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If you're in the market for a small and mostly practical SUV, this is your go-to rundown of all the new options coming to Australia in 2024.
Of course, if you just can't wait, you can check out our 2023 Best Small SUVs awards right now. See the linked story below, and keep reading for what's to come in the year ahead!
Looking for something a little bigger, or much bigger? Check out our Medium SUV and Large SUV lists to see what's coming for those segments in 2024.
JUMP AHEAD
- BMW iX1 eDrive20 (new variant)
- BYD Atto 2 (not confirmed)
- Chery Omoda 5 EV (electric)
- Cupra Formentor (facelift)
- Ford Puma EV (electric)
- Jeep Avenger (electric)
- Jeep Compass hybrids
- Lexus LBX
- Mini Countryman
- Nissan Qashqai E-Power
- Peugeot 2008/E-2008 (facelift)
- Renault Megane E-Tech (electric)
- Skoda Kamiq (update)
- Suzuki Fronx
- Toyota C-HR
- VW T-Cross (facelift)
- Volvo EX30 (electric)
BMW iX1 eDrive20
The most affordable electric BMW on sale in 2024 will be the new iX1 eDrive 20, which was created to slide under the Luxury Car Tax threshold.
The $78,990 entry-level iX1 has a single 150kW/247Nm electric motor on its front axle, with a 65kWh battery that delivers a claimed 475km range and 8.6 0-100km/h time.
Despite its starter-pack status, it will still run BMW’s curved infotainment screen, head-up display and 18-inch alloys – and joins several BMW EVs that avoid the LCT.
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BYD ‘Atto 2’
BYD has yet to officially unveil its new small SUV, but images and details published by the Chinese government reveal more than a few key details.
As a small SUV, the ‘Atto 2’ (Yuan Up in China) will take its styling cues from the popular and larger Atto 3. If it comes to Australia, expect the Atto 2 to slot in above the Dolphin hatch, with pricing… well, that’s complicated. Read more here.
Chery Omoda 5 EV – mid 2024
The Chery Omoda 5 is easily the most convincing product from the Chinese car maker yet, packing its latest tech and emerging design chops.
The small SUV sits on a modified version of the petrol-powered Omoda 5’s platform, but the BYD Atto 3 and MG ZS EV rival brings its own styling front-end styling and alloy wheel designs to stand apart from its ICE-propelled stablemates.
Under the unique bodywork is a single electric motor making 150kW/340Nm for a 450km WLTP range and 7.6-second 0-100km/h time, with 110kW DC charging enabling up to 80 per cent battery refills in a claimed 30 minutes.
That will be teamed with what we already know about the Omoda, including clever storage, responsive voice control and obedient chassis.
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Cupra Formentor facelift – Late 2024
One of the youngest brands in Australia, Cupra will bring an update of its most popular model to our local showrooms late in the year.
It’s a big deal for the young VW-owned Cupra brand, as the trailblazing Formentor was the first stand-alone Cupra, the brand previously being the performance arm of SEAT, which is being phased out by 2030.
A new sharper front-end design will bring the Formentor into line with its newer Cupra stablemates, with minor cabin changes expected along with carryover powertrains and unchanged model line-up.
That means Australia will continue to miss out on the performance flagship Formentor VZ5, with its five-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine delivering 287k/480Nm for a 0-100km/h time of 4.2 seconds.
Ford Puma EV – Late 2024
E-Puma? Puma Mach-E? Whatever its name, the Ford Puma will go electric in 2024 to give the brand an entry-level electric SUV for the first time.
The petrol-powered Puma will be facelifted in 2024 and will be followed out of the same factory in Romania by an all-electric version.
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2025 Ford Puma EV rendered by Theottle | © Wheels Media
The Puma EV will use a modified version of the Fiesta platform, which it will share with an electric version of the similarly sized E-Transit Courier.
That gives us a clue as to the Puma EV’s electric goodies, with the E-Transit Courier packing a 100kW motor, which Ford says can fast charge to give 87km range in 10 minutes.
Jeep Avenger Electric – Second half
The first all-electric Jeep will mud-up on Australian roads in the second half of 2024.
