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Here is every new or updated model eligible for the Drive Car of the Year 2025 – Best Small SUV Under $80K 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 $80K
Buyers shopping for a compact SUV but looking for a little more style and presence have a long list of contenders to choose from, and as is the way for 2025, the majority of the field are either fully electric or hybrid vehicles, which puts operating efficiency front and center.
The reigning champion, for the past four years, is the Volvo XC40. Time has been kind to the Swedish SUV, particularly in terms of interior design and finish. Now Volvo's technology implementation is starting to show its age, and a few fresh-faced competitors have joined the race, including one from the Volvo showroom. Can the XC40 make it five in a row? Here's what it is up against...
First up is the all-electric Volvo EX30, along with its Geely-backed cousins by way of the Smart #1, Smart #3 and Zeekr X. These compact but feature-rich SUVs may share platform components, but each approaches the SUV market slightly differently, making them unique players in a crowded segment.
Keeping with the electric theme, the stylish Renault Megane E-Tech, Jeep Avenger, Mini Countryman, and Hyundai Kona all provide buyers with decent range, zippy performance and urban practicality, while each flexing their individual brand flavours.
The new BMW X2 is in the mix, as is the plug-in-hybrid variant of the Alfa Romeo Tonale and updated Mercedes-Benz GLA, with competition from the petrol (as well as electric) versions of the new Mini Countryman. Rounding out the European contenders is the updated Renault Arkana SUV coupe.
This price category sees entry from the hybrid Nissan Qashqai e-Power and range-topping Toyota C-HR GR Sport hybrid as well.
It's a heavily contested segment, but given the format of small SUVs, judges will be looking for cars that blend flexibility and practicality along with a sense of premium value, which means lots of equipment, choice materials and solid ownership proposition.
Is it time for electric to step up as the premier driveline for a premium buyer? Stay tuned to find out.
Which cars are eligible for this category?
Drive’s rules require that, for a car to be eligible, it must:
| Contenders | 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. |
| Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV BMW X2 Hyundai Kona Electric Jeep Avenger Mini Countryman (petrol and electric) Mercedes-Benz GLA Nissan Qashqai e-Power Renault Arkana Renault Megane E-Tech Smart 1 Smart 3 Toyota C-HR GR-Sport Volvo EX30 Volvo XC40 (defending) Zeekr X | Alfa Romeo Junior Kia EV3 Lexus LBX Morizo RR Mini Aceman |
The winner of the 2025 Drive Car of the Year – Best Small SUV Under $80K will be announced in February 2025.
Before then, we will announce the finalists, all of which deliver apremium approach to technology and features that enhance motoring life.
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With over 20 years of experience in digital publishing, James Ward has worked within the automotive landscape since 2007 and brings experience from the publishing, manufacturer and lifestyle side of the industry together to spearhead Drive's multi-media content direction.
