In the past, SUVs were known as one of the most expensive luxury vehicles on the market, especially if you were trying to buy one new. Over the years, SUVs have undergone many renovations, with many manufacturers focusing on producing a line of affordable SUVs. In , there are many more SUVs on the road, in no small part because of the affordable models, intended for drivers who are on a budget. While the price may have gone down, SUVs still have plenty of perks to offer drivers. There are also many more variations, some of which focus on specific areas, such as adding extra cargo space or better performance. There are many affordable SUVs to choose from, with some of the best models detailed below.
Kia Soul
In terms of affordability, it is hard to find a better vehicle than the Kia Soul. At most dealerships, the Kia Soul comes in at under $20,000. Despite having one of the lowest prices, the Kia Soul still has some impressive gadget, including a host of safety features and a touch screen. It is also one of the better vehicles for fuel economy, which was a complaint about the previous model. It has a spacious interior and plenty of cargo space.
In terms of performance, it is better than the previous years' models, but it is not as impressive as most other SUVs on the road. It only has a 147-horsepower engine, and unlike many other SUVs, it has little in the way of off-road options. If you are concerned with performance, look for another SUV, but if you are looking for an affordable family vehicle with great fuel economy, the Kia Soul is an excellent choice.
Mercedes-Benz GLB
It is hard to find a more stylish SUV than the Mercedes-Benz GLB. The GLB was made with older cars in mind, using a classy boxy style. While it may look like an older vehicle, it is loaded with state-of-the-art features, including blind spot monitoring, automatically dimming mirrors and infotainment display sets. It also has fully heated seats and keyless entry.
While the interior is comfortable, the biggest strength of the GLB is under the hood. The GLB boasts a powerful 2.0L turbocharged engine with 221 horsepower. It can easily accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 10 seconds.
Honda CRV
For a compact SUV, Honda’s CRV delivers full sized amenities. Ever wanted to seek out the road less traveled? This little SUV can get you there. Honda took the sporty look form the full sized models and then loaded this vehicle with many innovative bells and whistles as add on features. What comes standard however is the Honda sensing safety suite, great mileage and huge storage in the cargo area. Ranked #1 in the Compact SUV category “Best Compact SUV for the Money” in .
Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks is a sleek looking SUV, with a surprising amount of cargo space. Previous Nissan models were affordable, but often seen as lackluster vehicles because they lacked features common among other SUVs. For , Nissan greatly upgraded their models. The Kicks comes standard with blind sport monitoring, lane departure warnings, advanced pedestrian detectors and rear sensors.
Another improvement to the Kicks is fuel efficiency. In the city, you can expect a little over 30 mpg, increasing to 36 mpg if you are on the highway. The Kicks comes with a smaller engine, and it has been criticized for slow acceleration. Overall, it is still an excellent SUV, and a great choice for anyone who normally hauls a lot of cargo while on the road.
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is nearly identical to the popular model from last year. One of the differences is the addition of adaptive cruise control. While there may not be many new features, this is mostly due to the previous model already coming equipped with a number of safety features and an easy to use infotainment system. There are two variations available. The standard comes with a 147-horsepower engine, but if you want something with more power, you can upgrade to a 175-horsepower turbo charged engine.
Maserati Levante
Maserati is a popular name among car enthusiasts. Their vehicles are recognizable thanks to the gorgeous Italian exteriors, and you can easily spot the Levante thanks to the Maserati trident emblazoned along the grille. The Levante is modeled after a classic vehicle, but it comes with plenty of modern-day amenities. The interior is just as flattering as the exterior. The seats are covered in soft leather and coated with Ermenegildo Zegna silk. The cabin has a sophisticated wood paneling. While the price is a little higher than some of the other SUVs on the market, the extra quality is worth the increased price.
Jeep Wrangler
Today, many SUVs are designed with city and highway travel in mind, but there are still some SUVs specifically geared towards off road drivers. The Jeep Wrangler might not compete with other SUVs in a typical urban setting, but it is a great vehicle if you want to go off-roading. There are two and four door variants available. Both options are fairly spacious in the front, but the four-door Wrangler offers superior cargo space in the back. Both versions have a powerful 285-horsepower V6 engine. With four-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, you can comfortably drive across even the most difficult terrain.
Mitsubishi Outlander
The Mitsubishi Outlander is an SUV designed with families in mind. The Outlander is one of the few affordable SUVs to have a third row of seats, making it an excellent choice for larger families. It offers a fair amount of cargo space and is one of the more fuel-efficient models on the road. The base model does not come with too many perks, although it does have a touch screen and is both Bluetooth and HD Radio compatible. For a small fee, there are also additional comfort and safety systems available.
Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass is a unique SUV because it focuses on both urban and off-road driving. The Compass comes standard with a 180-horsepower engine. It gets a little over 20 mpg in the city, and roughly 30 mpg while on the highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles that is also capable of going off-road. While it has a smaller trunk than most SUVs, the interior of the vehicle has a fair amount of storage space, making it easy to travel with your camping gear.
Volvo XC
There are few affordable hybrid SUVs available. Most are either too expensive, or perform significantly worse than other SUV models. The Volvo XC is a hybrid car which focuses on sustaining the environment while still performing just as well as other SUVs on the market. The XC90 is a high-tech vehicle, but it features a sophisticated look, mimicking a classic sports car. As a hybrid, it is one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs available in .