When it comes to sales volumes, these small SUVs have become the engine rooms for their respective makers.
It isn't difficult to appreciate why. Compact SUVs provide a commanding view of the road ahead, only without the cumbersome footprint of full-size family SUVs from a class or two above. They’re also quite a bit less expensive and, in recent years, they've raised their game considerably when it comes to design and simple kerb appeal. Purists may disagree, but the best-selling cars chart doesn't lie.
Tending to exhibit car-like drivability, small SUVs are easy to live with but that bit of extra ride height means they’re happy enough trundling down rutted lanes (within reason). Hatchback-like mechanicals also keep running costs reasonable, and instead of locking differentials, you’ll find hybrid powertrains and one or two pure-electric options.
The best small SUVs
1. Range Rover Evoque
Pros Considerable kerb appeal, rolling refinement, some legitimate off-road ability
Cons High price, average powertrain efficiency, visibility isn’t great
Land Rover has seized the critical lead of the most important market segment in which it now plays with the second-generation Range Rover Evoque.
The car has adopted mild-hybrid engines and sits on a longer wheelbase than its predecessor for improved interior space without having grown significantly in any outward dimension. The Evoque derivative range has also recently gained an important plug-in hybrid model, the Evoque P300e, which squeezes into the UK's 12% benefit-in-kind company car tax band.
The Evoque has taken big leaps forward on mechanical refinement, interior space, luxury ambience and technological allure. While it isn't the most practical car of its kind, it's very competitive on that score, with plenty of room for adults in the second row - albeit behind a fairly high window line that restricts visibility a bit.
The D200 diesel engine is the best pick, providing strong drivability and better refinement than we're used to from Land Rover's four-cylinder diesels. The P300e model is also seriously impressive, with an exceptionally slick plug-in hybrid powertrain, strong electric range and engaging handling.
Having rather come of age as a Range Rover, the Evoque now represents as luxurious-feeling a car as it's possible to buy in this class and that will help justify what's a fairly high price to a great many buyers.
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2. Volvo XC40
Pros Wide range of engine options, interior ambience, blend of ride and handling
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Surely cars like the Qashqai, CX5, Q3, Tiguan, Tucson, Sportage etc are family size SUVs, not 'small' ones. Juke, T-Cross, Q2, Puma etc are the small ones.