SUVs are the most popular vehicles right now. These so-called family cars are no longer just for families. Today, sport utility vehicles are preferred by everyone, from growing families to single adults. With this rise in popularity and the general rise in inflation, finding big automobiles that are affordable is next to impossible.
I understand your need for a versatile vehicle that comes with good space, suits your lifestyle, is easy on gas, and is within your budget. Thus, today I bring you this article where we will explore the nine best priced SUVs for 2024.
Whether you wish for more cargo space, two- or three-row seating, or anything else, I am sure my top recommendations will surely put a smile on your face.
What Makes a Good Budget SUV?
Before we move ahead and explore the affordable SUVs for the current model year, I think, as buyers, you all should know what makes a good budget SUV. It is not always the price. There are several factors at play that help in labeling a vehicle good for its asking price.
Generally, an SUV is considered a good budget vehicle only if it:
- Offer excellent fuel economy. There is no point in buying a vehicle with a low price but a high fuel cost.
- Has a spacious interior with good cargo hold. An SUV is only good for you if it fulfills your space requirements.
- Comes with essential tech and safety features. I am not talking about premium tech features, but it should at least offer basic yet latest technology.
- Maintain a good resale value. A ride should be able to maintain its value, as you may decide to sell it down the road.
9 Best Priced SUVs for 2024 That You Need To Consider
We are halfway through 2024, and SUVs continue to dominate the American automotive market. They offer versatility, comfort, and power, making them ideal in every way. From premium car brands like Bugatti and Ferrari to economic car brands like Toyota and Hyundai, each automaker is giving their best into making sale-worthy suvs.
Compared to the extravagant SUV segment, the economical SUV segment is highly competitive, making it hard to find the best priced SUV on the market. Therefore, here I have well-researched and handpicked nine of the best SUV models of 2024 that are affordable but do not skimp on quality and value. You can go for anyone if your priority is to buy new cars under $25000.
1. 2024 Hyundai Venue (Starting Price: From $19,900)
- MSRP: From $19,900
- MPG: 29 city / 33 highway
- Engine: 1.6 L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 121 hp
- Dimensions: 159″ L x 70″ W x 62″ H
The Hyundai Venue is the most affordable SUV in the American market at present. You can buy the base model of this subcompact SUV for as low as $19,900, with its highest model costing only $23,150.
The all-new Venue is city-friendly and packed with a decent list of standard and available tech and driver assistance features. Under its hood is a small yet satisfying 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 121 hp to the front wheels.
Its interior is surprisingly roomy, featuring seating for five people and an intuitive infotainment system. City driving is smooth with this South Korean build; however, it can feel unsettling on rougher pavements.
2. 2024 Kia Soul (Starting Price: From $20,190)
- MSRP: From $20,190
- MPG: Up to 29 city / 35 highway
- Engine: 2.0 L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 147 hp
- Dimensions: 165″ L x 71″ W x 63″ H
If your choice is to own a square-shaped boxy car, then there is nothing better than the Kia Soul. The Kia Soul is a high-value subcompact SUV that comes with a low starting price, stable handling, enhanced security with Smart Key sleep mode, and high-end standard features like remote keyless entry, a digital gauge cluster, a six-speaker stereo, and more.
You get a 147-hp, 2-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood that channels the front wheels. Whether you are on a long road journey with your friends or kids, the 8-inch, center-placed infotainment system will entertain them all.
3. 2025 Chevrolet Trax (Starting Price: From $20,400)
- MSRP: From $20,400
- MPG: Up to 28 city / 32 highway
- Engine: 1.2 L 3-cylinder
- Horsepower: 137 hp
- Dimensions: 179″ L x 72″ W x 61-62″ H
When it comes to buying the best SUVs for the price, how can we not have a car brand that is a personification of affordability? And that brand is none other than the popular Chevrolet. The latest 2025 Chevrolet Trax is an excellent choice. It offers lots of interior space, plentiful standard features, and attractive pricing, making it a smart purchase.
This SUV boasts an upscale and airy interior, all thanks to its large dimensions. Its driving dynamics are competent even when the 137 hp 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine is downright modest and all-wheel drive is not available. The Chevy Trax also features an excellent value proposition but is not exactly a champion when it comes to the competitive subcompact SUV class.
4. 2024 Nissan Kicks (Starting Price: From $21,340)
- MSRP: From $21,340
- MPG: 31 city / 36 highway
- Engine: 1.6 L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 122 hp
- Dimensions: 169″ L x 69″ W x 63″ H
The fuel-efficient Nissan Kicks is another affordable SUV that you can consider buying. This one is an ideal purchase for anyone who is always concerned about spending on fuel. With 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, this Japanese SUV is among the best on the market.
Its nimble dimensions, ample cargo space, and excellent fuel economy make it perfect for city driving. As the buying price is as low as $21,340, you can see the cost savings inside the cabin, where there is usage of hard plastics and low-grade materials. Plus, the seats are not very comfortable, especially for long journeys.
