SUVs have been a lucrative market segment for years, but since the introduction of smaller Qashqai styled 'crossover' SUVs, popularity has sky rocketed.
As the Qashqai entered the proverbial limelight in 2007, other manufacturers released small SUVs of their own, which essentially combined different design elements of hatchbacks and estates with the stance of an SUV.
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The popularity of small SUVs has continued to grow as their universal functionality offers potential off-road capabilities, yet the stylish appeal of a soft roader.
Following the popularity of small SUVs, we have collated some of the markets best on sale and upcoming small SUVs.
Mini Countryman
The Countryman is essentially a muscular version of the Cooper hatchback, with style being at the forefront of its appeal, as opposed to off-road functionality.
As with most other Mini models, the Countryman features oodles of fancy kit, even at a standard level.
There is a four-wheel-drive version available on its Cooper D and Cooper S trim levels, but four wheel drive Mini Countryman prices start from £19,270, as opposed to the entry level £16,510 price tag.
View our Mini Countryman review
Nissan Juke
The Nissan Juke is a particularly small crossover, essentially designed for city driving, with an exterior design that looks like a mix between the Nissan Leaf and the Nissan Qashqai.
Standard kit on the Juke includes 16 inch alloy wheels, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), air conditioning and MP3 compatibility.
Although it boasts a 4x4 derivative, a 4x4 model bumps Nissan Juke prices up from £13,395 to £20,295.
View our Nissan Juke review
Vauxhall Mokka
Although it sounds like a beverage, the Vauxhall Mokka is a stylish compact SUV that bridges the gap between soft-road and off-road driving.
The Mokka is a Corsa based SUV and it features a smooth aerodynamic body with contours on its bonnet and flanks.
The Mokka makes use of a 1.7-litre diesel powertrain producing 128bhp and emitting 124g/km. Entry level Vauxhall Mokka prices start from £16,995 and include ESC, hill start assist, cruise control and a digital radio.
View our Vauxhall Mokka review
Chevrolet Trax
The Trax is Chevrolet's take on the Vauxhall Mokka, with a dash of Chevy Captiva thrown in, and it offers both off-road and soft-road functionality.
Although it is based on the Mokka it offers more of a bulky body, with what can only be described as large eyelids running from its headlights to its wing mirrors.
Specific engine details have not yet been announced, but it is expected to feature two petrols and two diesels, including a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.7-litre diesel.
View our Chevrolet reviews
Skoda Roomster
Slightly smaller to its brother model, the Yeti, the Roomster offers a box-like rear-end, which helps it achieve interior storage space of up to 1,655 litres, ultimately making it an extremely practical family-style SUV.
Entry level Skoda Roomster prices start from £11,855 and include a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 68bhp and emitting 143g/km. Unfortunately the Roomster doesn't come available with four-wheel-drive.
View our Skoda Roomster review
Toyota Urban Cruiser
Many car buyers are put off the Urban Cruiser city based SUV as its price starts from £16,465. However, it's all relative when considering how much equipment is offered.
As it comes with just one trim level, equipment is aplenty and includes air conditioning, leather multi-function steering wheel, 16-inch gloss alloy wheels and rear privacy glass.
4x4 Toyota Urban Cruiser prices start from £18,525.
View our Urbancruiser review
Hyundai ix35
The ix35 offers as Qashqai styled body shape with strong contours on its bonnet and a small sweeping rear spoiler, giving it an executive SUV appeal.
Standard kit on the ix35 includes air conditioning, leather steering wheel, ESC and voice controlled Bluetooth.
It cost £21,600 for a 4x4 model, which comes with a 134bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine.
View our Hyundai ix35 review
Nissan Qashqai
The Qashqai runs right alongside the Evoque in terms of competition as its snug and contour stricken body style give it a street wise appeal.
The Qashqai's entry level kit is aplenty as it offers air conditioning, a trip computer, electric windows and alloy wheels as standard. The entry level engine is a 115bhp 1.6-litre petrol.
Nissan Qashqai prices start from £16,595.
View our Nissan Qashqai review
Skoda Yeti
The Yeti is more of a practical SUV and is a similar size to the Qashqai, but offers a completely different exterior design - as well as a somewhat entrancing likeability as Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear fell in love with it.
The Yeti offers more of an extended box-like rear end, which although it may deter some people, it actually acts as one of its best qualities as it allows up to 1,760 litres of storage space with its seats folded down.
Four wheel drive models bump up Skoda Yeti prices from £14,945, which is entry level, to £20,710.
View our Skoda Yeti review
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage was one of the most important models for the Korean brand as it broadened their market appeal.
Along with its muscular stance and family styled functionality, the Sportage offers tons of equipment on its entry level '1' trim, including leather steering wheel, cruise control, cornering lights, air conditioning and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Kia Sportage prices start from £17,300.
View our Kia Sportage review
Range Rover Evoque
The Evoque is a stylish SUV that can function as both an off-roader and soft-road, although street driving is better fitted to its image.
With a low coupe roofline and a range of versatile trim levels and paint jobs, the Evoque ticks both the style and comfort boxes with ease.
The Evoque also features a frugal 2.2-litre diesel engine, which emits just 129g.km of CO2 emissions.
Range Rover Evoque prices start from just £27,995.
View our Range Rover Evqoue review
Audi Q3
The Q3 is the smaller and executive entry level model to its larger and more expensive Q5 and Q7 brothers.
Although Audi Q3 prices start considerably lower at £25,065, the Q3 still comes more than adequately equipped, as standard SE trim kit includes rear parking sensors, roof rails, multifunctional leather steering wheel and flip screen radio.
Four-wheel-drive models cost slightly extra at £25,730.
View our Audi reviews
Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is a highly executive SUV.
One of the best things about the RX is that even though there are around eight different trim variants, the entry level trim offers loads of luxurious equipment - including privacy glass, heated leather seats, Bluetooth and a CD auto-changer.
Entry level Lexus RX prices start from £44,495 and come with a punchy 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 299bhp and emitting 145g/km.
View our Lexus RX review
Volkswagen Touareg
The Touareg offers a snug and swept back crossover look, which is slightly reminiscent of the Citroen C4 Aircross model. However, unlike the Aircross, the Touareg is more of a gritty off-roader.
Standard equipment includes climate control, cruise control, DAB digital radio, 18-inch alloy wheels and satellite navigation.
Volkswagen Touareg prices are quite steep compared to competitors at £39,495.
View our Volkswagen Touareg review
Volvo XC60
Although its exterior isn't particularly dynamic, the XC60 is a great car and is very practical.
The XC60 comes with three trim levels, but the entry level SE trim comes well equipped with climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, cruise control and a leather steering wheel.
Entry level Volvo XC60 prices start from £29,995. An all wheel drive (AWD) variant is offered as standard with a 163bhp D4 engine.
View our Volvo XC60 review
Land Rover Freelander 2
Although it is edging into the large SUV category, the Freelander 2 is still relatively small compared to its Discovery 4 and Defender brothers.
The Freelander 2 features a near enough unbeatable all-terrain system, making it perfect for off-road driving, which allows the driver to choose from a range of different driving modes. It also features a 158g/km achieving engine, which is quite low for a vehicle of its off-road nature.
Its interior isn't particularly refined, but if you want something that performs off-road, then the Freelander 2 is well worth considering.
Land Rover Freelander prices start from £22,700.
View our Land Rover Freelander review
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