Top 12 Compact SUVs for 2016

Arguably the most capable and luxurious off any compact SUV on the market, the Range Rover sits toward the very top of the hierarchy in this segment. It possesses the prestigious styling cues of the Range Rover brand as well as an extremely attractive interior, not to mention the ability to go off-road thanks to the best-on-market 4 wheel drive and all-terrain technology. Naturally, all of this demands a steeper price tag and the entry level model starts at a hefty £30,000

The RAV4 has been around for quite a while now, in fact this latest model is the fourth generation and we think it is the best one yet. There is a nice, spacious interior and equipment levels are generous, so buyers won’t be spending loads to get the kit they desire. The car also has an extensive boot which is always handy. The hybrid model isn’t quite as desirable to drive and we’d recommend the 2.0litre diesel above all else. The interior does have some scratchy plastics, but the reliability and dependability that Toyota have become famous for is still very much existent in this latest model.

The X3 is the most expensive car on this list, even above the Range Rover, as models start from £33,000. It’s the second entrant into the X-family from BMW, above the X1 and below the X5. The X3 tends to get great reviews from just about everyone that touches it as BMW are kind enough to offer it with two 3.0litre engines which provide plenty of power if the economical 2.0litre isn’t quite appealing enough. It’s also interesting that the entry level cars are more comfortable to drive due to smaller alloys and a more cushioned suspension. If you want a smoother cruiser you’re better off saving some cash and avoiding the top level M-Sport range.

The exterior of the Fiat 500X certainly has a Marmite effect on the population; you either love it or you hate it. There’s no denying that the 500x is a genuinely appealing car to those who fall for it’s (let’s be honest) somewhat feminine looks. The 500 is a cracking little city car but has a tiny boot and the rear seats are only good for kids under the age of 12. There will come a time when 500-driving parents need something bigger, enter the 500X. Bigger boot, bigger rear seats, 5 doors and still the aesthetic charm that made the younger sibling such a hit in the UK.

Another car with a hit-or-miss exterior, the Countryman is the biggest, most practical and most spacious car MINI have put on the market. Like the 500X, the Countryman is based loosely on its younger sibling, in this case the MINI hatchback. The Countryman has a lifted ride height, 5 doors, bigger boot and a smoother ride than the hatchback though and it is a MINI that can satisfy the MINI-cravings of the Hatchback owners who have gone all grown up.

The Jeep brand have been famous for robust off-roaders with a burly shell and few non-functional styling cues. This has all been turned on its head with new Renegade, which enters a populated market where quirky cars thrive and functional, rugged cars fail. So now the Renegade comes with unique, boxy looks & tail-lights styled after Jerry Cans. Not to mention the vibrant orange paintwork…

Inside you get more splashes of eye-catching colouring around the air vents, gear stick, door cards and so on. It is a functional car with unique appearance and can do a bit of off-roading too. Read our review here

The CX-3 is an SUV that flaunts attractive styling, high build quality and some genuinely excellent engines. There is one petrol engine and one diesel engine to choose from and you can have front wheel drive or all wheel drive. Out of every competitor the CX-3 stands up against, we are yet to find anything nearly as fun to drive. This is largely due to the 1.5 diesel engine which may only have 103bhp but it also offers a massive 270Nm of torque to whoosh you away swiftly. Low end grunt isn’t mind-blowing but this car really picks up momentum as you plough on.

Out of every car on this list the Ateca, from SEAT, is the newest on the market and boasts the Volkswagen Diesel engines which have performed extremely well in countless other models. The Ateca is based heavily on the SEAT Leon, only wider and, obviously, taller. This means that leg-room isn’t too extensive but headroom is plentiful. Prices start just under £18,000 but extend up to £30,000 for the best equipped models. These are available to order now and expect to see more and more of them gracing British roads in the coming months.

We tested the brand new 2008 out in Valencia not so long ago. You can read our full review here. The car is now available in the UK and is certainly up there as one of the best in class. The interior is charming and comfortable and the driving experience is exciting too. While a lot of compacts SUVs suffer horrendous body roll thanks to the cushioned suspension, the 2008 sits relatively flat in bends and still manages to dampen potholes brilliantly. A real triumph from a manufacturer turning a new leaf.

The Subaru XV is another car we tested recently, and you can read our review here. The XV is a compact SUV that positions itself slap-bang in the middle of the market, for buyers who want a bit of a compromise between low-cost motoring and a prestigious car. The Subaru has genuine versatility thanks to the symmetrical All Wheel Drive system which is standard on all models. Buyers will be pleasantly surprised by the soft-touch interior and modern technology onboard. 

In a list like this it is hard to ignore the compact SUV that offers the best value for money by a landslide. The Duster is available in 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive and prices start from £9,995. We concluded that the Duster was the best of the Dacia range when we tested it recently, and the 1.5dCi engine is well suited to a vehicle of this size and stature. Not to mention the economy figures of 74mpg and £0 road tax are always welcome in a segment that typically entails high running costs. It’s great for dog-owners or parents of young children too due to the minimalist interior which even the most destructive of beings will do well to cause lasting damage.

Upon introduction the styling of the Juke raised one or two (million) eyebrows, but since then Nissan haven’t failed to shift them off the forecourt thanks to the impressive 1.5dCi engine (same as the one in the Dacia Duster) and unique exterior. The Juke offers a comfortable ride, sufficient boot, coupé looks and 5-door-hatch practicality. There’s even a ‘warm’ version in the form of the Nismo - so it’s very much an all rounder. Not to mention the fact the Juke boasts the Nissan badge that has become synonymous with solid build quality and long-lasting reliability.