Top five small SUVs of 2024

Small SUVs continued to sell well in Australia throughout 2024, and that meant there have been loads of them for us to review.

As we proceed recapping our 2024, we’re compiling the highest-rated cars from across Australia’s hottest latest automobile segments into a listing to indicate you what we liked best.

We’ve done mid-sized SUVs and utes up to now, which implies small SUVs at the moment are as much as bat. For this list we’ve kept it to the sub-$45,000 segment on the VFACTS sales charts, as they’re rather more approachable for people wanting to easily get behind the wheel.

A few of these models have been reviewed on multiple occasions this yr, so we’ve only featured the variant that achieved the best rating.

Prices are based on each manufacturer’s configurators for a Victorian postcode, which should provide a representative estimate of what the common Australian buyer will find yourself paying.

100s of latest automobile deals can be found through CarExpert immediately. Get the experts in your side and rating a fantastic deal. Browse now.

Click on automobile’s name within the table above to leap on to its information on the page, or keep scrolling for the total article.

Toyota Corolla Cross

Our top sub-$45,000 small SUV for 2024 was the Toyota Corolla Cross, which senior contributor Matt Campbell awarded a rating of 8.4.

That rating was for the bottom GX Hybrid, which we said offered exceptional value, space and efficiency underneath a barebones presentation. “Basic but good” was the term used to sum up the Corolla Cross, and our rating reflects that.

It achieved a superb fuel efficiency of just 4.3L/100km during our test, and with top-notch safety and interior space rankings we deemed it to be properly fit for purpose.

We didn’t like the way it’s fitted with halogen daytime running lights as a substitute of LEDs. That lead us to suggest the step as much as the GXL for an additional $4000-odd was price it, especially whenever you consider this base spec is already greater than $40,000 drive-away.

Still, we found it to be a well-considered small SUV that may comfortably get the job done in a no-frills manner.

You’ll be able to read our full review of the Toyota Corolla Cross GX Hybrid here

All for buying a Toyota Corolla Cross? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

Skoda Kamiq

The Skoda Kamiq received a facelift this yr, and our all-encompassing review of the brand new two-model range by marketplace journalist Josh Nevett listed a rating of 8.4.

It was praised for its quality tech upgrades, while it also advantages from packing in big-car practicality into its small-car frame. Higher yet, we said it was a fantastic value proposition – especially given the bottom Select costs just $33,990 drive-away.

We gave it high individual scores across the board, headlined by a fit-for-purpose rating of 9 and a security rating of 8.9. The Kamiq also impressed with its low price of ownership and fuel efficiency, the latter a product of its two quality engines; turbos with either three or 4 cylinders.

A negative aspect was the Monte Carlo’s “polarising” interior design, while we were disillusioned that the base-spec Select misses out on adaptive cruise control.

As is usually a criticism with dual-clutch cars, we also found the Kamiq’s DSG unit was clunky at low speed, though it did have solid performance once on the move.

You’ll be able to read our full review of the Skoda Kamiq here

All for buying a Skoda Kamiq? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

Nissan Qashqai

As reviewed by marketplace editor James Wong, the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power scored a good 8.2 in March this yr.

We liked the hybrid Qashqai’s seemingly easy performance, something that comes because of this of Nissan’s unique electric motor-internal combustion engine it has over other traditional hybrids. That provides it a more electric vehicle (EV) feel, though a traditional engine can still be heard.

That also contributes to its refined on-road characteristics, because it’s mostly quiet at low speeds and customarily very smooth. Nissan backs up those traits with an upmarket interior that punches above the Qashqai’s paygrade.

It wasn’t all positive though. We don’t like how the e-Power Qashqai is simply available in a single top-spec Ti variant, because it seems to push it out of the realm of numerous hybrid buyers. It’s also considerably costlier than the non-hybrid equivalent.

We also felt its ride might be somewhat firm occasionally, but none of that was enough to detract from an otherwise solid Toyota hybrid rival.

You’ll be able to read our full review of the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power here

All for buying a Nissan Qashqai? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

Volkswagen T-Roc

We’ve published a handful of reviews for Volkswagen’s T-Roc small SUV this yr, nevertheless it was senior contributor Matt Campbell’s review of the Style that scored the best at 8.2.

The Style is one rung up from the underside of the T-Roc range, and we liked it for its easy driving characteristics and its well-laid out cabin. It’s also a substantial improvement on the features list in comparison with the bottom CityLife without being too rather more expensive.

We felt it was nicely fit for purpose, and it scored highly on ride comfort and infotainment technology. Under the bonnet is an easy 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo sent to the front wheels only, with higher-performance options reserved for costlier T-Rocs.

Alternatively, we felt its eight-speed automatic transmission wasn’t quite as sharp as Volkswagen’s typical dual-clutch DSG, but that did mean its low-speed drivability was improved.

Its second row also isn’t terribly large because of this of the small SUV frame, and rough roads can induce a good little bit of cabin noise. Still, we found it to be a solid selection for crossover customers.

You’ll be able to read our full review of the Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style here

All for buying a Volkswagen T-Roc? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

Honda HR-V

Honda’s smallest SUV entered 2024 off the back of a fresh redesign, and news editor William Stopford found its top-spec variant to be worthy of a rating of 8.1

That variant is the e:HEV L, the one hybrid within the range. We liked how refined it seemed to be, and the Magic Seats in its second row proved to be practical in the actual world.

Its cabin can be well-appointed and spacious, while all the pieces is practical and straightforward to operate in each day use. Even those coming to the HR-V for the primary time will likely find it easy to get settled.

It lost marks for its price and lack of a spare wheel, and we actually couldn’t get past the actual fact it’s only a four-seater. There’s enough space for a 3rd seat on the second row, but the shortage of a centre seatbelt means it could actually’t legally be used as a seat.

While the HR-V may not feel as premium as its ZR-V sibling, there’s quite a bit that it does right to deserve a spot on this list.

You’ll be able to read our full review of the Honda HR-V e:HEV L here

All for buying a Honda HR-V? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

Honourable mentions

There have been 4 other small SUVs that were also rated at 8.1, and we feel they deserve a mention too.

The ultimate spot on the list above could have easily been taken by the Mazda CX-30 G25 GT SP, though the Honda comes first alphabetically. You’ll be able to read the review of that CX-30 here.

Our all-encompassing review of the brand new Toyota C-HR range could also sneak in, but because a later review of the precise GR Sport variant scored 7.9 we decided to provide it an honourable mention as a substitute.

The updated MG ZS range scored 8.1 too, but because that was also a broad review of a model we’re yet to review in specifics it gets an honourable mention. Like, the brand new C-HR GR Sport, the outgoing MG ZST scored 7.6.

Finally is the Omoda E5, which scored 8.1 in its standalone review. We’ve given it an honourable mention because we’re yet to get our hands on one to check at home in our usual manner.