The best small SUV to drive in the UK has been named by a panel of motoring journalists from WhatCar? The Volkswagen T-Roc, with prices starting at around £31,635, has been crowned the winner. The vehicle earned praise for being "comfortable" and "quiet on the motorway," though it was marked down for "fiddly" touch-sensitive controls, high costs in higher trim levels, and not being as "sharp" to drive.
What the Reviewers Said
Reviewers noted: "The previous Volkswagen T-Roc was one of our favourite options in the small SUV class, so this latest version had quite the challenge to live up to it. Fortunately, it does so and then some, resulting in what we think is the best small SUV you can buy."
Second Place: Kia EV3
The Kia EV3, which was crowned WhatCar?'s Small Electric SUV of the Year, came second. The reviewers said: "If going electric fits in with your lifestyle and budget, it's absolutely the car you should choose." The EV3 benefits from a full five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP and is covered by a seven-year warranty as standard.
Third Place: Lexus LBX
In third place was the Lexus LBX, which earned praise for its premium interior quality, efficiency, and being "very well equipped."
New Hybrid Powertrain for T-Roc and Golf
Last month, Volkswagen introduced a new regular hybrid powertrain for both the Golf hatchback and the T-Roc SUV. Both models sit on Volkswagen's MQB evo platform and are currently available with mild-hybrid petrol engines. The Golf can also be opted with diesel and plug-in hybrid power. The new hybrid setup uses Volkswagen's 1.5-litre turbocharged evo2 petrol engine paired with an electric motor. Volkswagen has yet to announce performance figures, fuel consumption, or emissions for the new powertrain. All models equipped with this engine will come with three driving modes: Eco, Comfort, and Sport.
