Touch-screen infotainment and smartphone connectivity are today simply starting points for assessing tech available on the best small SUVs…
Automotive infotainment and audio systems are quickly evolving, and some of the latest and greatest tech is on display here in carsales’ Best Small SUV 2022. But that applies only to some of our contenders, while others miss out on what we’d consider to be basic features. That’s disappointing at this premium end of the market, where the investment runs as high as $40,000. So let’s call them out…
It’s pretty much a given that any new car available today will provide what’s now considered staples of infotainment such as Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and Apple/Android smartphone mirroring.
But at this more expensive end of the small SUV segment, some car-makers offer a lot more – while some others are a bit stingy with features.
Each of our 15 finalists for carsales’ Best Small SUV 2022 allows you to listen to the radio on the AM or FM bands, use phone apps though Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and talk hands-free or audio stream from your smartphone.
Naturally, there are centre touch-screen or steering wheel controls for the infotainment and audio system on each SUV here. All offer at least six audio speakers, too.
From that point, the brands represented here take different approaches to how much in-car technology they’ll offer you.
A small infotainment screen is more difficult and potentially less safe to use than a generously proportioned one.
Gone are the basic, mono centre info screens of about 10 years ago. You know the ones: the size of a postage stamp and controlled by buttons only…
All models on test – see our full list below – provide a TFT full-colour 7.0-inch touch-screen as a minimum, with most a lot bigger than that.
The Mazda CX-30 G25 Touring SP has an 8.8-inch screen, while bigger displays are found with the MG ZST Essence at 10.1-inch and the Hyundai Kona Highlander at 10.25-inch.
Outgunning them all, however, is the Haval Jolion Ultra that features a 12.3-inch screen.
A digital TFT colour instrument cluster is also standard on the Haval Jolion, Hyundai Kona, MG ZST and Toyota Yaris Cross, while the Mazda CX-30 has a partial TFT colour digital display in the centre part of its instrument cluster.
You can use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for navigation with all the SUVs on test, however, phone-based guidance needs a reliable cellular network signal and, depending on your phone plan, can ramp up your data costs.
An embedded sat-nav system can have its own problems (such as limited updates), but at least you’re not relying on data downloads to run it.
Embedded sat-nav is standard in all models on test except for the Haval Jolion and the Volkswagen T-Cross and T-Roc, although both VWs have native sat-nav as an option.
Traffic sign recognition is also included in the Haval, the two Mazda models, the MG and the two Toyotas. There’s also a live traffic update function on the Hyundai Kona and Venue, Kia Seltos and Stonic, Subaru XV and Toyota C-HR and Yaris Cross.
Digital radio is becoming a must-have feature across many vehicle segments, and among our 15 contenders all have it except the Haval, MG and Toyota C-HR. While earlier models lacked DAB+, Volkswagen introduced it as standard for the MY22 T-Cross and T-Roc.
At every turn, you’ll find at least one USB port for wired device charging or Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functions, but the Haval, Hyundai Kona and Volkswagen T-Cross also have a wireless charging pad for compatible phones.
If you want to fit a windscreen dashcam without wiring hassles, only the Haval and MG provide a USB port in close proximity to power it.
If you’re after premium audio, the ones to watch out for are the Jolion with its DTS system (albeit with only six speakers), the Kona with its eight-speaker Harman Kardon unit and high-grade systems in both the Mitsubishi ASX and Eclipse Cross – the former with nine speakers and the latter with 12, each including a subwoofer.
Every other model on test sticks with a basic six-speaker system.
The Yaris Cross is the only SUV in this group to have an embedded SIM to allow cellular connectivity features without requiring a phone linked to the vehicle.
You get three years of connectivity for free and the system allows SOS calls, either automatically in the case of a crash or manually activated by the driver, as well as tracking if your vehicle is stolen.
Using the myToyota app on a compatible smartphone, there’s a variety of functions such as locating your vehicle, setting guest user limits, odometer and fuel level readings, information on the previous 10 trips, and so on.
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: Technology