Published 23/10/2020 | Edited: Finley Vile 02/01/2025

Published 23/10/2020
Edited: Finley Vile 02/01/2025

Love SUVs, but often find them too bulky? Smaller SUVs still offer more than enough room for you and your family.

Long car journeys with kids can test anyone’s patience, but a spacious SUV can make things a little easier.

But you still want the best for them.

SUVs offer plenty of space for you and your family, but sometimes they can be a bit bulky. Just a bit too big really.

Cars like the Volvo XC90 and the Hyundai Santa Fe can seem pretty daunting. The sheer size of them can make driving them feel impossible.

But one biggie that all families need is a big boot.

Family holiday? You bet there will be many bags.

One child has football practice and the other has hockey, but you want to do your food shop instead of waiting around in the cold? Your boot needs to be able to hold all of this.

So, to help you in your hunt for a new small SUV, we've compiled 10 of the best small SUVs for families to lease – while highlighting both boot size and a standout feature.

You might hear the word “crossover” chucked around – this a term used for smaller SUVs that combine the chunky look and practicality of an SUV with the size and handling of a hatchback.

skoda-kamiq-parked-next-to-wood

Skoda Kamiq

The Kamiq completes Skoda's trio of SUVs and is the smallest of the pack.

It is drawn from the same blueprint as its larger siblings, the Kodiaq and Karoq. But, as it is smaller, it is consequentially cheaper. 

We took the Kamiq out for a spin. Here’s what we noticed:

  • Light and agile steering: the Kamiq feels well-weighted and offers a smooth, comfortable drive
  • Tight turning circle: its tight turning circle leaves its competitors in the dust
  • Tall rear windows: perfect if your passengers suffer from travel sickness
  • Three isofix points: two in the rear outer seats and in the front passenger seat

Boot capacity: 400 litres
Standout feature: Rear windows that aid travel sickness

Suzuki-vitara-in-wood

Suzuki Vitara

Forget about tight squeezes, this bold-looking SUV is a perfect addition to a growing family.

A pushchair fits in with a breeze, as well as any other luggage you need to lug around. And with the Suzuki Vitara, space is complimented by thoughtful design.

Underfloor storage? Extra space for the kids' stuff (unfortunately yours will have to be shoved in any spare crevice).

Higher boot floor? No need to bend or struggle to put your many bags of shopping in the boot.

Comfort is key. As well as all these thoughtful features, the Vitara has deep footwells, making the cabin more comfortable for drivers on the taller side.

This creates more space for the passengers in the rear seats – your kids will thank you for this.

Fun to drive, the Vitara has good road grip and handles well over big bumps and potholes.

Boot capacity: 375 litres
Standout feature: Practical boot features

Volvo EX30

Volvo EX30

The EX30 may be the baby of Volvo’s electric SUV family, but don’t let its size fool you – this little powerhouse has plenty to offer.

For starters, it’s got brains. A high-tech interior with a 12.3-inch touchscreen system featuring Google Maps and Google Assistant means you’ll never have to argue over directions again.

No more “I told you to take the left turn” moments.

And when it comes to style, the EX30 delivers in spades. With a panoramic glass roof, frameless door mirrors, and a sleek shield where the grille used to be - it’s like the fashion-forward cousin of the Volvo lineup.

Sure, the boot might be on the smaller side at 318 litres, but let’s focus on the big picture: this compact SUV is all about efficiency and charm.

Need an electric vehicle that doesn’t make charging feel like an eternity? The EX30 can juice up from 10–80% in just 26.5 minutes at a DC fast charging station.

Or, if you prefer the comfort of home, plug it into an at-home charger for a speedy top-up – no more running out of power on the school run.

Of course, Volvo hasn’t skimped on safety.

The EX30 comes packed with standard safety features, a reversing camera for most versions, and a 360-degree bird’s-eye view camera on the Ultra models.

You can truly have eyes in the back of your head with this car.

Boot capacity: 318 litres
Standout feature: High-tech interior

volkswagen-t-cross-in-the-city

Volkswagen T-Cross

Despite being the smallest in the Volkswagen SUV line-up, the T-Cross is still surprisingly roomy.

Its tall body (107mm taller than the Polo) makes it stand out against many of its competitors, the benefits being felt from front to back.

Good lighting? Absolutely.

Its large, thoughtfully placed windows ensure a light and spacious feel (perfect lighting for a cheeky selfie). This serenity is mirrored on the move, with the T-Cross offering a quiet, ironed-out drive.

Standard equipment is ample, haloed by an eight-inch full-colour infotainment system and wireless charging.

You'll have your choice of a variety of design packs and paint colours to add that extra touch of personalisation.

Boot capacity: 455 litres
Standout feature: Interior experience

ford-puma-driving

Ford Puma

Based on the much-loved Fiesta, the Ford Puma is a low-sitting SUV which is a fun, but small, family car with lots to offer. They say great things come in small packages.

