Introduction
Small SUVs and crossovers have become the default choice for a huge share of UK buyers, combining a raised driving position and genuine everyday practicality with running costs closer to a regular hatchback than a full-size SUV. Here are 10 of the strongest options currently on the market, with real boot space figures, power options and honest trade-offs for each.
Quick picks:
- Best to drive: Ford Puma, the UK's best-selling car in both 2023 and 2024, genuinely fun on a twisty road while staying practical day to day.
- Best boot space: Renault Captur, offering 536 litres, comfortably ahead of most rivals in this class.
- Best value: Dacia Duster, broad everyday appeal at a genuinely accessible price point.
- Best for the city: Jeep Avenger, the smallest car on this list and easiest to park, with a genuine EV option too.
Best Small SUVs and Crossovers at a Glance
| Car | Power options | Boot space | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Puma | Petrol, hybrid | 456 litres | Driving enjoyment |
| Renault Captur | Petrol, hybrid | 536 litres | Boot space |
| Nissan Juke | Petrol, hybrid | 422 litres | Distinctive styling |
| Peugeot 2008 | Petrol, electric | 434 litres | Interior design |
| Vauxhall Mokka | Petrol, electric | 350 litres | Value with EV option |
| Skoda Kamiq | Petrol | 400 litres | Practicality |
| Volkswagen T-Roc | Petrol | 445 litres | Standard equipment |
| Toyota Yaris Cross | Hybrid only | 397 litres | Running costs |
| Jeep Avenger | Petrol, electric | 355 litres | City driving |
| Dacia Duster | Petrol, hybrid | 430 litres | Value and towing |
1. Ford Puma
The UK's best-selling car in both 2023 and 2024, the Puma proves a small SUV doesn't have to sacrifice driving enjoyment for practicality. At just 4.18 metres long, it isn't dramatically bigger than the Fiesta it effectively replaced, simply taller, with the raised driving position and rugged stance so many buyers now want.
Why It Stands Out
- Genuinely engaging handling, among the best in this class to drive
- A strong 456 litre boot, second only to the Captur here
- Consistently the UK's top selling car overall, not just in its class
What to Know Before Buying
- The sportier ST version trades some ride comfort for outright pace
- Less distinctive styling than some rivals if you want a bolder look
- Rear seat space is adequate rather than class-leading
2. Renault Captur
The Captur takes a different approach to most rivals, prioritising genuine practicality over sporty handling or bold styling. The result is the most luggage-friendly small crossover on the market, with 536 litres of boot space comfortably ahead of anything else in this class.
Why It Stands Out
- The largest boot in the entire small SUV class at 536 litres
- A more comfort-focused ride than sportier rivals like the Puma
- A hybrid option available for buyers wanting lower running costs
What to Know Before Buying
- Handling feels more relaxed than genuinely engaging if driving enjoyment matters to you
- Interior quality trails the class leaders in outright perceived quality
- Less distinctive exterior styling than the Juke or 2008
3. Nissan Juke
The car that effectively created the small crossover segment when it launched in 2010, the Juke remains a genuinely strong choice today. A recent update brought a redesigned cabin, a larger infotainment screen and improved interior materials, while buyers can still choose between petrol and full hybrid power.
Why It Stands Out
- The most distinctive styling in the class, still turning heads years after launch
- A genuinely compact footprint, making town driving and parking straightforward
- The Juke Hybrid pairs strong performance with genuinely frugal running costs
What to Know Before Buying
- The infotainment system trails newer rivals in outright polish
- Larger alloy wheel options can noticeably harden the ride quality
- Now one of the older designs in this class, with stronger recent competition
4. Peugeot 2008
The 2008 shares its underpinnings with the smaller 208 hatchback but adds a redesigned body, a larger boot and more standard equipment to justify the step up. Striking looks make it hard to miss in a car park, and a fully electric e-2008 version is available for buyers wanting to go fully electric.
Why It Stands Out
- Genuinely eye-catching styling that stands apart from more conservative rivals
- A distinctive, driver-focused interior layout unlike anything else in this class
- A genuine electric option in the e-2008 alongside conventional petrol power
What to Know Before Buying
- The distinctive small steering wheel and raised dial layout takes some drivers longer to adjust to
- Sits at a slightly higher price point than some direct rivals
- Boot space is solid rather than class-leading at 434 litres
5. Vauxhall Mokka
Built on the same Stellantis platform as the Peugeot 2008, the Mokka has genuinely grown from a forgettable also-ran into one of the strongest cars in its class. Smooth turbocharged petrol engines are joined by a genuine electric option, the Mokka-E, without compromising on practicality.
Why It Stands Out
- A genuine electric option in the Mokka-E alongside petrol power
- Distinctive, confident styling that's aged well since launch
- Competitive pricing relative to closely related rivals like the 2008
What to Know Before Buying
- Boot space trails several rivals at 350 litres
- Interior materials feel a step below the segment's premium options
- Rear seat space is tighter than class leaders for taller passengers
6. Skoda Kamiq
The Kamiq brings genuine Volkswagen Group build quality and practicality to the small SUV class, with a boot that beats several rivals including the Toyota Yaris Cross and Vauxhall Mokka.
