List:
Volvo XC40
Honda HR-V
Mazda CX 30
Kia Sonet
Suzuki Bronx
Hyundai creta - removing from list.
My wife will most likely like the Mazda because of it's sporty design
Volvo XC40 is expensive, you will have to go second hand with some mileage and maintenance costs are big.
Honda HR-V 1.5 is lovely and packed with technology but slow, only 1.5 with no turbo.
Mazda CX-30 2.0 is absolutely lovely, but no lane keep assist or adaptive cruise control like you mentioned. And it's a bit small at the back, but that is a compromise with all these compact SUVs.
Kia Sonet 1.0T is not safe, KIA India is known for unsafe cars like the Seltos- you can look at the Global NCAP rating, it's much worse than Creta/Urban Cruiser etc.
Suzuki Bronx 1.0T looks okay but even slower than the Honda HR-V, it only has a 74kw 1.0T engine.
Corolla Cross 1.8 - it's a Toyota. Will go forever, but probably in someone else's hands due to our crime.
Haval/Chery etc - nice looking cars but absolutely atrocious fuel consumption. Also, a part of me thinks their super long warranty is because they expect to have pulled out of the country within the next 10 years after making their money.
Honda BRV 1.5 - Big and felt really cheap. Not made in Japan.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 1.5T or 2.0 - nice, made in Japan but no lane keep and tiny boot for the segment and I found the seats were very uncomfortable for me but it might be different for you.
Kia Sportage 1.6T GT-Line - bit pricey and too big.
Mazda CX-5 2.0 Carbon (R640k) also a bit too expensive and you said you wanted something more compact and these are normal sized SUVs.
Suzuki Vitara 1.4T - fast but doesn't look as nice, interior not as modern, with minimal tech.
Honda CRV 1.5T - safe, reliable, full of tech but big and out of your budget (R640K).
Lots of choices, but if you like tech then you'll probably end up with a Honda HR-V. Modern, packed with tech, reliable, lovely car but slow, especially up at altitude in Jhb where naturally aspirated engines lose a bit of power.
Best is to narrow down the list over the next month. and consider things like, do I really need lane keep? What about regular cruise control instead of adaptive ? Would I like a CVT gearbox or do I like the normal auto more ? Maybe I can deal with a larger car ? What power do I need ? (if your Swift Sport is the 1.4T then almost every SUV in your price range is a downgrade because that's a 7 second 0-100 car.) etc.
And then go sit in them. It might look good on paper but when you get in it, adjust the seat etc you can just tell it's not for you (uncomfortable, not enough legroom for the kids, etc).