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.
When we say petrol, for the XC40 we actually mean plug-in hybrid. There are two options; a 211hp T4 and a 262hp T5, and both can manage an official28 miles on a full charge of their batteries. Long-range economy will probably drop to around 45mpg, but they’ll charge up in just three hours from a domestic three-pin socket. A regular petrol XC40 is also available.
BMW offers you a choice of either petrol or plug-in hybrid power for the X3 (and diesel, but we’re ignoring that for now…). You can have a 20i 2.0-litre turbo with 184hp, or a 30e plug-in hybrid with 292hp. The PHEV version has an official 141mpg, but it’ll likely be closer to 40mpg on a long run with the battery depleted. There’s also the 360hp M40i and the 510hp X3M, but perhaps those are for another day…
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2024
Urban Living Award
Highly Commended
What's good
What’s not so good
The VW T-Cross actually has a petrol-only lineup (VW is dropping diesel engines from most of its model ranges — wonder why?) so you have a choice of a 1.0-litre TSI petrol three-cylinder with 110hp, and either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic DSG gearbox. There’s also a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, with 150hp and a standard automatic, which is really refined and smooth. The peppy little 1.0 does the job just fine, though, and can average 47mpg.
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The 2008 uses Peugeot’s long-serving 1.2-litre ‘PureTech’ three-cylinder turbo engine. The basic model has 100hp, and can nudge up to 52mpg economy. The more powerful 130hp version is slightly more thirsty, but also a better all-rounder in performance terms. At the top of the tree there’s a 155hp version, which gives the 2008 junior hot-hatch performance.
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The Karoq comes with two petrol engine options. There’s a basic 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo, with 110hp, which you’d think would be inadequate for a car of its size, but which is actually fine as long as you’re not trying to haul an Airstream caravan. The better option is the 150hp 1.5-litre engine, though, which is very refined and decently economical.
2024
Smart Spender Award
What's good
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Is the Jogger an SUV or is it really an MPV? That’s a debate for another time, but one thing is certain — it only comes with a petrol engine. And only one engine at all, in fact — a 110hp 1.0-litre TCE three-cylinder turbo. Like most things about the Jogger, the engine is just fine, and does the job you need it to. It’ll be joined by a hybrid version during 2023.
Battery range up to 28 miles
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Renault offers a choice of 1.0-litre TCE 90hp three-cylinder or 1.3-litre 140hp TCE four-cylinder petrol engines in the Captur. The 90hp one isn’t exactly quick, but it’s fine and we’re not sure it’s worth upgrading to the 1.3. You can also choose a 1.6-litre hybrid (which is capable of 56mpg) or a plug-in hybrid, which has a 30-mile electric range.
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The Citroen C3 Aircross’ petrol engine lineup is pretty straightforward — you get a choice of the 1.2-litre PureTech three-cylinder turbo engine (shared with Peugeot) in either 100hp or 130hp forms, with an optional eight-speed automatic gearbox for the 130hp version. Economy is good (up to 52mpg) and even the 100hp has plenty enough power for most people.
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The 3008 borrows the same 1.2-litre turbo three-cylinder petrol engine as the smaller 2008, and it’s not disgraced in the bigger car. OK, it’s no ball of fire, but it gets out of its own way OK. Perhaps a better petrol-engined bet in the 3008 is the pricey plug-in hybrid version. Well, versions actually, as you can choose from 225hp front-wheel drive, or 300hp four-wheel drive models, both with an electric range of up to 39 miles.
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The Taigo is basically the same as the Volkswagen T-Cross under the skin, so it’s no surprise that it uses the same engine lineup — 1.0-litre TSI three-cylinder turbo with 110hp, which comes with a six-speed manual gearbox, or an optional seven-speed DSG automatic. Or there’s the bigger, smoother, 1.5-litre 150hp four-cylinder turbo, with a standard automatic. Both are fine engines, and very frugal, but the Taigo itself seems a bit pricey next to the T-Cross.
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