Small SUV Reviews
- Home /
- SUV BUYERS GUIDE /
- Small SUVs /
- Reviews

2026 Kia Seltos Sport+ review: New hybrid-only small SUV deserves kudos for its interior, but drops the ball elsewhere
Kia’s new-generation Seltos brings sharper styling, more sophistication and hybrid power, but does it deliver enough to justify its higher pricing?

Honda HR-V e:HEV RS review: Small hybrid SUV gets sportier looks – but is it worth the price hike?
Honda gives its efficient HR-V hybrid the RS treatment, adding some welcome attitude – but does the flagship justify its higher price?

BYD Atto 3 EVO review: The small SUV gets far more than just a facelift as rear-wheel-drive switch pays off
The BYD Atto 3 EVO is far more enjoyable to drive as its evolution goes far beyond cosmetics and some extra gear in the cabin.

Best Compact Car 2026: Toyota, Mazda, MG, Geely, BYD and Kia vie for the title. And the winner is…
Australia’s best compact cars combine value, efficiency, practicality and driving enjoyment in a package perfectly suited to everyday life.

Alfa Romeo Tonale review: Flawed beauty is full of improvements but falls into the style over substance trap
Just three years after the launch of the original, the Alfa Romeo Tonale has been given a heavy makeover. But is it enough to improve the breed?

Hybrid Heroes: Honda HR-V v Hyundai Kona comparison
As hybrid technology reshapes Australia’s favourite vehicle segment, we compare two fuel-sipping small SUVs battling for value, efficiency, practicality and everyday driving appeal

Jaecoo J5 Track review: A bargain small SUV, but how does it shape up to main rivals?
The small SUV segment is cut throat, but the new petrol variant of the Jaecoo J5 is hard to resists with a $25,990 driveaway starting price.

Hyundai Kona Hybrid Elite review: New mid-spec grade brings extra features in reach
Hyundai recently revised the line-up of its Kona small SUV, with a new mid-spec Elite model now featuring. Is it the Kona model to choose?

GWM Ora 5 electric SUV review: Fun and funky styling taps into rising EV popularity
As Australians are buying EVs in greater numbers than ever before, the GWM Ora 5 SUV’s arrival couldn’t have come at a better time

Nissan Qashqai Ti-L e-Power review: Updated hybrid brings more efficiency, maintains performance
The e-Power hybrid drivetrain in the Nissan Qashqai was recently updated for greater efficiency and more power… but could the model’s price put buyers off?

Best Small SUVs 2026, Overall Winner: Honda HR-V
To win a Wheels Best award, a vehicle must possess a wide range of skills, which is exactly why the Honda HR-V is our overall Best Small SUV for 2026.

Best Small SUVs 2026: Performance
Turbocharged petrol power, high-performance hybrids and rapid EVs are pushing boundaries in the small SUV segment, proving practicality and genuine driver appeal can coexist.

Best Small SUVs 2026: Luxury
Premium compact SUVs are evolving rapidly, with electrification, advanced technology and elevated refinement on offer for those who can afford it.

Best Small SUVs 2026: Urban
The best small SUVs for urban mobility, blending efficiency, smart packaging and modern technology to better suit car-heavy Australian cities.

Best Small SUVs 2026: Electric
From affordable newcomers to premium EVs, the latest electric small SUVs promise longer range, smarter technology and improved everyday usability.

Best Small SUVs 2026: Value
From sharp pricing to strong warranties and generous standard features, these small SUVs deliver real-world value beyond the sticker price in 2026’s competitive market.

Best Small SUVs 2026: Hybrid
Hybrid small SUVs are drawing more attention from Australian new car buyers through a combination of improved efficiency, lower running costs and greater flexibility for everyday driving.

Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid review: More efficient and powerful… and still great value for the tech
The Chery Tiggo 4 has been a sales star so far in its Australian career, so how does the newer hybrid drivetrain compare to rivals?

Kia EV3 Air Long Range review: Small, electric SUV is practical, polished… with winning real-world range
Kia’s compact crossover electric SUV is edgy, stylish, eye-catching and designed to appeal to a new buyer considering an electric vehicle. Great styling aside, though, how does the value equation stack up?

2026 Zeekr X AWD: Premium small SUV arrives to take on established players
Zeekr’s smaller 7X sibling, known simply as X, has been given a refresh, with sharper pricing, faster charging capability and an extended standard feature list. Can it take the fight to its twin-under-the-skin, the Volvo EX30?

Honda HR-V review: Enduring practicality in the small SUV segment
Into its third generation in Australia, Honda’s HR-V may not be the cheapest option in the small SUV segment but it remains one of the most practical and fuel efficient.

Chery C5 review: Updated Omoda 5 offers standout style among small SUVs
With Omoda shifting across to become the premium arm of the Chery portfolio, the Omoda 5 has become the Chery C5 with tech and equipment upgrades, plus a refreshed style.

Jaecoo J5 EV review: Stylish small electric SUV takes on BYD’s Atto 2
The J5 EV is the latest, smallest and greenest SUV that Jaecoo has launched. Is there more to it than its bargain pricing?

Chery Tiggo 4 review: Sales champion offers more than just an enticing price
Chery’s baby SUV is already the best-selling small SUV in 2026 because it offers excellent value. What else is part of the package?
