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They’re in every single place, small SUVs.
Final yr, of simply over 1,000,000 automobiles bought in Australia, 123,016 belonged to the mass-market Small SUV section in VFACTS, which incorporates high sellers just like the MG ZS and Mitsubishi ASX.
Throw in an additional 52,756 automobiles from the (quite arbitrarily outlined) Gentle SUV section, residence to the perennially hot-selling Mazda CX-3, and one other 20,464 automobiles from the premium small SUV section, which incorporates the Audi Q3, and you’ll see simply how well-liked these vehicles are.
As the standard mild vehicles (suppose Toyota Yaris) and small automobile (Toyota Corolla) segments shrink in quantity, these consumers look like transitioning to similarly-sized SUVs – though that step up in journey peak brings with it a step up in worth.
It appears as if you’ll be able to name something an SUV these days, supplied there’s some black plastic cladding and a barely greater 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 checklist.
We all know this segmentation is usually solely recognized by anoraks, so we’ve printed a full checklist of automobiles beneath.
Every member of the CarExpert editorial crew has picked their selection from the checklist… properly, aside from Alborz, who didn’t comply with the project.
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 vehicles are simply raised hatches whereby producers have labored out that they’ll 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 may be a variety of discuss for the time being concerning the next-generation of vehicles being the top of the SUV period. I certain hope so, as a result of the small SUV section is just about every little thing that’s unsuitable with the SUV section which in itself, is every little thing that’s unsuitable with the automobile market.
Scott Collie: Skoda Kamiq
Wow, there’s a variety of selection right here.
The larger new Hyundai Kona is a powerful possibility, as is the older however nonetheless wonderful Kia Seltos. I just like the quirky little Peugeot 2008, too.
The Skoda Kamiq can be my choose, although. It’s the proper dimension for tight metropolis streets on the skin, however packs a shocking quantity of area inside. The 110TSI engine has sufficient grunt to make the Kamiq really feel fast sufficient, and it has the identical strong, greater automobile feeling we’ve come to count on from different Volkswagen vehicles based mostly on the identical platform.
MORE: Skoda Kamiq new automobile offers
Anthony Crawford: Hyundai Kona
Proper from the outset the Hyundai Kona was brief on area, particularly if you happen to have been attempting accommodate youngsters and important child package.
Hyundai clearly listened to its clients who have been telling them as a lot, as a result of the new-generation Kona is a surefire hit with sufficient area to haul youngsters, prams and important gear with out compromise.
It’s additionally a cutting-edge design from any angle – in and out.
Jade Credentino: Honda HR-V
My vote can 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 properly.
It’s so well-packaged, and you already know 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 embody 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 presently seeking to purchase a Gentle or Small SUV I’d positively 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 nevertheless as having halogen DRLs on a automobile that prices greater than $40,000 earlier than on-roads isn’t an excellent look, and plugging in your cellphone 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 would should be one thing both tremendously sensible or able to placing a smile on my face.
The Ford Puma is probably not the previous, however it’s actually the latter.
It mightn’t be significantly highly effective, however it’s remarkably fun-to-drive. One memorable fang alongside Mount Superb Street cemented the Puma in my thoughts as probably the most pleasurable car within the mainstream Gentle/Small SUV segments. Sharp turn-in, nearly no physique roll, and wonderful steering imply that is an SUV you’ll truly need to deal with some twisties in.
The in-car tech can be good and the inside is inoffensive, although rear seat area is missing.
An electrical model is coming subsequent yr and I’m curious if it has equally pleasurable dynamics. What I’d actually prefer to see, nevertheless, is for Ford Australia to deliver the Puma ST right here.
A runner-up for me can be the extraordinarily well-packaged Kia Seltos, or its redesigned Hyundai Kona cousin. The Mazda CX-30 is good too, however it’s a disgrace we miss out on the turbocharged 2.5-litre 4.
MORE: Ford Puma new automobile offers
James Wong: Mazda CX-30
Normally I scoff at small SUVs, as previously they’ve appeared like money grabs when the equal passenger automobile isn’t any much less sensible and extra succesful dynamically.
Nevertheless in 2023 there are much better selections available in Australia, although we’re nonetheless pretty restricted when it comes to electrified choices within the section.
I hold coming again to the Mazda CX-30 as my benchmark. The combination of on-road enjoyment and cabin refinement actually isn’t a components matched by mainstream rivals, and the inside is the nicest compact crossover cockpit this aspect 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 Know-how 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 dearth 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 the case of outright gasoline financial savings, and particularly the e-Skyactiv X motor with its much-hyped compression-ignition tech is sort of expensive all issues thought of.
If I used to be to choose a second different, I’d in all probability 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 along with the upscale inside supplied in greater grades, whereas the standard Skoda Kamiq stays a high 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 car.
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