Modern subcompact crossovers are generally the least expensive SUVs, offering style, a reasonable amount of practical space, and even good fuel economy. The dozen SUVs mentioned here are the most affordable entries in a wide field. Not all cheap subcompact SUVs are a good value at their price point, but others do offer more comfort and capability for your budget than expected. Many options in the segment are effectively raised hatchbacks, but for most drivers, carrying capacity and fuel economy are much more important for a daily runabout than off-road ability. For moving you and yours on a budget, these are the cheapest SUVs available.

2025 Volkswagen Taos 3

12. 2025 Volkswagen Taos | $26,420

In a segment where just about every option goes above and beyond, the 2025 Volkswagen Taos is rising to the occasion. Although the Taos has long supplied subcompact SUV buyers on a budget with solid mpg numbers and impressive cargo capacity, the AWD model’s transmission and higher prices made it hard to recommend. Now the transmission is sorted, and a new interior provides a fresh look. Safety ratings were lackluster before, but that might change with the raft of updates to the 2025 model. Prices remain high compared to the competition, but the Taos is still one of the cheapest SUVs available.

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12. 2025 Volkswagen Taos | Pros and Cons

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11. 2025 Mazda CX-30 | $26,415

If good looks are your priority when it comes to buying a cheap small crossover, then it’s hard to do better than the 2025 Mazda CX-30. Like the rest of Mazda’s lineup, the CX-30 is a looker inside and out, complemented by upscale interior materials and overall comfort that are impressive for its price point. Standard all-wheel drive is a nice bonus, and the chassis provides impressive driving dynamics commensurate with Mazda’s overall sporting vibe at the cost of a somewhat stiff ride. Overall cargo space is just OK, but Mazda’s cheapest crossover can still carry roughly as much as most of its competition.

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11. 2025 Mazda CX-30 | Pros and Cons

001 2025 Kia Seltos 1 6L Turbo front view motion

10. 2025 Kia Seltos | $25,965

Kia has many vehicles that punch well above their price class, but the 2025 Kia Seltos, in its base trim at least, isn’t one of them. The 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine under the hood now makes a decent 147 horsepower, but it isn’t overly efficient, and the cabin is both noisy at speed and generally lacking in quality. Advantages for the base Seltos include a large cargo area for its segment and modern looks, but to get more features and the uprated powertrain you’ll need to go up a couple of trim levels, which also means a higher price.

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10. 2025 Kia Seltos | Pros and Cons

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9. 2025 Hyundai Kona | $25,745

Bodywork fit for the future and gas mileage appropriate for the present make the 2025 Hyundai Kona appealing enough, and there are more upsides than that. This little lifted hatch has an abundance of cargo space, besting most of the segment, though the overall driving experience isn’t as interesting as its looks suggest. Mileage for the new Kona is solid from the base model’s 2.0-liter inline-four, but the older Kona achieved higher numbers. The Kona isn’t Hyundai’s cheapest SUV, but it’s likely the best value.

014 2025 Hyundai Kona N Line interior

9. 2025 Hyundai Kona | Pros and Cons

7 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport rear view

8. 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | $25,690 (MT est.)

Although it comes with two years of complimentary maintenance and decent exterior styling, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport’s interior, power, gas mileage, safety ratings, and cargo space are all either middling or worse than its subcompact SUV competitors. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Mitsubishi’s stated base MSRP for the Outlander Sport doesn’t include a mandatory “welcome package,” which bumps the price up to pay for floormats and touch-up paint. Take note that the Outlander Sport is a different vehicle from the Outlander, which is a size class larger and related to the Nissan Rogue.

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8. 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | Pros and Cons

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7. 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross | $25,460 (MT est.)

As the cheapest SUV from Toyota, the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross is a deeply utilitarian crossover. Very affordable to buy and run, the Corolla Cross gets good mileage without the need for a pricey hybrid system like its higher-end Toyota siblings, all while providing a generous amount of cargo space. Second-row legroom is cramped, however, making it suited only for smaller adults and kids. Driving dynamics are likewise somewhat underbaked, as is the base engine. All that said, Toyota’s reputation for reliability and this SUV’s impressive gas mileage help make the Corolla Cross a good bet for buyers on a budget.

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7. 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross | Pros and Cons

2025 buick envista avenir front three quarters

6. 2025 Buick Envista | $24,795

For those who think the Encore GX might be priced a bit high for what you get, there’s always the 2025 Buick Envista, which makes a solid case for itself for several thousand less. The exterior looks slick for something that retails for less than $24,000. In addition, we’ve found its ride quality and interior comfort to be good given the price point. Be advised, though, that the Envista is very slow (even slower than the Trailblazer, but quicker than the HR-V), its cargo capacity is among the smallest in the segment, and you can’t get it with all-wheel drive.

