Thinking of buying a small SUV? Then make sure you read our countdown of the top 10 cars in this booming sector.....

Auto manufacturers continue to make safety a top priority across all makes and models. Here are the 2019 SUVS that have the best safety ratings according to the National Highway Traffic Safety. Best 2019 Small SUVs User Rankings. Class Model Year. Power Handling Looks/Style Front Seats Back Seats Cargo Capacity Family Car Value Overall. Most Powerful 2019 Small SUVs. Best Handling 2019 Small SUVs. Best Looking 2019 Small SUVs. 2019 Small SUVs with Best Front Seating. 2019 Small SUVs with Best Back Seating.

Small SUVs are among the most popular cars on sale today

The reason? They offer the high-set driving position, practicality and muscular looks of more traditional off-roaders, but usually without the high purchase price or running costs – so they can make great family cars.

Here, we count down the top 10 small SUVs you can currently buy – and reveal the models that are best to steer clear of:

Slideshow story - please click the right-hand arrow above to continue

10: Renault Captur

The Captur may look like a chunky SUV that shrunk in the wash, but it’s actually a cunningly disguised Clio on stilts.

Like the Clio, a range of economical petrol and diesel engines are available and only the front wheels are driven.

10: Renault Captur - interior

The Captur is good value, undercutting most of its rivals on purchase price and offering some of the lowest CO2 emissions in its class.

It's not as swift or agile as the competition, though, and its interior quality is underwhelming compared with the best in class.

9: Mini Countryman

The Countryman has a well-appointed, plush-looking interior and a decently sized boot. It handles well, but the ride can be unsettled and it has more road and wind noise than in some rivals.

9: Mini Countryman - interior

The Countryman is large by small SUV standards and makes decent use of what space there is.

A high roof and low seating position mean even the tallest of drivers will be able to get comfortable, while a wide body means you shouldn’t be rubbing elbows with your passenger.

8: Suzuki Ignis

2019 Small Suv Reviews

Suzuki has taken the 'small' part of the small SUV to the extreme – the Ignis is just 3.7 metres long and 1.7 metres wide. That makes it about the same size as the Volkswagen Up and Kia Picanto city cars.

However, with its flared arches, bluff nose and jacked-up stance, there’s no mistaking it for anything other than a radically designed and eye-catching baby SUV.

8: Suzuki Ignis - interior

The Ignis is also well priced and neatly packaged. Only its stodgy handling and so-so interior quality let it down.

7: Suzuki Vitara

The latest Vitara is a very different car to the original model, which was both smaller and more rugged.

The newcomer shouldn't be overlooked, though, because it's a compact five-seat SUV that’s affordable, practical and easy to live with.

7: Suzuki Vitara - interior

The Vitara is bigger than a number of more expensive rivals, with plenty of boot space and enough room for adults in the back seats. It’s well equipped, too.

SZ4 trim gets basics such as Bluetooth connectivity, a DAB radio, all-round electric windows and alloy wheels, plus a few luxuries including cruise control and climate control.

6: Honda HR-V

The HR-V might look expensive next to its small SUV rivals, but healthy discounts are available and it combines good interior space with flexible seating and tidy handling. Every version is also well equipped.

6: Honda HR-V - interior

We recommend the turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, which feels more willing than the non-turbocharged version on offer, and also better than the alternative 1.6-litre diesel.

5: Kia Stonic

The Stonic is the smallest SUV in Kia’s portfolio. It’s spawned from the Rio small hatchback in much the same way Renault uses the Clio as the basis for the Captur. It's only available in front-wheel-drive form, so don’t buy one if you want to cross the Sahara.

It does, however, have a slightly jacked-up ride height, roof rails and black plastic wheel arches to give it a rugged look.

5: Kia Stonic - interior

The Stonic handles tidily and is well equipped, but there's no bargain-basement entry-level version to tempt budget-conscious buyers.

Instead, the range starts at a price slightly above the Renault Captur's and a little below that of the Seat Arona.

4: Volkswagen T-Roc

At the cheaper end of the line-up, the T-Roc competes with the likes of the Seat Arona and Kia Stonic, even though it's fractionally bigger than those models.