Why It Stands Out
- Strong practicality, with a 400 litre boot ahead of several direct rivals
- Genuine Volkswagen Group build quality and solidity
- A more understated, less divisive design than the Juke or 2008
What to Know Before Buying
- Less distinctive styling if you want a car that stands out
- Fewer powertrain options than some rivals, with no hybrid or electric version
- Interior design feels more conservative than the segment's boldest options
7. Volkswagen T-Roc
The T-Roc pairs sharp styling with a genuinely well equipped standard specification, making it a strong choice for buyers who want a premium feel without stepping up to a larger, pricier SUV.
Why It Stands Out
- A genuinely strong level of standard equipment across the range
- Sharp, confident styling both inside and out
- Strong resale values reflecting the badge's premium positioning
What to Know Before Buying
- Rear seat space trails some rivals for taller passengers
- Alternatives in this class often cost meaningfully less for similar practicality
- Best suited to buyers prioritising style and kit over outright space
8. Toyota Yaris Cross
The Yaris Cross brings Toyota's genuinely efficient hybrid technology to a small SUV body, delivering some of the lowest running costs in this entire class without needing to go fully electric.
Why It Stands Out
- Exceptional hybrid efficiency, among the cheapest to run in this class
- Solid, genuinely well built interior with quality soft-touch materials
- Toyota's strong reliability reputation carried through to a newer model
What to Know Before Buying
- A plainer interior design than more visually striking rivals like the 2008
- Boot space sits in the middle of the class at 397 litres
- No non-hybrid petrol option if you specifically want one
9. Jeep Avenger
By far the smallest car on this list, the Avenger brings genuine Jeep character to a size that makes town driving and parking a doddle. Both petrol and fully electric versions are available, with the EV managing up to 248 miles of range.
Why It Stands Out
- The smallest, most city-friendly footprint in this class
- A genuine electric option with a competitive real-world range
- Distinctive, characterful design details that stand out from more generic rivals
What to Know Before Buying
- The smallest boot on this list, genuinely tight for larger loads
- Rear seat space is limited for adult passengers on longer journeys
- A firmer ride than some rivals, a trade-off for its agile, compact footprint
10. Dacia Duster
Regardless of budget, the Duster's broad, genuine everyday appeal has made it one of the most consistently recommended small SUVs on the market, also towing more than most rivals its size, with the 1.5 litre diesel managing up to 1,500kg.
Why It Stands Out
- Genuinely strong value relative to every rival on this list
- Real towing capability rare at this size and price point
- Broad, dependable everyday appeal without unnecessary complexity
What to Know Before Buying
- Interior materials reflect the value positioning, less plush than pricier rivals
- Fewer standard convenience features than some competitors include as default
- No fully electric version currently available if that's a genuine requirement
What's the Difference Between an SUV and a Crossover?
The terms are used almost interchangeably in the UK market, and in practice, most cars marketed as either one blur the line considerably. Strictly speaking, a crossover shares its underlying platform with a conventional hatchback, like the Puma sharing its basis with the Fiesta, while a true SUV is built on its own dedicated platform. In everyday buying terms though, the distinction rarely changes what actually matters, real boot space, practicality and running costs, which is exactly why this guide treats both terms as covering the same genuine category of car.
Do You Actually Need a Small SUV, or Would a Larger One Suit You Better?
If you regularly need to carry more than the boot figures covered here allow, or tow something heavier than the Duster's genuine limit, a larger SUV may suit you better. For a full breakdown of the biggest boots available in the larger SUV class, see our guide on the best SUVs for boot space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-selling small SUV in the UK?
The Ford Puma, currently the UK's best-selling car overall, not just within its class.
Which small SUV has the biggest boot?
The Renault Captur, offering 536 litres, ahead of every other car on this list.
Are small SUVs more expensive to insure than a hatchback?
Often slightly, reflecting the car's size and typical specification level, though the exact difference varies considerably by specific model and trim.
Can a small SUV tow a caravan or trailer?
Some can, though capability varies considerably. The Dacia Duster's diesel version offers genuinely strong towing capacity for its size and price, while several rivals aren't rated for meaningful towing at all.
Is a hybrid small SUV worth the extra cost over petrol?
Often yes if you cover higher mileage since the running cost savings can offset the higher purchase price over a few years of ownership, though it's worth calculating against your own typical mileage rather than assuming.
Conclusion
No single car tops this list outright. That's genuinely the point. The Puma wins on driving enjoyment, the Captur on boot space, the Duster on value, and the Avenger on sheer city-friendly size, four completely different priorities each best served by a different car. Working out which of those actually matters for your own daily driving, rather than chasing whichever model looks best in isolation, is the real decision behind this entire class. Get that part right, and almost any car on this list will serve you well for years.
Browse our full range of used small SUVs and crossovers at Car Planet, with clear documentation and honest condition reports on every vehicle we sell.
