Best new small SUVs coming to Australia in 2024 and 2025

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UPDATED December 12, 2024:

The city SUV slice of the market is a busy one. Made up of both light- and small-sized SUVs, it’s a seriously competitive space – and it’s one that a lot of manufacturers are looking to play in for 2025.

And, for the first time, almost all of the new models coming in over the next 12 months or so are electrified in some form – either fully-electric in many cases or offering hybrid power at the very least.

Here’s what to expect – made up of a mix of brand new faces, some updated ones, and some we’ve known for many years.

Alfa Romeo Junior – H2, 2025

The 2025 Alfa Romeo Junior will be the Italian car maker’s first mass-production fully-electric car, though it will also come in petrol form.

It’s the smallest vehicle launched by Alfa Romeo since its Mito city hatch left showrooms six years ago, and is due to arrive in Australia in the second half of 2025.

It’s similar in size to the Toyota Yaris Cross and Mazda CX-3, and slots into the car maker’s line-up underneath the Tonale compact SUV.

The Junior, which had to rapidly be renamed over a fall-out regarding its original title of Milano (see below), is likely to be one of the last petrol-powered Alfas, with all new models coming from the company set to be electric-only from next year.

MORE: Alfa Romeo Milano to be renamed Junior amid legal controversy
REVIEW: 2024 Alfa Romeo Junior review: International first drive

Chery Omoda E5 – Launched

The 2025 Chery Omoda E5 will be the Chinese firm’s first fully-electric car in Australia, following the arrival of the petrol-powered Omoda 5 back in 2023.

It’s set to arrive Down Under imminently, with specification announced in August.

Chery is offering two variants of the Omoda E5 – the base BX and the flagship EX – however, both EVs are powered by a 61kWh battery providing up to 430 kilometres of rated driving range (WLTP cycle).

The battery feeds a single electric motor powering the front wheels, with 150kW and 340Nm available.

MORE: 2025 Chery Omoda E5 electric car price and specs: Cheaper than BYD Atto 3

REVIEW: 2025 Chery Omoda E5 review: Australian first drive

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – Launched

The 2025 Chery Tiggo 4 Pro is the smaller sibling to the likes of the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 Pro Max, which arrived locally earlier this year.

Chery plans for pricing to be very competitive to take on more long-standing rivals such as the Mazda CX-3 and Nissan Juke.

The light SUV is set to come in two forms, the Urban and Ultimate, with both powered by the same 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, developing 108kW/210Nm.

Beyond that, full specification for our market has yet to be revealed.

MORE: 2025 Chery Tiggo 4 Pro price and specs: $23,990 drive-away for new city SUV

REVIEW: 2025 Chery Tiggo 4 Pro review: Quick drive

Honda HR-V – Late 2024

Honda has given its small petrol- and hybrid-powered SUV an update in its home market of Japan, with the facelift expected to arrive in Australia by the end of the year.

While Honda has confirmed we’ll get an updated model locally, it has yet to disclose if these will be the same changes seen on the car in Japan.

Government documents show the line-up is set to be bolstered by the addition of a new – and cheaper – e:HEV X variant to sit between the base petrol Vi X and top-spec e:HEV L, though this has yet to be confirmed by Honda.

MORE: 2025 Honda HR-V price and specs: Facelifted model cheaper than before

Hyundai Inster – February 2025

The 2025 Hyundai Inster will be Hyundai‘s cheapest electric vehicle yet, aimed at taking on the growing range of budget-priced EVs, particularly coming from China.

It’s due here early in 2025 with a choice of two battery packs – a 42kWh Standard, or 49kWh Long Range – rated at up to 355km of driving range.

The Inster is based on the petrol Hyundai Casper city hatch sold exclusively in South Korea since 2021, but it has a longer body for a roomier cabin – and space for a larger battery pack.

In footprint it’s comparable to the Suzuki Swift and Mini Cooper, but in height it’s more similar to a Toyota Yaris Cross or Kia Stonic.

MORE: 2025 Hyundai Inster electric car: Initial Australian specs confirmed

Jeep Avenger – Launched

Continuing the theme of electrification, the 2025 Jeep Avenger is the US company’s first fully-electric vehicle, offering a claimed 396km of driving range.

It will be priced from $53,990 plus on-road costs when it arrives in Australian showrooms between October and December this year.

Designed and built in Europe – and only offered in front-wheel-drive form – the Avenger is similar in size to a Toyota Yaris Cross or Mazda CX-3, but is smaller than the MG ZS EV, Hyundai Kona Electric and Renault Megane E-Tech.

Powering the Avenger is a single front electric motor developing 115kW/260Nm, matched with a 51kWh battery.

