The five best new small SUVs to buy in 2021
In the ultra-competitive market for supermini-based SUVs, which are the cars that deliver maximum value and driving pleasure?
The town-friendly SUV is something of an anachronism. After all, SUVs derive from old-school off-roaders, designed for use in countryside where the going was tough. But as the SUV became the ultimate must-have accessory, it followed that smaller versions that make more sense in urban environments were always going to appea.
At first, these compact SUVs, based on small hatchbacks such as the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa, weren’t all that much cop. Tall and narrow, they felt ungainly, and had stiff suspension to stop them feeling as though they were going tip over. Nowadays, though, manufacturers are getting the hang of making them, and some genuinely good contenders are emerging.
With them, they bring an unexpected benefit: because they’re tall, they deliver the same sort of passenger space as a family hatchback. Yet their footprints are barely bigger than those of the superminis on which they’re based. As a result, buyers are able to fit more into less, making their lives easier, and take up less roadspace in our crowded towns and cities.
But if you fancy buying one of these small, tall cars, which should you go for? With so many available, and plenty of those on offer still feeling sub-par to drive, which are the ones to choose? Well, we’ve ranked our five favourites in time-honoured reverse order, to help you decide.
5. Nissan Juke
It’s something of an understatement to say the old Juke was never one of our favourite cars, but this new one is a completely different kettle of fish. It’s slicker, smarter, and sweeter to drive, and it feels much better quality inside. It looks more cohesive, too, though Nissan hasn’t thrown the baby out with the bath water; it’s still as distinctive as ever.
You get a big boot and plenty of room in the back seats, too, so it’s a pretty practical little thing. Downsides? Well, there are a couple; the optional CVT automatic gearbox is rather dim-witted, which rather emphasises the lethargy of the slightly weak-feeling 1.0-litre engine. But if you stick with the manual, this is now a fresh-faced and funky little SUV about which there’s little to dislike.
Price from: £18,595
We like: Stand-out looks, smart interior, lots of space, good to drive.
We don’t like: Weak engine, disappointing automatic gearbox.
4. Vauxhall Mokka
As with the Juke, the old Mokka was rather hopeless, but Vauxhall has dramatically upped its game for this new version. The ride is still a bit firm, but it handles tidily, and inside the Mokka looks and feels far more upmarket than its badge would have you believe.
Its biggest selling point, however, will be its styling, not to mention the huge variety of different permutations of paint and upholstery you’ll be able to choose between. This is a car which not only looks great, from its sleek nose to its neatly creased tail, but also captures the personalisation zeitgeist brilliantly, making it a perfect accessory for hip DINKYs or trendy young families.
And let’s not forget that quite aside from the petrol and diesel versions, there’s also an electric Mokka to choose from – and with a decent range and excellent driving manners, it’s worth considering if your circumstances suit.
Price from: from £20,235
We like: Sleek looks, cracking interior, excellent electric version.
Watch out for: Not as spacious or as versatile as the best; a little pricey.
3. Renault Captur
The second-generation Captur’s slightly wooden ride and frustrating entertainment system mean it isn’t perfect, but its flaws are largely forgivable in light of its combination of value, space and versatility, which are huge strengths in this class.
Not only is it remarkably roomy inside, but the rear seats slide forward and backward, enabling you to maximise boot space or rear leg room, depending on your needs. The interior is lovely, too, with lots of smart-feeling materials and tactile switchgear. What’s more, like all Renaults, the Captur now gets a five-year warranty, and combined with the amount of equipment you get as standard, that makes its prices look very reasonable indeed.
Price from: £19,095
We like: Space, versatility, stylish looks, good to drive, long warranty.
We don’t like: Slightly stiff ride, 1.0 engine feels strained, fiddly infotainment.
2. Skoda Kamiq
It’s a mark of the Kamiq’s maturity that your humble correspondent was able to drive one from Edinburgh to London in a day without any real gripes. This, then, is a very comfortable little car, and it’s endowed with a surprisingly upmarket and very grown-up cockpit.
It’s a bit of shame that a “simply clever” Skoda can’t match the rear-seat party tricks of the Captur – the Kamiq’s boot isn’t even the biggest in the class, although it is still a very usable size and shape. But otherwise it’s a class act, with punchy engines, low running costs, slick handling, and a ride that, while not the smoothest around town, is still pretty accomplished. Especially if you’ve got to get from Scotland to the Home Counties in a hurry.
Price from: £18,370
We like: Big-car feel, upmarket interior, decent value, good to drive.
We don’t like: Slightly firm ride; shame it isn’t as versatile as its best rivals.
1. Ford Puma
And so to the stand-out star of this class; the Puma sits head and shoulders above its rivals. There are a few reasons for that, but chief among them is its chassis, which delivers a ride and handling balance nothing else can match. Not only is the Puma smoother than any of its rivals over bumps, but it’s also more responsive, and more involving, than any of them in corners. Its mild hybrid engines make it economical, too.
Its only real vice is a slightly cheap-feeling interior, but there’s a good amount of space inside, and in the boot there’s another party trick: a huge cubby which sits beneath the floor. Finished in hard plastic, and equipped with a draining bung, it can therefore be hosed out, making it ideal for stashing dirty wellies, or whatever else you might want to keep out of the main interior.
Granted, the Puma isn’t the cheapest, but that’s because it’s only available in well equipped, high-specification versions, and when that’s taken into account it looks much better value. And given this is a car that isn’t just brilliant to drive, but also well adapted to family life, we reckon it’s worth paying a little extra.
Price from: from £22,040
We like: Ride, handling, clever boot, high equipment levels, economical engines.
Watch out for: High prices, slightly cheap interior.
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