10) 2019 Nissan Kicks
$18,640 | USN Overall Score: 7.8/10
The 2019 Nissan Kicks’ strengths include sporty driving dynamics, eye-catching styling, a large cargo area, and a competitive starting price. Despite its small footprint, it offers enough room for adults in both rows. Moreover, the Kicks returns good fuel economy and earns respectable safety and predicted reliability ratings.
The Kicks gets its power from a 122-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s not peppy, but it will suffice for city driving. Still, you’ll have to push it to successfully achieve highway merging and passing maneuvers. Standard features include a 7-inch touch screen and automatic emergency braking.
9) 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
$24,295 | USN Overall Score: 8.0/10
The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan comes standard with a third row of seats, which is uncommon among compact SUVs. However, that third row is only roomy enough for children. The Tiguan features a stylish cabin, a smooth ride, a sizable cargo hold, and a long warranty. It performs well in crash tests and receives an above-average predicted reliability rating.
The Tiguan’s lone powertrain is a 2.0-liter turbo-four that’s good for 184 horsepower. Its acceleration is sluggish, it struggles at highway speeds, and it gets poor fuel economy. The Tiguan includes an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
8) 2019 Ford Escape
$24,105 | USN Overall Score: 7.9/10
The 2019 Ford Escape receives praise for its energetic engine options, lithe handling, and impressive cargo capacity. It provides an attractive interior with two rows of adult-friendly seats. The Escape also earns an above-average rating for predicted reliability.
The Escape offers multiple engine choices, including the base 168-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 245 horsepower, and a fuel-efficient 179-horsepower 1.5-liter turbo-four. It’s light on standard features, but Ford’s intuitive SYNC 3 touch-screen infotainment system with smartphone app integration is available, along with a decent assortment of active safety aids.
7) 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
$23,800 | USN Overall Score: 7.9/10
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is one of the best-selling compact SUVs on the market today. It features an expansive cabin with two rows of roomy seats, a relaxed ride, sufficient acceleration, and decent handling. The Equinox gets good gas mileage and has a history of positive crash test scores and excellent predicted reliability. Some competing crossovers offer nicer cabins and more cargo space.
The Equinox offers two engine options: the base 170-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and an available 2.0-liter turbo-four that makes 252 horsepower. While the base engine is weak, the optional engine delivers plenty of power.
The Equinox comes packed with attractive niceties, such as an intuitive touch-screen interface with smartphone connectivity, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Chevy’s Teen Driver, and multiple advanced driver assistance technologies.
6) 2020 Kia Sportage
$23,990| USN Overall Score: 8.2/10
The 2020 Kia Sportage has one of the nicest cabins in our compact SUV rankings. It offers an agreeable ride, composed handling, and two rows of spacious and comfortable seats. The Sportage comes from a generation of SUVs with outstanding ratings for safety and predicted reliability. To top it off, it’s covered by a long warranty.
The Sportage’s standard powertrain is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 181 horsepower. It delivers ample power for most daily driving. The SX Turbo trim comes with a 240-horsepower turbo-four. An 8-inch touch screen, smartphone app integration, a driver attention monitor, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, brake assist, and pedestrian detection come standard.
5) 2020 Hyundai Kona
$20,100 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10
The 2020 Hyundai Kona finishes near the top of our subcompact SUV rankings due to its nimble handling, handsome cabin, terrific fuel economy, and above-average predicted reliability. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Kona performs well in crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) designated the similar 2019 model as a Top Safety Pick+.
The Kona is powered by a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that provides adequate acceleration. A 175-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is available. Standard features in this Hyundai include a user-friendly touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a driver-attention monitor, lane keep assist, and forward collision warning.
4) 2019 Subaru Forester
$24,295 | USN Overall Score: 8.3/10
Subaru completely redesigned the Forester for the 2019 model year. It boasts standard all-wheel drive, good gas mileage, plentiful cargo volume, fantastic crash test results, and above-average predicted reliability. The Forester provides ample space for five people and delivers poised handling and a comfortable ride. We chose this Subaru as the winner of our 2019 Best Compact SUV for Families award.
