Dacia Duster
No surprise that it’s the super-cheap Dacia that tops this list. It’s sized mid-way between a truly compact crossover and a larger, family-pack SUV, but it’s just ridiculously affordable. Prices start, for a basic model, at just €17,946 — or from €149 per month if you take it on a PCP finance deal. That’s about the same price as, say, a bottom-rung Ford Fiesta hatchback.
For that you get a rugged-looking crossover that’s actually, genuinely rugged. In fact, if you spec your Duster up with four-wheel drive, it’ll go properly far off into the woods, and still be able to get back. The current version is a bit more modern and better-built than the older one, which is good news, and it’s comfier inside too. Best kept basic, though — you can spec it up with bigger touchscreens and even leather seats, but the Duster is a simple, hard-working car and best sampled that way.
Kia Stonic
Kia’s oddly-named Stonic (Is it supposed to be Sonic? Stonking? Stoned?) kinda gets a bit forgotten in the shuffle of its bigger-selling models, such as the Ceed and Sportage, but it’s actually a pretty decent small crossover. With a starting price of just €20,900 and standard equipment including heated seats, a rear parking camera, and privacy glass, it’s seriously good value for money, too.
It’s also really handsome — get it in the right colour and wheel combo, and there’s a faint hint of Ford’s new (US-only) Bronco 4x4, which is no bad thing. Inside, you’ll find that the cabin is rather plastic-y and drab compared to the exterior, but this being a Kia it’s all well put together, and warrantied for seven years, so that’s OK. If you can afford the extra €1,500, it’s worth trading up to the more powerful, smoother, 1.0-litre turbo engine.
Renault Captur
Renault (which owns Dacia, let’s not forget) has got this whole affordable crossover thing down pat. The new Captur, which replaces what was the best-selling car in its segment, combines decent value for money (€21,961 for the cheapest Play model, and that comes with Renault’s excellent 100hp turbo engine) with seriously good looks.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Captur is in the Derek Zoolander category when it comes to handsomeness, and that’s repeated on the inside, where you get basically the same good-looking, decent quality cabin as in the new Clio hatchback. The Captur has much more space than the Clio, though, and a bigger boot (one of the biggest in its class, actually) so it’s hardly any wonder no-ones buying a Megane anymore. The downside? It’s no fun at all to drive, but that that price, you probably won’t care.
Skoda Kamiq
You can’t talk about value for money and leave Skoda off the list, right? Well, the odd thing is that the Kamiq — which is Skoda’s smallest crossover or SUV — is actually a little more expensive than some of its rivals in this list, with a starting price of €22,225. Then again, that’s because — according to Skoda — there isn’t a ‘basic’ version of the Kamiq, because that’s not what most people buy.
Instead, the cheapest model is a well-equipped Active, which comes with air conditioning, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, DAB, LED headlights, and a full suite of safety kit. It’s also roomier inside than is the norm for the class, and typically for a Skoda it all looks and feels really well bolted together. Basic models come with the 95hp version of the VW Group 1.0-litre TSI turbo engine, and that’s as sweet an enigne as you’ll find anywhere
Citroen C3 Aircross
The C3 Aircross does things a little differently to most crossovers. While most will come with stiff springs and low-profile tyres in an effort to make you think that they’re sporty, the little Citroen instead has soft springs and over-stuffed front seats that feel like your favourite sofa. That does mean that it’s very roll-y in corners — heeling over like you’re trying to escape the Spanish Armada at times — but the good thing is that it’s a very restful car to drive at other times.
It also has pleasantly quirky styling inside and out, sliding rear seats that can expand the boot space to a whopping 520-litres (IKEA, here we come!) and a price list that starts at a mere €20,945. Oh, and it comes with a five-year warranty too, proving that it’s not only the Koreans who will look after you if anything goes wrong.
