There’s only one winner from the biggest field ever shortlisted for carsales’ Best Small SUV award
Small SUVs are among the most popular and fastest-growing new vehicle types in the Australian auto market and local consumers have never had more choice. From light-sized crossovers to roomier compact wagons, small SUVs are slowly taking over from traditional hatchbacks as the preferred urban runabout and versatile all-purpose vehicle. In the biggest field ever shortlisted for carsales’ Best Small SUV, 15 models are in the running – and only one of them emerges victorious…
Our preferred modes of transport are rapidly changing and small SUVs have fast become the vehicle of choice for Australians who need a compact and versatile wagon that’s a breeze to drive around town but also up for the challenge of a longer tour.
Although they’re more expensive than equivalent hatchbacks, their higher seating position, extra ground clearance, more flexible interior and – in many cases – more generous equipment levels make them the perfect fit for city, suburban and country dwellers alike.
The competition among car companies for your attention in this segment is intense, with many providing a variety of models to suit various lifestyles and life stages.
As such, there are a huge number of new arrivals to choose from and plenty of action among established players to keep their models up to date.
The Haval Jolion and Mazda CX-30 are among the most recent all-new models, arriving last year to join a pack of newcomers such as the Kia Stonic, MG ZST, Toyota Yaris Cross, Volkswagen T-Cross and Volkswagen T-Roc, all of which arrived in 2020.
Earlier waves brought the Hyundai Venue and Kia Seltos (2019), the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (2018) and a trio of excellent models that turned up in 2017 to really consolidate the genre – the Hyundai Kona, Subaru XV and Toyota C-HR.
Further back came the accomplished Mazda CX-3 (2015), while one of the most popular entrants feels like it’s been around forever – the Mitsubishi ASX – which was first sold new here on its current platform in 2010.
Updates have kept all these models fresh along the way, but just how well do they compete today against the all-new small SUVs that bring ever-higher levels of design sophistication and technology?
Will last year’s winner, the Hyundai Kona, maintain its position in this bigger and more competitive field?
No more questions. Let’s count them down to find the answer…
15. Mitsubishi ASX
The 2022 Mitsubishi ASX was thoroughly revised in 2019 and the Japanese brand has done an excellent job keeping its evergreen small SUV competitive across key areas.
The ASX scores highly with its infotainment and audio offerings plus it offers competitive cost-of-ownership features.
However, the ASX is now a very old model and that’s reflected in the low scores it achieved for safety and driving performance.
Advanced driver assist safety features are few and far between, and the ASX’s ANCAP rating dates back to 2014. The overall driving experience is not impressive among this short-listed group of finalists either, and the Mitsubishi is also relatively thirsty on fuel.
It still looks good and pricing is super-competitive, but there’s no escaping the ASX is an aged SUV in a market brimming with fresher, more well-rounded contenders.
How much does the 2022 Mitsubishi ASX Exceed cost?Price: $34,490 (plus on-road costs)Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrolOutput: 123kW/222NmTransmission: Continuously variable automaticFuel: 7.9L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 186g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2014)
14. Kia Stonic
The 2022 Kia Stonic GT-Line offers all the essential comfort and convenience features, is frugal on fuel and has a generous warranty – all for a reasonable price.
Where the Stonic falls down in this formidable field is in its relative driving performance and that it’s missing safety and technology features found elsewhere among our finalists.
Service pricing is on the expensive side in this group too. For those even travelling average distances each year, those service costs will also add up with the Stonic’s relatively short 10,000km distance intervals.
How much does the 2022 Kia Stonic GT-Line cost?Price: $30,490 (plus on-road costs)Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrolOutput: 74kW/172NmTransmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automaticFuel: 5.4L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 125g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)
13. MG ZST
The 2022 MG ZST looks like a value-laden small SUV as it’s not expensive and impresses with its high level of comfort and convenience features, active safety systems and technology.
It also has an attractive seven-year warranty.
Yet it’s a real mixed bag from there on. The MG’s four-star ANCAP rating is inferior among a bunch of five-star vehicles in this category, which is a real letdown in such an all-important area of assessment.
While the MG ZST has a comfortable low-speed ride, damping lacks control, steering lacks feel and suspension tends to crash over sharp bumps.
The MG is also one of the thirstiest models among our 15 contenders for Best Small SUV 2022, and service intervals are short at 10,000km.
How much does the 2022 MG ZST Essence cost?Price: $33,490 (drive-away)Engine: 1.3-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrolOutput: 115kW/230NmTransmission: Six-speed automaticFuel: 7.1L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 162g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Four-star (ANCAP 2017)
12. Hyundai Venue
As far as comfort and convenience features, technology, driving performance and ownership costs are concerned, the 2022 Hyundai Venue Elite is a well-rounded proposition, augmented by the lowest starting price among all our finalists on test here.
In other areas, however, there are contrasts in its abilities and specification that ultimately draw the Venue back in the field.
