Best 2016 Small SUVs User Rankings. Class Model Year. Power Handling Looks/Style Front Seats Back Seats Cargo Capacity Family Car Value Overall. Most Powerful 2016 Small SUVs. Best Handling 2016 Small SUVs. Best Looking 2016 Small SUVs. 2016 Small SUVs with Best Front Seating. 2016 Small SUVs with Best Back Seating. Feb 18, 2016 Facelifted for the 2016 model year, the Mazda CX-5 compact crossover SUV is one of the most stylish offerings in the segment. The main traits of the CX-5, regardless of trim level, are enough room. 2016 Honda CR-V interior One of the most well-rounded compact SUVs on the market, the Honda CR-V is fuel-efficient, spacious and comfortable.
- Best Small Suv For The Money
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SUVs and 4x4s are some of the most popular cars on the market - here is What Car?'s guide to the best models to buy..
We love 4x4s and SUVs here in the UK. These cars offer a raised driving position, excellent visibility, and the kind of go-anywhere driving experience which we're increasingly looking for. It's no surprise to find that SUVs, both small and large, are becoming some of the most popular cars in the country.
But, with almost every major car maker offering an SUV these days, how do you know which ones to look at, and which to avoid? What Car? has hand-picked 10 of the best 4x4s and SUVs out there to help you decide.
The best 4x4s and SUVs of 2016 - the What Car? guide
10 - BMW X5
A premium SUV in every sense, BMW's X5 is great to drive and offers enough space inside to take the family and their luggage without any trouble. Schwarzer neurology usb devices driver download. No matter what engine you go for, the X5 feels agile. There's even a performance-oriented V8 version if you're feeling adventurous, but the diesel engines aren't as refined as you'll find in some rivals. The cabin too, while undoubtedly spacious, isn't as posh as you'll find elsewhere.
Price from: £44,575
Our favourite version: BMW X5 xDrive25d SE 5dr Auto
9 - Kia Sorento
If you're looking for an SUV which offers seating inside for 7 and doesn't carry the price tag of some of the premium models on this list, then look no further than the Kia Sorento. Even in standard form, it's loaded with kit, and comes with four-wheel drive as standard. There's only one engine available, a 2.2-litre diesel, and while it's punchy enough in the big Sorento, it does need to be kept between 2000 and 3500rpm to perform at its best.
Price from: £28,795
Our favourite version: Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi KX-2 5dr
8 - Mercedes-Benz GLC
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is an easy SUV to recommend, but only in the right specification. It's slightly smaller inside than rivals like the BMW X3, but still offers enough space for four tall adults to sit comfortably, plus a decent sized boot. Again, it comes with four-wheel drive as standard, but make sure you opt for AMG Line specification, which makes the ride a lot more comfortable. The cabin is undoubtedly premium, but the infotainment system could be easier to use.
Price from: £34,950
Our favourite version: Mercedes-Benz GLC 250d 4Matic AMG Line 5dr Auto
7 - BMW X1
The BMW X1 is one of our favourite smaller SUVs. Sure, it's only seats five rather than seven, but it's superbly practical and spacious inside. Plus, its diesel engines offer impressive fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. It's comfortable on most roads, but for the best experience we'd recommend avoiding run-flat tyres. The cabin is well laid out and offers plenty of equipment, but other SUVs offer better visibility.
Best Small Suv For The Money
Price from: £27,090
Our favourite version: BMW X1 xDrive20d SE 5dr
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Small SUVs are some of the most popular used cars in the UK right now. Here's our pick of the best..
Best used small SUVs (and the ones to avoid)
The soaring sales of SUVs are testament to the fact that almost everyone wants one these days. And the chances are if you’re reading this, you do too.
We don’t blame you – today’s best SUVs combine a high driving position that gives you a vantage point to see out clearly; while the practical and versatile interior space of these vehicles means there’s room for the whole family. But, of course, you’ll probably also want a car that’s light and easy to drive, and not so large that it’s impossible to park – which is where smaller SUVs, like the ones we’ve featured here, come in.
Now, we know that not everyone wants to buy brand new, especially when there’s a plethora of great options on the used market. Thanks to booming sales, there’s now a massive choice, which can be a bit confusing – which is why we’re here, and why we’ve rounded up our 10 best used small SUVs to help you work out which one’s best for you.
