Best Small SUV 2021: The verdict

The contenders for Best Small SUV 2021 combine to form a mind-boggling list of new metal when you consider the turmoil brought with the global COVID-19 pandemic.

And with so much all-new product touting the latest in design, features and engineering, where does that leave the well-rounded established players?

Let us emphasise that the SUVs we’ve put through our rigorous assessment program were chosen from a list twice as long, with the 12 finalists judged to be stand-out models deserving of a place in our 2021 mega-test.

That made the results tighter and the decision harder, but a clear winner did emerge.

So let’s count it down to find carsales’ Best Small SUV for 2021…

The 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line is without question attractively priced, has the basic comfort and convenience features you’d expect, is light on fuel consumption and has a generous warranty.

Yet the Stonic falls short in around-town ride comfort and highway performance. Its comfort and convenience, safety and technology features also look sparse when compared to others here at a similar price.

Although its long seven-year warranty is only equalled by the MG, the Kia’s servicing is at the expensive end in this group and service distance intervals are on the short side at 10,000km.  

How much does the 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line cost?
Price: $29,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 74kW/172Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 5.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 125g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2017 ANCAP)

Not only is the 2021 MG ZST priced at the lower end of the scale here, it’s the best small SUV in this group for ownership costs in terms of its long seven-year warranty, cheap servicing and cheap replacement tyre cost.

This small SUV has a comfortable ride at low speeds and is reasonably well-appointed with comfort, convenience and tech features too.

When it comes to all-important safety requirements, the spec sheet looks promising until you reach the four-star ANCAP result, the lowest in this group.

RedBook resale values also suggest that when it comes time to sell, the MG will take a bigger hit than the rest here.

The chassis feels as though it could do with further development too, as damping lacks control, steering lacks feel and the body clunks over sharp bumps, and the 1.5-litre engine is the thirstiest here. 

How much does the 2021 MG ZST Essence cost?
Price: $32,490 (drive-away)
Engine: 1.3-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 115kW/230Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 162g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Four-star (2017 ANCAP)

In terms of pure dynamics, ride quality and engine performance, the 2021 Volkswagen T-Roc achieves the best overall balance in this group.

That stellar result is diminished by a short comfort and convenience feature list and its technology suite is also a little threadbare in this company. This can be resolved with options packages, but obviously that comes at extra cost.

Speaking of extra cost, as an ownership proposition the T-Roc loses ground when it comes to servicing costs, which were the highest on test. Tyre replacements are not cheap, either.

How much does the 2021 Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style cost?
Price: $33,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 110kW/250Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 142g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2017 ANCAP)

When it comes to having the right blend of performance, handling and ride, the 2021 Skoda Kamiq hits a high note, while a recent (2019) five-star safety result and seven airbags lends authority to the Skoda’s occupant protection armoury.

Yet there are driver assist safety equipment omissions such as blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.

Despite highlights such as gloss-black external touches and the classy digital instrument cluster, the Kamiq otherwise falls short on the sort of comfort, convenience and tech features you’d expect for its not-insignificant asking price.

How much does the 2021 Skoda Kamiq 110TSI Monte Carlo cost?
Price: $34,190 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 110kW/250Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 5.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 128g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2019 ANCAP)

The 2021 Mazda CX-3 came into this mega-test as a strong proposition, owing to the fact it has been the benchmark in this segment over several years.

It’s now clear, however, that the CX-3 been overtaken by more recent offerings.

That said, it’s still very much among the best for comfort and convenience features and ownership costs, while also offering a balanced ride and handling compromise.

Engine refinement and efficiency is not as accomplished as it could be, and the well-rounded safety spec list is countered by a five-star ANCAP safety score achieved with the more relaxed protocols of six years ago.

How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-3 2.0 Akari LE AWD cost?
Price: $38,690 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 110kW/195Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 151g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2015 ANCAP)

The driving experience afforded by the 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross is highly accomplished and the German newcomer has active and passive safety well covered too.

While the turbo triple powertrain is a much more cohesive package than some others here, the T-Cross ultimately lacks punch with its performance.

The Volkswagen’s standard comfort, convenience and technology feature list lacks the spice of competitors here too, with items such as leather-clad electric front seats and native sat-nav missing.

