Which car should I buy? The best small SUVs

The small softroader market has boomed in recent years as buyers abandon hatchbacks. But all city SUVs are not created equal.

The Mazda CX-3 is a good blend of quality and fun. Picture: Thomas Wielecki.

Dean Ellis and his wife want to replace her 2012 Mazda2 with an SUV for easier access and higher driving position. She wants something similar in size to the Mazda2 between $25-35,000, either new or late model used.

Their shortlist includes the Skoda Kamiq, Hyundai Venue, Toyota Yaris Cross, Ford Puma or a used Ford Focus Cross.

They say the Kamiq has most appeal for its class and gutsy four-cylinder engine for driving around their Adelaide Hills home. But they are wary of three-cylinder CVT cars. Manuals are fine, but they don’t want a Chinese car. Luxuries and advanced safety are more important than economy. Rear seats will be used only very occasionally.

Our reader wants to trade up from a Mazda2 hatch into an SUV. Picture: Supplied.

I’ve looked at the options and picked a couple of likely suspects.

Dean needs to be prepared for long wait times for most on their list. I’ve excluded Hyundai’s Venue as it’ll labour up their local hills and if you’re chasing a bit of luxe the Toyota can’t really deliver at this budget – the Ford Puma feels classier.

Sadly, everything looks pricey in this desirable SUV segment.

CHOICES

DEALER DEMO SKODA KAMIQ 110TSI MANUAL, ABOUT $35,500 DRIVE-AWAY

When the Kamiq won our 2020 Car of the Year it was $29,990 drive-away with auto. Today the entry-level is $37,990 – busting your budget – plus it has only an 85kW three-cylinder engine.

The Kamiq is pricey but also classy. Picture: Supplied.

Instead, dealer demo MY22 Kamiq 110TSI Ambition four-cylinder manuals are scarce but available – they’d be my pick at just over $35k. It’s a brilliant, gutsy turbo engine with excellent economy; handling and ride are impressive for an SUV and it’s a roomy, quality-feeling cabin.

A digital dash, LED lights, lane keep assist, radar cruise control, wireless phone charging and power tailgate are included but you miss out on electric, leather heated seats and advanced driver assist. Five-year warranty and cheap $1400 service pack.

MAZDA CX-3 MAXX SPORT LE, ABOUT $31,700 DRIVE-AWAY

Smaller than the Skoda, but as it’s based on the Mazda2, the CX-3 SUV’s dimensions will feel very familiar. Rear seat and boot space are titchy, but it’s fine up front and the build and style are top notch.

The Mazda CX-3 is well built and nice to drive, but small inside. Picture: Thomas Wielecki.

The Maxx Sport LE has striking white Maztex (faux leather) and tan suede seats and trim for a real sense of luxury, plus ample driver assistance, climate control, sat nav and 8-inch touchscreen.

The 110kW/195Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder isn’t thrilling but should manage hills fine; it handles with finesse and is great fun and easy to park in town. A five-year warranty, but $2175 for five years’ servicing is steep.

FORD PUMA ST-LINE, ABOUT $36,500 DRIVE-AWAY

Just a three-cylinder but its turbo brings a reasonable 92kW and 170Nm, and mated to its seven-speed auto I reckon it’ll manage Adelaide Hills roads.

This ST-Line’s sporty suspension adds to an already sweet driving and handling little SUV – ideal for your location.

The Ford Puma ST-Line is a fun SUV to drive. Picture: Supplied.

The drive experience is the Puma’s trump card as safety kit and features aren’t standout. The cabin has lots of soft plastics but only cloth seats, while wins are sat nav, wireless charging, digital dashboard, 8-inch touchscreen and a bigger boot than the rest.

Warranty is five years and services are a cheap $1516 over that time.

WILDCARD

2020 FORD FOCUS ACTIVE, ABOUT $26,000 DRIVE-AWAY

Criminally overlooked by Australian buyers, this SUV-cum-hatchback took an excellent car – the Ford Focus – and jacked up the suspension 34mm for easier entry and exit.

Low-kilometre 2020 models cost less than $30k and still have three years’ warranty remaining.

The Ford Focus Active was underappreciated by buyers. Picture: Supplied.

There’s loads of shove from the 134kW/240Nm three-cylinder; reasonable driver aids and more room for the grandkids.

A brilliant blend of comfy ride and lovely handling thanks to advanced independent rear suspension, but my main gripe is the cabin finish feeling cheap in places, especially the seat fabric.

The next five services will cost $1738 in total.

VERDICT

With luxury important and rear seats not seeing much use, I’d pick the Mazda CX-3.

Thousands cheaper than the other new cars, the classiest cabin and spot on for your size preference.

Originally published as Which car should I buy? The best small SUVs