The city-sized Jeep Avenger shifts many paradigms; as well as being an electric Jeep, it’s also made in Poland alongside the Fiat 600e it shares its Peugeot-derived e-CMP platform with.
Below its muscular styling and trademark seven-bar grilled is a 115kW/260Nm electric motor and 50.8kWh battery pack for a WLTP range of 400km.
There’s also 200mm of ground clearance and a colour-coded interior that features a 10.25-inch touchscreen powered by the company’s UConnect operating system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Jeep Compass e-Hybrid and 4xe PHEV
The Compass will ditch its current engines for two hybrid models in 2024, beginning with the e-Hybrid.
The 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesels will be no more, with the Indian-sourced Compass line-up replaced by Italian-built hybrid models.
The Compass E-Hybrid is the lower-spec of the new pair, and while local spec isn’t confirmed, it uses a 92kW/240Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the front wheels.
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The mild-hybrid system uses a 15kW/55Nm electric motor to both boost power and save fuel at low speeds.
The Compass 4xe PHEV is the full-fruit hybrid able to run at high speed, paring a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine, six-speed auto and 44kW/250Nm motor.
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Lexus LBX – First quarter
The Lexus LBX ('Lexus Breakthrough Crossover') gives the brand a more affordable, smaller hybrid for Australian customers starting at $46k.
Using a modified version of the Toyota Yaris Cross GA-B architecture, the LBX is shorter, narrower but marginally taller than the larger Lexus UX. It uses the Yaris’ 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, teamed with a more powerful electric motor and nickel-metal hydride battery for a total output of 100kW/185Nm.
Lexus claims that despite the Toyota parts sharing, it will be true to the luxury brand, as shown by the largest digital display in any of its cars to-date, sitting prominently in its ‘Tazuna’ themed interior.
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Mini Countryman – Third quarter
The Mini Countryman revealed at the 2023 Munich motor show will be on sale in Australia by the third quarter of 2024.
The new Countryman follows the rest of the brand into the age of electrification and will not be offered with an internal combustion engine of any kind apart from the John Cooper Works (JCW) flagship.
As the most rugged Mini, the higher-riding five-door Countryman’s simplistic design is bolstered by more angular styling, scuff resistant body trims and unique pentagonal headlights.
Inside are wild textile finishes that can be customised – at extra cost – as well as the latest Mini Operating System 9 in the traditional circular centre display.
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Two versions will be available from launch: Countryman E and Countryman SE.
The Countryman E sends 150Nm/250Nm through the front wheels, with for 0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds and a range of 462km.
Countryman SE betters that with 230kW/494N for 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds and a range of 433km and all-wheel drive.
Details of the hot JCW version are yet to be confirmed, but it will use the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine as the BMW X1 M35i xDrive, which makes 233kW/400Nm in Australian guise.
Nissan Qashqai E-Power – First quarter
The Trailblazing Nissan Qashqai has a new hero with the introduction of the flagship E-Power.
Taking on the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid - still mired by extensive waiting lists - order books opened in November 2023 with arrivals of the new petrol-electric hybrid SUV scheduled for Q1 2024.
It brings minor exterior changes including a unique grille and E-Power badging and is only the second E-Power hybrid from Nissan – following the larger X-Trail E-Power in 2023.
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The E-Power hybrid system in the Qashqai uses only its 140kW/330Nm electric motor to power its wheels.
The 116kW 1.5-litre three cylinder operates as a generator to keep the vehicle charged, aided by regenerative braking – meaning owners only need to fill the Qashqai with petrol.
Peugeot 2008 and E-2008
Australian Peugeot showrooms will catch up with Europe after pre-orders for the facelifted 2008 opened last April – with the first customers here taking delivery of the pre-facelift model.
That changes in 2024. The update takes the French SUV’s already sharp front-end a step further, with new headlight clusters, detailed grille with updated Peugeot logo and additional vertical stakes for a more striking look.
The biggest tech change is for the E-2008, which adds 76km driving range – now 404km [I have triple checked this – WhichCar site says 78km/406 total range] – thanks to a larger battery feeding its 115kW motor, up from 100kW.
It will sit alongside Allure and GT spec 2008s, which will continue with the 1.2-litre three-pot turbo petrol.
