High 5 mild SUVs of 2024

Want an SUV however don’t need it to be too large? There are many choices, however naturally it may be troublesome to know the place to look.

We’re wanting again at our yr of evaluations and compiling lists of our top-rated autos from numerous segments. This time mild SUVs are within the highlight, and whereas the scores will not be as excessive as different segments there are nonetheless some good automobiles to dive into.

This listing focuses on the autos listed within the mild SUV class on the VFACTS gross sales charts. Given it’s not a densely populated section, these automobiles all inhabit the identical area and are inside one another’s ballparks on worth.

A few of these fashions have been reviewed on a number of events this yr, so we’ve solely featured the variant that achieved the best score.

Costs are earlier than on-roads until specified as drive-away (D/A). The place drive-away costs are offered, they’re primarily based on every producer’s configurators utilizing a Victorian postcode for a consultant estimate of what the typical Australian purchaser will find yourself paying.

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Click on on automobile’s title within the desk above to leap on to its info on the web page, or hold scrolling for the total article.

Volkswagen T-Cross

The Volkswagen T-Cross obtained an replace in 2024, and an all-encompassing evaluation by senior contributor Matt Campbell awarded the vary an 8.4 out of 10.

We imagine the bottom T-Cross Life brings glorious worth because the vary’s opening level, and we maintained our view that it felt extra grown-up than a few of its rivals.

Its inside presentation was a key contributor to that, whereas we had been impressed with its practicality on account of the sliding second-row seat. The T-Cross’ dealing with dynamics had been additionally discovered to be fairly good, and we felt it meets its goal properly.

Being a light-weight SUV it’s bodily small, and we recognised that some might not be capable of work with its small dimensions. It was additionally disappointing that there have been no directional rear air vents to be discovered throughout the vary.

Its efficiency from the 85TSI engine additionally wasn’t excellent, whereas we mentioned it was “laggy in some conditions”. General we felt the updates introduced stable enhancements throughout the board.

You’ll be able to learn our full evaluation of the Volkswagen T-Cross right here

Occupied with shopping for a Volkswagen T-Cross? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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Suzuki Jimny

The biggest model of Suzuki’s child off-roader continues to be a unusual providing, and our evaluation from August awarded it a sq. 8.0.

Regardless of its five-door fittings we favored how its tiny stature assisted in manoeuvrability round city. We had been additionally impressed with its off-road capabilities, and located there wasn’t a lot that would unsettle it when on the path.

As ever we like how distinctive the Jimny is, because it sits in its personal area of interest space among the many competitors. Whereas we acknowledged its on-paper stats don’t look unimaginable, we will undoubtedly see the enchantment for a loveable automobile just like the Jimny.

It’s not excellent although, with a key flaw being its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine and four-speed auto setup’s distinct lack of energy throughout the rev vary. Regardless of the fundamental powertrain we additionally felt it was costly to service.

A few of the tech additionally left us underwhelmed, just like the reversing digicam that’s harking back to an aftermarket unit. Whereas we choose the handbook different, our expertise with the automated proved to be fulfilling – although we advocate you curb your expectations earlier than getting behind the wheel.

You’ll be able to learn our full evaluation of the Suzuki Jimny XL right here

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Jeep Avenger

Jeep’s first electrical car (EV) and Australia’s first electrical mild SUV impressed us, with managing editor Marton Pettendy awarding the vary a score of seven.9.

We just like the Avenger’s distinctive styling and quirky easter eggs scattered across the automobile, just like the small Jeep grille brand on the entrance and the mountain decal on the rear window that hints to the titular Summit variant.

It additionally rides properly, and we discovered its powertrain gives acceptable ranges of efficiency with out being too rowdy. Inside tech can also be glorious, and we appreciated its effectivity declare.

We didn’t like the best way some key security gear like blind-spot monitoring, lane centring and visitors jam help weren’t included on the bottom spec, whereas the absence of rear AEB, knee and centre airbags throughout the three-variant vary was disappointing.

As is typical of EVs there’s additionally no spare wheel, however general it’s a convincing bundle that’s let down by excessively costly costs.

You’ll be able to learn our full evaluation of the Jeep Avenger right here

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Toyota Yaris Cross

The Yaris Cross is Toyota’s smallest SUV, and after being pushed by senior contributor Matt Campbell its top-spec GR Sport variant was awarded 7.9.

Whereas we had been shocked Toyota would give the decidedly un-sporty Yaris Cross the GR Sport therapy, we discovered it was truly a well-packaged car with loads of helpful tech to maintain occupants entertained.

We additionally favored how environment friendly its hybrid powertrain was, a reassuring truth given the entire vary is now hybrid-only. As for its exterior aesthetics, we additionally assume it appears to be like fairly sharp with the GR Sport bits fitted.

That being mentioned, there’s no actual efficiency good points to justify it carrying the GR badge. It’s underpowered, which in a traditional Yaris Cross is suitable, however the GR badging feels considerably misplaced with this automobile.

Regardless of being a comparatively new mannequin is inside can also be starting to seem outdated, however past the questionable use of the GR title it’s nonetheless a stable mild SUV.

You’ll be able to learn our full evaluation of the Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport right here

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Renault Captur

The Captur could also be Australia’s lowest-selling mild SUV that has been on sale for the entire yr, nevertheless it scored a decent 7.8 after being pushed in top-spec Intens guise by market editor James Wong.

We appreciated its turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine, which gives a wholesome kick of energy while you lay into the throttle. It’s additionally a sharp-looking automobile in and out, with its inside benefiting from an upmarket presentation.

That inside was additionally discovered to be sensible, and we may admire its dealing with and experience consolation even when they weren’t fairly as much as the identical customary as among the different automobiles on this section.

We weren’t so keen on its dual-clutch transmission, which we discovered to be clumsy at occasions – although that trait is typical of such transmissions. Its infotainment appears to be like sharp too, however we had been disillusioned by its laggy tendencies.

Its gasoline effectivity wasn’t unimaginable both, nevertheless it nonetheless proved to be an honest automobile. Australia is because of obtain the facelifted Captur early subsequent yr, which suggests the mannequin we reviewed is now firmly on the best way out.

You’ll be able to learn our full evaluation of the Renault Captur Intens right here

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