review
2. BMW X3
The BMW X3 gives you the best of both worlds – its SUV body gives you space for people and a pile of luggage, yet it’s just as good to drive as a normal BMW saloon. Best of all, the xDrive 20i petrol car has an impressive turn of speed but doesn’t cost a fortune to run.
Read our review
3. Skoda Karoq
The Skoda Karoq is hard to beat if you’re after a practical, well-priced SUV, it won the carwow Car of the Year Value Award. It’s well-built cabin is spacious and the back seats can be removed to carry big loads. The 1.5-litre 150ps petrol engine is cheap to run and reasonably quick.
Read our review
4. BMW X1
The BMW X1 might not look like a sporty BMW saloon, but it feels like one to drive and its SUV body gives you plenty of space and a great view out when driving. The X1 is available with a 1.5-litre petrol engine (in the 118i) which is cheap to run and reasonably nippy.
Read our review
5. Range Rover
The Range Rover is like a posh limo that has a practical boot and off-road ability that’ll humble most other SUVs. Choose the 5.0-litre petrol and it’ll have the measure of most sports cars on road too (on straights, anyway), but the running costs will be huge.
Read our review
Best diesel SUVs
You want a great SUV? You want your great SUV to have a diesel engine? Great... you've come to the right place. Our experts have pulled the best diesel SUVs on sale today.
1. Volvo XC40
Spec your Volvo XC40 with the D3 Diesel engine and you’ll get a smart SUV that should manage around 50mpg. It’s spacious and comfortable too and is particularly head-turning when you go for one of the two-tone paint schemes. The Volvo XC40 is the best diesel SUV.
Read our review
2. Skoda Kodiaq
The 150bhp, 2.0-litre diesel in the Skoda Kodiaq is quiet and you’ll likely get around 45mpg in everyday use. Overall, the Kodiaq is a spacious and practical SUV, and with this engine it will be fairly economical to run too.
Read our review
3. BMW X5
The BMW X5 30d is our favourite X5. It pulls hard from low revs and yet still has good fuel economy. Overall, the X5 is a comfortable SUV that’s fun to drive.
Read our review
4. Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is available with a choice of two 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel engines, with either 218 or 272hp. The 272hp model offers noticeably more performance with a negligible cost to fuel economy. In other words, the huge Audi Q7 will keep pace with a Golf GTI off the lights but, perplexingly, will also be cheaper to run.
Read our review
5. Skoda Karoq
Choose your Skoda Karoq with the 150bhp 2.0-litre diesel as it’s smoother than the 1.6-litre. Effortless performance too. Overall the Karoq is a spacious family SUV with a big boot.
Read our review
Fastest SUVs
These are the kind of cars you'll see at the Premiership training ground or cruising around Knightsbridge - the fastest SUVs on sale today.
1. Tesla Model X
The Tesla Model X P100D is the fastest-accelerating SUV on sale. It has a huge 100kWh battery, a colossal 772hp on tap and there’s even a Ludicrous driving mode, which all-told, is a pretty accurate description when it’s selected.
Read our review
2. Lamborghini Urus
All-wheel drive and 650hp helps propel the Lamborghini Urus to 62mph from a standstill in just 3.6sec, and it’ll carry on to 190mph. It sounds fantastic, too, and looks like no other SUV, but it’ll cost you a cool £165,000 to own one – and that’s before you get busy with the extensive options list.
Read our review
3. Porsche Cayenne
Opt for the Cayenne Turbo and you get a Porsche SUV that’s big on performance, well-built and spacious and is still really sporty to drive despite its size.
Read our review
4. Alfa-romeo Stelvio-Quadrifoglio
A £70,000 SUV can hardly be called a bargain, but next to the £150,000 Lamborghini Urus the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio still looks it. You get beautiful Italian styling and an engine co-developed by Ferrari. The Stelvio isn’t just great in a straight line – it’s one of the best-handling SUVs we’ve ever driven, and to prove it we put our money where our mouth is and awarded it our Driver’s Award at the 2018 carwow Car of the Year Awards.
Read our review
5. Mercedes GLC
The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S is eerily similar to the Alfa Romeo in terms of stats. It has same power from its V8 engine and the same 0-62mph sprint time, while opting for the optional Driver’s Package takes the top speed from 155 to 174mph. It lacks the Alfa’s handling finesse, but does offer a more luxurious cabin and a better infotainment system.
Read our review
Browse all SUVs
Check out other advice about SUVs
Frequently asked questions about SUVs
You can also discover the best PCP & car leasing deals with carwow
New cars
- Save and feel confident you’re getting the best deal
- Compare offers from top-rated dealers, local and national
- Buy anywhere, service at your local dealer
Car Leasing
- Mainland delivery to your front door anywhere in the UK
- Pay a set amount each month over a period of 2, 3 or 4 years
- UK manufacturer warranty and road tax for the contract length
Approved used cars
- Handpicked manufacturer-approved dealers
- Every car on carwow is mechanically checked with warranty
- No hassle, we keep your personal details private from dealer
Popular makes on carwow
Browse other car types
Save on average £2,900
On carwow you can easily compare the best new car offers from local dealers and national dealers. Compare by price, location, buyer reviews and availability. Experience car buying without any of the usual hassle and haggle!
*Offer available on Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce MY21 range ordered between 01/07/21 and 30/09/21 and registered by 31/12/21. 36 month term. Minimum 25% customer deposit required. Model shown is Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0 280hp Turbo Veloce with Metallic Misano blue paint at £700, which will increase the customer deposit to 26%. Alfa Romeo Deposit Contribution varies across the range and is only available in conjunction with Alfa Romeo Preferenza PCP. Optional final payment varies depending on version. With Alfa Romeo Preferenza PCP, you may return the vehicle instead of making the final payment. It must be in good condition and if you exceed the agreed annual mileage, you will be charged up to 12p per mile for exceeding 8,000 miles p.a. in these examples. Subject to status. Guarantees may be required. T&Cs apply. Participating retailers only. Alfa Romeo Financial Services, PO Box 4465. Slough, SL1 ORW.