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Best used small SUVs
10. Kia Soul
Aimed at the sort of person who likes to stand out but needs a practical vehicle, the Kia Soul is a likable vehicle that’s spacious, well equipped and distinctive to look at. Its average ride quality and so-so handling mean the Kia Soul isn’t great to drive, but if you can live with that, you get a small SUV that offers huge amounts of room in every seat, and, thanks to its boxy profile, a large boot.
We found: 2015 1.6 CRDi Connect, 27,107 miles, £9000
Best used small SUVs
There’s also plenty of equipment, and it all comes backed up by a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty – so even if you buy a three-year-old example, you’ll still have four years’ warranty left to run. And with seriously low prices, the Soul looks like fabulous value too.
Best used small SUVs
9. Suzuki Vitara
Thanks to squared-off corners, a raised ride height and the option of four-wheel drive, the Suzuki Vitara at least has some of the off-road abilities people associate with SUVs; abilities that many of its rivals seem to have forgotten. That doesn’t mean to say that the Vitara drives like an old-school 4x4, because it doesn’t. The balance between ride and handling is well judged and is even quite rewarding, which is quite unusual for a small SUV. The brilliant 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol is a very nipply engine, but, it’s only available with four-wheel drive and higher spec car, so can be expensive. This makes the 1.6-litre petrol a better buy financially, and it’s as economical as the smaller engine.
We found: 2017 1.6 SZ-T, 11,000 miles, £12,991
Best used small SUVs
The Vitara is well equipped, but we’d suggest going for the SZ-T because you get an integrated sat-nav and media system, 17in alloy wheels and rear privacy glass. The interior isn’t particularly stylish, but there are some thoughtful touches, such as an attractive analogue clock and gloss black trim. Suzuki also has a good reputation for reliability, so there shouldn’t be anything to trouble you.
Best used small SUVs
8. Audi Q3
As you might expect from a car with four rings on its nose, the Audi Q3 is quite pricey for what is essentially quite a small SUV with reasonably limited space in the back. But, what you’re paying for is a comfortable ride, and a great choice of engine options to suit all budgets, and all offer impressive fuel economy and useful punch. There’s even the option of quattro four-wheel drive for slippery conditions.
We found: 2013 2.0 TDI SE, 33,000 miles, £14,992
Best used small SUVs
You also get an interior that feels like it’s constructed solidly from top-quality materials. It isn’t the best in terms of layout, and the infotainment system is very dated now. But it holds its value well, which means you shouldn’t lose too much money during ownership.
Best used small SUVs
7. Citroen C4 Cactus
Stylish, softly sprung and quite characterful, the Citroen C4 Cactus is more of an on-road bias small SUV because it cannot be had with four-wheel drive. The upside is that all engines offer excellent fuel economy which means running costs are rather low. It’s also quite big, so if you need to regularly carry four or five people, there will be fewer complaints in the C4 Cactus than there will be in some of its rivals.
We found: 2016 1.2 PureTech 110 Flair, 16,000 miles, £9617
Best used small SUVs
The interior has been de-cluttered of buttons thanks to a touchscreen infotainment system. It takes a little getting used to, but it does help with the simple design theme. One word of warning, the back windows don’t roll downt, but merely pop out a little to aid ventilation. But, on the whole, it’s a pleasant small SUV that’s very cheap to buy and run.
Best used small SUVs
6. Peugeot 3008
Comfortable, spacious, and equipped with one of the most flexible boots in the business – there are lots of reasons to like the Peugeot 3008. True, in its most popular form – without the Dynamic Roll Control suspension that came on larger-engine versions – it isn’t all that much fun to drive. But it’s still comfortable enough for most people, and what’s more, it’s fantastic value as a used buy, costing a great deal less than many of its rivals. Selectwireless driver.
We found: 2015 1.6 HDI 115 Active, 13,000 miles, £9792
Best used small SUVs
The 1.6 diesel is the best engine to go for because it feels just as responsive as the larger 2.0-litre diesel, but is much more economical and slightly more refined too. The interior is covered in soft-touch materials and looks rather classy, even if some of the stereo controls are a little hard to read on the move. The 3008 has a big boot and it has a split-tailgate that’s a great place to perch if you’re having a picnic.
