Ten of the best new compact crossovers
Whether you're on a tight budget or can afford to splash the cash on a new kid on the block with big kerb appeal, there's a crossover here for you
The quirky Nissan Juke kicked off the craze for small, rugged-looking SUVs in 2010 – now they're all the rage and we're spoilt for choice.
With their raised ride height, commanding driving position and economical engines, some compact crossovers even have four-wheel drive and an off-road ability.
All the cars in our list start at around £20,000 – and there's everything from current bestsellers to hybrid and electric newcomers packed with tech.
We only have space for 10 of the best, which is a shame because there are so many good crossovers in this class. It was tough to lose the likes of the Suzuki Vitara, Dacia Duster, SsangYong Tivoli, Seat Arona, Citroen C3 Aircross, Skoda Kamiq and the 100% electric Mazda MX-30.
Prices quoted from November 2021
Kia Stonic
Good looking, generously equipped, well built and easy to drive, the Stonic is great value and deserves to be on any compact crossover shortlist.
It's also blessed with Kia’s unbeatable seven-year warranty.
Priced from £18,900.
Renault Captur
Stylish, comfortable and safe, there's enough space for the family in the latest Captur and it comes with Renault’s five-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Available with a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines, we'd recommend the new plug-in hybrid (badged E-tech) version which offers up to 31 miles of pure electric range and a potential 188.3 mpg, plus CO2 emissions of just 35g/km.
Priced from £20,300.
Ford Puma
The car that shook up the crossover sector in 2021 is now one of the UK's biggest sellers. Refreshingly different from a styling perspective, it's entertaining to drive, refined, economical, well-equipped and cleverly packaged.
Go for the frugal 125PS 48V mild-hybrid version which pairs Ford’s punchy 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine with a sweet seven-speed automatic gearbox.
Priced from £22,295.
Volkswagen T-Cross
Volkswagen's smallest SUV drives well and is more spacious than it looks. There’s a choice of economical 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre petrol engines and it's also well equipped. However, it’s not quite as plush inside as we've come to expect from VWs.
Priced from £20,950.
Dacia Sandero Stepway
Still the UK's most affordable new car, the latest Sandero sports a fresh new look, a step-up in quality, more tech and low running costs. What’s more, it offers supermini space for significantly less than the cheapest city car on the market, plus low depreciation.
But it's the Sandero's sibling, the Stepway, that we'd recommend. It has a more rugged appearance, a raised ride height and roof rails which cleverly convert into a roof rack – and it delivers a slightly more dynamic drive.
Sandero range priced from £9,845.
Peugeot 2008
Looking not unlike a smaller version of its popular SUV sibling, the 3008, the new 2008 has serious road presence, handles well and comes with a choice of efficient petrol and diesel engines, plus a 100% electric version with a range of 206 miles (badged e-2008).
The 2008 range is priced from £21,665.
Nissan Juke
The new second generation Juke is more spacious, safer, better equipped and dynamic to drive than its predecessor.
Built in the UK at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, its looks are still divisive, but it's easy to drive and park around town. Initially it's only available with a 1.0-litre petrol engine, which should be ample for most buyers.
Priced from £19,200.
Toyota Yaris Cross
More baby RAV4 than big Yaris, the bold new Toyota Yaris Cross really shakes up the compact SUV sector.
Powered by a gutsy 1.5-litre self-charging petrol hybrid engine, CO2 emissions are as low as 112g/km and fuel economy is up to 57.6mpg. In short, it’s a class act.
Priced from £24,140.
Vauxhall Mokka
Arguably the best-looking Vauxhall ever, the new Mokka is a stylish urban crossover that should definitely be on your compact crossover shortlist.
Easy to drive and distinctive, it's available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, plus a 100% electric variant (badged Mokka-e) which is smooth and silent and has a useful range of 201 miles.
Mokka range priced from £21,290.
MG ZS
A family-sized crossover for the price of a supermini. Yes, the MG ZS represents big bang for your buck.
Well-equipped, easy to drive and with space for all the family, go for the refined 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox or the pure electric version with a range of up to 163 miles. Either way, you'll get a generous seven-year/80,000-mile warranty.
MG ZS range priced from £15,995.
Gareth Herincx
Motoring journalist
I'm an experienced journalist, digital editor and copywriter, now specialising in motoring. I’m editor of Automotive Blog and have worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online for household names including the BBC, GMTV, ITV and MSN. I’ve produced digital content in the financial sector for Lloyds Bank, Nationwide and the Money Advice Service. I'm married with two children and live near Bath in Somerset.
