SUVs are the most popular type of car sold in the UK, prior to this popularity explosion they were usually large, luxurious and expensive vehicles. However, almost every manufacturer is now making smaller, compact SUVs. 

To round up which ones are worth buying, we’ve compiled a list of the cheapest (quality) SUVs currently on the market in the UK. 

1. MG ZS 1.5 VTi-TECH - £15,300 

MG’s SUV offering is one of the cheapest on the market. The 1.5 petrol engine produces 109 horsepower which whilst not likely to break any speed records, returns an admirable MPG figure of around 43 MPG. 

The ZS comes equipped with a snazzy infotainment system and more importantly a 7-year or 80,000-mile warranty. 

2. Dacia Duster Essential TCe 90 - £17,300 

Dacia are great at making small bare bones cars, that tick most of the boxes needed for an A to B kind of car. The new Duster does this whilst being packaged into a stylish SUV form factor.  

The basic trim level keeps costs low by using steel wheels instead of alloys, something that the Duster actually pulls off quite successfully, giving it a Land Rover Defender utility feel.  

Interior design is fairly sparse but well styled, most likely thanks to the French input as Dacia is owed by Renault. The engine however is from Renault’s Japanese partner Nissan, meaning it should be long-lasting and good on fuel. 

3. SEAT Arona 1.0 TSI - £18,995 

As our pick from our recent rundown on 1.0-litre engine cars, the Seat Arona is an excellent choice for those looking for the holy trinity: affordability, style and practicality.  

The Arona benefits from the 1.0 turbocharged VW engine, stylish SEAT design and a large cross-section, meaning plenty of room for kids, dogs and luggage. The boot space is very generous at 400 litres. 

4. Vauxhall Crossland 1.2 Turbo - £19,140 

As the smaller of the new-age Vauxhall range of SUVs, the Crossland could well be considered more of a crossover rather than an SUV, but with the lines between the two ever more blurred, and the Crossland offering more space than some pronounced SUV we’ll include it here.  

Fitted with the GM 1.2 turbocharged petrol engine the Crossland can be quite frugal on fuel, although not as impressive as some cars on this list, namely those with the VW 1.0 TSI engine. 

5. Vauxhall Mokka - £19,300 

The oldest of Vauxhall’s SUV range, the Mokka has been around for a while now, with the first generation appearing on UK roads in 2012. The 2023 one is somehow more modern and more retro, with clear design cues from the Nova of the 1990s.  

Inside the Mokka comes with air con and an Apple car play equipped touch screen stereo as standard. The model we found also had lane keeping and cruise control for long-distance comfort.

6. Citroen C3 Aircross - £17,985 

The C3 Aircross is an interesting-looking car, with bubbly body panels that are very Citroen in shape. Inside the steering wheel and dash are also of a quirky style, with rounded squares and rectangles being the main design cue.

Under the bonnet, the 1.2 turbocharged petrol engine does a good job of moving the vehicle around, especially considering it can manage over 52 MPG on the motorway. Colour choices are aplenty with the C3, with some vibrant blues and yellows for those who want to stand out!

7. Skoda Kamiq 1.0 TSI - £17,990 

As it's based on the same chassis as the aforementioned SEAT Arona, the Kamiq is similarly sized, with the exact same boot capacity! That alongside the fact the engine and gearbox options are the same too, means it's down to styling and cost on which one you should pick.

For us, the SEAT is just that little bit more stylish, with the Skoda being typically more angular and functional than the sleekness of the SEAT. The Skoda does pip the SEAT on price, though, with this brand new SE spec being a whole £1,000 cheaper than the Arona.

8. KIA Stonic 1.0T GDi 2 5dr - £18,570 

The Stonic was first brought to market in 2017, as Kia’s smaller SUV, sitting below the Sorento and the Sportage in their lineup. However, what it lacks in stature it makes up for in value, with new models being available from just over £18,500.  

For that price tag, you get Apple car play on the 8-inch touchscreen, cruise control and forward collision avoidance. The 1.0 turbocharged engine produces around 100 horsepower and achieves over 50 MPG.

Our Pick - The Best Cheap SUV

For the best combination of value, style and technical features, we’d recommend the Seat Arona as the best cheap SUV to buy in the UK. It’s a great way to get an economical, high-tech sports utility vehicle for less than £20,000.

However, if budget is the biggest factor, you can’t go wrong with a Dacia Duster, which offers all the basic - and some not-so-basic - features the rest do, at a no-frills price.