However, move up the T-Roc range and you'll quickly find yourself in Audi Q2 and Mini Countryman territory. To help it stand out, the T-Roc has a more raked rear end than most rivals, aluminium exterior detailing and a distinctive front-end design.

4: Volkswagen T-Roc - interior

On the inside, the T-Roc's interior lets the side down a little, feeling rather low-rent for one of the pricier small SUVs. It's also a shame that only the top trim level gets sat-nav as standard.

3: Seat Arona

Until recently, Seat had as much experience of building SUVs as Ferrari did mobility scooters. However, the Spanish brand’s first effort, the Ateca, was so good that it won a major gong at our 2017 Car of the Year Awards.

Now there's a second, smaller offering: the Arona – and it's so good that we've named it our 2019 Small SUV of the Year.

3: Seat Arona - interior

While the Arona is pricier to buy outright than the Suzuki Vitara, great finance deals mean it is actually more affordable on a PCP deal.

And the Arona’s interior may not be as classy as the Audi Q2’s, but it’s still a comfortable and nicely designed place, with all the equipment you really need.

2: Audi Q2

Although there's nothing new about pint-sized SUVs, the Q2 was one of the first to combine compact dimensions with a premium badge on its snout.

2: Audi Q2 - interior

If you live in a crowded city or just like the benefits of a smaller and more frugal motor, you can swap space for a touch of luxury with the Q2.

The boot and rear seats are adequate, but it’s the quality of the interior that is seriously impressive. It’s also good to know that the Q2 has one of the best infotainment systems around.

1: Volkswagen T-Cross

The T-Cross is the best small SUV you can buy right now – it's great to drive, spacious inside and comes with an impressive array of safety equipment.

1: Volkswagen T-Cross - interior

Plus it's competitive on running costs, so whether you're a company car driver or private car buyer, it deserves to be on your SUV shortlist.

So there we have the 10 best small SUVs of 2019; but what about those you should avoid...?

Jeep Renegade

The Renegade has its merits: it’s roomy inside, the diesel engines sip fuel gently and it has genuine off-road ability. But its shortcomings will outweigh the good points for many buyers.

Jeep Renegade - interior

10 Best Rated Small Suvs

Not only is it comparatively expensive to buy, refinement is woeful, the ride is unsettled and the gruff-sounding engines make it feel positively agricultural to drive.

Suzuki Jimny

If you’re after a small SUV with genuine off-road ability, the Jimny may fit the bill.

Suzuki Jimny - interior

However, the little Suzuki feels like it belongs in a different era. Its woeful refinement, feeble performance and shortage of safety and security equipment all count against it.

Related cars

Compact SUVs are some of the best-selling vehicles in the United States. In fact, they occupy four of the top ten spots on the list. SUV sales are booming as American consumers trade in their sedans for these higher-riding models. As such the compact SUV segment is a crowded and competitive one. But competition is healthy and has resulted in some great offerings for consumers. We’ll help you cut through the crowded pack to determine which one is best for you.

We ranked 15 compact SUVs from best to worst by combining their ratings on driving performance, standard features, design, and value.

15. 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

(image via Facebook)

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has a fairly cushy ride. Its drawbacks are too numerous to recommend it, however. It has noticeable body roll through turns, unresponsive steering, and small cargo space compared to others in the segment. This drops it down to the bottom of the list.

14. 2019 Jeep Compass

(image via Facebook)

We do like the exterior styling of the Jeep Compass, and the interior is just as straightforward and appealing. However, it has below-average reliability ratings, so even the affordable price point may turn into a more expensive investment in the long-term. It also features underpowered engines, humdrum handling, and tight cargo space.

13. 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander

(image via Facebook)

The Outlander does have 3 rows, something the majority of these competitors don’t. That makes it affordable for a 3-row SUV. But since it has a dull engine, low-quality interior materials, and doesn’t rank very well for reliability, buyers’ money is best spent elsewhere. You may pay more upfront for something else, but it will be better performing and save you more money in the long run.

12. 2019 GMC Terrain

(image via Facebook)

The GMC Terrain was recently redesigned, and we are fans of the exterior look. However, the tricky space between the C- and D-pillars offers an essentially unusable window which makes rear visibility troublesome. The cabin is comfy, and the ride is smooth. But GMC doesn’t offer much in the way of additional features or value for its higher starting price over, say, the mechanically identical Chevrolet Equinox.