The Forester’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine makes 182 horsepower. Its power is underwhelming, though it should be fine for most people’s daily driving. Just note that it takes some time to accelerate and may struggle on the highway. The Forester comes standard with a responsive touch-screen interface, the latest smartphone connectivity features, and a full suite of active safety aids.
3) 2020 Kia Soul
$17,490 | USN Overall Score: 8.5/10
The Kia Soul underwent a full redesign for the 2020 model year and it secures a position at the top of our subcompact SUV rankings. It shines thanks to its commendable cargo capacity, expansive seats, coddling ride, and easy-to-use tech features. Despite the Soul’s tall and boxy shape, it handles well and is enjoyable to drive.
The Soul is powered by a peppy four-cylinder base engine that makes 147 horsepower. If you crave more power, the GT-Line Turbo trim features a 201-horsepower turbo-four. A touch-screen infotainment system with smartphone app integration comes standard.
2) 2019 Honda CR-V
$24,450 | USN Overall Score: 8.6/10
The Honda CR-V is our 2019 Best Compact SUV for the Money award winner and leads the pack in our compact SUV rankings, tied with the Mazda CX-5. It features a handsome cabin, confident handling, a pleasant ride, and generous passenger and cargo space. In addition, the CR-V returns good fuel economy and earns high marks for safety and predicted reliability.
The CR-V’s standard engine is a 184-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder that provides adequate power. However, a 190-horsepower, turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine is available. The CR-V is light on standard features, but you can opt for multiple advanced driver assistance systems, as well as niceties like a touch-screen interface, smartphone connectivity, heated seats, and a power liftgate.
1) 2019 Mazda CX-5
$24,350 | USN Overall Score: 8.6/10
Mazda’s 2019 CX-5 shares the top spot in our compact SUV rankings with the Honda CR-V. It’s arguably the best overall performer in its class due to its athletic handling, precise steering, eager engines, and supple ride. The CX-5 also features superb crash test ratings and a roomy and attractive cabin. However, some classmates offer more space for cargo.
The CX-5 comes standard with a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that provides ample acceleration. If you want a considerable power boost, the newly available turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 227 horsepower when fueled with regular gas and 250 horsepower with premium gas. A 2.2-liter turbo-diesel engine is also available, which can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.
Standard features in the CX-5 include a 7-inch touch screen, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and low-speed automatic braking. You’ll have to upgrade if you want Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Did you find an affordable SUV that appeals to you? If not, visit our compact and subcompact SUV rankings to check out other models and see how they compare. In addition, peruse our best lease deals and financing deals pages to see a long list of current manufacturer-sponsored incentives.
Once you’ve made your decision, use the U.S. News Best Price Program to find the dealership in your area with the lowest pre-negotiated prices. Shoppers who use the program save an average of over $3,000 off their vehicles.
10 Best New SUVs Under $25,000 in 2019
- 2019 Mazda CX-5
- 2019 Honda CR-V
- 2020 Kia Soul
- 2019 Subaru Forester
- 2020 Hyundai Kona
- 2020 Kia Sportage
- 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
- 2019 Ford Escape
- 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
- 2019 Nissan Kicks
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These Affordable SUVs Earn The Highest U.S. News Scores
When you’re shopping on a strict budget, it’s critical to do your homework and make sure you’re not only getting a good deal, but also a solid vehicle with the qualities and features you deserve.
Just because a new SUV has an appealing price doesn’t mean it lacks notable strengths and desirable features. Many compact and subcompact SUVs carry a starting MSRP under $25,000. However, while some fare very well in our rankings, others struggle to compete.
In an effort to make your car shopping experience easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best new SUVs with starting prices under $25,000. All the SUVs on our list score higher than competing models in their respective classes. Choosing one of the following 10 SUVs will give you peace of mind knowing you’re spending your hard-earned money wisely.
It’s important to note that our scores and rankings change on a regular basis as new data and expert research become available. For this reason, the scores in this slideshow may not match the scores in our individual reviews and new vehicle rankings.
Navigate through the following pages to learn more about today’s highly rated SUVs with the lowest prices.