10 Best Light SUVs in Australia 2025

Small SUVs and their even smaller light SUV siblings are a popular vehicle choice for new car buyers and experienced drivers alike, thanks to their price accessibility, fuel efficiency and user-friendliness around the urban jungle.

As you’ll discover, there’s no shortage of options in the world of light SUVs here in Australia, so let's take a closer look at ten of our favourites.

Mahindra XUV 3X0

The Mahindra XUV 3X0 is a new entrant to the light SUV segment from one of India's largest carmakers.

The XUV 3X0 hits the ground running with an extremely sharp set of price tags, lengthy equipment lists and a solid amount of interior space for the segment, making it hard to ignore if you're after a light SUV on a tight budget.

• Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol

• Fuel Economy: 6.5L per 100km

• Boot Space: 364L

• Warranty: Seven-year/150,000 kilometre

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

Mazda CX-3

The Mazda CX-3 is the light SUV category's best-seller by quite a margin, cementing itself as one of the best options in the segment.

The CX-3’s eager handling and willing 2.0-litre engine give it a great dose of personality behind the wheel, while Mazda's attractive interior designs are still going down a hit with buyers ten years after it first touched down in Australia.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 6.3L per 100km

• Boot Space: 264 - 1,174L

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota's Yaris Cross remains king of the hill when it comes to fuel efficiency in the light SUV segment.

It’s consistently a second-place finisher on the list of Australia’s best-selling light SUVs, with the Yaris Cross' easy nature on the road, affordable maintenance costs and class-leading efficiency making it kind on the wallet to own over time.

• Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol + electric motor hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 3.8L per 100km

• Boot Space: 390L

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre + two-year driveline coverage

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2021)

Kia Stonic

The Stonic is Kia's most affordable light SUV package that has received a few notable upgrades in its most recent form.

There's a new turbocharged engine under the bonnet alongside a more competitive active safety technology suite that helps to keep up with some of its biggest rivals in the segment.

• Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol

• Fuel Economy: 5.4L per 100km

• Boot Space: 332 - 1,132L

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited kilometre

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

Hyundai Venue

The Hyundai Venue is another hot seller in the light SUV segment.

It's a reasonably no-frills proposition that offers more space than you might expect inside the cabin while impressing on the value front thanks to its sharp pricing and decent equipment inclusions for the base model.

• Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 7.2L per 100km

• Boot Space: 355 - 1,132L

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Four-star (tested 2019)

Volkswagen T-Cross

The Volkswagen T-Cross is a great light SUV option if you're looking for something a bit more premium.

The T-Cross feels like it's from another category entirely behind the wheel and impresses with its sharp handling, second row practicality and fairly refined ride quality while retaining a very reasonable set of price tags for buyers.

• Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol

• Fuel Economy: 5.4L per 100km

• Boot Space: 455L

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2019)

Suzuki Jimny

The Jimny is an adventurous, four-wheel drive light SUV that needs no introduction.

In 2025, it remains the uncontested king of off-roading in the light SUV segment, proving that a lightweight construction and capable 4x4 system can match far bigger and more powerful rivals when the going gets tough.

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 6.9L per 100km

• Boot Space: 211L

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

Lexus LBX

The Lexus LBX is among the best in the segment when it comes to driving refinement and efficiency, while Lexus' lovely interior design makes it impossible to ignore in the more premium end of the segment.

• Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol + electric motor hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 3.8L per 100km

• Boot Space: 315L

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

Nissan Juke

The Nissan Juke is one the main cars responsible for increasing mainstream adoption rates of light SUVs.

With its charismatic styling package, overhauled interior design, large boot, solid technology package and sharp pricing, the Juke is well-deserving of a spot on any light SUV shortlist.

• Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol

• Fuel Economy: 5.8L per 100km

• Boot Space: 422L

• Warranty: Ten-year/300,000 kilometre

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2019)

MG ZS

The latest-generation MG ZS range is one of the best performers in the segment when it comes to sheer value.

With a lengthy equipment list in the base model and the option of a sharply-priced hybrid version, the ZS stands out in the segment as a must-have on any bargain hunter’s shortlist, especially considering there's a ten-year warranty to sweeten the deal.

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol

• Fuel Economy: 6.7L per 100km

• Boot Space: 443L

• Warranty: Ten-year/250,000

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Four-star (tested 2024)

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