Best used small SUVs
5. Renault Kadjar
Based on the Nissan Qashqai, the Renault Kadjar is a small SUV for those who value practicality, because the Kadjar actually has a slightly bigger boot than its sibling. It also scores well with families since the doors open nice and wide, which helps when putting a child in their car seat. On the road, the Kadjar is no firecracker, but it is quite comfortable and rather economical when it’s paired with the 1.5-litre diesel engine.
We found: 2016 1.5 dCi Dynamique Nav, 7,000 miles, £12,197
Best used small SUVs
As mentioned before, the Kadjar is a little more spacious inside than a Qashqai, but it does have a transmission tunnel that robs the middle seat passenger of leg space. Make sure you find a Kadjar with ‘Nav’ tagged on the end of its specification name, because that means you’ll have a car with sat-nav.
Best used small SUVs
The Nissan Qashqai is great to drive, comfortable, and feels like a high-quality product inside. Its compact dimensions and easy controls make it a doddle to drive in town. As it was always one of Britain's best-selling cars, there are plenty around, too, so finding a good one shouldn't be too tricky, and it's terrific value, too.
We found: 2013 1.5 dCi Acenta, 36,000 miles, £8480
Best used small SUVs
While it isn’t quite as spacious as some SUVs, there's plenty enough room for most families. There’s enough room for a folding pushchair, a travel cot and a couple of overnight bags in the boot, and if you opt for an Acenta spec car you get a split-level boot floor to hide items away from prying eyes.
Best used small SUVs
Best Small Suv 2016 Uk
3. Volkswagen Tiguan
While it doesn’t particularly wow you in any area, the Volkswagen Tiguan is an SUV which goes about its business with exceptional competence. You get a choice of excellent engines, and while it isn’t all that exciting to drive, it’s rides smoothly on long journeys yet still handles tidily on a country road.
We found: 2015 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech Match, 18,000 miles, £13,360
Best used small SUVs
Plus, being a Volkswagen, you get a clear, easy-to-use dashboard constructed from solid, expensive-feeling plastics. There’s space enough for five and the rear seat slides forwards and backwards to help you choose between extra luggage space or rear legroom. All-in-all, it’s a fine small SUV for families.
Best used small SUVs
2. Skoda Yeti
We really think the Skoda Yeti is one of the best used cars you can buy, let alone one of the best small SUVs. It’s economical, feels well put together, great value, and fun to drive. It doesn’t ride quite as well as some other SUVs, but it's by no means uncomfortable, and with so much else going for it, it’s a forgivable flaw.
We found: 2015 1.2 TSI SE, 20,000 miles, £11,732
Best used small SUVs
It’s immensely practical, with loads of room in the rear seats and boot thanks to that boxy back end; what’s more, those rear seats slide, fold and even tumble to give you immense practicality. The design of the dashboard isn’t going to win any awards, but the plastics are more than up to the job of dealing with the sort of abuse young families will throw at it and it’s all logically laid out and simple to use.
Best used small SUVs
1. BMW X1
The BMW X1 was one of the first premium small SUVs, but this particular generation of X1 truly warranted its superior status. All the bits and pieces you touch on a regular basis in the X1 have a feel of solidity and high quality. To drive, the X1 is really a step ahead of its rivals. With precise, well-weighted steering and excellent body control, you really do feel like you’re driving a smaller hatchback rather than an SUV.
We found: 2016 sDrive 18d SE Auto, 22,000 miles, £21,000
Best used small SUVs
What’s more, there’s plenty of space in the X1 for a family. The rear seats have plenty of flexibility – sliding, reclining and folding in a multitude of ways that enables you to make the best use of the available space. There’s even an electric tailgate as standard on the X1, a very nice touch.
Sure, there are cheaper small SUVs, but the X1 is worth the extra money because of its broad range of abilities. And, once you’ve bought it, running costs are surprisingly low given the X1’s premium billing. A great used buy and worthy of its top spot on this list.
And the small SUVs to avoid…
And the small SUVs to avoid…
Vauxhall Antara
Car And Driver Best Small Suv 2016
Don’t be fooled by the slick looks: the Vauxhall Antara is noisy, slow, uncomfortable, and poorly equipped. It isn't even all that cheap, and it's impossible to recommend.
And the small SUVs to avoid…
Suzuki Jimny
Best Small 2016 Suv To Buy
Great off-road, but appalling on it, the Suzuki Jimny is an SUV from another age, and way off the pace in almost every area.
Best Small Suv 2016 Models
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