SUVs can be expensive, so it's important to find the right one that meets your needs and budget.
The good news is that you can avoid wasting money while getting what you want with these new SUV models. They are perfect for your budget while still being stylish and packed with the features you want.
Note that prices for these SUVs are based on the 2026 manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) and may vary depending on features and other add-ons for a particular vehicle.
Prices can vary further with financing offers, regional incentives, and dealer markups, so it pays to compare offers from more than one dealership before signing.
- 18-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60-69
- 70-79
- 80+
Honda CR-V
MSRP: $30,920
Grab the Honda CR-V with all-wheel drive to get you through snow, rain, and other challenging weather, depending on where you live.
You can also step up to a hybrid powertrain, which can deliver up to an estimated 40 city/34 highway mpg.
The CR-V earned a perfect five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and offers up to 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space, making it one of the roomier picks in its class.
Reviewers consistently praise its composed handling, comfortable ride, and predicted reliability score in the high 80s out of 100, making it a dependable choice for daily commuting and road trips alike.
Chevrolet Equinox
MSRP: $28,800
The Chevrolet Equinox underwent a major facelift for its 2025 redesign, which showcases a new exterior and improved interior materials.
The redesign also includes a larger touchscreen that wirelessly connects to Android and Apple phones, making it easy to navigate maps or listen to your favorite tunes.
Cargo space is generous too, with up to 63.5 cubic feet available when the rear seats are folded flat, plus a hidden under-floor compartment for keeping valuables out of sight.
Every Equinox comes standard with Chevrolet Safety Assist, a suite of driver-assistance features, and buyers who need extra pulling power can opt for all-wheel drive, which nearly doubles the towing capacity to 1,500 pounds.
Mazda CX-50
MSRP: $29,900
The Mazda CX-50 crossover SUV features Mi-Drive, which offers multiple drive modes to suit drivers' needs.
The Mi-Drive allows you to drive in normal mode or change to sport or off-roading modes. You can also change to towing mode on some models to haul up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity.
Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have given the CX-50 top marks, with a five-star overall rating and a Top Safety Pick+ award.
Reviewers also praise its upscale cabin materials and lively handling, calling it one of the more fun-to-drive crossovers in its class, though rear-seat and cargo room run a bit tighter than some rivals.
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Subaru Forester
MSRP: $29,995
If you're looking for a smaller SUV, the Subaru Forester may be a good option to add to your list.
The Forester has recently been redesigned to show off a new exterior to go with the extra headroom on the inside that has been retained from previous models.
Standard all-wheel drive and Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver-assist features help back up the brand's five-star NHTSA crash rating and Top Safety Pick+ recognition from the IIHS.
The boxy body also pays off in practicality, with up to 74.4 cubic feet of cargo space and rear seats that offer some of the most legroom in the compact SUV class.
Volkswagen Tiguan
MSRP: $30,805
The Volkswagen Tiguan can be a good option for a larger family trying to stay on budget with an SUV.
The Tiguan's third-row seating can accommodate up to seven people, which is easier to find in SUVs above the $35,000 mark.
Every Tiguan comes standard with VW's IQ.Drive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
Cargo space is a real strength too, with up to 69.8 cubic feet available behind the front seats, giving families more room to pack than many rivals in the segment, even before folding the optional third row flat, which is standard on front-wheel-drive versions.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
MSRP: $33,500
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is slightly more expensive than the standard RAV4, which has an MSRP of $31,900.
However, the RAV4 Hybrid uses a hybrid powertrain that delivers an estimated 41 miles in the city and 38 miles on the highway per gallon of gas.
So, you may be able to cover the difference between the cost of the RAV4 and the hybrid version, depending on the type of driving you do.
Every RAV4 Hybrid comes with Toyota Safety Sense standard, and the brand's reputation for long-term reliability means it tends to hold its value better than many rivals.
Cargo space runs about 37.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, plenty for weekly grocery runs or a loaded weekend camping trip.
Hyundai Santa Fe
MSRP: $35,050
Check with your dealer when you purchase the Hyundai Santa Fe to learn about maintenance and warranty coverage.
You may be eligible for limited maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles, and Hyundai's warranty may cover parts and powertrain issues while you own the vehicle.
Buyers can expect Hyundai's excellent 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile basic coverage on top of the maintenance and warranty terms offered by dealers.
The Santa Fe seats up to seven across three rows, and even with that extra seating it still holds up to 40.5 cubic feet of cargo behind the second row when the third row is folded down.
Ford Bronco Sport
MSRP: $31,845
The Ford Bronco Sport is around $10,000 less than its big brother, the Ford Bronco, but you can still get a great rugged SUV without the extra cost.
The Bronco Sport features a design tailored for off-roading, making it a great SUV for outdoor adventures.
The Bronco Sport earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and standard all-wheel drive with G.O.A.T. drive modes helps it tackle trails most compact SUVs can't.
Cargo space impresses too, with up to 65.2 cubic feet available when the rear seats are folded, giving outdoor gear plenty of room to fit.
Kia Sorento
MSRP: $32,390
The Kia Sorento is another three-row SUV that's still under $35,000, so you can have the passenger room without emptying your wallet.
The Sorento is also a safe option with driver-assist technology and collision avoidance to keep you safely on the road.
Kia backs the Sorento with a five-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, among the best in the class.
Cargo space behind the front row reaches up to 75.5 cubic feet, and being smaller than many three-row rivals makes the Sorento easier to maneuver around town and in tight parking lots and busy city streets.
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Buick Encore GX
MSRP: $26,200
The Buick Encore GX is a compact SUV that can seat up to five passengers with a standard set of safety features to protect everyone.
The Encore GX features emergency braking, collision alert, and lane assist as part of its package of features for drivers.
Owners consistently praise the Encore GX's quiet cabin, comfortable seats, and fuel economy that can top 30 mpg on the highway, which is strong for a compact SUV.
Cargo space totals up to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, giving it more usable space than some rivals in the segment despite its smaller footprint.
Dodge Hornet
MSRP: $32,000
Pick up the Dodge Hornet SUV if you're in the market for a compact SUV with some power.
The Hornet features extra power under its hood, making it the most powerful compact SUV in its class, according to Dodge.
Every Hornet comes with standard all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission, backed by Dodge's three-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain coverage.
Cargo space ranges up to about 54.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, giving the sporty SUV a surprising amount of everyday hauling capacity. Standard safety technology includes forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking, giving families extra peace of mind on longer trips.
Mitsubishi Outlander
MSRP: $29,995
The Mitsubishi Outlander gets you some extra space without having to pay extra money if you're on a tight budget.
The SUV includes three rows, so you'll have room for seven passengers, who will be safe in your Outlander. In previous years' tests, the vehicle earned a top safety pick rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Mitsubishi backs the Outlander with a five-year, 60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, among the longest in the industry.
Cargo space reaches up to 64.3 cubic feet with the seats folded, and the SUV's mild-hybrid powertrain helps it return an EPA-estimated 27 to 28 mpg combined, some of the best fuel economy in the three-row compact SUV class.
Bottom line
Several SUV models could fit your needs, so it's important to consider the sticker price and the additional costs of owning a vehicle.
Consider creating an estimated budget that considers not only the vehicle's cost but also gas, maintenance, and potential repair costs. You'll also want to shop around to save money on car insurance, to help you make smart money moves with your car.
It's also worth comparing warranty coverage and predicted reliability scores side by side, since those factors can meaningfully affect long-term ownership costs even between SUVs with similar sticker prices.
A test drive of a few finalists can help you settle on the right fit for your family and daily routine.
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