The smallest SUVs
High-riding crossovers and SUVs are all the rage, but not everyone wants a large car. These are the smallest SUVs around
SUVs have become extremely popular cars in the UK. These high-riding hatchbacks, which typically feature boxy styling that mimics that of capable four-wheel-drive off-roaders, have struck a chord with drivers across the globe thanks to their practicality and diversity. SUVs are well-suited to shopping trips, school runs, and long-distance commutes.
It's easy to see why SUVs have proven so popular. They’re typically larger than traditional family hatchbacks, which - in theory - means more space for passengers and luggage. Their ride height is usually higher, too, which can mean a better view of the road ahead and potentially a more relaxing drive as a result.
The styling seems to appeal too, with boxier lines (and the reference to sport in the name) suggesting some amount of off-road ability. Most of the time, especially in the case of smaller SUVs, these cars aren't really built for venturing away from the road, doing without four-wheel drive and off-road hardware in a large number of cases.
But while it’s easy to see the appeal of more space and performance, not everyone wants to drive an enormous tank of a vehicle. This is why car manufacturers have tried to recreate the SUV effect with their smallest cars, often referred to as 'crossovers'.
Crossovers are still classed as SUVs and they follow the same sort of recipe, but they’re usually based on existing hatchbacks and typically offer lower prices and running costs than larger SUVs. If the SUV format sounds like your kind of thing but you don’t want to go overboard, these are the smallest relatively new SUVs available today.
1. Suzuki Jimny
Size 3,480mm long
Used deals Limited stock
The Suzuki Jimny is one of the few SUVs that fills all of the brief as a capable off-roader. The latest model has a substantial 210mm of ground clearance between its underside and the road, which means you can use it to cross rocky paths without scraping the bottom of the car. A low-range gearbox - meaning the ability to have super-short gears to help you cross tough terrain - and four-wheel drive help pull the Jimny up steep inclines, while hill descent control in the top-spec SZ5 versions will help you descend steep slopes with ease.
That said, the Jimny is far less suited to life on the road. The ride is generally quite uncomfortable compared with the most comfortable hatchbacks and at higher speeds, and the 1.5-litre engine is quite noisy. It doesn’t make up for this with a decent turn of speed either: 0-62mph takes 13 seconds.
Expect around 35mpg and even less for automatic models, but bags of off-road capability should you need it. If you're after a quirky-looking SUV, the Jimny is full of character.
2. Suzuki Ignis
Size 3,700mm long
Used deals from £6,495
Monthly finance from £130.56*
There’s a debate to be had about whether the Suzuki Ignis - a tall and boxy hatchback - counts as an SUV or not, but as there’s a four-wheel-drive variant, we’re counting it.
Four-wheel drive versions of the Ignis are referred to as 'Allgrip' models, with the feature included as part of the top-spec SZ5 trim. The additional traction is enough to help you get by on a muddy field (you can forget about proper off-roading here), though two-wheel-drive versions are more fuel-efficient and generally cheaper, too, so you’ll need to think hard about whether or not the 4x4 is worth it.
The tall body means there’s plenty of headroom in the Ignis, and the ability to slide the rear seats back in all but the entry-level SZ3 spec means you can create a fair amount of legroom too. You can get an Allgrip model on BuyaCar for as little as £6,495, but if you can make do without you’ll save at least a couple of grand.
3. Fiat Panda Cross
Size 3,705mm long
Used deals Limited stock
The Fiat Panda Cross is another high-riding hatchback that makes the most of a tall profile in order to give its drivers a spacious and roomy interior. Fiat says there are 14 different storage compartments dotted around the inside of the car, and adult passengers will find there’s more than enough space to sit comfortably. The 225-litre boot isn’t huge, but it’ll be plenty for your weekly visit to the supermarket.
Cross models give the Panda a tougher look than the regular car, and the four-wheel-drive system that comes with this is more sophisticated than what comes with the ‘4x4’ version of the standard car. This is so it can cope with sketchier terrain, and to that end, there’s additional protection for the underside of the car and tow hooks at the front.
There are other trims available with four-wheel drive, including the Panda 4x4 and Wild and Waze models, but the fundamentals of the off-road system remain unchanged. It's most commonly available with the 0.9-litre 'TwinAir' petrol engine which is a good pick.
4. Suzuki Swift Allgrip
Size 3,840mm long
Used deals from £6,000
Monthly finance from £127.32*
Another Suzuki? You bet. The Japanese company is prolific when it comes to offering four-wheel drive on its smallest cars, something that most other manufacturers don’t tend to do.
As with the Ignis, the 4x4 variant of the Swift is available on the SZ5 trim, which also adds ‘mild hybrid’ technology to boost fuel economy slightly, climate control, sat-nav, LED headlights, electric rear windows and adaptive cruise control into the mix. The interior of the Swift isn’t much to look at, but at least you’ll have all of the gadgets you could possibly want to make life easy on the move.
