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Not all SUVs are big and bulky. Here are our 10 favourite small SUVs.
Updated: 14 July 2023
If you like the commanding driving position and tough looks of an SUV but want a car that’s cost-effective and as easy to park as a hatchback, a small SUV could be just right for you.
There’s a wide variety of compact SUVs to choose from: some focus on comfort and practicality while others have a sportier appeal. Whether you’re looking for a great-value option or something more luxurious there’s something for just about everyone. Here are our top 10 used small SUVs.
On the outside, the current Peugeot 2008 (sold new since 2019) is one of the most distinctive-looking small SUVs. The theme continues inside, with a futuristic dashboard that’s actually more user-friendly than it first appears. The interior has a premium feel, as well as ample room for four adults and a boot that’s among the biggest you’ll find in this type of car. You can choose from a range of very efficient engines or even the fully electric e-2008, which has a battery range of about 200 miles. They all feel great to drive and give a comfortable ride.
The older version of the 2008 (sold from 2013 to 2019) isn’t as spacious and doesn’t look as bold, but it’s still a good choice if you’re on a tighter budget.
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There are good reasons the Nissan Juke is one of the UK’s most popular SUVs of any size. Its bold styling, efficient engines, generous equipment and easy driving experience hold huge appeal, even if the version sold new from 2010 to 2019 isn’t especially practical. The latest version of the Juke (pictured), sold new since 2019, is much more spacious, so it’s better as a family car. Its fresher styling and up-to-date tech give it a more modern feel, too.
The presence of a new Juke doesn’t mean you should ignore the older version. If you can live with its relatively limited space, it still stands out in a car park, is fun to drive and offers excellent value.
The Skoda Karoq is the biggest car on this list, yet it’s actually slightly shorter than a Ford Focus. Despite its relatively modest size, the Karoq has a lot of interior space. There’s room for four large adults and it has the biggest boot you’ll find in this type of car. Luggage for your two-week family holiday should go in without a fuss, even if you don’t pack light.
And it’s great on the journey to that holiday – quiet and comfortable on the motorway and nippy in narrow village streets, although the more-powerful engine options are better if you regularly do long journeys. All models are very well equipped, good value for money and don’t cost much to run, either.
If it’s sleek styling you’re after, consider the Volkswagen T-Roc: it shares many mechanical parts with the Skoda Karoq but the two look and feel very different. The T-Roc looks sportier on the outside and has more of a premium feel inside. It feels sportier to drive, too, though it’s no less comfortable. There’s even a high-performance T-Roc R model, which is faster than some sports cars.
Its sleek styling means the T-Roc isn’t as practical as the Karoq – larger passengers might find back-seat head and shoulder room a bit tight, and you’ll have to pack a bit more carefully for that two-week holiday, yet it’s still practical enough for families. The T-Roc costs a bit more than some other small SUVs, too, but you get lots of standard equipment for your money and an impressively high-quality interior.
There’s a strong argument that the Ford Puma is, in fact, the best of the small SUVs.
Although it’s compact and easy to park, it has lots of qualities that make it a great family car, starting with a roomy and comfortable interior. Underneath the boot floor, there’s an extra storage space Ford calls Megabox. It provides a lot of extra room, particularly for carrying tall things. And it’s made from hard-wearing plastic that can be hosed clean (there’s a drain plug at the bottom), so it’s ideal for carrying dirty shoes and the like.
You also get lots of standard features and, last but not least, the Puma is great fun to drive, feeling responsive and sporty whether you’re just getting from A to B or having fun on a curvy country road.
The Seat Arona is a good example of the advantages of choosing a small SUV over a conventional hatchback. The Arona is considerably smaller than Seat’s mid-size Leon hatchback, yet it has a bigger boot and an interior that’s just as roomy. You also get the usual SUV benefit of a higher seating position that makes getting in and out of the car easier if you have mobility issues. Lifting children into the car is easier, too.
The Arona’s sporty styling is reflected in how it feels to drive. It’s not quite as much fun as the Ford Puma, but it feels light and responsive in a way that makes town driving easy and longer journeys enjoyable. It’s also excellent value for money while running costs for all models are low.
You get a lot of choice with the Renault Captur because it was one of the first small SUVs to be introduced. The first-generation model, sold new from 2013 to 2019, is an excellent choice, but the latest version (pictured) is better still. It’s taller, wider and longer, with even more space inside. It looks great and the interior has a high-quality feel, with appealing materials and supportive, comfortable seats that help make journeys more pleasant.
The Captur looks smart on the outside too, and there are lots of colour combinations including versions with a contrasting roof. With a range of engines to suit most needs, this is one for your list if you want a used small SUV that’s easy to drive, good value and offers more interior space than most.
If you thought a pure-electric SUV was out of your price range, it might be time to think again. The MG ZS EV not only costs less than many other electric cars, it also costs less than many small SUVs with a petrol or diesel engine.
The official battery range for the most cost-effective models is 163 miles, while the latest version is available with a range of up to 273 miles. The ZS EV is one of the larger used small SUVs, so it’s a practical choice. The amount of equipment included as standard – like rear parking sensors and a 360-degree parking camera – is impressive, too.
Still unconvinced? The ZS EV also comes with a seven-year warranty, something you could benefit from for several years to come.
If you’re looking for a small SUV with a premium feel and stand-out looks, the Volvo XC40 should be on your radar. It also has a high driving position that gives you a great view of the road, while its front seats are supportive and comfortable.
The XC40 is only slightly shorter than Volvo’s medium-size SUV, the XC60, so it feels spacious inside. You’ll find that its clever use of storage, like deep door bins, easily swallows up all the things that families take on long journeys.
Most functions are controlled from its large touchscreen, which looks good and makes for a clean, uncluttered interior. And a note about engines: there’s plenty of choice, although the fully electric XC40 Recharge, while quick, is also quite pricey.
Audi’s premium image means that the Audi Q2 costs more than some small SUVs but it gives you the kind of upmarket interior and smooth, quiet drive that you expect of the brand.
Sit in the driver’s seat and you’ll find a very comfortable, beautifully built car featuring seats with adjustable lumbar support included as standard. Audi’s infotainment system is also one of the best and easiest to use.
All of the switches and dials operate with a reassuring click, while the fabrics and plastics inside feel a cut above those in most rival cars. When it comes to quality, few used small SUVs can rival the Q2.
There are lots of great-value used SUVS to choose from at Cazoo. Simply use the search function to find one you love then buy or finance it online. You can choose to have it delivered to your door, or you can collect it from your nearest Cazoo Customer Centre.
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