11. 2019 Jeep Cherokee

2019 Small Suv For Sale

(image via Facebook)

Like its other Jeep siblings, the Cherokee has a well laid out, if not simple, infotainment dash. It also truly holds its own off-road. Maybe that off-road focus contributed somewhat to the lowest fuel economy ratings in the class. Acceleration also suffers from a poor base engine, though a new optional 2.0L is available.

10. 2019 Chevrolet Equinox

(image via Facebook)

The Chevrolet Equinox edges out its corporate cousin because it offers a better value proposition. It’s affordable and has good reliability ratings. The cabin is comfortable and roomy, and the infotainment dash is intuitive. The build quality materials could be amped up a bit, but it does have a diesel model that offers stellar fuel economy. At least that’s a differentiator from competitors.

9. 2019 Nissan Rogue

(image via Facebook)

Even though the Nissan Rogue comes middle of the pack in our rankings, it’s one of the best-selling vehicles in the country. It’s affordable and comes loaded with a large array of standard features. It’s also surprisingly roomy for a compact SUV. The underpowered engine, however, tends to whine and struggle when picking up speed. It’s noticeable enough to hear it in the cabin.

8. 2019 Ford Escape

(image via Facebook)

The 2019 Ford Escape is the last of the third generation. Beginning in 2020, it will see a complete redesign along with the addition of hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. While the 2019 version has a well-powered engine, other competitors have higher safety score ratings. If you prize cargo space, however, the Ford Escape is one of the class leaders.

7. 2019 Kia Sportage

(image via Facebook)

The Kia Sportage offers the typical South Korean value proposition. Tons of standard features at lower prices than rivals. The Sportage is also smooth-riding with taut handling. It doesn’t have the most cargo space behind the rear seats, however. Nonetheless, it’s still a solid choice.

6. 2019 Hyundai Tucson

(image via Facebook)

The Hyundai Tucson is related to the Kia Sportage and has, essentially, the same pros and cons. Its smooth ride is counterbalanced by midling fuel economy ratings and smaller cargo capacity than some rivals in this class. It’s due for a complete overhaul in 2021, and Hyundai has promised some radical styling. It might be worth your while to wait a few months to see what Hyundai has in store if your heart is set on a Tucson.

2019 Small Suvs Photos

5. 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan

(image via Facebook)

Sure the Tiguan has a funny name, but there’s nothing funny about the driving experience. It floats down the road with the sure-footedness of mid-size luxury sedan. It also has a great warranty and good reliability ratings, which means that it’s a safe investment for the long-haul. The rear cargo area is also particularly spacious.

4. 2019 Toyota RAV4

(image via Facebook)

Toyota’s top seller was completely redesigned for 2019, and we are fans of the more aggressive styling (at least compared to something like Honda’s CR-V). The RAV4 has spacious dimensions throughout the interior, and it comes with an array of standard driver assistance features. Plus, the very fuel-efficient hybrid model is only slightly more expensive and comes standard with AWD. There really isn’t a reason not to opt for it.

3. 2019 Subaru Forester

(image via Facebook)

2019 Small Suv Ranked

The venerable Forester (a lifted station wagon “disguised” like an SUV) has been selling like gangbusters for Subaru. It’s easy to see why. The Japanese automaker’s cars typically have great safety scores and solid handling with a comfortable ride. All of that applies to the Forester, plus it comes standard with all-wheel-drive. Not many other competitors in this class can say that.

2. 2019 Honda CR-V

(image via Facebook)

Best Small Suvs All Makes Models

While the CR-V may not have won us over on the looks depart from the outside, once you sit in the cockpit you can’t help but appreciate the obvious care and precision with which Honda appointed its vehicle. It has the most space in the class, great fuel economy, and upscale interior, and a smooth-as-can-be ride. No wonder it’s a perennial best-seller.

1. 2019 Mazda CX-5

(image via Facebook)

Mazda’s CX-5 outsells the rest of Mazda’s lineup combined. It’s easy to see why. Both the exterior and interior are gorgeous. The sheetmetal shines in classy waves, and the minimalist interior looks like it was pulled straight out of the luxury class. The powerful engines provide a pleasant and engaging driving experience, and it doesn’t come at the expense of fuel economy. What is there not to like?