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A rush of new and updated models sees the affordable Small SUV category grow yet again. Here are the eligible vehicles for the Drive Car of the Year 2025 – Best Small SUV Under $50K category.
Drive Car of the Year 2025
Now in its 20th year, the annual Drive Car of the Year awards program continues to be the Australian new car buyer’s most-trusted advisor.
At Drive, we test drive more than 200 new cars every year, evaluating each against its innate promise to sort the best from the rest. We divide the 400-plus new passenger cars, SUVs, 4WDs and utes into 19 price-banded categories focused on the end-user. Then we analyse the strengths and weaknesses of every car to find the cream of the automotive crop.
Drive Car of the Year 2025 is a go!
Drive Car of the Year 2025 – Best Small SUV Under $50K
From city centres to rural towns, small SUVs are as omnipresent on Australian roads as the more identifiably Aussie ideal of a dual-cab ute.
As something of a bridging category, the small SUV fills the needs of a number of buyers. From retirees looking for easy access, to first-time buyers looking for something frugal to run. Of course growing families (or those after a second car), young couples with active lives, and just about every buyer profile in between can probably make use of a good small SUV.
As broad as that sounds, the $50,000 price cap on this segment means that value is key. Going small isn't code for going cheap. A car must offer strong levels of safety, and expected mod-cons, while still being comfortable and versatile.
With a higher price bracketed Best Small SUV Under $80K class above this one, the focus here is very much aimed at budget brands and entry level models from established marques.
Last year the 2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid took the prize. Its eye-catching style gets attention, but the more important aspects like interior spaciousness, comprehensive safety and driver-assist technologies, and a generous list of standard equipment elevated it above its competition.
This year it returns to defend its title, but wades into a class with a significant number of compelling challengers.
At the more price-sensitive end of the market, the updated GWM Haval Jolion and MG ZS show that spending less doesn't automatically mean getting less in your new car. Similarly Chery offers an electric model for the first time with the Omoda E5, and it's matched by the electric version of the Hyundai Kona which wasn't on sale in time for last year's award.
Other well-known competitors are also under consideration including the facelifted Honda HR-V, Peugeot 2008, Renault Arkana, Skoda Kamiq, and Volkswagen T-Cross. Toyota also has a new-generation C-HR ready to roll.
Lexus too, with its first small SUV, wades into this class with the LBX Luxury, which provides an interesting premium angle on the class. While it would have faced off against the Mini Countryman C Core (the cheapest variant in its range) Mini Australia was unable to provide a vehicle for testing in time to compete.
Which cars are eligible for this category?
Drive’s rules require that, for a car to be eligible, it must:
| Eligible | Not here in time |
| – Cars that are all-new or significantly updated since they last contested Drive Car of the Year. – New categories are open to all cars that fit category requirements. – Last year’s winner is an automatic inclusion. | – These cars meet category requirements, but are not due to arrive in time for Drive Car of the Year 2025 judging. |
| Chery Omoda E5 GWM Haval Jolion Honda HR-V Hyundai Kona Electric MG ZS Lexus LBX Peugeot 2008 Renault Arkana Skoda Kamiq Toyota C-HR Volkswagen T-Cross | Not here in time: Mini Countryman C Core (not provided by Mini for assessment) Nissan Qashqai Renault Captur |
The winner of the 2025 Drive Car of the Year – Best Small SUV Under $50K will be announced in February 2025.
Before then, we will announce the finalists, all of which deliver flexibility and practicality for a value-oriented buyer.
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Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
