From the best compact crossovers to traditional truck-based ones, almost everyone wants to own an SUV. Unfortunately, most of the SUVs on the market today cost a fortune, forcing many gearheads to consider smart alternatives to an SUV. Although trucks can offer the same towing capabilities and off-road abilities, they cannot substitute for SUVs when the exterior, build, and ride quality are considered. On the other hand, Sedans and Wagons cannot offer the ruggedness and off-road abilities SUVs offer, meaning there are no true alternatives to SUVs.
Where does that leave someone on a budget? Some brands have manufactured a few cheap SUVs for people that cannot afford the expensive ones. Here are some of the SUVs you can buy on a smaller budget.
10 Chevrolet Trailblazer: Live Big In An Affordable SUV – $19,000
Starting at $19,000, the bold and spacious 2021 Trailblazer is powered by a 137-horsepower, turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with flexible automatic transmission. It is also equipped with enough tech features and capabilities to keep you going.
With a sculpted design, two-tone paint, and bold proportions, the Chevrolet Trailblazer has an elegant and stunning appearance. On the inside of this SUV is a spacious setting offering comfort to every passenger with enough room (54.4 cu. ft. of cargo volume) for whatever you want to load up, driver and passenger assist features, and top-class rear-seat legroom. It doesn’t matter if you’re buzzing around town or driving off-road, Trailblazer has the efficiency to handle any road condition effortlessly with enough traction provided across its various drive modes. (Normal, All-Wheel Drive (Snow on FWD) and Sport).
9 Ford EcoSport S: A Feel-Good Drive – $20,395
The 2021 Ford EcoSport delivers a feel-good drive with sporty performance and an intelligent 4WD, providing enhanced traction in different road conditions. The price starts at $20,395, and the EcoSport S also provides enough room for whatever load you carry with a maximum trailer weight of up to 2000lbs.
The SUV is powered by a standard 2.0L Ti-VCT engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology and 6-Speed SelectShift® Automatic Transmission. EcoSport S presents a dashing interior, ambient lighting, and intelligent tech features to surround you with a blissful environment as you drive along.
8 Hyundai Kona SE: Exterior Beauty And Interior Power – $20,500
The 2021 Kona SE, starting price of $20,500, has a unique exterior design, car-like flexibility, sufficient cargo space, and easy-to-use cabin controls in this SUV. The vehicle is powered by a 147-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a seamless six-speed automatic transmission, an all-wheel drive, and Advanced Traction Cornering Control to deliver ease on all terrains.
This compact SUV provides enough space and an outstanding trunk capacity of 361 liters. The flexible cabin controls also allow you to have a roomy 1,143 liters of space to load up and get going.
7 Mazda CX-3 Sport: Flexible Engineering For A Versatile Performance – $21,965
The sleek interior of the Mazda CX-3 gives that luxury feel, while the streamlined exterior presents a sporty style with fun-driving dynamics. The SKYACTIV 2.0-Liter, 4-cylinder engine powers the stylish subcompact SUV delivering 148-horsepower with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The SUV is equipped to deliver FWD, AWD, and 146 pounds-feet of torque for a fun drive in any weather or road condition. The 2021 MazstopCX-3 Sport is packed with classy and versatile cruise control features, stop-and-go capability, a head-up display, and an automatic air conditioning system to deliver a thrilling driving experience.
6 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Unlock Your Adventure – $20,995
This midsized SUV backs you up with advanced safety features and enough capabilities to help you unlock your adventure, both on and off the map. The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is powered by a strong and efficient 2.0-liter MIVEC engine that delivers 148 Horsepower.
Mitsubishi also equips this SUV with up to 49.5 cu.ft of space to take in every load you need on your next adventure, all at a starting price of $20,995.
5 Honda HR-V LX: Incredibly Roomy – $21,020
This vehicle blends an SUV stance with striking, sporty wheels and a honeycomb grille to deliver an outstanding appearance wherever it goes. The 2021 Honda HR-V LX is powered by a 141-hp i-VTEC engine combined with a AWD and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with sport mode to deliver versatility on and off the road.
Honda delivers an incredibly roomy interior setup in this SUV, with a multi-position second-row Magic Seat setup that allows you to create enough cargo space for both taller and longer items.
4 Chevy Trax LS: Turbocharged And Accommodating – $23,200
Chevrolet powers the Trax LS with a turbocharged four-cylinder, rather than the usual turbo three-cylinder the Trailblazer features. This powerhouse combines with a conventional automatic transmission and an all-wheel system to deliver excellently, no matter the terrain.
The SUV has eight distinct seating configurations, giving enough space for drivers and passengers to tow some loads.
3 Kia Seltos LX: Infotainment At Its Best – $21,990
Kia powers up the economical Seltos LX with a 146-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that combines Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT) with 132 lb-ft and an All-Wheel Drive, making it a go-anywhere vehicle with efficient cargo space and excellent traction.
The SUV delivers features like Bluetooth streaming audio, cruise control, an 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system with Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity for quality infotainment.
2 Mazda CX-30 S: Automated Excellence – $22,050
The all-new Mazda CX-30, with its raised design, is powered by a 186-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a six-speed automatic transmission and AWD to enable automated excellence on all terrains.
The SUV comes with standard active safety features, infotainment features, and sufficient cargo and passenger space to offer excellent driving ease.
1 Jeep Renegade Sport: Variety Is The Spice – $24,965
The Jeep Renegade SUV powers up with a standard 180-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, and a 9-speed automatic transmission to deliver on-road stability and Trailhawk off-road capability. The SUV is offered in six different trims, with slight changes across all.
This five-seat subcompact SUV is equipped with standard advanced safety and convenience features, with enough room for all on the inside.