Best SUVs Under 25k | 2026 Ratings | CarBuzz

$25,000 is the new budget ceiling for SUVs in America. As of the 2026 model year, there are no more SUVs on sale for under $20k, making the $20k - $25k bracket the most affordable price range for those searching for a new crossover. There are many enticing vehicles in this category, and although you have to sacrifice performance, space, features, or a combination of these, most of these crossovers will suit the needs of students or a young couple. Let’s look at the best SUVs for under $25,000 in more detail.

Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available.

1 Kia Seltos

The best new SUV under $25,000, with a BuzzScore of 8.5 out of 10, is the Kia Seltos. This subcompact SUV competes with rivals like the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue — both of which we'll discuss later. The Seltos is a fairly basic model. There are four available trims; the base model, the LX, starts at $23,790, while the rest are above our $25k budget. No matter which version you choose, you'll be left with five seats, a maximum of 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and a handful of comfort features. Its cargo space beats both rivals, it's relatively reliable, and it gets pretty good fuel economy from its 147-horsepower engine.

"The majority of the driving experience is great. The steering is accurate, tightening more in sport mode, and the ride is compliant on bumpy roads. We drove the Seltos on the highway for over three hours, and the Bose audio system has no trouble drowning out the minimal road noise, even at a medium volume."

- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz

2 Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks is so great, it actually won CarBuzz' award for being the Best Budget Car of the Year in 2025. Our editors called it a cheap car that doesn't leave you feeling shortchanged. It's powered by a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated inline-4 that makes 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to either the front or all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission. There are three trims to choose from, with all three having optional AWD. The S FWD starts the lineup at $22,430 - it's AWD counterpart starts at $23,930, but you can also step up to the SV FWD trim for $24,170 and stay within our budget.

"It's a value proposition that also has personality, is genuinely comfortable, looks great, and is fun to drive. And, if you go for the SR or SV, one that's also bang up to date with technology and doesn't lack connectivity features."

- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz

3 Toyota Corolla Cross

The Toyota Corolla Cross is another brand-new SUV under $25,000 that we found enjoyable on the road. Like the Seltos, only the first of a few trims starts within our budget at $24,935. This affordable compact SUV is powered by a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated inline-4 that makes 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, which lets it tow up to 1,500 pounds when properly configured. The standard drivetrain is FWD, but AWD is available. When we drove one, we found it to be particularly comfortable for the front occupants. Folding down the rear seats opens up a max of 46.9 cu. ft. of cargo space.

"Headroom is generous in every direction up front, more than you might expect for the car's size. Combined with plenty of seating adjustment and cushioning on the high trims we tested, it's quite comfy."

- Joel Stocksdale, CarBuzz

4 Buick Envista

As far as SUVs under 25k go, the Buick Envista is one of the more premium-feeling models. We rank this model fairly high due to its ability to mix somewhat high-end quality and styling with budget-friendly powertrains and simple tech. There are three trims available, but only the base model is an SUV under 25k. The Preferred trim starts at $24,700, which is a great bargain for the looks and feel of the Envista. It's powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged inline-3-cylinder that makes 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. On the inside, there's room for a max of 42 cubic feet of cargo.

"For just a few grand more than its Chevy sibling, the Envista offers a more premium design, a slightly nicer interior, and the prestige of a Buick badge. Some buyers may want to save the money and get the more practical Trax, but others will be willing to make the sacrifice for the more stylish vehicle."

- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz

5 Chevrolet Trax

The Envista's Chevrolet counterpart is the Trax — an equally capable and practical compact crossover with more rugged styling. Choosing the Chevy means you lose out on some of the Buick's nicer styling and feel, but it's still great since you don't lose out on any functionality. Plus, the Trax is even cheaper. There are five trims to choose from that range from the LS for $21,700 to the Activ for $25,400. All trims are powered by the same 1.2L turbo I3 with the same outputs as the Envista. You get 54.1 cubic feet of cargo space, and the higher features are surprisingly well-equipped for the price.

"It's clear Chevrolet has done its homework with the second-generation Trax. Stylish and sporty inside and out, the Trax is not only bigger than its predecessor, but it also feels and drives like a much more solid vehicle in a higher price category. And that's what matters most here: Value without being cheap."

- Jay Traugott, CarBuzz

6 Volkswagen Taos

The Volkswagen Taos might be the closest a buyer can get to a midsize SUV under 25k, since it looks just like a miniature Atlas. It's technically still a compact SUV, though, with rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and Kia Seltos. Our road tester found the seats to be comfortable, the interior space to be plentiful, and tech to be up-to-date. As far as pricing goes, the Taos is a touch over our proposed budget at $26,500 for the base model. Those with some flexibility won't regret it, though. You'll get a 1.5L turbo inline-4 that makes 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, and a max of 60.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the front row.

