Once upon a time SUVs (or 4x4s) were reserved for the likes of farmers, families living off the beaten track and caravan owners, but over the past few years they’ve become increasingly popular with regular households across the country.
Originally, SUVs were four-wheel-drive cars dedicated to pulling heavy loads and driving off-road, but these days many are two-wheel-drive only, and their high driving position, modern styling and fuel efficiency make them ideal for everyday life.
Commonly thought of as being big and bulky, 4x4s now come in many shapes and sizes as they’ve been adapted to serve the modern family, meaning they can cope with the school run and long road trips with the kids whilst still being able to tackle wintery conditions and even slightly rugged terrain.
But as the market’s dominated by premium offerings, it’s hard to know which model to choose. So, the LeaseCar.uk team have covered 11 of the best SUVs and crossovers you can buy today.
1. Renault Kadjar
Adventure and athleticism incarnate, the Renault Kadjar is a great choice to explore new terrains and unchartered territory. It’s a stylish crossover with a big boot and a long list of safety kit, plus its low running costs make it a firm family favourite.
A range of updates introduced towards the end of 2018 further increased the Kadjar’s appeal. The exterior’s styling was tweaked slightly, while the inside got some simplified climate controls and a slicker integrated infotainment system.
The line-up now features five standard models including Expression +, Dynamique Nav, Dynamique S Nav, Signature Nav, and Signature S Nav in 1.3, 1.5 or 1.7 litre engines.
2. Kia Sportage
People around the world are falling in love with Kia as a manufacturer, and for many, the Sportage 4×4 has sealed the deal.
Arguably, this is the car that has improved Kia’s brand image the most. With a design team led by exclusive and well-renowned designer Peter Schreyer, the Sportage stands out from its competitors in style, and there are obvious German influences to the car.
The brand-new model is now in its fourth generation and is considered to be leading the field in the small SUV class – yet it’s definitely one of the roomier small SUVs. Visually, it has what it takes to turn heads in a stylish sector.
Like the rest of the Kia line-up, the Sportage comes in trim variants that are simple to understand. There’s 1, 2, 4, GT Line and the top spec GT Line S.
3. Ford Kuga
Adapted from one of Ford’s most popular models, the Focus, the Kuga was launched back in 2008, at a time when the SUV market was less crowded than it is today. But this model has definitely stood the test of time and is still one of the most popular SUVs available.
Despite its larger size it’s good on fuel, and there is a brilliant balance between the handling and comfort. The steering is also accurate, and the ride is grippy around even the tightest of corners.
Features such as hands-free tailgate and keyless entry have been installed to make family life just that bit easier, whilst adaptive cruise control and active city stop will keep you safe and make driving simpler.
There’s a number of engine choices both in petrol and diesel, and the models include Zetec, Titanium Edition, Titanium X Edition, ST-Line, ST-Line Edition, and the Vignale.
4. Hyundai Tucson
Well known for its South Korean heritage, Hyundai is a name associated with reliable cars built to the highest standards – and the Tucson 4×4 reflects this. It’s been manufactured to please the most demanding of SUV customers and as a result, it ticks a number of boxes, proving to be a well-executed all-rounder.
Visually, the design is striking and bold with great styling and unique features to add an element of luxury. Inside it boasts a well kitted-out and spacious interior, and the result is a car you’ll want to drive every day.
When it comes to the running costs, the Tucson can’t quite match some of its rivals, but it gets pretty close and like all Hyundais, the model boasts an impressive 5-year unlimited mileage warranty.
The base trim level is Tucson S, and from there on up there’s the SE Nav and Premium trim into the top-grade Premium SE, where you’ll find LED lights all round, radar cruise control, a glass roof and 360-degree camera parking aids.
5. Nissan Qashqai
Named after the Turkic mountain people of Northern Iran, the Qashqai was the car that established the current crossover formula when it went on sale in 2006, and now it joins a long line of successful crossover vehicles from Nissan.
The model was refreshed in 2017 which brought more dramatic styling and a luxury interior, plus an all-new media system, proper smartphone line-up on all but the entry level Qashqai Visia, and new engines.
In terms of the driving experience, the Qashqai boasts ride comfort and low noise levels, and it’s available in a range of engine sizes and transmissions.
The current Qashqai comes in four main variants – the Visia, the Acenta, the N-Connecta, and the top of the range Tekna – each with their own series of specifications. These ranges have a variety of optional extras and equipment with prices to suit every pocket.
