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 49 results
Best in class
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

9/10
Dacia

Duster

£9,235 – £17,180

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

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
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
Audi

Q5

£33,355 – £57,045

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

8/10
Volvo

XC40

£27,350 – £39,500

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

8/10
Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

£30,620 – £48,520

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

8/10
Peugeot

3008

£23,260 – £35,490

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

8/10
BMW

X2

£29,780 – £38,120

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

8/10
Volkswagen

Tiguan

£23,225 – £39,400

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

8/10
Volvo

XC60

£37,200 – £59,700

A safe way to move a family around in style.

8/10
Seat

Ateca

£21,660 – £35,030

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
Jaguar

E-Pace

£28,360 – £49,305

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

8/10
Skoda

Karoq

£21,035 – £31,905

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
Mazda

CX-5

£23,835 – £32,910

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

8/10
Hyundai

Tucson

£23,585 – £34,060

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

7/10
Audi

A6 Allroad

£47,225 – £58,040

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
Toyota

C-HR

£21,620 – £30,340

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

7/10
Mercedes-Benz

GLA

£24,535 – £52,850

A likeable thing. Go for a higher powertrain and it makes most sense.

7/10
Honda

HR-V

£21,085 – £26,895

Not as good to drive as we hoped, but the interior design and space makes up for it. Solid effort