Small SUV Reviews

Top Gear’s guide to: Small SUVs

Small SUVs cover a lot of the bases of the big’uns, but are smaller, more efficient and less obvious

What you need to know

FWD option

Unlike the big brother SUVs, small ones often have a front-wheel-drive-only option

Tough stuff

However, most small SUVs can still cope with a little light mud and off-roading

Seven seats

Do you really need a full-size SUV? Some of the little ones have a seven-seat version…

Efficiency

Smaller SUVs need smaller engines; they cost about the same to run as a traditional estate

Nichetastic

Small SUVs are sometimes called ‘crossovers’ or ‘softroaders’. Same thing in reality

Fashion

All the advantages of the big ones, without the slightly peeved looks from Prius drivers
Found 39 results
Best in class
9/10
Land Rover

Discovery Sport

£28,140 – £50,515

The best car in its class. New engine is so good, it earns it an extra point

8/10
Subaru

Forester

£25,940 – £31,940

Not as refined as a Freelander, but a hard-working, honest car that will never let you down

8/10
Porsche

Macan

£45,915 – £69,505

Sorry, Porsche purists: the Macan is another irritatingly good SUV.

8/10
Mercedes-Benz

E Class All-Terrain

£49,000

It’s not revolutionary, but in refocusing the dynamics to deliver a more relaxed driving experience, the All-Terrain is the most compelling E-Class estate out there.

8/10
Volvo

XC60

£32,880 – £41,440

A safe way to move a family around in style.

8/10
Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

£30,545 – £54,745

The Evoque is pretty much all we hoped it’d be, a crossover to fall for.

8/10
Mazda

CX-3

£17,640 – £24,940

Interior finish apart, the CX-3 is a winner. Straight to the top of the class.

8/10
Peugeot

3008

£22,280 – £33,480

Lots of crossover showroom appeal, and lives up to it out on the road.

8/10
Seat

Ateca

£18,125 – £31,005

A first-time entrant from Seat that feels like they’ve been practicing for years.

8/10
Audi

Q5

£32,380 – £53,145

The perfect evolution of the super-popular Q5. The same, just better. Spot on.

7/10
Audi

A6 Allroad

£47,225 – £57,045

The Audi A6 Allroad is possibly the most universal-use machine on the road today – drive this and then try to justify a Range Rover.

7/10
Fiat

500X

£15,175 – £26,395

Not the most utilitarian choice, but this is exactly what buyers want from a Fiat crossover.

7/10
Honda

CR-V

£22,920 – £36,525

Boringly average, but also perfect for school run mums.

7/10
Audi

Q2

£21,145 – £38,040

Not revolutionary, but Q2 is different enough to make you stand out in a crowd.

7/10
Mini

Countryman

£16,940 – £37,430

Biggest Mini yet is the least fun to drive. But new Countryman has practicality on its side.

7/10
Renault

Kadjar

£19,570 – £29,400

At least as good as the Qashqai, which makes it very good indeed.

7/10
Dacia

Duster

£9,240 – £18,180

The most well-timed new vehicle launch in recent years: deserves a look.

7/10
Audi

Q3

£26,095 – £37,345

It might look car-like, but it’s not car-like enough to drive. It’s competent, but doesn’t shine.

7/10
Toyota

C-HR

£20,810 – £29,940

The looks are polarising, but if you want it, you’ll really really want it.

7/10
Ford

Kuga

£21,640 – £34,040

The new Kuga is safer and roomier. We’ll miss the old one, though…

7/10
Hyundai

Santa Fe

£31,990 – £39,040

Vastly improved third-generation model – and the old one was good...

7/10
BMW

X3/X4

£34,590 – £46,590

The X3 is now genuinely competitive; the X4 is a racy take on it.