
SUVs under $40k
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- Best SUVs under $40k
SUV buyers with up to $40,000 to spend start to be spoilt for choice. While the luxury brands won’t be found in this price bracket, all the mainstream car makers exist – and with multiple offerings.
There’s also a mix of small SUVs and midsized SUVs. Smaller SUVs up to $40,000 are available in higher trim grades with more features, including all-wheel drive in some instances. Midsized SUVs offered below $40,000 are typically lower-specification models with limited equipment lists, petrol engines, and front-wheel drive.

Ford Puma
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.

Kia Seltos
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.

Skoda Kamiq
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.

Volkswagen T-Roc
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.
Also Popular
Model | Price From* |
---|---|
Hyundai Kona | $26,900 |
MG ZS | $21,990 |
Mitsubishi ASX | $24,990 |
Subaru XV | $33,190 |
Toyota CH-R | $30,915 |
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