Best Small SUV 2021
We dissect Australia’s top 12 small SUVs to name which one is bestDemand for small SUVs is running so hot in Australia that compact crossovers now account for more sales than all of the individual passenger car categories combined – including the traditionally dominant small hatchbacks and sedans. In fact, the small SUV sector has grown so quickly that a new sub-segment has been created – light SUVs – as all major car-makers bring a raft of new entrants into the space. There are now almost 30 active contenders – not including those from luxury brands – and with more new models being added almost every month, the time is right for us to assemble the leading players and put them to the test to name carsales’ Best Small SUV 2021.
Welcome to carsales’ Best Small SUV 2021 mega-test, where we take the best models in this fast-growing and hotly-contested light and small SUV segments to determine the ultimate new compact SUV available today.
Sales are booming and new models are entering the category at a rapid rate of knots, which is fuelling ever-stronger demand and interest in the marketplace.
This has prompted Australia’s car industry to create separate ‘small’ and ‘light’ SUV classes, but we recognise that most buyers with a budget are looking at both of these segments as they plan to upgrade, downsize from a larger SUV or jump from traditional passenger cars, such as small hatches and sedans, into a small-but-practical higher-riding wagon.
As a result, we’ve homed in on the best of the mainstream small and light SUVs, which have plenty of similarities in size, features and price to fit the criteria for this one super-test.
For example, there is just 286mm between the shortest and longest SUVs represented here – barely the length of an adult-size shoe – and there are even less significant differences in width and height.
Best of all
Here we’ve gathered what we consider to be the models at the pinnacle of the light and small SUV classes. Taking the best example of each model priced under $40,000, we picked and pulled them apart by assessing them against more than 100 criteria split across five key area.
These included comfort and convenience features, technology, safety equipment, ownership costs and driving performance.
The pace of new vehicles arriving in this class is stunning, as is the willingness of existing players to refresh their products to remain competitive. Nothing has been left to go stale on the shelf for more than a few years before being upgraded with not only styling tweaks but substantial feature additions.
Among the most recent all-new arrivals are the Mazda CX-30, Ford Puma, Kia Stonic, MG ZST, Skoda Kamiq, Toyota Yaris Cross, Volkswagen T-Cross and Volkswagen T-Roc.
The Hyundai Kona and Toyota C-HR first arrived in 2017, but both have just received significant updates, while the popular Mazda CX-3 has been upgraded a couple of times since its 2015 launch, most recently earlier this year.
Similarly, the Nissan QASHQAI arrived in 2014 but has had several refreshes since, the latest just last year with safety and tech improvements.
With these SUVs pitted against their opponents across five key categories, there can only be one winner.
Comfort and convenience
A high level of comfort and convenience features is a must in any new car category now, and small SUVs are no different.
It’s significant in these SUVs on test because they’re not exactly cheap, with the cost of entry for all of them eclipsing $30,000.
All models here are at or near the top of their respective range, and buyers want to know the money they spend is reflected by a premium spec and look.
Some manufacturers have been able to successfully blend a solid package of attractive features more convincingly than others.
More on small SUV comfort and convenience here
Safety
There has been a big safety uptick in new models over the past 10 years in parallel with a significant tightening of mandatory safety legislation, combined with consumer demand and a vast improvement in vehicle electronics.
However, the march towards better, more sophisticated active and passive safety features has been fast-tracked even more recently.
Every year there are even more sophisticated features that help either avoid or minimise the effect of a crash and these sorts of features are becoming a must-have for most buyers in this segment.
Some small SUVs have kept up with the latest in safety innovation, while others lag behind.
Technology
The latest infotainment and multimedia systems are a must in any new vehicle segment, and small SUVs are no exception.
In fact, because many are young drivers and young families, buyers of small SUVs demand all of the latest connectivity options and, indeed, buyers of premium-spec models such as those on test here will not want to feel short-changed on the all-important infotainment front.
Some small SUVs are on the front foot with this, others not so much.
More on small SUV technology here
Driving performance
No-one really expects an SUV to be able to ride like a limousine and handle and perform like a race car, but it’s a fact that a well-rounded performance and ride/handling package make for a much easier and more rewarding vehicle to live with.
Some of the SUVs here are far more polished than others in this important category.
Ownership
The biggest hidden costs when buying a car can arrive after you’ve brought it home.
Happily, vehicle maintenance and depreciation costs are now far more transparent so you can calculate with some assurance what you’ll be up for when it comes to these costs.
How much a vehicle costs to service, how much it depreciates, how long its warranty is – and if that warranty includes bonuses such as free roadside assistance – are all part of the value equation for small SUV buyers.
More on Small SUV ownership costs here
Now let’s find out which model is the Best Small SUV 2021.
Best Small SUV 2021 contenders:
Ford Puma ST-Line V
Hyundai Kona 2.0 Highlander
Kia Stonic GT-Line
Mazda CX-3 2.0 Akari LE AWD
Mazda CX-30 G20 Astina FWD
MG ZST Essence
Nissan QASHQAI Ti
Skoda Kamiq 110TSI Monte Carlo
Toyota C-HR 1.2 Koba AWD
Toyota Yaris Cross 1.5 Urban AWD
Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Style
Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style
Read our Best Small SUV verdict here
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