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Compare the best petrol SUVs

High quality petrol SUVs from rated and reviewed dealers

Rated 4.6/5 from 49,181 reviews
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Best petrol SUVs of 2024

So, you want to buy an SUV but you don’t want the guilt of driving around in a big diesel vehicle. Well then, petrol looks like a good option for you, so these are the best SUVs on sale right now with petrol engines.

Volvo XC40

1. Volvo XC40

9/10
Volvo XC40 review
Battery range up to 26 miles
BMW X3

2. BMW X3

8/10
BMW X3 review
Battery range up to 26 miles
Volkswagen T-Cross
2024
Urban Living Award
Highly Commended

3. Volkswagen T-Cross

9/10
Volkswagen T-Cross review
Peugeot 2008

4. Peugeot 2008

9/10
Peugeot 2008 review
Skoda Karoq

5. Skoda Karoq

9/10
Skoda Karoq review
Dacia Jogger
2024
Smart Spender Award

6. Dacia Jogger

9/10
Dacia Jogger review
Renault Captur

7. Renault Captur

6/10
Renault Captur review
Battery range up to 28 miles
Citroen C3 Aircross

8. Citroen C3 Aircross

8/10
Citroen C3 Aircross review
Peugeot 3008 (2020-2023)

9. Peugeot 3008

8/10
Peugeot 3008 (2020-2023) review
Volkswagen Taigo

10. Volkswagen Taigo

8/10
Volkswagen Taigo review

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Advice about petrol SUVs

Petrol SUVs FAQs

That’s a question that soon won’t be relevant — most manufacturers are steadily dropping diesel models in favour of petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid, as well as the rapid move to electric. Still, if your regular mileage involves pounding up and down the motorway all day long, then you might well still be wise to buy a diesel, as they’re more economical in such conditions. If you’re a low mileage driver, though, then petrol (or hybrid) is still the best bet. Of course, it’s also well worth considering the increasing number of fully-electric models, as long as you’ve got a driveway at home where you can charge up.

In theory, it’s the new BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid, which gets an official 353mpg on the combined economy cycle test. Of course, that’s not real, as you’d have to drive it virtually everywhere on electric power to get anything like that figure. In real-world terms, the best is probably the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid, which can get better than 60mpg in real world conditions if you drive carefully.

It’s probably the BMW X3 with its eight-speed automatic gearbox. This box is made and supplied by German transmission makers ZF, and it’s a brilliant device. It changes gear smoothly and quickly, and can actually help to save on fuel and emissions compared to a manual gearbox. Worth remembering that Peugeot also uses the same eight-speed auto in the 2008 and 3008, and that Citroen uses it too.

Check out our pick of the best automatic SUVs.

As an all-rounder, it’s hard to beat the Volvo XC40. Both of its plug-in hybrid petrol engines are frugal and powerful, as well as having decent electric-only range. The XC40 is also very good to drive, and it’s roomy and practical too. Of course, if you’re watching the pennies (and who isn’t these days?) then the only real answer is the Dacia Jogger.

We’d find it very hard to get past a BMW X3 in this regard — that 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder is an excellent engine, mixing impressive performance with solid economy, and good refinement too. If the X3 is too expensive for you, look at the Skoda Karoq — that 1.5-litre engine is a gem.

The Peugeot 2008 1.2 130hp is a surprising star here, as the little engine punches well above its weight and price by hauling as much as 1,250kg of braked weight. You can do better than that, with a SEAT Ateca or Volkswagen Tiguan, which will pull more than 2,000kg, but in both cases you have to upgrade to an expensive 2.0-litre TSI turbo engine.

Take a look at our guide on the best SUVs for towing to see our top recommended SUVs.