Ford Puma

7 best compact SUVs and crossovers to buy in 2024

Give yourself a little lift


Compact SUVs and crossovers (generally considered one and the same thing) are usually based on smaller hatchback models and use the same powertrains but have raised suspension and often a more rugged look. They’re a style of car that in recent years has totally eclipsed traditional saloons and hatches when it comes to sales.

The compact SUV/crossover craze really took off around 17 years ago with the launch of the Nissan Qashqai and, just to give some indication of how popular they’ve become in the UK, the Qashqai was the UK’s best-selling car in 2022 – the first time ever that title was taken by something other than a traditional saloon or hatchback – while it was the runner-up in 2023, only beaten by… yep, another crossover, the Ford Puma.

While not to everyone’s tastes, it’s easy to see why modern car buyers are compelled to buy compact SUVs; their running costs aren’t that much different to those of a hatchback or supermini, yet their raised ride heights give owners a more commanding driving position while helping brush off potholes and speed bumps that could catch out lower-riding fare.

And, of course, the taller stature and chunkier styling of crossovers provide increased road presence over hatches and saloons, which is a major factor for many car owners.

Some crossovers, however, are better than others, so we’re taking a look at some of the best examples on the UK market right now, from the affordable to the luxurious, with petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric power.

Dacia Duster

Priced from £17,295

Let’s get the Dacia Duster’s bad points out of the way: the interior isn’t that well finished so it feels a bit cheap on the inside and buyers will have to do without the most cutting-edge tech and safety features. The Duster, however, has far more going in its favour, especially when it comes to sheer value.

Prices start from a smidgen beyond £17,000 and the standard specification is decent, though for a little more you can add comforts such as smartphone mirroring and a reversing camera, both displayed on an 8in touchscreen.

The 113bhp turbocharged 1.5-litre diesel model is the one to go for, as the engine is a frugal and willing unit. Most buyers will have little use for four-wheel-drive models, but if the occasional need to cross a muddy field or ramble down a farm track is a priority, then the Duster is a surprisingly capable off-roader.

And there’s an all-new model due to land in 2024, complete with chunkier looks and even hybrid power. That means there should be deals to be done on the current model, as dealers look to shift stock.

Ford Puma

Priced from £25,640

Here it is, then – the best-selling car of 2023. It took the title in the same year the long-serving Ford Fiesta was finally axed, which was sad news in some ways – but at least the Puma is far from a disagreeable substitute.

Not only is it the best-driving compact SUV out there, handling corners with aplomb (especially the grin-inducing ST version), but it’s a practical machine, too.

The 410-litre boot is competitive in class, but where it really stands-out is the “Megabox” feature under the boot floor that provides ideal storage for wet and muddy boots, or even ice cubes and drinks on a summer day (a plug allows liquid to drain out before you drive off).

“It’s almost as though this car was designed by an actual person who leads an actual life,” said Jeremy Clarkson of the Puma.

Kia Niro

Priced from £30,075

Kia may have made some bold styling decisions when it comes to the Niro (which is slightly bigger than the old one) but in terms of packaging there’s not much to touch it, with a spacious interior despite being the smaller sibling of the Sportage.

And the Niro’s major appeal comes in its choice of electrified powertrains, with full hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure-electric models to choose from.

Both hybrid models utilise the same 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with the 139bhp full hybrid model offering good full economy without the need to plug in. The plug-in hybrid is more powerful, with 180bhp, and delivers a reasonably substantial 40 miles of electric range before the petrol engine is needed, making it the choice for one-car households with mostly short daily journeys but the occasional long trip.

The pure-electric 201bhp Niro EV, with its 64.8kWh battery back and 288 miles of range, is our pick of the bunch, though, for its improved performance, effortless and smooth power delivery,  and emission-free motoring.

Toyota Yaris Cross

Priced from £24,855

Just as the Ford Puma is based on the Fiesta supermini, so the Toyota Yaris Cross is built on Yaris underpinnings.

The styling of the Yaris Cross isn’t going to get the pulse racing and it’s not exactly feisty on the road, with a choice of just one power unit under the bonnet — a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor, with power going through an uninspiring CVT gearbox — so this really is a car for those buying with their head rather than heart.

But it’s included here for a reason. That power unit is really very economical, returning a decent 60mpg or so, and the ride quality is decent. And though very small it makes the most of its diminutive dimensions.

The Yaris Cross also comes with Toyota’s enviable reputation for reliability, something backed up by a three-year warranty and an additional year of warranty with every main dealer service up until the car is 10 years old (or has covered 100,000 miles).

Nissan Qashqai

Priced from £27,120

We named the Nissan Qashqai our Small SUV/Crossover of the Year in 2021, when the current model launched, and it has since gone onto be a huge success with the public. Not that we’re claiming any credit for that or anything, you understand…

The appeal of the Sunderland-built Qashqai is down to a fresher design, much-improved interior, plenty of clever tech and decent mild-hybrid powertrains, and affordable pricing.

Qashqai sales in 2023 saw a further fillip thanks to the introduction of the e-Power model, a series hybrid that drives the wheels via an electric motor but which uses an engine to keep the batteries charged.

The Qashqai has grown in size in recent years, but so too have its competitors, so it still falls firmly into the compact SUV/crossover category.

Hyundai Tucson

Priced from £31,500

Hyundai, like sibling Korean company Kia, has gone through such a transformation in recent years, moving from a cheap-and-cheerful manufacturer of solid budget motors to truly desirable products that are arguably class-leading today. A great example of this is the latest Tucson.

It’s available with petrol, mild hybrid, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains, and the Tucson is defined by its striking front-end design, including a gigantic grille in which the “parametric headlights” are neatly incorporated.

Inside is a high-quality – and high-tech, as you’d expect of Hyundai – interior, that’s both roomy and practical, but the best thing about this crossover-SUV is that it drives well. It’s refined and comfortable, and will deliver excellent fuel economy across the board.

The Plug-In Hybrid range-topper is well worth checking out. It has both 261bhp, for strong performance, and also the ability to go up to 38 miles on its electric power alone – emitting nothing from its exhaust while doing so.

Genesis GV60

Priced from £54,105

This is one of our unsung heroes and because it has not received the love it deserves from the motoring press (we think), it’s a fairly rare car on UK roads. Hyundai Motor luxury spin-off Genesis built the GV60 from the ground up as an electric car (so not based on an existing petrol-powered model), which means it’s spacious for its size and rides very well, thanks in part to adaptive damping.

There’s a sporty dual-motor version that isn’t the absolute fastest on the roads but with a four-second 0-62mph time will blow your socks off all the same, and the boost button on the steering wheel, allowing maximum power for 10 second bursts, appeals to the F1 fan in us (and inner child). But even the base models feel quick, smooth and quiet.

The interior is futuristic and well put together, with lovely contrast stitching and (mostly) premium materials. The centrepiece is the crystal sphere between the driver and passenger, which rotates when the car is switched on to reveal the drive selector dial.

With a range of up to 321 miles, rapid charging and “vehicle to load” technology, which allows you to power appliances using the car’s battery, there’s a lot going for it. And the ownership experience with Genesis is a cut above, too; the brand offers a personal assistant to help you through the buying and ownership, with a “We come to you” policy not just for test drives but servicing, too – cars are picked up and dropped off at your convenience.

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