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6. 2025 Buick Envista | Pros and Cons

3 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer side view

5. 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer | $24,790

Despite being the cheapest SUV in the Chevrolet lineup, the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer doesn’t have the features to justify the sticker price. The base model’s 1.2-liter turbocharged inline-three engine produces just 137 hp, which makes it slow enough to induce stress in traffic. The Trailblazer’s ride quality is bad enough to induce stress out of traffic, too. The Trailblazer’s greatest upsides are its exterior styling, impressive safety ratings, and a fresh infotainment setup. But despite those strengths, the Trailblazer can’t challenge the best SUVs in its segment.

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5. 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer | Pros and Cons

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4. 2025 Nissan Kicks |$23,220

Fresh off a redesign, the 2025 Nissan Kicks punches way above its price point. Underneath its new sheetmetal, there’s a new engine and available all-wheel drive, and overall it’s massively improved. But it’s not quick by any stretch; even with a new engine, we estimate a 0–60-mph time in the high nine-second range. On the other hand, it does provide 36 mpg in the city, so running costs will be low. There’s more give and take at the back seats, which are cramped, but there’s a solid amount of cargo space behind them. Although the base model is very base indeed, it does have an impressive array of safety features and driver aids, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping, automatic high-beams, and rear automatic braking.

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4. 2025 Nissan Kicks | Pros and Cons

025 2025 Hyundai Venue rear view

3. 2025 Hyundai Venue | $21,795 (MT est.)

Extremely inexpensive but not necessarily full of value, the 2025 Hyundai Venue is another SUV that doesn’t match up well to its similarly priced competitors. The Venue’s 1.6-liter naturally aspirated inline-four makes only 121 hp and lacks refinement, while its ride quality is poor, and its cargo capacity is comparatively tiny. A quality infotainment setup and solid fuel economy are upsides to the Venue but aren’t enough to make it worth recommending.

002 2025 Hyundai Venue Interior Dash

3. 2025 Hyundai Venue | Pros and Cons

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2. 2025 Kia Soul | $21,665

Good looks, huge interior space for the segment, and pleasant driving dynamics make the 2025 Kia Soul one of our favorite options in the subcompact SUV segment, and that’s before we even get to the Soul’s price that makes it an exceptional value. The Soul is the cheapest SUV Kia makes, and you get way more than you pay for. Like the new Chevy Trax and some others in the segment, all-wheel drive isn’t offered, and the Soul comes with one engine, a 147-hp 2.0-liter non-turbo four-cylinder. But for the price, it’s hard to beat the Soul as an overall package.

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2. 2025 Kia Soul | Pros and Cons

011 2025 Chevrolet Trax exterior side view

1. 2025 Chevrolet Trax | $21,495

Impressive new looks and pricing make the 2025 Chevrolet Trax an attractive option at first glance. Good ride quality and decent handling uphold that first impression, and unlike most other affordable subcompact crossovers, the front-drive-only Trax is just quick enough to get out of its own way. Mileage isn’t bad, and interior cargo space is among the best in the class. At the bottom of the crossover/hatchback price bracket, Chevy’s cheapest SUV is a serious contender that can compete with those higher on the ladder.

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1. 2025 Chevrolet Trax | Pros and Cons

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The Cheapest SUVs and Crossovers for 2025

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The Cheapest New SUVs and Crossovers of 2024: Runabouts at Reasonable Prices 

It used to be that buying a cheap new vehicle meant opting for a small car, but nowadays, a new subcompact crossover is every bit as affordable as any car, sometimes more so. Given that these small SUVs are car-based in nature, they often share many of the traits that have traditionally made small cars a good bang for the buck, most notably impressive fuel economy. But the big advantage of these crossovers is that they usually offer added space to haul your gear and move more people in comfort. While the prices of new SUVs of all shapes and sizes continue to rise, these are the cheapest SUVs and crossovers you can get in 2024 according to their base price with destination.

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15. 2024 Kia Niro | $28,165

Compared to the other small crossovers and hatchbacks in its class, the 2024 Kia Niro might seem somewhat pricey at first glance, but the extra cost nets you as much as 54 mpg in its most efficient trim. Even the cheapest Niro comes equipped with a hybrid drivetrain with an adequate 139 horsepower, which is the subcompact Kia SUV’s main asset besides its Gundam-lite bodywork, which we find attractive. On the downside, the Niro’s interior feels cheaper than its base price, as does its overall ride quality. It also isn’t available with all-wheel drive, which can be a primary consideration for some prospective owners. (Note: A 2023 model is shown.)

