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SUVs come in all sizes. The little ones cut a fine figure, especially in the city – but not only there anymore.
The offer to SUV is becoming more and more diverse. Even in the small classes there has long been a confusing number of crossovers, mini off-road vehicles and elevated city speedsters. Some stand out from the crowd - five examples.
Toyota Aygo X - The tiny one
Without an "X" in the name, the Aygo was a conventionally embroidered micro car at a low price until last year. In the new edition, the Japanese wants to offer more than pure basic mobility and therefore comes along as a chic city crossover with a lifestyle claim. Robust add-on parts and the increased ground clearance provide a touch of off-road flair, a comparatively large trunk and a lively three-cylinder petrol engine (53 kW/72 hp) that is undemanding when you are thirsty for fuel stand for the practical capabilities. In contrast to the other models of the brand, there is no hybrid drive here. Nevertheless, the four-seater with a starting price of 15.900 euros has long since outgrown the traditional small car segment.
Dacia Spring – The Zero Emission
Every Dacia bears the title of "Cheapest car in its segment". This also applies to the Spring, which at 20.940 euros is the price breaker among German e-cars. If you also deduct the environmental bonus, it is just over 10.000 euros - there is hardly a normal combustion engine anywhere else. In return, however, the customer has to make concessions: not so much in terms of the range, which at 230 kilometers is quite appropriate for a city car, but in terms of ambience, space and driving performance. The four-seater reaches a maximum of 125 km/h, which does not necessarily make driving on German autobahns a pleasure. In addition, a private charging option is recommended, since you can hardly spend the up to 14-hour charging time at a public column.
Hyundai Bayon - the eye-catcher
Because the Koreans did without the crossover variant offered in the previous generation in the new edition of the small car i20, there was room again in the brand's SUV range. Since 2021, it has been filled by the 4,18 meter long Bayon, which is visually much more prominent than its quasi-predecessor, which is mainly robustly planked. The new one is more of a raised lifestyler than an off-road vehicle imitator, causing a stir with its modern double headlight design. With prices starting at 17.090 euros, the five-seater is still one of the cheaper SUVs on the German market. When it comes to the drive, the offer ranges from the rather sluggish 1,2-liter petrol engine with 62 kW/84 hp to the lively 1,0-liter mild hybrid with 88 kW/120 hp.
Jeep Renegade - The off-roader
Between all the fashionable SUVs, there are still a few capable SUVs. The Stellantis brand Jeep in particular likes to emphasize the off-road capabilities of its models - and does so even in the smallest class. In fact, the Renegade easily outperforms most of its competitors off-road. As a rule, they can't even come up with all-wheel drive, the Renegade in the particularly off-road "Trailhawk" variant even offers a gear reduction and bumpers with an extra large approach angle. Because the rough and smooth equipment package is only available in conjunction with the top engine, a 177 kW/240 hp plug-in hybrid drive, the off-road crossover costs a whopping 45.200 euros.
Suzuki Ignis - The Pioneer
After the SUV wave had swept from the luxury class to the compact models and into the small cars, the next logical step was to flood the segment below as well. At least that was the idea that Suzuki pursued with the Ignis, which founded the still young class of micro-SUVs in 2016. The 3,70 meter long five-door car gets along quite well thanks to the all-wheel drive option, while its crisp dimensions and the economical four-cylinder petrol engine (66 kW/90 hp) benefit it in the city. With prices starting at 16.410 euros, it is also one of the particularly affordable crossovers.
