The best small off-roaders on sale 2022
There was a time when opting for a four-wheel drive vehicle meant heavy penalties in fuel economy, performance and drivability. Not anymore! The latest crop of off-roaders can be great to drive and surprisingly cheap to run.
Best of all, there are loads of different small 4x4s to choose from. You are not limited to a large, bulky SUV or old-fashioned off-roader. Buying a true 4×4 means you will get more off-road ability than your standard SUV, meaning you can cope with all the mud and slippery stuff those off-road tracks can throw at you – but these cars are also super capable when driving on normal roads too. These cars need to be practical, sturdy, and solid – for whatever your lifestyle is.
We have rounded up some of the best small 4x4s, which offer all-wheel drive but are compact, cheap to buy and will return great fuel economy. They will not give you the massive running costs that a large SUV would, while still being hugely practical and capable.
DRIVEtorque’s list of small off roaders
Suzuki Vitara
Renault Duster
Mazda CX-3
MINI Countryman
BMW X1
Suzuki Jimny
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Jeep Renegade
Hyundai Kona
Toyota Urban Cruiser
Suzuki Vitara
It is rather a bit of a hidden gem, the Suzuki Vitara. The brand actually has a lot of experience when it comes to making small SUVs – it started way back in 1970. The Vitara is a world away from those early models, but it is a tempting proposition, with a roomy interior, brilliant petrol engines and tidy handling thanks to its light weight. All models get Bluetooth, climate control and 16-inch alloy wheels, but stepping up further will bring sat-nav, a parking camera and privacy glass in the rear.
Renault Duster
Opting for the cheapest SUV on sale in Zimbabwe today does not have to be a mission impossible nor a compromise any more. Sure, the Duster is not as plush as some of its rivals, but it is just as capable, and offers absolutely brilliant value. The ultra-efficient diesel engine commands a premium over the petrols, so think carefully which you choose – but opting for four-wheel drive is a no-brainer if you intend to use the Duster off-road. If you do, you shall find it as capable as many machines that cost double or treble as much.
Mazda CX-3
Keen drivers ought to think about choosing the Mazda CX-3. The Japanese firm is one of the best at making mainstream vehicles feel really great to drive, and its compact SUV is no exception. The CX-3 is grippy, well-balanced and has nicely weighted and direct steering. The 1.8-litre diesel is a new engine, and offers decent economy – but consider opting for the wonderfully smooth 2.0-litre petrol unless you do lots of annual miles.
MINI Countryman
Translating the handling of the MINI hatch into a bulkier SUV body was no doubt a tough job, but the British brand has managed it with the MINI Countryman. Four-wheel drive is available on all models, but even front-wheel drive brings fantastic handling. Those of us who like to stand out will be overjoyed by the sheer level of personalization on offer – there is no reason your Countryman has to look like anybody else’s.
BMW X1
The first-generation BMW X1 sold very well, but the current model is a far superior car. It is based on the same underpinnings as the MINI Countryman but has more mature styling. It is tuned for more comfort than the MINI, but still handles well. We recommend the four-wheel-drive 18d model, which manages to offer fuel economy in excess of 4.7 Litres per 100 kilometres.

Suzuki Jimny
The Suzuki Jimny is a proper old-school off-roader, but on a miniature scale. The end result is a small 4×4 that can outclass almost anything when it comes to the rough stuff. The Jimny is packed with charm, too, and surprisingly good to drive around town. Admittedly, you will not want to take it on too many long journeys, but stick to slower roads and muddy tracks and this dinky 4×4 will do you very well indeed.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Mitsubishi’s line-up of SUVs can, at times, be confusing, but the Eclipse Cross is the newest and probably the best of the bunch. It is offered with a single engine – a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol – that offers good performance. Equipment levels are strong too, and Mitsubishi’s taken the bold step of eschewing a factory sat-nav system – assuming instead that most drivers will use smartphone connectivity such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Jeep Renegade
Chunky retro styling really marks the Jeep Renegade out from the crowd, while also ensuring it looks cohesive next to its larger SUV peers. It is more rugged than some so-called ‘soft-roaders’, and there is even a bespoke off-road trim level, named Trailhawk. Mechanicals are shared with Fiat, so there is an excellent 1.3-litre petrol engine on offer as well as an efficient diesel option.
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai offers its smallest SUV as the brilliant Kona Electric, but petrol and diesel-powered models are worth a look, too. The Kona offers striking styling and a practical interior, plus Hyundai’s straightforward trim structure means it is as easy as pie to pick the right model. Four-wheel drive is offered with the powerful 1.6-litre petrol, too – so you might surprise some people with your turn of pace.
Toyota Urban Cruiser
The baby cruiser recently joined the foray in Zimbabwe. The Urban Cruiser is the sort of product that is destined to be a success. With the right badge, a solid platform from a brand with a reputation for reliability that is on parity with Toyota and the simple element that it is a crossover are key reasons for its near-guaranteed success. The fact that it is reasonably priced and relatively safe also make it easy to recommend as a beginner crossover. You can be assured that there shall be many ‘little’ Cruisers on local roads.

Partners