"The seats are comfortable, the driving position is excellent, the USB ports are easy to locate, and the wireless charger is one of the few we've encountered that reliably holds the phone... Tall adults are welcome in the back as well as the front, and while cargo space isn't best in class, it's enough to do most jobs. Add in the solid build quality and materials, and you have a well-measured and satisfyingly functional interior."

- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz

7 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Another small SUV under $25,000 from Chevrolet is the Trailblazer. It's a slightly bigger than the Trax, but not by much. This model might not be the best option for those searching for luxury (we'd choose a Buick for that). However, we feel as though it's good enough for what it costs. Prices for its four available trims range from $23,300 for the LS trim, and the next step starts at $24,500 for a few more features. Both are driven by a 1.2-liter turbo I3 that makes 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque as standard, but higher trims have access to a 1.3L engine. Cargo space behind the front row maxes out at 54.4 cubic feet.

8 Hyundai Venue

Some buyers might consider the Hyundai Venue to be the best SUV for 25k, since it's officially the cheapest car in America. With the Nissan Versa out of the way, the Venue takes its place as the budget champion. There are only three trims; the cheapest of the bunch, the SE, starts at $20,500, while the most expensive is still among the most affordable cars on sale at $22,600. Powering all three versions is a 1.6-liter inline-4 that makes just 121 hp and 113 lb-ft of torque. Moving to the interior, you'll find a maximum of 31.9 cubic feet of cargo behind the front seats.

"We took the Venue out on some three-to-five-hour drives and found the interior surprisingly comfortable. Over the years, we've known automakers to cheap out on the seats in budget-oriented cars, but Hyundai has done a great job with the this one, and passengers won't have to complain about discomfort on longer road trips."

- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz

9 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

We're not entirely sure what fate has in mind for Mitsubishi in America, but the current state of business still brings us the Outlander Sport — a subcompact crossover to rival the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona. It's not the most competitive in its segment; we even gave it a 6.8 out of 10 in our BuzzScore rankings. With that being said, it's not a bad car in the slightest. There are six trims to choose from, with the base model, the 2.0 S, starting at $24,995. It's powered by a 2.0-liter inline-4 that makes 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. Cargo space is reasonable at 49.5 cu. ft. behind the front seats.

Characteristics Of The Top-Rated SUVs Under $25k

If you’re looking for one of the best SUVs of 2026 under $25k, this is what you can expect:

• Powertrain: Small three- or four-cylinder engines and an automatic gearbox are the most common powertrain setups in the segment as they offer sufficient power to move along without costing a fortune at the pumps. Front-wheel drive is generally standard, and while this setup does benefit mpg ratings, it means one would have to spend more to upgrade to all-wheel drive for improved traction.
• Performance: Whether hybrid or gas, the power plants under the hoods of SUVs in this category are, most often, designed for casual, everyday use. Leisurely acceleration is common, but these cars are suitable for use in the city and for shorter trips.
• Features: As manufacturers continue to try to outdo each other in providing the best SUV for the money, consumers benefit in that the majority of new cars come relatively well-equipped with safety and convenience basics. You’re likely to find cruise control, blind-spot assist, and parking sensors as standard on models in this price bracket, with some offering even more. The same applies to luxuries like higher-end sound systems and top-quality materials used in the cabins.
• Quality and reliability: Perceived quality is understandably lower in this price range, with many cheaper SUVs having a few harder plastics and rougher edges inside. That said, the absence of many high-tech features means there is technically less to go wrong with these unpretentious crossovers.

What To Consider Before Buying

If you’ve got the money to spend on an SUV for around $25k or less, here are some of the things to keep in mind:

Pros

• Frugal engines
• Low purchase price
• Practical interiors with more cargo space than small sedans
• Appealing maintenance costs
• Multiple choices from trusted brands

Cons

• AWD and/or 4WD are not always available
• Slow acceleration
• Less luxury and opulence than more expensive rivals
• You may have to budget a bit more for extra features on top of the MSRP
• Safety tech may be more comprehensive on the upper, more expensive trims only

What is the best SUV for no problems?

No car is perfect, but many SUVs on this list can be considered reliable. We recommend SUVs that have been on sale for longer, such as the Hyundai Venue. Being produced over a longer period of time often allows manufacturers to iron out any early issues.

Do dealerships allow for trade-ins of pre-owned SUVs?

Yes, many dealerships will accept fair trade-in deals for used automobiles, usually for a reduced cost on a second-hand offering.

Are less expensive SUVs still as good as the pricier versions?

Although you often pay for what you get, some SUVs in this price category match or surpass those in the class above.

Sources: Kia, Toyota, Nissan, Buick, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Mitsubishi