Famed for their user-friendly manners around town, charming styling and often great fuel efficiency, small SUVs remain incredibly popular with new and experienced car-buyers alike.
Thankfully for buyers, there are a range of great new compact SUVs arriving on Australian shores in 2025 - let’s take a look at ten of our favourites.
MG ZS Hybrid
For bargain-hunters, one of the best small SUVs in 2025 has already arrived, in the form of the latest and greatest MG ZS Hybrid range.
Fresh off a major overhaul, the MY25 ZS Hybrid range looks sleeker than ever before and comes packed with some major equipment upgrades alongside the option of a new, fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain.
MG’s 1.5-litre petrol electric motor hybrid unit produces 158kW of power and 465Nm of torque while consuming a claimed 4.7L/100km on the combined cycle, making it powerful and impressively fuel-efficient.
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Request a quoteHyundai Inster
Hyundai is set to make waves in the compact SUV segment once again with the introduction of its pint-sized, battery electric package known as the Inster.
With a radical styling package and super sharp pricing, the Inster is set to become the company’s cheapest electric vehicle, powered by an energy-efficient electric motor that consumes a claimed 14.3kWh per 100km, offering 327km of range from a 42kWh battery pack while the long-range variant can drive up to 370km on the larger 49kWh battery pack.
Suzuki Fronx
Suzuki is gearing up to expand its small SUV range once again with the introduction of the all-new, mild-hybrid Fronx.
The Fronx steps into the lineup to replace the outgoing Ignis, with the company hoping to maintain sharp pricing and an updated feature and safety equipment list that will potentially make it one of the company’s best selling vehicles in Australia.
Kia EV3
After launching the seven-seat EV and the five-seater midsize EV5, Kia is rolling out yet another battery-electric SUV in 2025.
The Kia EV3 steps into lineup alongside the Niro EV as one the company’s smallest and most affordable battery-electric SUV to date, carrying over Kia’s futuristic styling and clever interior packaging alongside a choice of two battery packs for different budgets.
Kia says entry-level models will come packaged with a 58.3kWh pack offering 430km of range while buyers will also have the option of a long range variant packing an 81.4kWh battery pack that offers a claimed 600km of range per charge.
Genesis GV60
Genesis has confirmed that an facelifted and updated GV60 will be arriving some time in 2025, giving buyers in the premium end of the small SUV segment some serious food for thought.
The company hasn’t confirmed all details of the upcoming GV60, though it’s expected that a larger 84kWh battery pack will be on the cards to add more range into the equation, as well as a massive 27-inch display in the cockpit.
Jaecoo J5
Buyers are set to be spoiled for choice at the more affordable end of the compact SUV segment with the introduction of an all-new competitor, the Jaecoo J5.
Part of the company’s three-pronged SUV assault here in Australia, the J5 is designed to be a more premium take on its Chery sub-brand while still undercutting major rivals on price, with a stack of technology inside the cabin that makes a bold first impression.
Nissan Qashqai
Nissan has given its fan-favourite Qashqai an update for 2025 which, considering there’s been no price rises to match, makes for an undeniably attractive small SUV package.
Atop the Qashqai’s styling refresh, there’s a larger infotainment system for all members of the range, including the base model, as well as some added equipment across the lineup which, combined with the Qashqai’s practical layout, makes it a might attractive contender in the small SUV segment.
Leapmotor B10
2025 is set to be a big year for China’s Leapmotor, with the company announcing that its small SUV package, the B10, will be following in the footsteps of the midsize C10 SUV sibling with an arrival at some point in 2025.
The B10 is set to give small SUV buyers even more food for thought in the EV segment and while the company is yet to confirm details on Australian deliveries, it’s expected to receive similar battery and powertrain hardware as the C10 which pairs an electric motor with a 69.9kWh battery pack offering 420km of range.
MG S5
The ES5 is MG’s sleek and stylish replacement for the ZS EV which is set to arrive on Australian shores in the later stages of 2025.
The S5 rides on a bespoke electric vehicle platform shared with the MG 4 and Cyberster, with the company expected to launch its small, electric SUV package with a choice of two battery packs including a 49kWh entry-point and a larger 64kWh battery for added range.
Renault Captur
The final small SUV that we’re excited to see grace Australian shores in 2025 is the facelifted Renault Captur that is set to bring new engine options for fuel-conscious buyers.
Renault’s refreshed Captur looks fantastic and is set to receive a choice of small capacity turbocharged engines with mild-hybrid tech and even a 1.6-litre petrol unit with two electric motors for outstanding fuel efficiency.
FAQ: What is the Best Small SUV for 2025?
While it’s impossible to say which is the single best small SUV in 2025, there are a number of favourites that confidently tick multiple boxes for buyers. Keeping the most important considerations like fuel-efficiency, price, value, warranty coverage, interior space and practicality, entertainment and safety tech in mind, cars like the Toyota Corolla Cross, MG ZS Hybrid, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Kona, Nissan Qashqai, Mazda CX-3, Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, Skoda Kamiq, Volkswagen T-Cross and the SsangYong Korando are some of the best picks in the small SUV segment.
FAQ: What is the Safest Small SUV in Australia 2025?
According to the latest round of testing from ANCAP, some of the safest small SUV packages on sale in Australia in 2025 include the Lexus LBX, Toyota C-HR, Volvo EX30, Xpeng G6, Cherry Tiggo 4 Pro and the Zeekr X. These small SUVs were tested under ANCAP’s more stringent 2023-24 standards.
FAQ: What is the 2025 SUV of the Year?
The award of 2025 SUV is yet to be crowned, though it’s expected that a vehicle delivering high levels of interior space and practicality, on-road driving enjoyment and great fuel or energy efficiency ratings will top the list. Some of our favourite contenders include the Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson, Kia Sportage and Sorento, Toyota RAV4 and Corolla Cross, Mazda CX-60, MG ZS Hybrid, Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, Lexus LBX, Nissan Qashqai, Skoda Kodiaq, BMW X3 and X5 as well as the Honda CR-V.
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If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price.
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