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15. 2024 Kia Niro | Specs

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14. 2024 Buick Encore GX | $27,195

Buick’s second most affordable near luxury product, the 2024 Buick Encore GX has been newly refreshed inside and out for the 2024 model year. Despite the relatively low base price and its sharp exterior looks, the Encore’s carryover base 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine under the hood simply doesn’t deliver enough performance, the ride isn’t as smooth as we’d expect from Buick, and the cargo capacity is somewhat lacking for its size. But its newly updated tech and interior are well-executed, and it also comes with a solid list of standard active safety features.

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14. 2024 Buick Encore GX | Specs

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13. 2024 Subaru Crosstrek | $26,540

Freshly redesigned, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek steps into modernity while retaining its genuinely adventurous capabilities. Like all U.S.-market Subarus save the BRZ, the Crosstrek comes standard with Subaru’s capable AWD system, though the true trail runner of the lineup is the far more expensive Wilderness trim. The Crosstrek isn’t the most efficient small crossover, nor is it the prettiest, but its quirky looks only add to the plucky vibe of this raised and well-priced hatchback, whose approach and departure angles were clearly more of a priority than its infotainment system.

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13. 2024 Subaru Crosstrek | Specs

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12. 2024 Mazda CX-30 | $26,370

If good looks are your priority when it comes to buying a cheap small crossover, then it’s hard to do better than the 2024 Mazda CX-30. Like the rest of the Mazda lineup, the CX-30 is a looker inside and out, complemented by upscale interior materials and overall comfort that are impressive for its price point. Standard all-wheel drive enhances the driving experience, though considering Mazda’s overall sporting vibe, the CX-30’s dynamic capabilities could be better. Overall cargo space isn’t the best, either, but Mazda’s cheapest crossover can still carry roughly as much as most of its competition.

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12. 2024 Mazda CX-30 | Specs

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11. 2024 Kia Seltos | $25,715

Kia has many vehicles that punch well above their price class, but the 2024 Kia Seltos, in its base trim at least, isn’t necessarily one of them. While the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine under the hood of the Seltos now makes a decent 147 horsepower, it isn’t overly efficient, and the cabin is both noisy at speed and lacking quality in general. Advantages for the base Seltos include a large cargo area for its segment and modern looks, though to get more features and the uprated powertrain, you’ll need to go up a couple of trim levels, which also means a higher price.

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11. 2024 Kia Seltos | Specs

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10. 2024 Hyundai Kona | $25,435

Bodywork fit for the future and gas mileage appropriate for the present make the 2024 Hyundai Kona appealing enough, and there are more upsides than that. This little lifted hatch has plenty of cargo space inside, besting much of the rest of the segment, though the overall driving experience isn’t as interesting as its looks suggest. While mileage for the new Kona is solid from the base model’s 2.0-liter inline-four, the older Kona achieved higher numbers.

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10. 2024 Hyundai Kona | Specs

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9. 2024 Honda HR-V | $25,425

Of all the new vehicles you can buy, the 2024 Honda HR-V is one of the slowest, yet we still like it. When you put your foot down, it’s as if the 2.0-liter inline-four engine with 158 horsepower actively complains, though the HR-V’s handling and ride are very well sorted. Cargo space is good, and the interior in general is noticeably well made. The 2023 HR-V also earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, highlighting how safe the small crossover is thanks to an array of dedicated features and systems.

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9. 2024 Honda HR-V | Specs

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8. 2024 Volkswagen Taos | $25,345

With the 2024 Volkswagen Taos’ solid mpg numbers and impressive cargo capacity, you’d expect us to rank it higher in our subcompact SUV class Ultimate Rankings, until you look a little deeper. The main reasons are unacceptably higher prices on the high end of the trim levels, a below-average transmission on the AWD models, and lackluster safety ratings in a segment where just about every other option is going above and beyond. The base Taos avoids most of that, however, thanks to its relatively anonymous styling, that interior space, and a front-drive powertrain that we’ve found to be smooth and powerful.

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8. 2024 Volkswagen Taos | Specs

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7. 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | $25,300

Although it comes with two years of complimentary maintenance and decent exterior styling, the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport’s interior, power, gas mileage, safety ratings, and cargo space are all either middling or worse than the competitors in its segment. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Mitsubishi’s stated “Base MSRP” for the Outlander Sport doesn’t include a mandatory “welcome package,” which bumps the price up to pay for floormats and touch-up paint. Take note that the Outlander Sport is a different vehicle from the Outlander, which is larger and more expensive.