6. Audi Q5
There are some people that simply choose to drive an Audi forever, and driving the Q5 helps you see why.
Audi have created a vehicle that drives like a normal car but has the go-anywhere abilities of a quality SUV. Its visual appeal and engineering renowned for its precision and performance combine perfectly in this model.
The result is a practical family SUV that is comfortable, quiet, and simply feels sturdy and well-built. It comes with a decent selection of tech and its roomy cabin feels more solid than even the flashiest saloons.
Plus, if you’re planning on venturing beyond the school run or daily commute, you’ll be pleased to know that every Audi Q5 comes with four-wheel drive as standard, so it can take muddy fields and mildly rugged terrain in its stride.
7. Mercedes GLC
If you’re looking for a stylish, comfortable, well-equipped and smooth-driving SUV, then the Mercedes GLC should tick all your boxes.
An extraordinary mid-size vehicle, it offers refined looks, unrivalled luxury, excellent agility, and an exceptional driving experience – it’s essentially the C-Class Estate on stilts.
You get four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox as standard across the range, and five seats (with no option for seven). Newly included is the latest Mercedes ‘MBUX’ infotainment set-up, with a world-class voice-assistant and touchpad/touchscreen control.
Inside, there’s lots of space for passengers plus a roomy boot, and it’s a doddle to drive. Its raised driving position and large windows give you a great view, and the light steering make it easy to manoeuvre.
Check out the four unique model line-ups, including the SE, Sport, AMG Line, and Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC.
8. Volvo XC60
The XC60 is undoubtedly one of Volvo’s most celebrated vehicles. Sitting right at the heart of the big-selling mid-size crossover crowd, it offers style, luxury, and lots of advanced tech.
At the front, double wishbone suspension helps improve agility and comfort on the road so it almost floats over rough ground, whilst the steering is light and nicely geared given the size and weight of the car.
The cost of the entry-level model has risen slightly in recent years, but it’s still cheaper and better equipped than many rivals. From an interior design and quality point of view, this is another stunning Volvo interior, dominated by a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen.
Volvo’s focus on safety means the XC60 is also fitted with lots of potentially life-saving equipment as standard too, including autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, dual-stage airbags and traffic sign recognition.
9. Volkswagen Tiguan
Stylish, high in quality and massively practical, the Volkswagen Tiguan does pretty much everything a good family SUV should. Offering a fine blend of performance and economy, it handles like a conventional hatchback and is genuinely enjoyable to drive.
Although the Tiguan is still designed mainly for road use, four-wheel-drive 4Motion is also available featuring adjustable drive modes that help you tackle different conditions. Some may feel the steering is a little too light, but it’s precise, and helps you feel in control of what is quite a hefty chunk of metal.
Those who love the view afforded by a high-set driving position will definitely appreciate the Tiguan as there’s plenty of seat and steering wheel adjustment. The petrol engines are also notably smooth, and even the entry-level S models have an 8inch touchscreen infotainment system, a DAB radio, as well as USB and SD card sockets.
10. BMW X2
The X2 is a crossover for people who are willing to compromise on back seat and boot space, but in return you’ll get sleeker looks and a slightly sportier drive.
It sits low compared to tall riding rivals, so while it’s fun to drive, it lacks the commanding driving position that many buyers like about this kind of car. Despite this, the X2 delivers the kind of quality and features we’ve come to expect from BMW – driver assistance tech, powerful performance and stylish interiors to name a few.
Buyers have the option of four trims to choose from: E, Sport, M Sport and M Sport X. This is a similar line-up to other BMW models, with each version getting gradually sportier as you move through the range.
11. Range Rover Evoque
Featuring massive personality and a bucket load of charisma, Land Rover have continually tweaked the performance and design of the Evoque in a bid to perfect every element. The result is a model that has become a bit of a style icon, but it packs a punch too.
It boasts more off-road capabilities than you’ll probably ever need, plus a high-tech interior that’s comfortable and roomy. Loading the boot won’t present any problems either as the new Evoque’s 590-litre boot is around 10% bigger than the older version and much larger than many of its rivals.
Essentially, the Range Rover Evoque is just as happy nipping to the shops as it is clawing its way up a dirt road, so it’s a great all-rounder. Land Rover have even improved economy in newer models with the introduction of the new Ingenium diesel engine. Factor in the new nine-speed automatic gearbox and simply put, there are very few rivals that can come close to competing with the Evoque.