Overall, while Kicks compromises on interior quality and power, it is still an attractive option for anyone looking for a reliable ride on a budget. Nissan is a familiar name for affordable vehicles. Apart from the Kicks, the Nissan Versa is one of the cheapest vehicles in the compact car segment.
5. 2024 Buick Envista (Starting Price: From $22,400)
- MSRP: From $22,400
- MPG: 28 city / 32 highway
- Engine: 1.2 L 3-cylinder
- Horsepower: 137 hp
- Dimensions: 183″ L x 72″ W x 61″ H
The Buick Envista is a small crossover and an all-new model for the current model year. This ride comes with many impressive features, like the liftback design that we generally see in expensive vehicles. With Envista, Buick has brought much-needed value to the increasingly expensive subcompact SUV class. Its seats are cushy, roomy, and comfortable. The interior is quiet, making you feel calm and composed during your journey.
Buick does not offer all-wheel drive with the Envista, but despite that, its 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine gets the job done and delivers good efficiency.
The steering of this SUV is quick, making it easier for you to maneuver it in tight spaces, and the brakes provide strong stopping power. So, whether you are looking for a new car to gift to your teenage driver or someone older in your family, you can entrust them with this build.
6. 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer (Starting Price: From $23,100)
- MSRP: From $23,100
- MPG: Up to 29 city / 33 highway
- Engine: 1.2 L 3-cylinder, 1.3 L 3-cylinder
- Horsepower: 137 to 155 hp
- Dimensions: 174″ L x 71″ W x 64-66″ H
Another Chevrolet that made it to our list of best-priced SUVs for 2024 is the Trailblazer. This subcompact ride features a spacious interior equipped with the latest tech features like an 11″ diagonal HD color touchscreen, an 8″ digital gauge cluster, a six-speaker stereo, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more.
What’s impressive is that a Bose seven-speaker stereo is available as an optional feature as a part of the Adaptive Cruise and Sound Package, but only at the top trim levels. And if you include comprehensive safety technology like forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and more, you have yourself a safe and modern ride.
Lastly, the latest Chevrolet Trailblazer is an ideal match for your cross-country road trips.
7. 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (Starting Price: From $23,695)
- MSRP: From $23,695
- MPG: Up to 23 city / 29 highway
- Engine: 2.0 L 4-cylinder, 2.4 L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 148 to 168 hp
- Dimensions: 172″ L x 71″ W x 65″ H
If there is a vehicle that has not changed in any manner in the last decade, then it is the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. This SUV sure comes with a low starting price of $23,695 and features standard all-wheel drive and an impressive warranty, but it is still unable to hide its lackluster engine options, low-rent interior, and many outdated tech features, including the infotainment system.
This underwhelming small crossover does nothing for us except have a price tag that is affordable to most. The overall ride quality is stiff, which emphasizes road imperfections and suffers from considerable body rolls in corners.
In our opinion, if you would still like to buy this ride, instead of going for a brand new one, look for it under the JDM cars category. This way, you can buy it at a price much more suitable for what it’s offering.
8. 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross (Starting Price: From $23,860)
- MSRP: From $23,860
- MPG: Up to 31 city / 33 highway
- Engine: 2.0 L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 169 hp
- Dimensions: 176″ L x 72″ W x 65″ H
The Toyota Corolla Cross made its debut in the model year 2022, and three years down the road, it is still going strong, all thanks to its affordability, decent performance, good miles per gallon, and plethora of standard features.
You get nearly everything you could want in a small SUV. From a spacious cabin, comfortable ride quality, light on gas, user-friendly tech and safety, and more. The only problem with the interior is the use of low-quality materials.
Under the hood, you get a 2-liter four-cylinder engine paired with CVT channeling 169 hp, either to the front wheel or all wheels. However, its acceleration is loud and leisurely.
The high-end features like Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 driver-assist suite, 8″ touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, and an analog gauge cluster make spending $23,860 worth it.
9. 2024 Volkswagen Taos (Starting Price: From $23,995)
- MSRP: From $23,995
- MPG: Up to 28 city / 36 highway
- Engine: 1.5 L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 158 hp
- Dimensions: 176″ L x 73″ W x 64-65″ H
If you are exclusively looking to own a vehicle from a popular car brand that starts with V, then the Volkswagen Taos is for you. It is just like its sister vehicle, the Volkswagen Tiguan, which is a best priced SUV with 3rd row. While Taos only comes with two-row seating, it is equally versatile. Its handsome digital cockpit with an 8.0-inch driver display and a 6.5-inch center screen is its highlight.
There is ample room for both people and cargo. You add good fuel efficiency and top-tech features like IQ.DRIVE driver aids, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and push-button start as standard, you have a great purchase written all over this German build.
In conclusion, from Honda and Toyota to Volkswagen, Buick, and Nissan, several top automakers offer the best priced SUVs for 2024 to their buyers. Sure, you can choose any of the models mentioned here; however, you must never forget that the best SUV is the one that suits your lifestyle and budget.
All the mentioned vehicles are among the new launches under $25,000. They will make an excellent addition to your life, especially if you are a first-time car buyer.