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7. 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | Specs

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6. 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer | $24,395

There’s a low price, then there’s what you get for that low price, and when it comes to the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer, what you get doesn’t quite justify the sticker as well as others in its class. The base model’s 1.2-liter turbocharged inline-three engine producing 137 hp, which makes it slow enough to induce stress in traffic, and it’s saddled with ride quality bad enough to induce stress out of traffic. The Trailblazer’s greatest upsides are its exterior style, impressive safety ratings, and a fresh infotainment setup. But despite those strengths, the Trailblazer doesn’t quite have enough to challenge the best of the segment in the same price bracket.

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6. 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer | Specs

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5. 2024 Buick Envista | $23,495

For those who think the Encore GX might be priced a bit high for what you get, there’s always the 2024 Buick Envista, which makes a solid case for itself for several thousand less. We’re fans of its exterior, which we think looks slick and more upscale than something that retails for less than $24,000. In addition, we’ve found its ride quality and interior comfort to be good given the price point. Be advised, though, that the Envista is very slow (even slower than the Trailblazer, but it’s at least quicker than the HR-V), its cargo capacity is among the smallest in the segment, and you can’t get it with all-wheel drive.

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5. 2024 Buick Envista | Specs

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4. 2024 Nissan Kicks | $21,925

Value doesn’t necessarily just mean cheap, but the 2024 Nissan Kicks is certainly that. For that low price, you get good gas mileage thanks to its front-drive-only powertrain featuring a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated inline-four that produces a paltry 122 horsepower. As you’d expect, said powertrain doesn’t provide much in the quickness department, and it starts wheezing when pushed hard, though sportiness isn’t the priority of the Kicks. The interior quality isn’t bad considering the price, but both the back seat and cargo area of this sub-subcompact Nissan SUV are downright cramped. The Kicks makes up for its lack of cargo space, however, with more than acceptable front legroom.

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4. 2024 Nissan Kicks | Specs

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3. 2024 Chevrolet Trax | $21,495

Impressive new looks and pricing make the 2024 Chevrolet Trax an attractive option at first glance. Good ride quality and decent handling hold up that first impression, and unlike most other cut-price subcompact crossovers, the front-drive-only Trax is quick enough to get out of its own way. Mileage isn’t bad, and interior cargo space is among the best in the class. At the bottom of the crossover/hatchback price bracket, Chevy has built a serious contender that can compete with those higher on the ladder.

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3. 2024 Chevrolet Trax | Specs

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2. 2024 Kia Soul | $21,315

Good looks, huge interior space for the segment, and pleasant driving dynamics make the 2024 Kia Soul one of our favorite options in the subcompact SUV segment, and that’s before we even get to the Soul’s price, which offers a major amount of value for that low cost. The Soul is tied with a fellow Korean crossover for the lowest-priced SUV you buy, and as we said, you get way more than you pay for. Like the new Chevy Trax and some others in the segment, all-wheel drive isn’t offered, and the Soul comes with one engine, a 147-hp 2.0-liter non-turbo four-cylinder. But for the price especially, it’s hard to beat what the Soul offers as a whole.

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2. 2024 Kia Soul | Specs

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1. 2024 Hyundai Venue | $21,135

The cheapest crossover SUV you can buy, alongside the identically priced Soul, is the 2024 Hyundai Venue. But unfortunately, not every super-cheap SUV can be a Soul or Trax. The Venue’s 1.6-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with just 121 horsepower lacks the powertrain refinement and ride quality of its similarly priced competitors, and its cargo capacity is tiny when compared to the Soul and others. A quality infotainment setup and solid fuel economy are upsides to the Venue, but as it turns out, being the cheapest doesn’t always mean having the highest value, as well.

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1. 2024 Hyundai Venue | Specs

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The Cheapest New SUVs and Crossovers of 2024

  1. 2024 Hyundai Venue | $21,135
  2. 2024 Kia Soul | $21,315
  3. 2024 Chevrolet Trax | $21,495
  4. 2024 Nissan Kicks | $21,925
  5. 2024 Buick Envista | $23,495
  6. 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer | $24,395
  7. 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | $25,300
  8. 2024 Volkswagen Taos | $25,345
  9. 2024 Honda HR-V | $25,425
  10. 2024 Hyundai Kona | $25,435
  11. 2024 Kia Seltos | $25,715
  12. 2024 Mazda CX-30 | $26,370
  13. 2024 Subaru Crosstrek | $26,540
  14. 2024 Buick Encore GX | $27,195
  15. 2024 Kia Niro | $28,165

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