Small SUVs continued to sell well in Australia throughout 2024, and that meant there were plenty of them for us to review.
As we continue recapping our 2024, we’re compiling the highest-rated cars from across Australia’s most popular new car segments into a list to show you what we liked best.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
We’ve done mid-sized SUVs and utes so far, which means small SUVs are now up to bat. For this list we’ve kept it to the sub-$45,000 segment on the VFACTS sales charts, as they’re much more approachable for people wanting to simply get behind the wheel.
Some of these models have been reviewed on multiple occasions this year, so we’ve only featured the variant that achieved the highest rating.
Prices are based on each manufacturer’s configurators for a Victorian postcode, which should provide a representative estimate of what the average Australian buyer will end up paying.
100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Click on car’s name in the table above to jump directly to its information on the page, or keep scrolling for the full article.
Toyota Corolla Cross
Our top sub-$45,000 small SUV for 2024 was the Toyota Corolla Cross, which senior contributor Matt Campbell awarded a score of 8.4.
That score was for the base GX Hybrid, which we said offered exceptional value, space and efficiency underneath a barebones presentation. “Basic but brilliant” was the term used to sum up the Corolla Cross, and our rating reflects that.
It achieved an excellent fuel efficiency of just 4.3L/100km during our test, and with top-notch safety and interior space ratings we deemed it to be properly fit for purpose.
We didn’t like how it’s fitted with halogen daytime running lights instead of LEDs. That lead us to suggest the step up to the GXL for an extra $4000-odd was worth it, especially when you consider this base spec is already more than $40,000 drive-away.
Still, we found it to be a well-considered small SUV that can comfortably get the job done in a no-frills manner.
You can read our full review of the Toyota Corolla Cross GX Hybrid here
Interested in buying a Toyota Corolla Cross? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Toyota Corolla Cross
Skoda Kamiq
The Skoda Kamiq received a facelift this year, and our all-encompassing review of the new two-model range by marketplace journalist Josh Nevett listed a score of 8.4.
It was praised for its quality tech upgrades, while it also benefits from packing in big-car practicality into its small-car frame. Better yet, we said it was a great value proposition – especially given the base Select costs just $33,990 drive-away.
We gave it high individual scores across the board, headlined by a fit-for-purpose rating of 9 and a safety rating of 8.9. The Kamiq also impressed with its low cost of ownership and fuel efficiency, the latter a product of its two quality engines; turbos with either three or four cylinders.
A negative aspect was the Monte Carlo’s “polarising” interior design, while we were disappointed that the base-spec Select misses out on adaptive cruise control.
As is often a complaint with dual-clutch cars, we also found the Kamiq’s DSG unit was clunky at low speed, though it did have solid performance once on the move.
You can read our full review of the Skoda Kamiq here
Interested in buying a Skoda Kamiq? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Skoda Kamiq
Nissan Qashqai
As reviewed by marketplace editor James Wong, the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power scored a respectable 8.2 in March this year.
We liked the hybrid Qashqai’s seemingly easy performance, something that comes as a result of Nissan’s unique electric motor-internal combustion engine it has over other traditional hybrids. That gives it a more electric vehicle (EV) feel, though a normal engine can still be heard.
That also contributes to its refined on-road characteristics, as it’s mostly quiet at low speeds and generally very smooth. Nissan backs up those traits with an upmarket interior that punches above the Qashqai’s paygrade.
It wasn’t all positive though. We don’t like how the e-Power Qashqai is only available in one top-spec Ti variant, as it seems to push it out of the realm of a lot of hybrid buyers. It’s also considerably more expensive than the non-hybrid equivalent.
We also felt its ride could be somewhat firm on occasion, but none of that was enough to detract from an otherwise solid Toyota hybrid rival.
You can read our full review of the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power here
Interested in buying a Nissan Qashqai? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Nissan Qashqai
Volkswagen T-Roc
We’ve published a handful of reviews for Volkswagen’s T-Roc small SUV this year, but it was senior contributor Matt Campbell’s review of the Style that scored the highest at 8.2.
The Style is one rung up from the bottom of the T-Roc range, and we liked it for its easy driving characteristics and its well-laid out cabin. It’s also a considerable improvement on the features list compared to the base CityLife without being too much more expensive.
We felt it was nicely fit for purpose, and it scored highly on ride comfort and infotainment technology. Under the bonnet is a simple 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo sent to the front wheels only, with higher-performance options reserved for more expensive T-Rocs.
On the other hand, we felt its eight-speed automatic transmission wasn’t quite as sharp as Volkswagen’s typical dual-clutch DSG, but that did mean its low-speed drivability was improved.
Its second row also isn’t terribly large as a result of the small SUV frame, and rough roads can induce a fair bit of cabin noise. Still, we found it to be a solid choice for crossover customers.
You can read our full review of the Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style here
Interested in buying a Volkswagen T-Roc? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Volkswagen T-Roc
Honda HR-V
Honda’s smallest SUV entered 2024 off the back of a fresh redesign, and news editor William Stopford found its top-spec variant to be worthy of a score of 8.1
That variant is the e:HEV L, the one hybrid in the range. We liked how refined it appeared to be, and the Magic Seats in its second row proved to be practical in the real world.
Its cabin is also well-appointed and spacious, while everything is practical and easy to operate in daily use. Even those coming to the HR-V for the first time will likely find it easy to get settled.
It lost marks for its price and lack of a spare wheel, and we really couldn’t get past the fact it’s only a four-seater. There’s enough space for a third seat on the second row, but the lack of a centre seatbelt means it can’t legally be used as a seat.
While the HR-V may not feel as premium as its ZR-V sibling, there’s a lot that it does right to deserve a spot on this list.
You can read our full review of the Honda HR-V e:HEV L here
Interested in buying a Honda HR-V? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Honda HR-V
Honourable mentions
There were four other small SUVs that were also rated at 8.1, and we feel they deserve a mention too.
The final spot on the list above could have easily been taken by the Mazda CX-30 G25 GT SP, though the Honda comes first alphabetically. You can read the review of that CX-30 here.
Our all-encompassing review of the new Toyota C-HR range could also sneak in, but because a later review of the specific GR Sport variant scored 7.9 we decided to give it an honourable mention instead.
The updated MG ZS range scored 8.1 too, but because that was also a broad review of a model we’re yet to review in specifics it gets an honourable mention. Like, the new C-HR GR Sport, the outgoing MG ZST scored 7.6.
Finally is the Omoda E5, which scored 8.1 in its standalone review. We’ve given it an honourable mention because we’re yet to get our hands on one to test at home in our usual manner.