News

Baby SUV boom

Chunky MG Roadster leads the charge of mini-SUVs, with Ford, Renault and Mercedes rivals all on way

By:Auto Express team

3 Aug 2012

.polaris__post-meta--date { display: none; } .polaris__post-meta--date.no-script { display: block; padding-left: 45px } 3 Aug 2012

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.

Due 2015 - A new small soft-top SUV will spearhead MG’s revival, and bring back the legendary Roadster name. The chunky new <a href="https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mg/59305/mg-roadster-back-suv">MG Roadster</a> will be sold alongside
Due 2012 - The <a href="https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/18736/vauxhall-mokka">Vauxhall Mokka</a> goes on sale in November, starting from £15,995 – that’s more than £2,000 above the price of Nissan’s cheapest Juke. It’s bas
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Due 2013 - Renault will cash in on its alliance with Nissan by creating its own version of the Juke crossover, with styling inspired by the <a href="https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/18235/renault-captur">Captur Concept</a> see
Due 2014 - The German carmaker is preparing its smallest SUV yet. It’s set to be called the <a href="https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/35533/new-audi-q2-exclusive">Audi Q2</a>, and is a concept due to debut at next month’s Paris Motor
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Due 2014 - The Mercedes GLC is based on the stylish new A-Class, and will take on the BMW X1 when it arrives in 2014. It will be offered in two and four-wheel drive, with an increase in ride height over the A-Class. Underbody claddi
Due 2014 - New <a href="https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/fiesta/35255/ford-ecosport-suv">Ford EcoBoost</a> SUV is based on the UK’s best-selling car, the Fiesta, and adopts the company’s Kinetic design language, with a trapezoidal lo
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Due 2015 - The <a href="https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/jeep/34588/jeep-juke-coming">Jeep Renegade</a> will use the same platform and diesel engines as the upcoming Fiat 500X, so emissions in the two-wheel-drive versions will drop below