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

9/10

Dacia

Duster

£9,730 – £18,630

A far better car than it needs to be at the price, and we love it for that.

9/10

Land Rover

Discovery Sport

£29,575 – £51,345

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

8/10

Volvo

XC40

£28,050 – £37,900

Volvo has made something nicely distinctive here. It'd be impressive even if they'd been practicing for years

8/10

Audi

Q5

£40,370 – £57,925

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

8/10

Subaru

Forester

£25,940 – £31,240

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

8/10

Mercedes-Benz

E Class All-Terrain

£64,445

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

Seat

Ateca

£21,660 – £35,090

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

8/10

Mazda

CX-3

£17,640 – £20,340

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

8/10

Mazda

CX-5

£25,335 – £36,625

The CX-5 is a cracking SUV that really will exceed your expectations. Well worth a look.

8/10

Peugeot

3008

£24,855 – £36,785

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

8/10

Skoda

Karoq

£21,720 – £33,650

The Karoq might have lost its predecessor’s personality, but on every other front it’s a better car than the one it replaces

8/10

Volvo

XC60

£37,750 – £60,800

A safe way to move a family around in style.

8/10

Hyundai

Tucson

£23,785 – £34,060

Spacious and stylish addition to the growing ranks of school run specials

8/10

BMW

X2

£30,460 – £38,880

Manages to serve up a zingy new style that hardly compromises its space or usefulness

8/10

Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

£30,620 – £50,165

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

8/10

Volkswagen

Tiguan

£24,320 – £40,620

The latest Tiguan feels solid, sensible and laser-guided at its target market

8/10

Jaguar

E-Pace

£28,815 – £48,060

Jaguar’s little crossover aims to storm a competitive set with F-Type-inspired looks inside and out, and an engaging drive

8/10

Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

£30,620 – £50,165

Land Rover plays with a winning formula just enough. The Evoque remains a stylish, accomplished choice

7/10

Hyundai

Santa Fe

£32,540 – £39,390

Has the makings of a great family car, if lacking a little excitement

7/10

Cadillac

XT4

$38,290

One of the more agreeable premium SUVs to spend time with

7/10

Renault

Kadjar

£20,335 – £29,735

Renault’s Qashqai rival is conveniently a rebodied… Qashqai. A fine appliance for family transport

7/10

BMW

X1

£27,950 – £36,710

By going transverse-engined the X1 has become technically less distinctive, but more useful in the real world

Small SUV Reviews

Top Gear’s guide to: Small SUVs

What you need to know

FWD option

Tough stuff

Seven seats

Efficiency

Nichetastic

Fashion