The Venue’s engine performance and economy is lacklustre, and while having the sizzle of a sunroof and safety of inter-urban autonomous emergency braking (AEB), there’s no active cruise control and the four-star ANCAP result is also not competitive here.
How much does the 2022 Hyundai Venue Elite cost?Price: $27,040 (plus on-road costs)Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrolOutput: 90kW/151NmTransmission: Six-speed automaticFuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 165g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Four-star (ANCAP 2019)
11. Haval Jolion
Arriving last year as yet another value-laden SUV from China, the 2022 Haval Jolion Ultra mounts a convincing case with its large stack of tech and safety features, high-grade comfort and convenience equipment and one of the largest interiors in its class.
Accordingly, the Jolion achieves high scores in these key areas of assessment, and also stands tall with its mostly attractive cost-of-ownership proposition – other than the highest loss in value here when it comes time to sell.
Holding the Jolion back is its less-than-cohesive powertrain – which also has the highest fuel consumption among our 15 finalists – and its lack of an independent crash safety score, which leaves a question mark over its occupant protection.
How much does the 2022 Haval Jolion Ultra cost?Price: $33,990 (drive-away)Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrolOutput: 110kW/220NmTransmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automaticFuel: 8.1L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 186g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested
10. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
For its extensive comfort and convenience features, the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross scores well in carsales’ 2022 Best Small SUV.
It also rates quite highly for its safety suite, strong level of tech features and, although it’s one of the most expensive to purchase in this group, relatively low cost of ownership.
All of that sets the Eclipse Cross up as a pretty good all-rounder, but it’s undone by an unimpressive driving performance.
The Eclipse Cross uses Mitsubishi’s old GS platform – first used for the 2006 Outlander – and in this company its lack of sophistication shows.
How much does the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Exceed 2WD cost?Price: $39,490 (plus on-road costs)Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrolOutput: 110kW/250NmTransmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automaticFuel: 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 165g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)
9. Kia Seltos
The 2022 Kia Seltos Sport+ impresses with its technology features and ownership costs, but its safety score doesn’t quite measure up against the better SUVs here.
Despite best-in-class power and torque outputs, this isn’t enough to make the Seltos a stellar driving proposition, in part because of the CVT auto’s lacklustre operation.
However, it’s the notable lack of comfort and convenience features that really brings the Seltos back in the field.
No sunroof, no leather seats, not even rain-sensing windscreen wipers or a power-adjustable driver’s seat in a small SUV costing close to $40K is not the makings of a class winner.
How much does the 2022 Kia Seltos Sport+ AWD cost?Price: $37,290 (plus on-road costs)Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrolOutput: 130kW/265NmTransmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automaticFuel: 7.6L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 175g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)
8. Subaru XV
The 2022 Subaru XV 2.0i-S achieves very good results for its comprehensive comfort and convenience features, standard safety systems and infotainment technology.
Despite having the equal best resale value in this group, the Subaru is otherwise not cheap to own compared to other SUVs here, reflected in its lower-than-average cost-of-ownership score.
As ever, Subaru’s boxer engine, with its low centre of gravity, and standard all-wheel drive are key selling points for the brand.
But as it turns out, the XV is not a particularly engaging vehicle to drive, being hamstrung by lacklustre engine response that’s not helped by an underwhelming (though undeniably efficient) continuously variable transmission.
How much does the 2022 Subaru XV 2.0i-S cost?Price: $37,290 (plus on-road costs)Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrolOutput: 115kW/196NmTransmission: Continuously variable automaticFuel: 7.0L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 159g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)
7. Volkswagen T-Roc
Our top contenders for carsales’ Best Small SUV 2022 are not strictly meant to appeal to driving enthusiasts, but it never does any harm if the model in question is fun to drive.
And in terms of driving performance, the 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style is a stand-out.
While the T-Roc is great to drive, its comfort and convenience features are somewhat lacking and its standard technology list looks sparse when you see what some of its competitors offer.
The T-Roc is also the most expensive here for servicing and tyre replacement costs, which knocks back its cost-of-ownership score.
How much does the 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style cost?Price: $35,500 (plus on-road costs)Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrolOutput: 110kW/250NmTransmission: Eight-speed automaticFuel: 6.2L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 142g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)
6. Mazda CX-3
What was the best of the small SUVs only a few years ago has been surpassed by newer offerings.
But the 2022 Mazda CX-3 Akari LE still scores highly for comfort and convenience features and ownership costs, while offering an excellent ride and handling balance.
That said, the CX-3’s engine doesn’t quite have the refinement or fuel-efficiency we’ve come to expect from the class leaders, and while its safety equipment list is long, the seven-year-old ANCAP safety rating is out of step with more recent results scored by fresher competition despite more stringent test protocols.
