Clever packaging and generous equipment levels are crucial elements within the confines of a small SUV
Every model tested in carsales’ Best Small SUV 2022 is close to, or at, the top of its range, so you can rightly expect them all to be appointed with a high level of creature comforts. But this is also an area where car-makers have plenty of room to pick and choose just how much comfort and convenience they want to offer their customers. This comes back to equipment levels, as well as fundamentals such as interior space and design.
What you might think should be standard comfort and convenience features in a small, upper-spec SUV isn’t always what the manufacturer thinks.
Car-makers may well look closely at what competitors offer, but for one reason or another can’t – or simply won’t – always match their rivals feature-for-feature.
In fact, across the 15 finalists for carsales’ Best Small SUV 2022, there’s an incredibly broad spectrum of specification, from almost-sparse to lush.
The SUVs on this test – see our full list below – are the highest specification level of their respective range up to the $40,000 cap.
While there’s plenty of diversity in trim levels across this segment, from spartan to sporty, we’ve gone with private buyers’ preference for plenty of spec sizzle for up to a $40K spend.
All of the small SUVs here are five-seat, five-door wagons. Yet none offer what you’d call spacious rear seat accommodation for two, let alone three, lanky adults on a long trip.
Children in restraints will also soon fill up the available space in the back.
Luggage capacity with the rear seat up ranges from 264 litres in the Mazda CX-3, up to 455L in the Volkswagen T-Roc, with the Haval Jolion and Kia Seltos not far behind at 433L each.
The Volkswagen T-Cross can also swallow 455L, but that’s with its sliding rear seat in the forward position – with the seat slid back, the boot capacity is reduced to 385L.
It’ll cost $500-$900 extra for non-standard paint on each of our 15 contenders, except the Subaru XV 2.0i-S for which premium paint is a no-cost option.
For the Toyota C-HR Koba and Toyota Yaris Cross Urban, not only does optional paint cost $593, but there are also different colour roof options – which add a further $799.
While Kia charges $520 for premium paint on the Kia Seltos Sport+ and Kia Stonic GT-Line, on the latter there’s a free two-tone paint option. However, by ticking this on the purchase order you lose the GT-Line’s standard sunroof.
All have keyless entry and start, automatic headlights, auto high-beam and alloy wheels – either 17-inch or 18-inch – and a steel temporary or space-saver spare wheel.
All but the Hyundai Venue Elite, Kia Seltos Sport+ and the Toyota Yaris Cross Urban have equipment lists that include rain-sensing front wipers.
Roof rails are standard almost everywhere, but two brands are missing in action here – Mazda and Toyota. That means the Mazda CX-3 Akari LE and CX-30 Touring SP, and the Toyota C-HR Koba and Yaris Cross Urban, go without.
Rear privacy glass can help cut UV light and is good for keeping prying eyes from your belongings in the back, and all but the Kia Seltos Sport+, the two Mazdas, the MG ZST Essence and the two Volkswagens – T-Cross and T-Roc, both in Style trim – have this feature.
A sunroof doesn’t appeal to all buyers, but there’s no denying it’s a premium touch. All have this feature, except for the Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, the two Toyotas and two Volkswagens. (The Hyundai Kona Highlander and Kia Stonic GT-Line miss out on the glass roof if the buyer elects for optional two-tone paint.)
As you’d expect, all models on test have power-operated windows. But if you want one-touch functionality for all four windows (and not just the driver’s window), you’ll need to choose the Haval Jolion Ultra, Mazda CX-30, or either of the Toyota or Volkswagen models.
All have climate control air-conditioning with either one or two zones, except for the MG ZST, which has screen slide adjustment for what is effectively manual air-conditioning.
Only the Hyundai Venue, both Kias, the Toyota Yaris Cross and both Volkswagens have cloth seat upholstery. The remainder have either full synthetic leather – namely, the Haval Jolion and MG ZST – or the real deal. And in the case of the Mazda CX-3 Akari LE, it’s premium Nappa leather trim.
Heated front seats are standard for all but the Hyundai Venue, both Kias, the Mazda CX-30 and the two Volkswagens. The Hyundai Kona’s front seats not only get toasty but also have a cooling function, making it the only SUV to offer ventilated seats as standard.
Meanwhile, both the Hyundai Kona and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Exceed benefit from a heated steering wheel and heated outer rear seats, which is missing on the others.
Almost half of the models on test – the Hyundai Venue, the two Kias, Toyota C-HR and the two Volkswagens – miss out on power driver’s seat adjustment, while electric operation of the front passenger’s seat is only offered on two: the Hyundai Kona and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
Full steering wheel adjustment (rake and reach) is provided for all bar the two Chinese models – the Haval Jolion and the MG ZST, both of which offer steering height adjustment only.
Just under half the field here have a head-up display, with the Haval Jolion, Hyundai Kona, both Mazdas, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Toyota Yaris Cross offering this excellent feature.
Active cruise control can make a long freeway commute much more relaxing and all bar the Hyundai Venue, Kia Stonic and the Mitsubishi ASX Exceed have this feature as standard. These three do still have set-speed cruise control though.
Park assist is standard on only the two Volkswagens.
Only the Yaris Cross has the luggage loading convenience afforded by a hands-free, powered tailgate.
All have an auto-dimming interior rear-vision mirror. While all have power-fold side mirrors, they are also heated in all cases except for the MG and Mitsubishi. The left exterior mirror on the Subaru XV and two Volkswagens automatically dip down when in reverse.
All the 15 SUVs here offer keyless entry and start. If you want to start your SUV when out of the car though, only the Hyundai Kona offers this feature (via the key fob).
Best Small SUV 2022 contenders:Haval Jolion UltraHyundai Kona HighlanderHyundai Venue EliteKia Seltos Sport+ AWDKia Stonic GT-LineMazda CX-3 Akari LE AWDMazda CX-30 G25 Touring SP 2WDMG ZST EssenceMitsubishi ASX ExceedMitsubishi Eclipse Cross Exceed 2WDSubaru XV 2.0i-SToyota C-HR Koba AWDToyota Yaris Cross UrbanVolkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Style
Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style 2WD
Keyword: Best Small SUV 2022: Comfort and convenience