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They’re all over the place, small SUVs.
Final yr, of simply over one million automobiles offered in Australia, 123,016 belonged to the mass-market Small SUV phase in VFACTS, which incorporates prime sellers just like the MG ZS and Mitsubishi ASX.
Throw in an additional 52,756 automobiles from the (fairly arbitrarily outlined) Gentle SUV phase, residence to the perennially hot-selling Mazda CX-3, and one other 20,464 automobiles from the premium small SUV phase, which incorporates the Audi Q3, and you’ll see simply how in style these automobiles are.
As the normal gentle automobiles (suppose Toyota Yaris) and small automotive (Toyota Corolla) segments shrink in quantity, these consumers look like transitioning to similarly-sized SUVs – regardless that that step up in journey peak brings with it a step up in value.
It appears as if you possibly can name something an SUV these days, supplied there’s some black plastic cladding and a barely larger hip level.
And so it’s with these small SUVs that the overwhelming majority are front-wheel drive, with no off-road functionality and arguably little extra practicality than small wagons, that are unpopular and subsequently nearly extinct right here.
For readability, we’ve bundled within the flock of automobiles from what are known as the Gentle SUV and Small SUV segments in VFACTS.
We’ve additionally restricted our scope to the mass-market Gentle and Small SUV segments, so there aren’t any Audis or BMWs on our record.
We all know this segmentation is mostly solely recognized by anoraks, so we’ve revealed a full record of automobiles under.
Every member of the CarExpert editorial crew has picked their alternative from the record… effectively, apart from Alborz, who didn’t comply with the task.
Alborz Fallah: Nothing
These choices don’t gel with me, primarily as a result of they’re pretending to be SUVs and that’s like pretending to have an arts diploma. It’s not precisely one thing to attempt for simply because each one else has one.
Absolutely the majority of those automobiles are simply raised hatches whereby producers have labored out that they will cost $3-5k extra simply by placing on some black physique cladding and elevating the journey peak. I imply severely, what’s a Corolla Cross? Is it a cross-dressing Corolla? Does it establish as an SUV simply because it says so?
There’s a variety of discuss for the time being concerning the next-generation of automobiles being the tip of the SUV period. I certain hope so, as a result of the small SUV phase is just about all the things that’s improper with the SUV phase which in itself, is all the things that’s improper with the automotive market.
Scott Collie: Skoda Kamiq
Wow, there’s a variety of alternative right here.
The larger new Hyundai Kona is a robust possibility, as is the older however nonetheless glorious Kia Seltos. I just like the quirky little Peugeot 2008, too.
The Skoda Kamiq could be my choose, although. It’s the right measurement for tight metropolis streets on the skin, however packs a stunning quantity of house inside. The 110TSI engine has sufficient grunt to make the Kamiq really feel fast sufficient, and it has the identical stable, larger automotive feeling we’ve come to count on from different Volkswagen automobiles based mostly on the identical platform.
MORE: Skoda Kamiq new automotive offers
Anthony Crawford: Hyundai Kona
Proper from the outset the Hyundai Kona was quick on house, particularly for those who had been making an attempt accommodate children and important child equipment.
Hyundai clearly listened to its prospects who had been telling them as a lot, as a result of the new-generation Kona is a surefire hit with sufficient house to haul children, prams and important gear with out compromise.
It’s additionally a cutting-edge design from any angle – inside and outside.
Jade Credentino: Honda HR-V
My vote could be the Honda HR-V. I had the possibility to drive it for every week or so earlier this yr and it was my first Honda expertise as effectively.
It’s so well-packaged, and you realize what to anticipate price-wise with Honda’s pricing scheme – no nasty disappointments on the dealership.
My favorite options within the top-spec e:HEV L embrace heated entrance seats, a heated steering wheel, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and keyless begin – tick, tick, tick, tick!
Jack Fast: Mazda CX-30
The Mazda CX-30 G25 Touring SP – $40,510 earlier than on-roads.
If I used to be at the moment seeking to purchase a Gentle or Small SUV I’d undoubtedly be contemplating a hybrid, however none of the present choices actually get my coronary heart racing.
That’s why I’ve chosen the Mazda CX-30 in blacked-out Touring SP guise with the peppy G25 engine.
The CX-30 with the two.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine is correctly heat hatch-like in a straight line, with enjoyable and smile-inducing driving dynamics to match.
It’s not all sunshine and roses nonetheless as having halogen DRLs on a automotive that prices greater than $40,000 earlier than on-roads isn’t an incredible look, and plugging in your telephone for Apple CarPlay within the centre armrest can get tiresome.
William Stopford: Ford Puma
I’ve all the time most well-liked sedans and wagons, so if I’m going to be satisfied to purchase a small SUV it’ll should be one thing both tremendously sensible or able to placing a smile on my face.
The Ford Puma might not be the previous, but it surely’s actually the latter.
It mightn’t be notably highly effective, but it surely’s remarkably fun-to-drive. One memorable fang alongside Mount Wonderful Street cemented the Puma in my thoughts as probably the most satisfying automobile within the mainstream Gentle/Small SUV segments. Sharp turn-in, nearly no physique roll, and glorious steering imply that is an SUV you’ll really wish to sort out some twisties in.
The in-car tech can also be good and the inside is inoffensive, although rear seat house is missing.
An electrical model is coming subsequent yr and I’m curious if it has equally satisfying dynamics. What I’d actually wish to see, nonetheless, is for Ford Australia to deliver the Puma ST right here.
A runner-up for me could be the extraordinarily well-packaged Kia Seltos, or its redesigned Hyundai Kona cousin. The Mazda CX-30 is sweet too, but it surely’s a disgrace we miss out on the turbocharged 2.5-litre 4.
MORE: Ford Puma new automotive offers
James Wong: Mazda CX-30
Often I scoff at small SUVs, as prior to now they’ve appeared like money grabs when the equal passenger automotive is not any much less sensible and extra succesful dynamically.
Nonetheless in 2023 there are much better decisions available in Australia, although we’re nonetheless pretty restricted by way of electrified choices within the phase.
I preserve coming again to the Mazda CX-30 as my benchmark. The combo of on-road enjoyment and cabin refinement actually isn’t a system matched by mainstream opponents, and the inside is the nicest compact crossover cockpit this facet of one thing with a premium badge.
All variants come well-equipped out of the field, with good security and know-how inclusions, and you’ll possibility the Imaginative and prescient Expertise Bundle for a nominal sum on decrease grades to get flagship tech like surround-view cameras and a semi-autonomous freeway assistant with out having to spend large on the top-dog Astina.
My solely actual gripe is the shortage of a correct hybrid possibility. The G20e M Hybrid and tough X20 M Hybrid don’t have a leg to face on in comparison with a Corolla Cross Hybrid or Kona Hybrid in terms of outright gasoline financial savings, and particularly the e-Skyactiv X motor with its much-hyped compression-ignition tech is kind of expensive all issues thought-about.
If I used to be to select a second different, I’d most likely go for the Nissan Qashqai or Skoda Kamiq.
If the upcoming Qashqai e-Energy sequence hybrid drives something like its bigger X-Path e-Energy sibling it’ll have the premium powertrain to go together with the upscale inside supplied in larger grades, whereas the common-or-garden Skoda Kamiq stays a prime contender for its punchy and environment friendly turbocharged powertrains, and sensible inside packaging which will make you query whether or not you want a dimensionally bigger automobile.
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