Best small SUVs 2024 and the one to avoid – tried and tested

Think Lexus only makes big, expensive cars? Well, think again, because the Lexus LBX is a small SUV with a comparatively small price tag. Yet despite this, there’s nothing cut price about how it looks, feels or drives.

The interior is the classiest you’ll find in any small SUV, even if it’s a little tight in the rear seats, and there’s plenty of equipment fitted as standard. The LBX is good to drive, too, with well-weighted steering and a grippy front end. And because it's a hybrid, it can run near-silently on electric power at low speeds.

Fuel economy is another strength, with the LBX officially capable of 65.7mpg. Plus, Lexus has topped our table of the most reliable car makers for the last seven years.

"Not only is the LBX’s interior beautifully screwed together, but it also features a more appealing mix of materials than any of its rivals. In our recommended Premium Plus model, for example, I like the squidgy leather which sits atop the dashboard." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Read our full Lexus LBX review

While all of the cars in our top 10 impress, it's the Volkswagen T-Roc that's the small SUV to choose if comfort is your top priority. What's more, this goes double if you specify your car in entry-level Life trim; this brings comparatively small 16in alloy wheels shod with high-profile tyres, which are ideal for absorbing lumps and bumps in the road surface.

You won't be left wanting for kit, either because Life trim still comes with automatic lights and wipers, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, adjustable lumbar support, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.

And the driving position is another strength, with the T-Roc sitting you higher than many rivals. Just bear in mind that its interior is nowhere near as plush as the LBX's, even though a mid-life refresh saw soft-touch materials added to the surfaces you touch most often.

"If it was me, I'd not only specify the T-Roc in the entry-level trim, but also with the cheapest engine, because this turbocharged 1.0-litre unit is surprisingly gutsy." – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

Read our full Volkswagen T-Roc review

The #3 is the second five-star electric SUV from the reborn Smart brand, and takes everything that we love about its Smart #1 sibling and packages it into more of a stylish package, blurring the line between SUV and coupé.

You can choose between two versions of the #3 – most models receive a single 268bhp electric motor which drives the rear wheels, resulting in nippy acceleration that'll get you up to motorway speeds faster than an entry-level Tesla Model Y. If you want more thrills, then the Brabus model adds a second electric motor, giving the #3 four-wheel drive and a heady 422bhp. The Smart's official range is up to 283 miles, depending on which version you choose, and we think that'll be enough for the needs of most families.

You sit lower to the ground in the #3 than you do in the #1, and whether you think that's a good thing or not will come down to how you prefer to sit, but there's no arguing with the Smart's impressive interior quality, because most surfaces are coated in soft-touch materials, and the switches and buttons feel nicely damped.

"For the times when I'm towing a trailer, the #3 is a good companion, because despite being a relatively small electric car, it can still tow up to 1600kg." – Dan Jones, Reviewer

Read our full Smart #3 review

The #1 is very different to the electric Smarts of old, which offered pitiful real-world ranges and felt completely out of their depth once you left the city limits behind.

Instead, the Smart #1 has a 62kWh battery that's good for an official range of up to 273 miles, depending on version. The standard model comes with 268bhp, which means you won't have any trouble getting up to motorway speeds, or you can opt for the hot Brabus version, which drops the 0-62mph sprint time to just 3.9sec – that's as fast as the Audi RS3 hot hatchback.

Inside, the #1 doesn't place you as high up as some rival small SUVs, but you can see out of it very well, thanks to upright and slender windscreen pillars. What's more, that interior has an upmarket yet modern feel that's reminiscent of a product made by Apple.

"The steering wheel of the #1 is the perfect size and thickness, plus I like the way its design is reminiscent of the one in the old Smart Roadster." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

Read our full Smart #1 review

If you want to get the most bang for your buck from a small SUV, then the Skoda Karoq should be near the top of your shortlist.

Not only is the Karoq keenly priced against rivals, but it also comes loaded with kit. Indeed, even entry-level models give you 17in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and automatic lights and wipers. And upgrading to our preferred SEL trim, with its larger wheels and more adjustable rear seats, won't cost much either.

Skoda's mid-range petrol engine, badged as the 1.5 TSI 150, is our pick of the range, because with 148bhp it never feels out of puff, yet it should still keep your running costs in check. As a bonus, the Karoq's ride is much more comfortable than that of the closely related Seat Ateca.

