Compare the best small SUVs
High quality compact SUVs from rated and reviewed dealers
Best compact SUVs of 2022
Small SUVs are a good compromise, giving you some of the practicality and interior space of larger models, but with running costs and fuel economy that are at least a little closer to that of hatchbacks and saloons. Plus, they’re stylish. Here are our picks of the best small SUVs on sale in the UK right now…
1. Volvo XC40
Battery range up to 26 miles
carwow price from
£343* / month
(£31,833)
The XC40 is a bit of a masterclass in how to make a small SUV. It looks brilliant for a start, and the upright, square-edged styling cleverly makes it look bigger and more imposing than it really is. The cabin design is great, too, and it has a roomy boot. Fiddly infotainment though, and some cabin bits are cheap.
2. Volkswagen T-Cross
carwow price from
£222* / month
(£21,280)
We like the T-Cross because even though it’s a small SUV, it tries to look square and tall, like a ‘proper’ one. Plus, it’s based on the Polo, so you get a high-quality cabin and it’s not bad to drive, either. The boot’s a good size and the back seat is roomy for this class. The 1.0-litre 95hp engine is plenty powerful enough.
3. Peugeot 2008
carwow price from
£208* / month
(£20,995)
Peugeot is really acing it in design terms at the moment, and the 2008 is in the vanguard of that, with its scowling headlights, flat roof, and faceted wheel arches. Inside, it’s just as dramatic, with imitation carbon-fibre and that tiny hexagonal steering wheel. It’s good to drive too, especially the 155hp GT version, and the e-2008 electric car is a good choice, although a touch short-ranged.
4. Skoda Karoq
carwow price from
£224* / month
(£24,733)
Yes, the Karoq is a bit sensible-shoes, but you know what? Sometimes sensible shoes are just what you need. The Karoq is really well built, hugely spacious and versatile (the boot goes up to 588 litres), comfortable, and quite nice to drive. Default engine choice is possibly still the 2.0-litre diesel, but don’t discount the base 1.0-litre petrol.
5. Nissan Juke
carwow price from
£197* / month
(£18,607)
The current Juke picks up the jumbled-up styling of the original, but smooths everything out for a slightly more coherent look. It’s roomier than the old one too (although hardly what you’d call massive inside) and well-built. Only engine option for now is a 1.2 turbo petrol, but a hybrid’s on the way.
6. Skoda Kamiq
carwow price from
£176* / month
(£20,422)
The Karoq’s smaller brother is also resolutely sensible, with plenty of space in that big, boxy body and a very roomy 400-litre boot. It’s well-built, and pretty affordable too, plus the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine is all you’ll ever need. All it lacks is a sense of character.
7. Renault Captur
Battery range up to 28 miles
carwow price from
£231* / month
(£19,854)
The Captur is a really good looking car, taking the styling cues of the Clio hatchback and stretching them up and out. It’s roomy inside, with decent boot space and a reasonably high-quality cabin. The infotainment system is pretty awkward, though, and the hybrid version is quite pricey, so stick with the basic 1.0-litre TCE petrol.
8. Citroen C3 Aircross
carwow price from
£231* / month
(£18,871)
We really like that the Citroen C3 Aircross doesn’t try to conform to the current SUV template, in that it’s totally not sporty. Instead, Citroen has given it soft, squashy suspension, and equally soft and squashy seats, so it’s wonderfully comfortable on a long journey. It’s also roomy, and the 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine has both good poke and economy.
9. Volkswagen Taigo
carwow price from
£209* / month
(£22,375)
The Taigo is basically a coupe version of the T-Cross, which in some ways makes it kind of a slightly bigger Polo. It’s certainly stylish, and you could think of it as a BMW X4 for half-off. It’s a bit dull to drive, though, and quite expensive for what you get.
10. Hyundai Kona Electric
Battery range up to 301 miles
carwow price from
£333* / month
(£29,853)
A perfect example of how far Hyundai has come in the past decade, the Kona Electric mixes striking styling on the outside with some of the best electric car performance underneath. There’s a (realistic) 300-mile range on a charge, and it’s smooth to drive. The only problem is that the cabin feels a bit too cheap in places for a car costing nearly £30,000.
Browse all SUVs
Advice about small SUV cars
Compact SUVs FAQs
Other SUV cars