In recent years, a boom in sales of SUVs and crossovers has seen manufacturers come up with new and alternative ways to capitalise on the trend – spawning classes of car previously never thought.
SUV-inspired city runabouts may have seemed a wild idea a decade ago, but now, they’re fast becoming one of the most popular segments on today’s market. Here, we take a look at the seven best on sale today.
Vauxhall Viva Rocks
Vauxhall’s latest offering definitely Rocks! (Sorry).
The Viva Rocks joined the British firm’s line-up late in 2017 and has instantly become one of its most interesting offerings. It’s well-equipped, offers good levels of equipment and is a genuine joy to drive. It maintains all the practicality and usability of the base Viva too, making it a perfect tiny tearabout.
Ford Fiesta Active
How do you take Britain’s best-selling car and have even more driven off forecourts? Add a crossover version, of course.
This is the Fiesta Active, new for 2018 and guaranteed to be an instant sales success. It takes the already-excellent Fiesta platform, and adds more ruggedness – as well as more kit, including selectable driving modes, meaning drivers will be ready no matter the conditions.
Kia Picanto X-Line
The Kia Picanto is a cheerful little machine, and the Korean manufacturer has brought even more personality with this – the X-Line.
It adds a funky look to the little hatch, as well as more customisation options to give buyers an opportunity to create something unique and reflect their personalities via the means of a small crossover.
Suzuki Ignis
Suzuki are the masters of the city car, and the Ignis is definitely not an exception to this rule.
It’s the only car on this list built from the ground up to be a little city tear-up that can also take a little bit more on if need be – especially so when paired with the firm’s excellent Allgrip four-wheel-drive system.
Dacia Sandero Stepway
Good news! Budget brand Dacia offers a rugged version of its popular Sandero city car.
This budget machine is pretty basic, but as a result, it’s cheap and also boasts plenty of character. If you want something that can take just a bit more than the city runabout, then this is one of the cheapest – and definitely not the worst – way to do so.
Citroen C3 Aircross
Citroen wouldn’t be Citroen if it didn’t have a quirky option in its line-up, and this is the latest.
The C3 Aircross takes the already eccentric C3 and adds a little more pizzazz, with an increased ride height, beefier bodywork and – for the full lifestyle look – colour-matched roof rails.
Fiat Panda City Cross
The Fiat Panda is getting pretty old now, but that doesn’t mean it’s still not one of the most interesting offerings on the market – with the Panda City Cross only adding to that.
This is more than just marketing to make it seem like a tiny off-roader – featuring an all-wheel-drive system and skid plates designed to protect the car from any terrain thrown at it. It’s a surprisingly capable little machine, and one we adore.