"One of the reasons why I'd recommend SEL trim is because it brings Varioflex rear seats that can slide and recline independently of one another, and even be removed entirely." – Dan Jones, Reviewer

Read our full Skoda Karoq review

If you want to feel like you're in a large SUV but still keep the dimensions of a small one, then the Range Rover Evoque could well be the car for you.

You sit higher than you would in most cars from the class above, meaning you have a great view over the traffic ahead. Plus, everything you touch feels suitably premium and built to stand up to the rigours of family life.

You can opt for plug-in hybrid power in the Evoque, or a traditional petrol or diesel engine – the latter being especially useful if you plan on towing a caravan. But whichever you choose, ride comfort impresses, and the Evoque can take you farther off the beaten track than the rival Audi Q3 and BMW X1.

"Leather might be associated with Range Rovers these days, but the original 1970 car actually had fabric upholstery, and the Evoque harks back to those days by giving you the option of plush wool seats." – Steve Huntingford, Editor

Read our full Range Rover Evoque review

The Volvo EX30 is the brand's first bespoke electric car, and one that's remarkably easy to drive, thanks to well-judged pedal responses that make for smooth and predictable acceleration and braking.

Volvo has also managed to strike a superb balance between ride comfort and handling; indeed, the EX30 is slightly better than the closely related Smart #1 in both areas.

You get more standard kit with the #1, though, plus it has a more user-friendly dashboard layout than the EX30 and a roomier interior. 

"Make sure you specify the optional 'flax decor' dashboard. I think it really lifts the EX30's interior." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Read our full Volvo EX30 review

While some electric SUVs are designed to look just like their petrol-engined counterparts, the Hyundai Kona Electric practically shouts about its green credentials. 

To go along with its space-age looks, the Kona Electric gets up to 215bhp, depending on which version you go for, and an official range of up to 319 miles. What's more, we found it to be a relaxing car to spend a long journey in, helped by soft suspension which takes the sting out of most road imperfections. Just bear in mind that there's a flip side: the Kona Electric isn't much fun to drive.

Lots of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel mean that most drivers should have no trouble finding their perfect setup. And your rear-seat passengers will have more room to stretch out than in the rival Jeep Avenger or Peugeot e-2008.

"While it's not up there with the plushest options in the small SUV class, I think the Kona Electric's interior is a nice place to be. Most of the materials you touch regularly feel like they'll stand up to the challenges of family life, and I like that all of the major controls fall close to hand." – Darren Moss, Deputy Digital Editor

Read our full Hyundai Kona Electric review

Thanks to agile handling and surprisingly nippy acceleration, the Ford Puma will put a bigger smile on your face than any rival; it's the best small SUV to drive. However, it’s also a car that you can buy with your sensible hat on, thanks to its excellent real-world fuel economy, which comes courtesy of clever mild hybrid technology.

The interior is mostly good, too, featuring an infotainment system that's easier to get along with than the one in the rival Nissan Juke. And the Puma's boot is amazingly practical, with an 80-litre storage box hidden beneath the floor – it even has a plug in the bottom so you can hose it out.

Rear seat space is only so-so, though, and Puma prices have risen significantly over the years, so it's not the bargain it was when we named it Car of the Year, back in 2020.

"Even the entry-level Ecoboost 125 engine delivers nippier acceleration than you get from most other small SUVs, but I'd go for the gutsier Ecoboost 155, because it doesn’t cost that much more and lets you really make the most of the Puma’s handling." – Doug Revolta, Head of Video

Read our full Ford Puma review

If you’re after something that’s stylish, comfortable and practical, the Volkswagen Taigo could be a great option for you, because it blends the space of an SUV with the svelte shape of a coupé.

True, it's not as fun to drive as some rivals, but that’s forgivable given its superb ride, generous rear passenger space and the fact that you get plenty of toys with evens the entry-level version. Indeed, our recommended Life models come with 16in alloy wheels, LED headlights and adaptive cruise control.

There are no hybrid or electric options, but the entry-level 1.0-litre TSI 95 petrol engine we recommend shouldn’t cost you a lot to run. Indeed, it should average more than 50mpg according to official figures. If you'd rather something faster, then the 1.5 TSI 150 can get you up to motorway speeds faster than the equivalent Ford Puma.

"I'd recommend sticking with the Taigo's manual gearbox over the automatic, because the latter can be rather slow to respond." – Dan Jones, Reviewer

Read our full Volkswagen Taigo review

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