Renault Megane E-Tech (electric) – First quarter
The 2024 Renault Megane E-Tech is now available to order in a single Techno EV60 specification with a 60kWh battery pack from $64,990 before on-road costs.
Megane E-Tech deliveries start in Q1 for what Renault calls an SUV despite dimensions closer to hatchback – although the smartly styled electric Megane shares its CMF-EV underpinnings with the Nissan Ariya SUV and Renault Scenic van.
It also uses a single electric motor delivering 160kW/300Nm with a 60kWh battery pack for a WLTP range of 450km, and 0-100km/h claim of 7.4 seconds.
Its 130kW DC charging can add 350km of range in 30 minutes, while cabin features include 12.3-inch digital drivers display, heated steering wheel and 440L (VDA) boot area.
Skoda Kamiq
The Kamiq SUV became more affordable with a run-out model launched in 2023 – but that was only making way for the facelift.
That sees revised headlights and grille, front and rear bumpers as well as fresh alloy wheel designs for the Kia Stonic and Volkswagen T-Cross rival.
There are more sustainable and recycled materials throughout, with new storage pockets in the seatbacks and an expansion of the physical buttons – a shift back to actual switches for key functions instead of digital touchscreen menu items.
The line-up – including engines – is expected to remain as is, with pricing likely to rise marginally.
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Suzuki Fronx – Timing to be confirmed
The sub-4.0-metre Suzuki Fronx (‘Frontier Next’) will enter the light SUV segment in 2024 and debut the Japanese car maker’s mild-hybrid technology.
While Australian specs are yet to be confirmed for what is effectively a Baleno replacement, two drivetrains have been announced for the Indian market, where the Fronx is built.
That sees a standard 1.2-litre petrol engine and a more advanced 1.0-litre mild-hybrid turbo petrol with direct fuel injection and electric assistance.
While there’s tech inside the budget SUV, including wireless smartphone charging, the Fronx appears to lack Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) in India – mandatory for new models sold in Australia since March 2023.
Toyota C-HR – First quarter
The second generation of Toyota’s funky C-HR SUV will arrive Down Under in the first half of 2024 with three hybrid models headlined by new a GR Sport flagship.
Sharing its underpinnings with the latest Prius – which is not on sale in Australia – the C-HR will use a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and lithium-ion hybrid battery pack in front-wheel drive GXL and Koda trim levels.
The new all-wheel drive C-HR GR Sport – for Gazoo Racing - will be powered by a 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder with a pair of electric motors delivering a total 145kW.
It will bring the two-tone exterior previewed on the CH-R Prologue concept shown in 2022, with details such as mesh grille inserts distinguishing the GR Sport.
VW T-Cross facelift – Third quarter
The Volkswagen T-Cross entry-level SUV marks its fourth birthday with a facelift late in 2024.
The popular Polo-based model will take on a new look inspired by its larger Volkswagen SUV siblings, with details including LEDs and three fresh colours added for good measure.
The two-tier line-up will remain, with a redesigned dash with digital instruments on both models and a new larger 9.2-inch centre display now optional.
Volkswagen says there are new materials inside, too, while 85kW/200Nm 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission powertrain will remain.
Volvo EX30 (electric) – First quarter
The quickest vehicle in the Swedish brand’s 97-year history, the Volvo EX30 baby SUV is also its smallest, most affordable electric vehicle.
The China-built EX30 brings a three-model range starting from $60,000 – a tad more than the petrol powered, slightly larger Volvo XC40, but $14,000 less than an electric XC40.
The EX30 will be offered two guises: the Single Motor RWD Extended Plus and range-topping Twin Motor Performance AWD Ultra version. It’s the hero EX30’s 0-100km/h claim of 3.6 seconds that sets a new performance benchmark for the car maker, but the Single Motor Extended Plus is also a strong performer.
Equipment levels see the Extended Plus equipped with Harmon Kardon audio, wireless phone charging and a digital key. The Ultra trim level brings features including Volvo’s Pilot Park Assist.
There’s a Cross Country version, too – but Volvo is yet to confirm if it will be sold in Australia.
And remember...
if you just can't wait for these incoming options, you can check out our 2023 Best Small SUVs awards right now.
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