CarExpert's top five light/small SUV reviews of 2025

Reviews are a key part of the content the CarExpert editorial team publishes daily.

Countless reviews of all types of vehicles have been brought to you every day over the course of 2025, so as part of our reflective end-of-year content rollout, we’re naming the cars and reviews that were the most popular across all segments.

This article will break down the top five most-viewed light and small SUV reviews of the year. Several models surprised us with how popular they were among our readers, but rest assured – fans of these vehicles will have much more to look forward to in 2026.

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5. Suzuki Fronx

Our fifth-most popular review of the year was published in July. Written by news editor William Stopford, it was our launch review of the Suzuki Fronx.

William Stopford wrote:

“Suzuki is counting on buyers in one of the most price-conscious segments in the Australian new-car market to spend more for a vehicle that’s smaller and less powerful than many Chinese and Indian small SUVs. 

“It’s an uphill struggle for a vehicle that struggles uphill.

“To be perfectly frank about the Fronx, it lacks the zippiness of many of its rivals thanks to a tardy powertrain, while its price is relatively high – even if it does have a good amount of standard safety tech.

“But it also has plenty of attributes that will appeal to buyers. It comes with Suzuki’s reputation for reliability, a sturdy and no-nonsense feel, plenty of logically laid out physical controls, and a suite of safety technology that won’t drive you nuts with binging and bonging.

“For those who want more kit than a base Venue or Stonic and who don’t yet trust a Chinese or Indian budget brand, the Fronx makes a solid case for itself. We just wish it had more of Suzuki’s spunkiness, and a lower price.”

You can read our full review of the Suzuki Fronx here

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MORE: Explore the Suzuki Fronx showroom

4. Toyota Yaris Cross GXL Hybrid

February brought a review of the Toyota Yaris Cross GXL Hybrid, written by senior contributor Matt Campbell.

Matt Campbell wrote:

“You could do worse than to get into a Toyota Yaris Cross. This is an efficient and interesting little SUV, with some clever interior packaging and an improved cabin design.

“But you’ll have to be okay with a noisy drive experience, and it lacks some bling compared to newer rivals.

“Even so, I’d suggest you give it a go if you’re in the market for a city-friendly hybrid SUV.”

You can read our full review of the Toyota Yaris Cross GXL Hybrid here

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Toyota Yaris Cross. Click here to get a great deal.

MORE: Explore the Toyota Yaris Cross showroom

3. GWM Haval Jolion Lux

Our review of the GWM Haval Jolion Lux went live in January, written by deputy marketplace editor Josh Nevett, and also cracked the top five in 2025.

Josh Nevett wrote:

“The GWM Haval Jolion doesn’t make as much sense as it used to, especially in Lux petrol guise.

“It’s still cheap – very cheap, until at least the end of January – but there’s nothing else about this SUV that screams ‘pick me’. GWM hasn’t really updated the styling on this mid-spec variant, and the same can be said of the interior tech.

“With the base petrol powertrain, the Lux just about matches the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, MG ZS, Mazda CX-3, Chery Omoda 5, and Mitsubishi ASX for performance, but it trails the pack on efficiency.

“And, after changes to GWM’s capped-price servicing, the Jolion isn’t particularly cheap to maintain anymore. I wasn’t a fan of the undercooked safety systems either.

“So, while the Jolion is a spacious and affordable entry-level SUV, it lacks the driving dynamics or interior wow factor to be the pick of a crowded segment. That’s especially true if GWM reverts to pre-discount pricing from February onwards.

“Instead, it’s worth pivoting to the Tiggo 4 Pro for a more refined experience at the same price point, or stretching the budget for something wearing a Korean or Japanese badge.”

You can read our full review of the GWM Haval Jolion Lux here

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new GWM Haval Jolion. Click here to get a great deal.

MORE: Explore the GWM Haval Jolion showroom

2. Honda HR-V e:HEV X

Our review of the Honda ZR-V e:HEV X also proved popular. It was written by yours truly, marketplace journalist Max Davies.

Max Davies wrote:

“The HR-V is a good thing, and this e:HEV X variant is probably the pick of the bunch.

“It’s economical and quiet, while also being easy to drive in a way that sets it apart from a lot of other new cars on sale right now. Better yet, Honda quality shines through in every aspect of the car, which means it’ll likely hold up as the kilometres mount.

“The seamless and economical hybrid powertrain has enough punch for what it needs to do, and we always appreciate well-calibrated safety gear. Its infotainment provisions are also top-notch, if not a little small-screened for some people, but I’m in the function over form camp and it’s hard to argue with a system that has no faults.

“We can also appreciate the HR-V’s instrument cluster for its simplicity, though it still seems a little strange that the base ZR-V has a fully digital cluster for a nearly identical price.

“If you can get past the lack of five seats, a somewhat small boot and no spare wheel, you’d do well to get behind the wheel of the e:HEV X.

“The Vi X is cheaper but lacks hybrid tech and a bunch of nicer gear like heated seats, fog lights and a decent sound system, and in our opinion it doesn’t look as sharp due to its matte black exterior cladding.

“The e:HEV L, meanwhile, is essentially the same car but more expensive, and probably not worth the extra money unless you consider creature comforts like rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel to be make-or-break equipment.

“You may get a car that could better suit your needs with something like the base ZR-V, but you won’t get hybrid tech in that vehicle unless you pay more and move further up the range.

“The only real criticism is that it’s on the pricey side, but if you can get past that, the HR-V e:HEV X is well worth a look.”

You can read our full review of the Honda HR-V e:HEV X here

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Honda HR-V. Click here to get a great deal.

MORE: Explore the Honda HR-V showroom

1. Zeekr X AWD

Published in January, senior contributor Matt Campbell’s review of the top-spec Zeekr X AWD was our most-read light/small SUV review for the year.

Matt Campbell wrote:

“This is a largely impressive first offering from a new brand in our market.

“It has some excellent features and comes in at a reasonable price for what feels like a properly premium EV experience. It is distinctive, different, and desirable in its own way.

“But it is also rather frustrating and thoughtless when it comes to some of the tech and design decisions, and the overbearing nature of the driver safety suite makes the Zeekr X feel like a great car that might be hard to live with.

“Whether that is enough to rule it in or out for you is a matter of taste.”

You can read our full review of the Zeekr X AWD here

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Zeekr X. Click here to get a great deal.

MORE: Explore the Zeekr X showroom