In our experience, the mild hybrid tech isn’t worth paying the extra for, as it only delivers a marginal improvement on the 45mpg that you’re likely to see in real-world driving conditions with a non-mild hybrid equivalent. However, the extra grip afforded by the four-wheel-drive system can give you peace of mind when it’s wet or snowy out. £10,000 is what you can expect to pay on BuyaCar for 2017 versions.
5. Kia Stonic
Size 4,140mm long
Used deals Limited stock
The Kia Stonic is a crossover based on the same platform as the Korean firm’s Rio supermini. However, the driver and passengers sit higher in the Stonic, giving a much better view of the road and more headroom throughout.
Beyond that and the car’s enlarged format, there’s not much to identify it as an SUV. There’s not a four-wheel-drive option, which means it’s no more suited to going off-road than any other car, but that's probably not much of a consideration for most crossover buyers. The 353-litre boot doesn’t come close to those of key rivals, such as the Citroen C3 Aircross, but it's not small.
That said, the amount of standard equipment - 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, roof rails and parking sensors are all included - is excellent, and Kia underpins its package with a seven-year warranty that protects against any mechanical mishaps in that time. The most popular engine has been the 1.0-litre petrol engine which is fairly quick and decently economical, especially in the newer '48V' mild hybrid form.
6. Seat Arona
Size 4,140mm long
Used deals Limited stock
The Seat Arona is a longer, taller version of the Ibiza supermini, with ground clearance increased to 190mm. This means there’s more space inside and that the boot (400 litres) is bigger, making it more suitable for families.
As Seat is owned by VW Group, it’s no surprise that the Arona feels very German in the way it drives: assured, balanced and predictable. There are three petrol engines and two diesels to choose from, with the smallest 1.0-litre petrol capable of hitting 57.6mpg on paper. The Arona is by no measure a fast car, but the 115hp version of the 1.0-litre petrol can do 0-62mph in under 10 seconds, and for a family car that’s enough. It feels perfectly nippy on the move.
The Arona also benefits from VW’s influence over the onboard technology. The eight-inch touchscreen media system found in SE Technology specification cars and above is very easy to operate, and it can be linked to your smartphone thanks to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. You could also consider the Skoda Karoq or Volkswagen T-Roc, which share many of their parts with the Arona.
7. Citroen C3 Aircross
Size 4,155mm long
Used deals from £6,995
Monthly finance from £150.82*
Most SUVs have a USP that helps them stand out from the crowd, and in the case of the Citroen C3 Aircross it’s ride comfort. The suspension is set up to absorb the worst bumps and ruts that British roads have to throw at it, so it should be relaxing to drive wherever you live.
Personalisation is also high on the agenda for this Citroen, with dozens of exterior design choices and five different interior design options. So if you’re looking for a used model you may have to filter out some of the zanier choices specced by previous owners, depending what you're after. You will at least benefit from decent equipment whichever C3 Aircross you choose, as Bluetooth connectivity, a digital radio and safety features like cruise control and lane departure warning are all standard.
The 1.5-litre diesel is economical but feels a little slow; we would go for the 1.2-litre petrol engine which feels a bit quicker and is almost as efficient in the real world.
8. Hyundai Kona
Size 4,165mm long
Used deals from £9,657
Monthly finance from £175.38*
The Hyundai Kona epitomises much of what has made the SUV such a trendsetter over the last few years. The design is bold (if not to everyone’s taste), the proportions translate into decent space and usability, and the amount of kit included on all versions means you won’t be left feeling short-changed.
Up to 52.3mpg from the most basic 1.0-litre petrol engine looks good on paper, although a fair few of the Kona’s rivals deliver better numbers in this respect. So running costs could be better, but at least Hyundai’s standard five-year warranty provides a financial safety net should anything go wrong with it. This includes five years of roadside assistance, which is a nice extra that will still have time to run on the oldest used cars.
Like the Stonic, it's available with petrol and mild hybrid petrol engines. There are even hybrids available, along with a pair of electric models capable of around 200 and 300 miles of range (according to official tests). That's if you don't fancy the Kona N, which uses a 280hp 2.0-litre petrol engine to get to 62mph in 5.5 seconds (that's seriously quick).
*Representative PCP finance - Ford Fiesta Titanium:
Monthly payments over 48 months: £192
Deposit: £0
Mileage allowance: 8,000 per year
Optional final payment to buy car: £2,923
Total amount payable to buy car: £11,926
Total cost of credit: £2,426
Amount borrowed: £9,500
APR: 9.9%
Buyacar is a credit broker, not a lender. Our rates start from 6.9% APR. The rate you are offered will depend on your individual circumstances.