We line up 15 of the most popular small SUVs in Australia to find out which one is best
The small SUV has become the third most popular new vehicle type in Australia today – behind 4×4 utes and medium SUVs – as buyers migrate from traditional passenger cars to these higher-riding models. And when you include smaller ‘light’ SUVs – as carsales Best Small SUV does – compact SUVs outsell every other vehicle type Down Under. The fast-growing part of the market spans everything from traditional SUVs to hatchback-style crossovers that are a little less spacious but still practical, versatile, economical and easy to drive around town. Last year, we lined up 12 of the best small SUVs on the market for this mega-test, but as the competition heats up we’ve brought together 15 this time around. Only one of them deserves to be named carsales’ Best Small SUV 2022, so let’s hit the road to find out…
Welcome to carsales’ Best Small SUV 2022, where we’ve assembled the best of a very big crop of models in the thriving, hyper-competitive mainstream small and light SUV segments.
There are more than 40 different models competing in these categories, including 21 in the sub-$40,000 small SUV segment, 10 in the $40K-plus small SUV segment and 10 in the light SUVs class, as officially defined by VFACTS.
The relatively new light SUV category reflects just how fast the compact SUV market is growing and every car-maker wants a piece of the action, often with multiple models.
To narrow down the field, we’ve selected the principal players from across the spectrum. There are many similarities in vehicle footprint, features and price that we believe buyers either trading up to this group or trading down will give serious consideration.
Even so, a line has to be drawn somewhere. The 15 small SUVs on test here are the most popular in sales terms.
Those that didn’t make the cut are either in run-out due to a model changeover occurring soon – the Honda HR-V and Nissan QASHQAI, for example – or sell in low numbers, appealing to a small subset of buyers.
To make it as level a playing field as possible, we’ve put together the highest conventional-engined (non-hybrid or EV) specification for each model that has a manufacturer’s recommended list price of less than $40,000, before on-road costs are added.
Two models here, the Haval Jolion and MG ZST, are only listed with drive-away pricing, but they easily make the sub-$40K grade.
Most of the small SUVs on test are front-wheel drive, although a handful are all-wheel drive models that fit our criteria. The Subaru XV is also unique in only offering AWD.
There was a barrage of new arrivals to the category up to around 2020, and although not much new has arrived since, with a few notable exceptions these are all reasonably fresh models.
The Hyundai Venue and Kia Seltos were fresh off the boat in 2019, with a minor upgrade to Venue introduced last year. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross turned up in in 2018, but received a significant upgrade late 2020.
Meanwhile, the Hyundai Kona, Subaru XV and Toyota C-HR first arrived in 2017, but all three have recently been updated.
The Mazda CX-3 landed in 2015 and has had a few upgrades since, the most recent a minor one late last year.
The popular Mitsubishi ASX is the old-timer of the group, rolling onto shore for the first time here in 2010. Having said that, the ASX has had numerous overhauls over the past decade, the latest being a significant upgrade in 2019.
Our judging process
As with all our mega-tests, more than 100 individual elements are assessed to arrive at a tally for carsales’ Best Small SUV 2022, based on five key criteria.
These are: safety, technology, comfort and convenience, driving performance and ownership costs.
We’ve analysed more than 1300 individual feature and specification details for the 15 models on test, but the various supply chain problems and computer chip shortages that have hit the car industry in the past couple of years has meant that equipment levels can shift at any time.
So if you’re in the market for any of these vehicles, you should check at the time of purchase whether any specs have recently changed.
Safety
Vehicle safety has improved out of sight during these early years of the 21st century, as mandatory safety legislation has increased, as independent crash safety programs have gained more prominence, and as vehicle active safety computing power has become more sophisticated.
Every year it would seem that there are ever more sophisticated features that help either avoid a crash or minimise the harmful results should a collision occur. And these systems are becoming a must-have for most buyers in this segment.
However, there are far more differences in how safe these SUVs are than you may first think. Some small SUVs have led the way with the latest in safety innovation, while others have stalled.
More on small SUV safety here
Technology
Infotainment connectivity and a sophisticated audio offering is important in any vehicle segment today.
Spending up to $40,000 (plus ORCs) is a significant outlay for a new small SUV, so buyers rightly shouldn’t feel as if they’re missing out on the latest infotainment features just because they’ve invested in a compact car.
While none of the models on test may offer a high-end hi-fi system, for example, there’s still a lot more technology wedged into some than others offered here.
More on small SUV technology here
Comfort and convenience
Comfort and convenience features are important to entice buyers in any category, and especially those spending $40K on a small SUV.
All models in this mega-test are at, or near the top, of their respective range, and buyers want to know that the money spent is reflected in a high-grade specification and look.
As ever, some of the models in this contest offer a more cohesive blend of attractive features than others.
More on small SUV comfort and convenience features here
Driving performance
Car buyers come from many different walks of life and have many different expectations.
In this segment, few owners will expect their small SUV to be capable of lapping racetracks or climbing mountains.
But most buyers will want a well-rounded performance and ride/handling package to make the daily grind that much easier and provide a more rewarding vehicle to live with.
Some of the SUVs on test here are far more accomplished than others in this important category.
More on small SUV driving performance here
Ownership costs
We live in an age where rising costs are keenly felt by everyone.
Vehicle running costs can hit hard if you’re not prepared for it, while routine maintenance charges and depreciation are far more transparent so you can calculate with some assurance what you’ll be up for when it comes to these ownership factors.
How much a vehicle costs to service, how much it depreciates, how long a warranty it has – and if that warranty includes bonuses such as free roadside assistance – are all part of the value equation that buyers want to know.
What’s more, there are some big surprises among the small SUVs on test here that result in some models being a lot more expensive to own than others.
More on small SUV ownership costs here
Now it’s time to name our Best Small SUV for 2022.
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
Read the carsales Best Small SUV verdict here
Keyword: Best Small SUV 2022