MORE: 2024 Jeep Avenger electric car price and specs
REVIEW: 2025 Jeep Avenger review: Australian first drive

Kia EV3 – H1, 2025

The 2025 Kia EV3 is the Korean firm’s smallest electric car to date, roughly comparable to its petrol-powered Seltos in size.

The EV3 is underpinned by a downsized version of the EV6 and EV9‘s E-GMP electric-car platform, and is powered by a 150kW/283Nm electric motor that drives the front wheels.

It’s expected to come with a choice of standard- or long-range batteries (58.3 kWh or 81.4kWh) offering a claimed driving range of up to 600km.

Australian deliveries are likely to come in the first half of 2025.

MORE: 2025 Kia EV3 electric car to feature LG webOS to allow YouTube, Netflix streaming

REVIEW: 2025 Kia EV3 review: International first drive

Lexus LBX Morizo RR – H1, 2025

One of the more high-powered new entrants to the segment, the 2025 Lexus LBX Morizo RR is the production version of the concept of the same name unveiled in January, with the turbocharged heart of the GR Yaris and GR Corolla.

The Morizo name is derived from the motor-racing pseudonym of Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda, a known car enthusiast who is said to have assisted in the LBX’s development.

Powering the LBX Morizo RR is a 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine developing 206kW and 390Nm in Australia – down on the 224kW/400Nm outputs quoted in Japan – with power being sent to all four wheels.

Before you get too excited though, Lexus says the hot LBX will be a limited-run car, though actual numbers have not yet been confirmed.

And while Japan will be offered a choice of eight-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions, Lexus Australia will only market the automatic.

MORE: 2025 Lexus LBX Morizo RR price and specs: More than $80,000 drive-away for performance SUV
REVIEW: 2024 Lexus LBX review VIDEO: Australian first drive

MG ZS – Launched

The MG ZS has been a top-selling small SUV for a while now, but 2025 is set to bring in big changes for the model – with a hybrid option, more technology and an updated look.

Due in Australia in late 2024, the second-generation ZS will come with the same petrol-electric drivetrain as the new MG 3, marketed as the ZS Hybrid+.

Poised to rival the Toyota Corolla Cross, Hyundai Kona, and GWM Haval Jolion hybrids – the new ZS pairs a 75kW 1.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine with a 100kW/250Nm electric motor for a 144kW total claimed system output.

Like the MG 3, the ZS Hybrid+ will be front-wheel drive only, with a three-speed automatic and a 1.83kWh battery pack, while petrol-only options are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic.

MORE: 2025 MG ZS price and specs: Big hike for all-new hybrid SUV

REVIEW: 2025 MG ZS Hybrid+ review: Australian first drive

Mini Aceman – Q4, 2024

The 2025 Mini Aceman is due to join the brand’s local line-up before the year is out, sitting between the three-door Cooper hatch and the larger Countryman SUV.

Mini refers to the Aceman as a ‘crossover’ – a term used for models which blur the line between traditional hatchbacks and SUVs.

It will be an electric-only model, with two variants available from launch.

The base-spec Mini Aceman E (electric) will be priced from $55,990 before on-road costs, while the range-topping SE (sports electric) will start from $60,990 before on-roads.

The E gets a 38.5kWh battery to power a single electric motor, sending 135kW and 290Nm to the front wheels, while the SE uses a larger, 49.2kWh battery pack to power a 160kW/330Nm electric motor.

Claimed driving range is 310km for the E and 406km for the SE.

MORE: 2025 Mini Aceman price and specs: Small electric SUV-style hatch joins line-up

Renault Captur – Mid-2025

Renault has given its long-running Captur an update, bringing a fresh look and new technology to the model.

The 2025 Renault Captur city SUV has been given a facelift nearly five years after the current model was unveiled, but while a hybrid option remains available in Europe, it’s not yet clear whether this will be on the table for Australia.

Details of the local Captur model range are yet to be announced, however, the current model is sold in four variants powered by a 1.3-litre turbo four-cylinder engine without hybrid technology.

MORE: 2025 Renault Captur facelift unveiled, due in Australia next year

Zeekr X – Late 2024

The 2025 Zeekr X is probably one of the only new entrants not to in some way bare a familiar nameplate in the Australian market.

The Zeekr X is a new compact electric SUV from the Chinese car brand which is owned by Volvo and Polestar’s parent company, Geely.

It has already arrived in Australia ahead of the first customer deliveries due in November.

The top-of-the-range Zeekr X in Europe is powered by dual electric motors with 315kW, good for claimed 0-100km/h acceleration of 3.8 seconds – and 425-446km of WLTP lab-tested driving range, depending on model grade.

Local pricing and specification, however, has yet to be announced.

MORE: 2025 Zeekr X price and specs: Electric SUV cheaper than Volvo sibling

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