Top five best-looking small SUVs

The wonderful web (and by that, we mean carsales) ensures car buyers are well-informed and can gather a shortlist of potential new cars quite easily.

And being the highly visual creatures that we are, you can bet your bottom dollar that the ones they find visually appealing will be front and centre, closely followed by the safe, economical and value-for-money runners-up that are unlikely to seal the deal on those attributes alone.

We’re an emotional bunch, too, and purchases are usually the result of a (fairly) balanced head and heart consideration.

The truth is, looks count for a lot, and don’t just take our word for it. Design is routinely cited as one of the main, if not number one, purchasing consideration for car buyers.

There were, in theory, more than 35 contenders for the top five best-looking small SUVs, where subjectivity reigns supreme. There is no price cap because deep pockets do not always guarantee good looks – and vice versa.

In assessing the vast line-up in the light and small SUV segment we considered overall proportions, exterior lines, distinguishing design, look-at-me credentials, polarising peculiarities and evidence of quality fit and finish.

And those said looks… they need to be evident from all angles, not just the hero publicity shot. We want to look good coming and going, crawling and at pace.

If you’re after a more complete package, however, you should check out the 2021 carsales Best Small SUV mega-test, which goes well beyond the superficial metal to find our top pick.

But this is a beauty contest, so let’s count down the small SUVs with pinched proportions and slightly jacked-up rides that make the cut…

The 2021 Ford Puma blends youthful curves and petite proportions in a most convincing way.

The blue oval badge adds a welcome dose of nostalgia, and if the Ford Puma ST ever shows up in Australia you can add performance drama too, inside and out.

Prominent curves and accentuated wheel-arches give even the entry-level Puma a sporty stance matched to a fun persona, priced from $29,990 to $35,540 (plus on-road costs).

Look more closely at the Ford Puma

The 2021 Audi Q3 brings a strong elitist Euro vibe to the small SUV segment with confident lines and precision-formed panels.

It softly treads a more aggressive stance with its large grille and flared arches, but style, status and design restraint are ever-present.

Priced from $47,600 to $94,100 (plus ORCs), the Audi Q3 is as good as it looks. 

Look more closely at the Audi Q3

The 2021 Skoda Kamiq is proof that good genes go far.

A member of the Volkswagen Group, Skoda undoubtedly benefits from a long line of Euro design aficionados lending their hand – and yet the Czech brand still brings a look that is identifiably its own.

It’s soft yet boxy lines and unassuming exterior bring crowd-pleasing looks that Coco Chanel herself would have welcomed.

Understated. Stylish. Priced from $26,990 to $34,190 (plus ORCs), good looks are within reach.

Look more closely at the Skoda Kamiq

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 takes the much-loved formula from the CX-3 and makes it a little bigger and more mature-looking.

The small SUV’s softly defined curves and balanced proportions make the CX-30 a safe but good-looking bet that are reflected in its growing sales.

Priced from $28,990 to $46,690 (plus ORCs), the ‘shut up and take my money’ squad live here – understandably.

Look more closely at the Mazda CX-30

The 2021 Jaguar E-PACE may be the baby of Jaguar’s SUV family, but it brings grown-up style in spades.

The sporty exterior of the Jaguar E-PACE squats on 18-inch alloys and is punctuated by chrome details from top to tail.

Its aerodynamic body is accentuated by long, sweeping lines and perfect proportions.

This is a place where understated comfortably meets opulence, and the little cat is priced from $65,900 to $82,200 (plus ORCs).

Look more closely at the Jaguar E-PACE

Related: Find out who won Best small SUV of 2021