SUVs under $40k

The Ford Puma is a crossover vehicle introduced to the Australian market in 2020. This European-sourced hatch-SUV replaced the Indian-built EcoSport.

Based on the Fiesta city car platform, Ford’s smallest SUV is available in three trim grades: base, ST-Line and ST-Line V.

The Kia Seltos small SUV arrived in 2019 to fill a notable hole in the company’s otherwise diverse line-up.

Despite its crossover-like appearance, the model offers a combination of generous boot and cabin space, coupled with 1.6-litre turbo power and all-wheel drive at the pointy end of the range.

The fresh Mazda CX-30 is the newest addition to the brand’s SUV lineup.

Sitting between the Mazda CX-3 and CX-5 in terms of size, the Mazda CX-30 was introduced in 2019 as a way to fill what the brand saw as a gap in its SUV range.

The Skoda Kamiq is the Czech car maker’s smallest SUV, based on a stretched version of the Fabia’s bones and offering a higher driving position and more rugged styling to the city car.

Sitting below the Karoq and Kodiaq SUVs, all Kamiq models are front-wheel drive. Beyond that, there is choice in the range, with the three-cylinder 85TSI Style kicking off proceedings before stepping up to the more powerful four-cylinder 110TSI Monte Carlo and 110TSI Signature variants.

The Volkswagen T-Roc is a relative newcomer to the small SUV segment, yet it has quickly established itself as one of the best contenders in its class.

First launched in Australia in 2020, the T-Roc’s key attributes include handsome styling, sporty handling, and a broad mix of engines despite a relatively simple three-tier model range.