The Nissan Juke really kicked the small SUV craze off. Since then nearly all the car manufacturers offer something that’s both small and tall. If you’re not after a new one, SUVs make great 2nd hand cars. They’ve been around for a while now so there’s plenty on offer, all at good prices but if you are after a new one, keep reading.
Below we highlight five of the best small SUVs out there for specific needs. Oh, and the Nissan Juke doesn’t make the list…
The best all-round small SUV: Skoda Kamiq
What you’re looking at here is the best all-rounder. The Skoda Kamiq scores highly on all fronts and isn’t let down in any one area. The interior is full of soft-touch fabrics. The engines are perky and economical. Space inside is enough to worry much larger SUVs. Especially the boot, which is larger than a VW Golf’s. While pricing and finance packages are very reasonable too.
The best small SUV to drive: Ford Puma
This is the most fun to drive small SUV. Ford knows a thing or two about making small and fun cars and the Puma is truly the best small SUV to drive. The steering is communicative, the chassis engaging, and the engines are perky enough. Even the manual gearbox is an utter delight to operate. Best of all, it comes with a hot version, called the ST. It comes with 197hp and is an absolute riot.
The best small SUV for warranty: Hyundai Bayon
The Hyundai Bayon comes with a five-year warranty which is much better than the industry standard three. Why does this matter? Well obviously if you own it for more than three years you’re quids in. But it also shows how confident Hyundai is with its engineering. Broadly as a car, it’s a solid proposition with an interesting looking exterior but a slightly staid interior.
The best posh small SUV: Audi Q2
The Audi Q2’s interior is one of the best-built out there in the small SUV marketplace. There are loads of good old-fashioned buttons (rather than new fangled touchscreens) and they all feel solid and work with Germanic precision. It’s digital display is clear and easy to use, and the seats are uber comfy too. Space in the rear isn’t all that much to write home about, but it all feels reassuringly screwed together. Engines are economical, and the automatic gearbox is smooth like butter. Broadly the Q2 is the poshest and most grown-up feeling small SUV.
The best small SUV for dealership experience: Vauxhall Mokka
If you like the idea of buying an SUV from a brand with rock-solid dealership experience scores, a Vauxhall Mokka could suit your needs. The old model was a bit of a dud but this new one is greatly improved. The interior is smart (literally, with voice activation) and you can even have it with a diesel engine, which is a bit of a rarity these days.
