Best automatic small SUVs 2023

Jul 04, 2023

Want a nippy hatchback to get you from A to B, but don't fancy shifting gears yourself? Here are some of the best small automatic SUVs to consider

Automatic cars are great. They make it easier to drive in stop-start traffic and take the edge off deciding which gear to shift into if you’re a tad nervous under pressure.

Like an automatic gearbox, small SUVs and crossovers make driving easier because of their higher driving positions and extended practicality over a hatchback.

One of the many benefits of an automatic gearbox is better fuel economy, because no matter how good we think our rev-matching and gear shifting is, the car will always be able to do it better, saving you more money in the long run.

Here are 10 of the best automatic small SUVs that you should consider buying.

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The X1 is the smallest SUV BMW makes, but it’s by no means the least impressive. In fact, it’s one of the brand’s best-selling vehicles.

This is because it offers that sought-after SUV-like driving experience with added BMW luxury, a high driving position and a smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox that has a sporty and responsive edge.

Engine options include a handful of reliable petrols, a fuel-efficient diesel and a newer all-electric motor that comes with the iX1.

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If you want a cheap and reliable SUV, the Suzuki Vitara is a great call. It’s slightly larger than the famed Jimny and more grown-up too, thanks to its latest interior tech.

But don’t discount it as boring, because the all-wheel-drive system found in the SZ5 ALLGRIP variant is sublime. When mated to its six-speed automatic transmission, it handles on- and off-road courses like a dream.

Powering this Suzuki mountain goat is either a 1.4-litre or a 1.5-litre petrol engine that offers plenty of poke and up to 54mpg.

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If you like the Volkswagen Polo or Tiguan, the middle-of-the-range T-Cross might just be a perfect fit for you.

With all the bells and whistles you’d expect to find in any other VW model, the T-Cross makes a great alternative because it’s closely matched to the Polo’s size but effectively on stilts.

You can either have a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine or a larger and more economical diesel. You also get the option of a seven-speed automatic gearbox that’s smooth and easy to live with.

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The Swedes never miss a beat when it comes to designing and building a family car, and the XC40 SUV is no exception.

Some may think it’s overshadowed by its larger and more expensive XC60 and XC90 relatives, but the XC40 holds its own, offering plenty of practicality and a smooth and refined automatic gearbox with either seven or eight gears.

Mated to this is either a plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid or top-spec electric motor that comes in the XC40 Recharge model.

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Trendy looks and modern technology – if these two things interest you, the Audi Q3 is a car that you’re sure to fall for.

Audi's Q3 is the second-largest SUV it makes, bridging the gap between the Q2 and larger Q5, and is spacious and finished to a high degree.

There are a range of engines on offer: a plug-in hybrid, standard petrol, and a diesel that’s better if you tend to drive longer distances. All of these are available with a well-engineered seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

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Traditionally, we don’t think of Minis as SUVs. Instead, we think of them as nippy little hatchbacks and city cars. But the world has changed and so has Mini under BMW’s ownership.

This is why we now have cars such as the Countryman – an SUV based on the BMW X1 platform.

Powering it is a selection of petrol engines and a plug-in hybrid unit that offers up to 26 miles of electric range. Additionally, you can have it with an eight-speed automatic transmission that’s the one to have if you favour a smooth ride.

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The Kona is one of Hyundai’s most versatile models, offering plenty of room for the whole family and a solid seven-speed automatic gearbox.

You can have it with a petrol, diesel, hybrid or as an all-electric model, which is why it’s such a popular small SUV.

Inside, it’s great too. It may not be as plush as a BMW or Mercedes, but it does get all the creature comforts you could possibly need and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

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The Kia EV6 is the only electric car on this list, and if you’re going to have one for your family then it ought to be this one.

It’s the South Korean manufacturer’s first-ever ground-up EV, and it’s already an icon.

Power comes from either a 58 kWh or a 77.4 kWh pack that offers 232 miles and 225 miles respectively.

It is, of course, automatic as all electric cars are, and it works like a go-kart, making driving even easier.

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Toyota’s Yaris Cross is one of those cars that may surprise you.

Yes, it’s basically a taller Yaris that’s been hitting the bench press, but it’s also got wider plastic wheelarches that make it stand out from the crowd.

Other than this, it’s the same, so driving around town and in city centres is a doddle – especially with its CVT automatic gearbox, which is shared across Toyota’s models.

This is mated to a hybrid petrol engine that’s efficient and hard-wearing.

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Finding luxury in the small SUV market can be tricky. Because so many brands focus on making the most affordable cars, they can’t always add plush leather seats and higher-quality finishes.

But one car that can is the Range Rover Evoque, the smallest Land Rover SUV that doesn’t compromise class and practicality.

It can be had with either a petrol, diesel or hybrid engine, all of which can be equipped with a nine-speed automatic gearbox that’s especially helpful on long motorway stints.

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