Best Small SUV 2021: Technology

All of the small SUVs on our mega-test have the tech basics covered. From a central infotainment screen you can listen to the radio, use phone apps via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and talk hands-free or audio stream from your phone.

All have steering wheel controls for infotainment and audio operation, and you’ll also benefit from at least six audio speakers.

But from there on, there are degrees of separation in this group when it comes to in-car technology.

The bigger the infotainment screen, the easier it is to quickly and safely use the functions displayed on it.

The smallest (7.0-inch) screen is found in the Mazda CX-3, Nissan QASHQAI and Toyota Yaris Cross, while 8.0-inch screens feature in the Ford Puma, Kia Stonic, Skoda Kamiq, Toyota C-HR and both the Volkswagen T-Roc and T-Cross.

The Mazda CX-30 has an 8.8-inch screen while the biggest screens belong to the MG ZST at 10.1-inch and the Hyundai Kona at 10.25-inch.

A digital TFT colour dashboard display is also standard on the Puma, Kona, ZST and Kamiq, while the CX-30 has a partial TFT colour digital display, housed in the centre part of its instrument cluster.

While navigation is possible with all the SUVs here via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it relies on a good cellular network signal and can rack up phone data costs.

Embedded sat-nav is standard in all but the Skoda and the two Volkswagens, although all three offer this in extra-cost option packs.

Traffic sign recognition is also included in the Ford, the two Mazdas, the MG, the Nissan and the two Toyotas. There is also a live traffic update function in the Puma, Kona, Stonic, QASHQAI, C-HR and Yaris Cross.

For all the safety and driver-assist technologies not listed here, go here to read our Best Small SUV safety article.

Digital radio is becoming a must-have feature across many vehicle segments, and here all models on test have it except the MG, Skoda, C-HR and the two Volkswagens.

And while all have at least one USB port for wired device charging or Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functions, the Ford, Hyundai, Skoda and Volkswagen T-Cross also have a wireless charging feature for compatible smartphones.

If you want to fit a forward-facing dash-cam, only the MG offers a USB port in close enough proximity to power it.

If high-fidelity audio is important to you, the 10-speaker Puma, eight-speaker Kona and 12-speaker CX-30 (each including a sub-woofer) offer the best sound specs.

Both the Puma and Yaris Cross have an embedded SIM or modem to permit certain connectivity features.

The Yaris Cross set-up is only for SOS calls, either automatically in the case of a crash, or manually activated by the driver.

The Puma’s embedded modem allows you to lock/unlock or locate your vehicle, start the engine remotely and activate the climate control on the last used setting via the FordPass phone app.