Much to its credit, it steers and drives like the model it takes inspiration from.

The boot has an easily adjustable floor with a waterproof storage cargo fitted underneath to carry the messier items that seems to come as a package when you have kids.

However, ingeniously, the boot comes with a plug-hole to easily release liquid (perfect for muddy boots or sandy wetsuits after a day at the beach).  

You can also expand its sizeable boot with a handy 60/40 rear seat split. It’s bold, it’s practical and it puts a smile on your face.

Boot capacity: 456 litres
Standout feature: Boot practicality

nissan-juke-driving

Nissan Juke

Historically, the Juke’s design has been pretty “marmite” – you either love it or you hate it.

Well, Nissan has ditched this. Gone back to scratch and come up with a design that is similar to the Qashqai, but undeniably still full of character.

With plenty of storage and a fair amount of kit, the Juke is fun to drive and boasts a unique-feeling seating position that is higher than standard hatchbacks, yet feels low compared to the car’s dashboard and bonnet.

The seats are supportive and come with a decent amount of head and leg room (both front and back). Surprisingly, its boot can hold nearly as much as the Qashqai – so once again more than enough room for all the accessories that come with kids. 

Boot capacity: 422 litres
Standout feature: Quirkiness

volvo-xc40-parked-next-to-gate

Volvo XC40

With its angular and stylish design, the XC40 is an impressive looking SUV. It also handles perfectly and feels surprisingly compact on the road. 

Nevertheless, the interior is broad and offers a substantial amount of head and leg room for all. Three adults can sit comfortably in the back, which is much rarer than you would think for crossover cars.

Space extends right to the back with a boot that can offer a capacity of 460 litres. In practical terms this means that the XC40 will hold up to seven cases (which is one more than the Ford Kuga PHEV could fit in).

Known for its reliability (as well as being safe and spacious), we had the opportunity to take this whip out for a drive too. In fact, it was a big hit with our team who loved this small SUV.

Volvo consistently offer the perfect combination of quality and usability, and the XC40 amalgamates both perfectly. 

Boot capacity: 460 litres
Standout feature: spacious yet compact on the road

renualt-captur-parked

Renault Captur

The Captur has taken a notable step up in design quality compared to its predecessor. Renault has truly Captur-ed our hearts with this one (sorry, too cheesy?).

Stylish soft-touch plastic covers most surfaces, which complements its responsive, minimalist infotainment system.

The Renault Captur is loved by many for its quirky aesthetic and the vast array of potential colour combinations inside and out.

Another fan favourite when our team had the chance to get in the Captur and test it out, they truly reveled in its design, practicality and drive.

More importantly though, it also comes with a five stars safety rating from Euro NCAP.

After all, safety is a massive factor to consider when picking your family car. They are carrying your precious cargo, after all.

Boot capacity: 422 litres
Standout feature: Personalisation

seat-ateca-driving

SEAT Arona

Looking for a smooth and comfortable ride? The SEAT Arona would be a perfect addition to your family.

Taking inspiration from the popular SEAT Ibiza hatchback, it's inherited a bold yet professional aesthetic that stands out from the SUV crowd (note the contrast roof).

Are you a tech head? Then you’re in luck.

This is where the Arona excels.

Its infotainment displays and controls offer unbeatable usability, with clear graphics, fluid responsivity, and easy connectivity.

Boot capacity: 400 litres
Standout feature: Technology

 bmw-x1-parked-in-woods

BMW X1

It may be the smallest of BMW’s SUV range, but the X1 certainly doesn’t compromise on quality or space.

Head, shoulder and elbow room is plentiful, with more rear leg room for your backseat drivers compared to its first generation model.

Rear seats can slide or recline and fold in a 40/20/40 split for incredible interior versatility.

The BMW X1 also has an impressive 505L boot capacity, fitting more in than the Audi Q3 and the Volvo XC40

It’s sporty, sharp handling makes it fun to drive and its stiff suspension means it also handles corners with ease.

It offers a premium build quality that even the most unruly kids would struggle to hamper. 

Boot capacity: 505 litres
Standout feature: Interior versatility

Skoda Kamiq

Skoda Kamiq

Whatever you look for in your perfect family car —be it tech to keep everyone entertained (and make long road trips more manageable), boot space for unavoidable everyday luggage or the safety features that help protect your world - our best small SUVs cover all bases.

Compact in size, but vastly adaptable to suit most family needs, these 10 SUVs should definitely make it on your shortlist.

Let’s do a quick round-up.

Which small SUV had the biggest boot?

That would be the Range Rover Evoque, boasting a massive 591 litres.

Which is the most reliable small SUV?

A number of the small SUVs mentioned above are known for their reliability and safety. The Renault Captur has a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, and the Volvo XC40 is known for its reliability.

What is a small SUV called?

They are called crossover SUVs. However, manufacturers will still often refer to a crossover as a "small-sized SUV" or "compact SUV".

What about quirky SUVs?