Buying guides
10 best used small SUVs
Not all SUVs are big and bulky. Here are our 10 favourite small SUVs.
By Cazoo editorial team
If you like the commanding driving position and tough looks of an SUV but want a car that’s cost-effective and as easy to park as a hatchback, a small SUV could be just right for you.
There’s a wide variety of compact SUVs to choose from: some focus on comfort and practicality while others have a sportier appeal. Whether you’re looking for a great-value option or something more luxurious there’s something for just about everyone. Here are our top 10 used small SUVs.
1. Peugeot 2008
On the outside, the current Peugeot 2008 (sold new since 2019) is one of the most distinctive-looking small SUVs. The theme continues inside, with a futuristic dashboard that’s actually more user-friendly than it first appears. The interior has a premium feel, as well as ample room for four adults and a boot that’s among the biggest you’ll find in this type of car. You can choose from a range of very efficient engines or even the fully electric e-2008, which has a battery range of about 200 miles. They all feel great to drive and give a comfortable ride.
The older version of the 2008 (sold from 2013 to 2019) isn’t as spacious and doesn’t look as bold, but it’s still a good choice if you’re on a tighter budget.
2. Nissan Juke
There are good reasons the Nissan Juke is one of the UK’s most popular SUVs of any size. Its bold styling, efficient engines, generous equipment and easy driving experience hold huge appeal, even if the version sold new from 2010 to 2019 isn’t especially practical. The latest version of the Juke (pictured), sold new since 2019, is much more spacious, so it’s better as a family car. Its fresher styling and up-to-date tech give it a more modern feel, too.
The presence of a new Juke doesn’t mean you should ignore the older version. If you can live with its relatively limited space, it still stands out in a car park, is fun to drive and offers excellent value.
3. Skoda Karoq
The Skoda Karoq is the biggest car on this list, yet it’s actually slightly shorter than a Ford Focus. Despite its relatively modest size, the Karoq has a lot of interior space. There’s room for four large adults and it has the biggest boot you’ll find in this type of car. Luggage for your two-week family holiday should go in without a fuss, even if you don’t pack light.
And it’s great on the journey to that holiday – quiet and comfortable on the motorway and nippy in narrow village streets, although the more-powerful engine options are better if you regularly do long journeys. All models are very well equipped, good value for money and don’t cost much to run, either.
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4. Volkswagen T-Roc
If it’s sleek styling you’re after, consider the Volkswagen T-Roc: it shares many mechanical parts with the Skoda Karoq but the two look and feel very different. The T-Roc looks sportier on the outside and has more of a premium feel inside. It feels sportier to drive, too, though it’s no less comfortable. There’s even a high-performance T-Roc R model, which is faster than some sports cars.
Its sleek styling means the T-Roc isn’t as practical as the Karoq – larger passengers might find back-seat head and shoulder room a bit tight, and you’ll have to pack a bit more carefully for that two-week holiday, yet it’s still practical enough for families. The T-Roc costs a bit more than some other small SUVs, too, but you get lots of standard equipment for your money and an impressively high-quality interior.
5. Ford Puma
There’s a strong argument that the Ford Puma is, in fact, the best of the small SUVs.
Although it’s compact and easy to park, it has lots of qualities that make it a great family car, starting with a roomy and comfortable interior. Underneath the boot floor, there’s an extra storage space Ford calls Megabox. It provides a lot of extra room, particularly for carrying tall things. And it’s made from hard-wearing plastic that can be hosed clean (there’s a drain plug at the bottom), so it’s ideal for carrying dirty shoes and the like.You also get lots of standard features and, last but not least, the Puma is great fun to drive, feeling responsive and sporty whether you’re just getting from A to B or having fun on a curvy country road.
6. Seat Arona
The Seat Arona is a good example of the advantages of choosing a small SUV over a conventional hatchback. The Arona is considerably smaller than Seat’s mid-size Leon hatchback, yet it has a bigger boot and an interior that’s just as roomy. You also get the usual SUV benefit of a higher seating position that makes getting in and out of the car easier if you have mobility issues. Lifting children into the car is easier, too.
The Arona’s sporty styling is reflected in how it feels to drive. It’s not quite as much fun as the Ford Puma, but it feels light and responsive in a way that makes town driving easy and longer journeys enjoyable. It’s also excellent value for money while running costs for all models are low.
7. Mazda CX-3
You may not think of Mazda as a premium brand but the CX-3 genuinely feels like a premium product equal to an Audi or BMW. The interior in particular is a lovely piece of design that looks and feels like a cut above the rest. The controls and dashboard are all really easy to use, too, and high-spec models have things you’d normally find on much more expensive cars such as a head-up display.
If you’re looking for a family car, there are more practical options than the CX-3, but it has enough space to meet the needs of most single people and couples. It feels great to drive and is very fuel efficient, as well.
8. Honda HR-V
Sometimes space is your priority. If so, consider the Honda HR-V because it packs a lot of useable space into a relatively small package. Room for you and your passengers is equal to that of the Skoda Karoq, despite the HR-V being a couple of inches shorter. If you’re tall, the Honda is actually better because it has more headroom, especially in the back, even in models with a sunroof (they often reduce headroom significantly). Its boot is a bit smaller than the Karoq’s, but it’s still huge by small-SUV standards.
In typical Honda fashion, the HR-V is easy to drive, comfortable, well equipped and feels like it’ll last a long time. The ‘i-DTEC’ diesel engine is impressively powerful and quiet, and gives you an average fuel economy of 50mpg+, according to the official figures.
9. Citroen C3 Aircross
The Citroen C3 Aircross stands out from the crowd thanks to its chunky, rounded styling inside and out. It has loads of character, especially if you choose one of the many bold paint colours available. It has substance to match its style, comparing especially well against other small SUVs for comfort and practicality.
In particular, the C3 Aircross has lovely soft and supportive seats that you can really relax into during a long journey. There’s a lot of space inside and even tall passengers should have enough room in the back, which can’t be said of every car on this list. The boot is big enough for a folded pushchair and some bags full of shopping, and the interior has lots of useful storage spaces. The C3 Aircross is notably fuel-efficient and good value for money, too.
Read our Citroen C3 Aircross review
10. Hyundai Kona Electric
Given the popularity of small SUVs, it’s surprising that there are only a few electric cars among them. We mentioned the Peugeot e-2008 and that’s a great car, but the Hyundai Kona Electric is just as good, if not a better choice for some. It’s not as roomy as the Peugeot, but Kona Electric models with the top-grade 64kWh battery have a much longer range of up to 279 miles, according to official figures.
That means it’s easier to use if you do long journeys or don’t have regular access to charging points. The 39kWh models can go up to 179 miles – less than the Peugeot but still sufficient for many people’s needs. The Kona Electric’s also comfortable to ride in, very well equipped and just happens to look great as well.
There are lots of high-quality used SUVS to choose from at Cazoo. Simply use the search function to find one you love then buy or finance it online. You can choose to have it delivered to your door, or you can collect it from your nearest Cazoo Customer Centre.
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