Best small SUVs 2026

If you're in the market for a nimble car with an elevated driving position, you're spoilt for choice these days. With an ever-growing cavalcade of compact crossovers, there’s something for everyone. Here are the best of them.

You just can’t beat the price of this chunky little thing. The 'Stepway' badge denotes an SUV vibe - without it, the Sandero is a plain hatchback, like a Vauxhall Corsa or something. A nice interior, a Renault-based touchscreen, Apple CarPlay as standard, purposeful looks ... it’s so good, it's difficult to beat for the money without buying something used. Browse new and used Sandero Stepways on Autotrader.

Peugeot has really stepped up a gear in the last few years, especially when it comes to design. Its cars are stunning, inside and out, and the 2008 is no exception. Bold design, user-friendly controls, a fun driving experience, and an excellent range of petrol and diesel engines make it an outstanding choice. The fully electric e-2008 is the pick of the bunch. Browse new and used Peugeot 2008s on Autotrader.

Compact but spacious, chunky looks, great colours, and a plug-in hybrid among the powertrains, the X1 makes a brilliant family car. BMW’s infotainment system is easy to use, too - not always a given with modern touchscreens. It also happens to be the basis of the iX1, one of the best electric SUVs on sale. Check that out here. Browse new and used BMW X1s on Autotrader.

This one's getting on a bit now - it's been around since 2019, which in car years means the Puma is ready for its free bus pass. There are more "techy" choices these days, but the Puma is arguably yet to be surpassed as the best all-rounder in the small SUV class. Genuinely entertaining to drive, comfy, high-quality, good-looking and cheap to run, it's got everything - including an electric version, Ford Puma Gen-E.​Here's where you'll find our review of the Ford Puma.

Citroen C3 Aircross The Second recently arrived, improving on the first one in every way. That's to be expected, really, and it's the usual stuff - it's bigger than before, has more tech, is a little more comfy, and the looks are much bolder. What we didn't expect, though, was for Citroen to give it a seven-seat option. For a car effectively in the Vauxhall Corsa class, that's remarkable. Read our review of the Citroen C3 Aircross right here.

Skoda's smallest SUV is, pound-for-pound, arguably its best. A little bigger and more flexible than the average car in the class, it's one of only a few of these things that could work as regular family-of-four transport. The interior quality is outstanding, too; the Kamiq is head and shoulders above the related Volkswagen T-Cross in pretty much every way, which feels a bit backwards, somehow. But hey, who cares about brand perception, right? Browse new and used Skoda Kamiqs on Autotrader.

A Spanish spin on Volkswagen foundations, the all-new CUPRA Ravel offers a fun and characterful compact car. It has an attractive starting price with low running costs, although buyers tempted with extra performance will need to pay a noticeable premium. The Raval is also surprisingly roomy, with more boot space than the larger CUPRA Born and plenty of space in the back for everyday practicality. With its sporty look and funky interior, it’s a strong choice for those looking to switch to electric.​Read our CUPRA Raval review here.

The Jeep Avenger is a great looking, fun little SUV perfect for tight city environments. While its closely related to the Peugeot 2008 and the Vauxhall Mokka, the Avenger has its own distinct personality and comes with the choice of either petrol, hybrid, or electric powertrains to suit your needs and budget. Browse new and used Jeep Avengers on Autotrader.

The LBX offers Japanese luxury in a small, beautifully formed package. More refined and prestigious than the Toyota Yaris Cross that it shares parts with, the LBX has a sophisticated feel without the usual premium price tag. The hybrid engine should keep running costs down, and you can take your pick of some bold colour options including ‘Sonic Copper’. It's rose gold, basically. Browse new and used Lexus LBX models on Autotrader.

Following on the success of the electrified Renault 5, the Renault 4 E-Tech follows a similar formular and same retro-modern design but adds extra space and a bigger boot, offering a more practical SUV. Whilst it’s not the fastest car on the road, the E-Tech provides a smooth and consistent drive with enough range for everyday urban driving and those occasional weekend trips. Browse new and used Renault 4 E-Tech on Autotrader.