Sticker shock has pushed many shoppers toward the bottom of the SUV market, where prices still start in the low-to-high twenties. Rankings from KBB, CarGurus, TrueCar and Road & Track agree on many of the same names. Here are thirteen of the cheapest SUVs on sale, ordered by starting price.
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1. Hyundai Venue: Price Leader
The 2026 Hyundai Venue starting price tops KBB’s cheapest-SUV list at $22,150. TrueCar also ranks the subcompact crossover first among 20 cheap SUVs, listing an MSRP of $22,200.
Two separate rankings agree on the winner, which makes the Venue the clear entry point for new SUV shoppers. Buyers on a tight budget should still compare trims, since a base price covers only the most basic version. That combination gives the Venue a strong claim to the cheapest-SUV title.
2. Chevrolet Trax: Chevy’s Small Crossover
The 2026 Chevrolet Trax starts at $23,495 including destination, per CarGurus cheapest SUVs. That figure includes the delivery fee that many advertised prices leave out.
Because destination is baked in, the number reflects what a buyer will actually see on the sticker. The Trax lands only a modest step above the leader, which gives budget shoppers a second strong choice. That makes it an easy model to cross-shop against the other low-priced crossovers in this ranking.
3. Nissan Kicks: Nissan’s Entry Kicks
The 2026 Nissan Kicks starts at $24,275 including destination, according to CarGurus pricing. It is one of the lowest-priced new crossovers in the CarGurus ranking.
Shoppers weighing the Kicks should note that the price includes delivery, so it can be compared fairly with rivals listed the same way. It is one of the most affordable ways to get a new Nissan SUV. The Kicks also gives shoppers a point of comparison against the Chevrolets and Hyundais above and below it.
4. Chevrolet Trailblazer: Trailblazer Value
The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer starts at $25,095 including destination, per CarGurus rankings. The crossover is the second Chevrolet on this list, following the Trax by a margin of about $1,600.
Having two Chevrolets this close to the bottom gives the brand a strong presence in the budget segment. Buyers can pick the model that suits their space needs while staying near the same price range. Shoppers should still test both Chevrolets, since small differences in cargo space and features can matter more than the price gap.
5. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Outlander Sport Returns
TrueCar lists the 2027 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport from a $25,790 starting MSRP. It is one of several 2027 model-year entries on this list.
Mitsubishi has long positioned itself as a low-price alternative, and this listing fits that approach. Shoppers should confirm what is included, since MSRP figures usually exclude the destination charge. It offers a useful reference point for anyone comparing subcompact SUVs ahead of the next model year. Exact pricing can still change.
6. Kia Seltos: Kia’s Compact Pick
The 2027 Kia Seltos starts at $26,485 including destination, per CarGurus cheapest SUVs. It marks the first Kia on the list and a step into slightly roomier territory than the subcompacts above it.
The Seltos gives buyers a little more flexibility without leaving the budget bracket. Since the price already includes destination, it can be compared directly with other CarGurus-listed models. That extra room is a key reason shoppers cross-shop it against the cheaper subcompacts on this list.
7. Buick Envista: Buick Goes Budget
Road & Track lists the 2026 Buick Envista price at $26,495. The Buick appears near the middle of the ranking, in the middle of the price range covered here.
The Envista shows that a premium-leaning brand can still compete at a budget level. Since the sources differ on whether fees are included, shoppers should treat the numbers as a guide rather than a final price. Comparing it with similarly priced rivals is worthwhile, because small differences in standard features can change the real value.
8. Toyota Corolla Cross: Corolla Cross Costs
TrueCar lists the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross from a $26,930 starting price. It is the first Toyota on the list, and the price places it among the more affordable ways into the brand’s SUV lineup.
Toyota buyers often value reliability over a rock-bottom price, and this entry reflects that approach. The Corolla Cross costs more than the leaders but remains in the same general bracket. Shoppers who like the Toyota badge but want to spend less than on a larger RAV4 may find this entry compelling.
9. Hyundai Kona: Kona Under Twenty-Eight
Road & Track lists the 2026 Hyundai Kona price at $27,100. That makes it the second Hyundai on this list, after the Venue, which sits well below it on price.
Hyundai covers the low end of the market with more than one model, and the Kona offers more room than the Venue. Shoppers can step up for a modest premium and still stay within a tight budget. That flexibility gives Hyundai a presence at several price points within the same part of the market.
10. Mazda CX-30: Mazda’s Entry Crossover
Road & Track lists the 2026 Mazda CX-30 price at $27,470. The Mazda is the first model from its brand to appear in this ranking.
Mazda is often associated with a more engaging driving feel, and buyers who value that can see the CX-30 as an affordable way in. It sits in the middle of the pack on price. Anyone prioritizing a polished interior and sharp handling may find the extra money easy to justify.
11. Volkswagen Taos: German Compact SUV
Road & Track lists the 2026 Volkswagen Taos price at $27,975. The Taos is the only Volkswagen on this list and the sole German brand represented.
Volkswagen offers a different flavor from the Asian and American makes above it. Shoppers weighing the Taos should compare its feature level against competitors. A look at standard equipment will show whether it justifies being priced above several of the cheaper models. Pricing may also vary by region.
12. Honda HR-V: Honda Enters Late
TrueCar lists the 2027 Honda HR-V from a $28,150 starting price. It arrives near the bottom of the ranking, showing that Honda’s small SUV costs more than the cheapest alternatives.
The HR-V has built a following among buyers who prefer a well-known brand with a solid reputation. Those shoppers may accept a higher entry price in exchange for Honda’s name and the model’s refinement. Those figures still keep it competitive when compared with many other small crossovers on the market.
13. Buick Encore GX: Last Of The Cheapest
TrueCar lists the 2026 Buick Encore GX from a $28,295 starting MSRP. It closes this ranking as the priciest of the thirteen models, still under $30,000 before options.
Buick appears twice on the list, with the Envista and the Encore GX, which gives the brand a bigger role in the budget segment than many might expect. The Encore GX adds a little more price and a little more size. That is a reminder that budget SUVs remain a distinct group even at the top of this list.
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