Top SUVs for under £30,000

This exploding market sector has some top performers. Here we rate the top ten

The SUV market has burgeoned, to the detriment of other sectors, like MPVs. It’s now a great sprawling empire covering everything from small, mild crossovers to heavy-duty seven-seater planet-crossers. So which one is for you and what aspects most apply to your lifestyle? Here we rate our top ten to help you make your way safely through the SUV empire.

10 Suzuki Vitara 1.6 SZ-T

List price £17,000

Suzuki has been a major player in the budget SUV sector for decades, and it shows. The latest Vitara does that clever trick of being compact from the outside but fairly large on the inside. As ever, Suzuki throws in a lot of standard kit so there’s a lot to recommend, even if the engines are not the best for fuel consumption or emissions.

9 Renault Kadjar 1.5 dCi 110 Dynamique Nav

List price £23,225

This SUV was created in tandem with the Nissan Qashqai, and we know how good that is. Given that the Renault version is cheaper than the Nissan, there’s a lot to like here, even if the Qashqai still has the edge on things like driving enjoyment, equipment and cabin ambience.

8 Audi Q2 1.4 TFSI Sport

List price £24,560

This may be Audi’s smallest and least expensive SUV but it’s still a pricey item compared to the competition, and it’s definitely not spacious, to the point of being quite cramped in the rear. But then again it drives more like a normal car, is very refined and has a cabin quality that really is hard to beat at any price.

7 Mazda CX-5 2.2 Skyactiv-D SE-L Nav

List price £25,295

In terms of metal for your money the CX-5 is hard to beat. There are acres of room inside and the latest model feels classier in there too. It also manages the clever trick of being quite fun to drive, with great steering, yet it has a seriously comfortable and compliant ride.

6 BMW X1 sDrive 18d SE

List price £27,990

This, to mimic Audi, is BMW’s smallest and least expensive SUV but we’d soften the still premium price by going for the entry-level SE trim as it really does give you all you need. The X1 has been around for ever it seems, so there are lots to choose from, with either two- or four-wheel drive.

5 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150 SE Nav

List price £28,825

The second-generation Tiguan is not cheap but it is much classier than the first version. It’s a very practical SUV with lots of room and flexibility, and makes a decent car to drive. With the 2.0-litre diesel engine we’d go for this SE Nav trim as this mid level gives you a multiple-zone climate control as well as cruise control, better seats and more.

4 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi N-Connecta

List price £24,655

No surprise to see the Qashqai ahead of its co-created SUV, the Renault Kadjar. The vehicle that started the whole small, family-friendly SUV sector, the Qashqai has won a lot of awards and it’s easy to see why. But note that it’s now losing that crown to new arrivals like the Seat Ateca, and bear in mind that a revised Qashqai will be arriving later in 2017.

3 Peugeot 3008 1.2 PureTech Allure

List price £23,755

If you want an SUV with contemporary looks and an imaginative cabin, then this is for you. The award-winning 3008 is one of the most striking and comfortable SUVs on the market and stands out as something a bit different.

2 Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI SE 7 Seat

List price £28,300

Skoda’s first big SUV started winning awards and tests as soon as it came out. If you need seven seats and a very modern SUV yet you are on a sensible budget then check this out, but do resist adding too many extras as that can push the price over £30,000 quite easily.

1 Seat Ateca 1.4 EcoTSI 150 SE

List price £21,710

Seat was late to the SUV party, yet it came in pretty much at No 1 as soon as it was launched. It’s a tremendous all-rounder, combining space with pace, and with the sort of practical, family-friendly, thought-through appeal that makes you do a double-take on the price. A clear winner.

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