Baby SUV boom
Chunky MG Roadster leads the charge of mini-SUVs, with Ford, Renault and Mercedes rivals all on way
Following the success of the Nissan Juke, more and more manufacturers are preparing to cash in on the baby SUV boom.
A few years ago, the off-roader class was under threat due to the cars’ high fuel consumption. But the latest models promise to be as efficient as the small hatches on which they’re based.
Buyers will get the best of both worlds, as raised driving positions make the newcomers feel bigger than they are, yet they’re still easy to thread through traffic due to their small footprints on the road. None of these cars weighs very much, either, so they can be powered by super-efficient, small-capacity turbocharged petrol and diesel engines.
As our round-up reveals, traditional 4x4 brands, premium marques and mainstream makers all have compact crossovers waiting in the wings. All are striving to get the blend of style and driveability just right – and emulate the amazing success of the Range Rover Evoque.
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