Top five compact SUVs to look for

Small SUVs are increasingly popular, attracting more and more buyers with their combination of more compact proportions and increased ride height. Auto manufacturers are fast catching on to this trend and are racing to get their respective takes on what a compact SUV should be out into the marketplace.

With so many options available, which is the right one to choose? We’ve put together the following list of five small SUVs to look for to help you reach a decision.

Seat Arona

The Arona is the Spanish car maker’s entrant in the compact SUV market, and also the first vehicle of this kind it has built. It’s based on the Volkswagen Group’s latest MQB A0 platform, which is shared with the likes of the Seat Ibiza and new VW Polo superminis. At £16,555, the Arona is competitively priced in the segment and offers an attractive amount of standard equipment for the money. It lands in UK showrooms on November 17.

Jaguar E-Pace

The Jaguar E-Pace represents a more premium offering in the compact SUV market, with prices set to start at £28,500. Based on the same platform as the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Jaguar predicts the E-Pace will become its biggest-selling model, and lead to the British firm shifting more SUVs than sports cars and saloons combined. Early reports also suggest it could become one of the best-driving vehicles in its segment. The E-Pace will go on sale in the UK later this year.

Volvo XC40

As with the Jaguar E-Pace, Volvo’s recently unveiled XC40 sits towards the premium end of the compact SUV segment. With prices starting at £27,905, the Swede not only undercuts the Jaguar, it’s also much better looking – to our eyes at least. As you would expect at this price point, standard equipment is generous and includes satellite navigation, voice control and a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Order books for the new XC40 are now open and customer deliveries are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2018.

Volkswagen T-Roc

Volkswagen’s new T-Roc sits below the German manufacturer’s popular Tiguan SUV, and costs from £20,425. VW claims that personalisation and style are a key selling point for the new T-Roc, which is available in a wide range of colours and trim levels. As far as standard equipment is concerned, the T-Roc features an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio and 16-inch alloys. Deliveries of the T-Roc will begin in December.

Skoda Karoq

Skoda’s Karoq promises an attractive combination of value, comfort and standard equipment in the compact SUV segment. Prices start at £20,875, putting it in the same ball park as the Volkswagen T-Roc. Standard equipment is fairly basic on the entry-level model and includes 17-inch alloys, LED rear lights, dual-zone climate control and privacy glass, as well as front assist pedestrian monitor and a driver fatigue sensor. However, with a 2,638mm wheelbase, there’s plenty of interior room for four passengers – a feature that will no doubt appeal to family buyers.