Classy Korean contender beats 15 popular models to our Best Small SUV award for second consecutive year
The Hyundai Kona has been named carsales Best Small SUV for the second consecutive year, emerging victorious from the biggest field ever shortlisted for our annual compact SUV award.
Now topped by a peppy N performance flagship, the Hyundai Kona range topped our list of the 15 best-selling light and small SUV models available in Australia today.
To ensure a level a playing field, carsales compared the highest specification, non-electrified variant of each model priced under $40,000.
The 2022 Hyundai Kona Highlander scored the most points in over 100 individual criteria across five key categories, including safety, technology, comfort and convenience, driving performance and ownerships costs.
Replacing traditional small cars for many Aussie families, small SUVs represent the third most popular new vehicle type in the Australian auto market after 4×4 utes and medium SUVs – and the biggest of them when you include light SUVs.
New car buyers have never had more choice when it comes to compact SUVs, with no fewer than 42 currently available in total, including 10 light SUVs, 22 mainstream small SUVs and 10 premium small SUVs, as defined by industry statistician VFACTS.
Newcomers for carsales Best Small SUV 2022 included the Haval Jolion – in addition to freshly minted arrivals for the 2021 award including the Kia Stonic, Mazda CX-30, MG ZST, Toyota Yaris Cross, Volkswagen T-Cross and Volkswagen T-Roc.
The Kona, Mazda CX-3, Subaru XV and Toyota C-HR were all recently upgraded.
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: Hyundai Kona named carsales Best Small SUV for 2022