A small SUV is where many people land when they leave the family wagon or the big sedan behind. You sit higher, so getting in and out is gentler on knees and hips, it fits the garage and the shopping-centre car park, and it still takes a weekend away.
Prices checked 2 November 2026. We update this page every Monday.
The short version
- Cheapest to drive away this week: Chery Tiggo 4 Urban, $23,990.
- Longest warranty: 10 years (MG ZS, Mitsubishi ASX).
- Current five-star ANCAP rating: 4 of 8 models.
Three terms, explained
- Drive-away price: what you pay to drive the car out of the showroom, including registration and stamp duty. It changes with your postcode.
- ANCAP: Australia’s independent crash-safety rating, out of five stars. The year matters, because the tests get tougher each round and a rating expires after six years.
- Hybrid: a petrol engine helped by a battery and electric motor that charge themselves as you drive. Nothing to plug in, and less fuel used around town.
Our picks, on the numbers
Picked on the figures you can check, not on test drives.
Most car for the money: MG ZS
A hybrid with a recent five-star rating and one of the longest warranties you can buy.
Worth knowing: Long warranties often depend on servicing at the brand’s own dealers. Ask what the conditions are before you sign.
The safe bet: Toyota Corolla Cross
Toyota’s proven hybrid, very low fuel use and five stars.
The entry ticket: Chery Tiggo 4
Five stars and a long warranty for less than most of the field.
No figure published yet: Kia Seltos.
Every model at a glance
| Car | Drive-away | Safety |
|---|---|---|
| Chery Tiggo 4 | $23,990 | 5 stars (2023) |
| Jaecoo J5 | $25,990 | Not yet rated |
| GWM Haval Jolion | $26,990 | 5 stars (2022) |
| MG ZS | $29,990 | 5 stars (2025) |
| Hyundai Kona | $37,533 | 4 stars (2023) |
| Kia Seltos | $39,990 | Not yet rated |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | $45,247 | 5 stars (2022) |
| Mitsubishi ASX | $46,792 | 4 stars (2024) |
Also in this class, price being confirmed: BYD Atto 2 Dynamic, Mazda CX-30 G20 Evolve.
Five things to check on the test drive
- Getting in and out. Small SUVs vary a lot in seat height and door size. Get in and out of the driver’s seat and the back seat several times before you decide.
- The back seat and the boot together. Small means compromise. Fold the back seat, then put it back up and see what still fits behind it – a suitcase, a walker, the dog.
- The screen. Ask for five minutes alone to set the radio, the air-con and your phone. Some small SUVs put almost every control on the touchscreen.
- The highway. Drive it at 100km/h. Engine noise, road noise and how hard it works up a hill tell you more than the brochure.
- The real price. Ask for the drive-away price in writing for your postcode, and what servicing costs over five years.
Full specs, cheapest first
- Chery Tiggo 4 Urban: $23,990 drive-away. Petrol. 5-star ANCAP (2023). 7-year warranty.
- Jaecoo J5 Track (petrol): $25,990 drive-away. Petrol. Not yet rated by ANCAP. 8-year warranty.
- GWM Haval Jolion Premium: $26,990 drive-away. Petrol. 5-star ANCAP (2022). 7-year warranty.
- MG ZS Excite Hybrid+: $29,990 drive-away. Hybrid. 5-star ANCAP (2025). 10-year warranty.
- Hyundai Kona (base) 2.0 petrol: $37,533 drive-away. Petrol. 4-star ANCAP (2023). 7-year warranty.
- Kia Seltos S Hybrid: $39,990 drive-away. Hybrid. Not yet rated by ANCAP. 7-year warranty.
- Toyota Corolla Cross GXL 2WD Hybrid: $45,247 drive-away. Hybrid. 5-star ANCAP (2022). 5-year warranty.
- Mitsubishi ASX Aspire: $46,792 drive-away. Petrol. 4-star ANCAP (2024). 10-year warranty.
Drive-away prices are the figures published on each maker’s website on the date checked and can vary by state and postcode. ANCAP ratings show the year the rating was issued and expire after six years. Prices and offers change – confirm with the dealer before you sign.
Just traded the big car for a small SUV? Tell us what you chose, what you miss and what you would never go back to. Email yourstory@oversixty.com.au and we may share it with OverSixty readers.