Service costs are relatively high too, reducing the T-Cross’ ownership point score.

How much does the 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Style cost?
Price: $31,390 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 85kW/200Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 5.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 123g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2019 ANCAP)

With great steering feel and tyre grip, the 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross has some promising dynamic substance but ultimately proves to be a step behind the best in terms of the overall driving experience.

And its engine, while offering plenty of outright get-up-and-go, is noisy while on the job and low on torque.

The Yaris Cross is cheap to service, and is up there with the best for the technology it offers, with features such as embedded sat-nav, live traffic updates and digital radio all standard.

While its safety suite looks impressive, with a driver’s knee airbag and this group’s only centre front airbag, the Yaris Cross loses points here as it does not yet have an ANCAP safety rating.

How much does the 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross 1.5 Urban AWD cost?
Price: $32,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol
Output: 88kW/145Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 5.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 124g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

The corner-carving ability of the 2021 Toyota C-HR is marked by responsiveness and composure while absorbing bumps well.

The C-HR has the cheapest service costs of any SUV here, and if you don’t like it after a year of ownership, its RedBook resale projection suggests it’s the only model here that offers a good chance of getting back a fair slab of what you paid for it.

Safety is well covered off, with a 2017 five-star ANCAP rating and seven airbags including a driver’s knee airbag.

The Toyota has most of the standard equipment you’d expect, yet lacks glamour items that are standard in others here such as a sunroof, power seat adjustment and head-up display.

The C-HR’s steering lacks the feel of better vehicles here, its powertrain is uninspiring and fuel consumption is on the high side of the ledger.

How much does the 2021 Toyota C-HR 1.2 Koba AWD cost?
Price: $37,165 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 85kW/185Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 6.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 148g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2017 ANCAP)

The 2021 Ford Puma has an efficient, responsive engine tied to a well-sorted dual-clutch transmission and an almost sports car level of handling – making it the most dynamic here – and servicing and tyres are inexpensive.

Despite the handling prowess, the ride is not nearly as refined nor compliant as many small SUV buyers will demand.

While there are plenty of comfort and convenience features, the omission of standard active cruise control (it’s an option) is a surprise.

How much does the 2021 Ford Puma ST-Line V cost?
Price: $35,540 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 92kW/170Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 5.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 121g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2019 ANCAP)

The 2021 Nissan QASHQAI is one of the more involving drives here, lacking excessive body roll and benefiting from well-weighted steering (albeit slightly indirect and lacking in feel) and not-too-firm ride quality.

The Nissan has loads of gear thrown at it, with just about all the luxury fruit, safety and tech equipment you could ask for, and is relatively inexpensive to own.

Yet the 2.0-litre engine teamed with a CVT auto gives just adequate rather than sizzling performance on the open road, and is on the thirsty side for the class.

How much does the 2021 Nissan QASHQAI Ti cost?
Price: $39,090 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 106kW/200Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 6.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 159g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2017 ANCAP)

The all-new 2021 Mazda CX-30 has light, accurate steering and above-average handling balance, making it one of the better small SUVs to drive.

The Mazda is also comprehensively featured for comfort, convenience, safety and technology, and servicing costs are not expensive – provided you don’t travel too many kilometres each year, given the 10,000km service intervals are on the shorter side.

Performance from the CX-30’s high-revving naturally aspirated engine is also not quite as cohesive as others on test here.

How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-30 G20 Astina FWD cost?
Price: $39,190 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 114kW/200Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 152g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2019 ANCAP)

With Australian suspension and steering tune, the 2021 Hyundai Kona has the dynamic resolve and ride quality to make it a rewarding drive on most road surfaces.

While the engine is noisy when revved hard and overall is slightly thirstier than the most economical here, its six-speed CVT auto is one of the smoothest and most decisive in the business and the Kona provides outstanding overall performance.

Add to this the comprehensive list of standard inclusions across the broad sweep of comfort, convenience, technology and safety areas and it’s hard to ignore the Kona’s appeal.

This mix of attributes makes the Hyundai Kona Highlander carsales’ Best Small SUV for 2021.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Kona 2.0 Highlander cost?
Price: $38,000 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 110kW/180Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 6.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 148g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2017 ANCAP)

Related: Kia Stonic v Mazda CX-3 2021 Comparison
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