How much does the 2022 Mazda CX-3 Akari LE AWD cost?Price: $39,690 (plus on-road costs)Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrolOutput: 110kW/195NmTransmission: Six-speed automaticFuel: 6.7L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 151g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2015)
5. Volkswagen T-Cross
The 2022 Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Style has a polished ride and handling combination and rates highly for safety, giving it a mostly well-rounded list of attributes.
Although the efficient 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic work well together, the T-Cross needs a little more performance sparkle to truly stand out from the crowd.
What ultimately holds the T-Cross back in this super-competitive field, however, is its lack of comfort, convenience and tech features, and its expensive service costs.
How much does the 2022 Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Style cost?Price: $32,800 (plus on-road costs)Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrolOutput: 85kW/200NmTransmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automaticFuel: 5.4L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 123g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)
4. Toyota Yaris Cross
The 2022 Toyota Yaris Cross might not have all the bells and whistles found on some of its competitors – there’s no free roadside assistance, for example – but it still scores well across key areas such as ownership costs.
That’s because it’s cheap to service and has other advantages including a long powertrain warranty of up to seven years and strong retained value.
The Toyota is competitive on in-car technology too, receiving a relatively high score on that front, and its ANCAP safety rating is bang up-to-date with the latest testing protocols.
Its standard safety features are reasonably comprehensive, although an inter-urban autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system – rather than city-only – would improve its standing.
Its driving performance is ultimately not as well resolved as the class-leading small SUVs, which pegs the Yaris Cross back at this pointy end of the field.
How much does the 2022 Toyota Yaris Cross Urban cost?Price: $32,990 (plus on-road costs)Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrolOutput: 88kW/145NmTransmission: Continuously variable automaticFuel: 5.4L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 124g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2021)
3. Toyota C-HR
Despite not offering roadside assist with its factory warranty, the 2022 Toyota C-HR remains an excellent ownership proposition with its low servicing costs and equal-highest resale value among the 15 contenders for carsales’ Best Small SUV.
Safety and technology are also strong points of the C-HR Koba, with a well-balanced list of features that ensures a better-than-average standing across these important areas of assessment.
Yet the Toyota lacks some of the comfort and convenience gear you might expect, and as far as driving performance is concerned, the C-HR is quite some distance from the front of the pack.
How much does the 2022 Toyota C-HR Koba AWD cost?Price: $37,165 (plus on-road costs)Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrolOutput: 85kW/185NmTransmission: Continuously variable automaticFuel: 6.5L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 148g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)
2. Mazda CX-30
The 2022 Mazda CX-30 has a well-rounded safety suite, and also racks up high scores for comfort and convenience equipment and standard technology on-board.
As an ownership proposition, the CX-30 is a strong player, with only its 10,000km service intervals holding it back from a better score.
The one area in which the CX-30 is not quite as praiseworthy is driving performance, where it’s a midfield runner.
How much does the 2022 Mazda CX-30 G25 Touring SP 2WD cost?Price: $39,490 (plus on-road costs)Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrolOutput: 114kW/200NmTransmission: Six-speed automaticFuel: 6.5L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 152g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)
1. Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona was carsales’ Best Small SUV for 2021 and has fought off a bigger and more competitive field this year to make it two in a row.
With a stunning number of standard inclusions when it comes to safety, technology and comfort and convenience, it’s no wonder the 2022 Hyundai Kona Highlander achieves high points in these assessment areas.
It’s not perfect, let down by a noisy and relatively thirsty engine, but impresses in other areas of driving performance such as its well-sorted ride and handling balance, which was fine-tuned for Australian road conditions.
Thanks to its outstanding blend of equipment, packaging and all-round ability, the 2022 Hyundai Kona is the clear – albeit very narrow – winner of carsales’ Best Small SUV for 2022.
How much does the 2022 Hyundai Kona Highlander cost?Price: $38,300 (plus on-road costs)Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrolOutput: 110kW/180NmTransmission: Continuously variable automaticFuel: 6.2L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 148g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)
Hyundai Kona HighlanderMazda CX-30 G25 Touring SP 2WDToyota C-HR Koba AWDToyota Yaris Cross UrbanVolkswagen T-Cross 85TSI StyleMazda CX-3 Akari LE AWDVolkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style 2WDSubaru XV 2.0i-SKia Seltos Sport+ AWDMitsubishi Eclipse Cross Exceed 2WDHaval Jolion UltraHyundai Venue EliteMG ZST EssenceKia Stonic GT-LineMitsubishi ASX ExceedSafety161716161613161614.5151213131513Comfort and convenience181616151416141613161715.5151214Technology171615.51614.51514161615151515.51516Comfort and convenience181616151416141613161715.5151214Ownership costs1616171714161313161516.515.5161515Driving performance14151313171517.51314121112101210Ownership costs1616171714161313161516.515.5161515Total818077.57775.57574.57473.57371.57169.56968Position123456789101112131415
Keyword: Best Small SUV 2022: The verdict