Here Are the 10 Cheapest New SUVs You Can Buy Right Now
Key Points
- To help with your search for an affordable SUV, we compiled a list of the 10 cheapest ones as of May 2026, which all fall under the subcompact class.
- Versus sedans, subcompact SUVs offer a higher seating position, a more rugged appearance and most are available with all-wheel drive.
- All vehicles included in this list have AWD available except the Buick Envista, Chevrolet Trax and Hyundai Venue.
It doesn’t take a lot of market research to know that new vehicle prices are up. That’s especially true if you’re shopping for an SUV, many of which can easily exceed the $50,000 or so average price now paid for a new car. The good news is, you can still get a new SUV for a lot less than that. We’ve put together the following list of the 10 cheapest SUVs you can buy as of May 2026, and every one of them costs less than $30,000.
Related: Here Are the 10 Cheapest Pickup Trucks You Can Buy Right Now
Not surprisingly, all of the SUVs on our list are subcompact models, with the additional benefit of better fuel economy than larger alternatives for added savings down the road. But don’t let that scare you, many of these models have surprisingly roomy interiors, with decent passenger room for up to five passengers and cargo room to match.
To make comparisons easy, we’ve listed these models in order of base price, from least to most expensive. All prices include destination charges, but not any cash incentives or taxes. Prices and EPA combined fuel-economy estimates are for front-wheel-drive versions of all the SUVs except the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and Mazda CX-30, both of which come with standard all-wheel drive. All prices also include an automatic transmission.
Recently, we’ve added three new models to the list that were previously excluded because they aren’t offered with all-wheel drive. We have changed that classification for the Buick Envista, Chevrolet Trax, and Hyundai Kona, because not all buyers want AWD. Adding AWD to most of the SUVs available with it costs around $1,500-$2,000.
Cheapest New SUVs
1. Hyundai Venue SE: $22,150
2. Chevrolet Trax LS: $23,495
3. Nissan Kicks S: $23,975
4. Chevrolet Trailblazer LS: $25,095
5. Kia Seltos-LX: $25,285
6. Buick Envista Preferred: $26,495
7. Toyota Corolla Cross L: $26,685
8. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 S: $26,740
9. Hyundai Kona SE: $27,100
10. Mazda CX-30 2.5 S: $27,470
1. 2026 Hyundai Venue SE
- Price: $22,150 ($1,600 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 31 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Hyundai Venue: With a lot of standard tech and features for not a lot of money, the Venue is not just one of the cheapest vehicles on our list, it’s one of the cheapest ones you can buy, period.
Affordably priced and nicely equipped, the subcompact Hyundai Venue is both the cheapest SUV on our list and the most fuel efficient with an EPA-estimated 31 mpg in combined city and highway driving. That said, the Venue is another new entry on our list that is only available with front-wheel drive. If you’re ok with that, there’s a lot to like. In spite of its small footprint, the Venue has seating for five, and comes with an impressive assortment of tech features for the price including an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker audio system, and 15-inch alloy wheels. Power is supplied by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 121 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission and FWD. For 2026, top Limited trim has been dropped, leaving just the SE and SEL.
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2. 2026 Chevrolet Trax LS
- Price: $23,495 ($1,795 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 30 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Chevrolet Trax: Stylish, affordable, and nicely equipped, the Trax is an appealing choice but is not available with AWD.
Redesigned for 2024, the Chevrolet Trax grew slightly larger and a lot better looking than previously, with sleek new styling to go with a new powertrain and additional standard safety and convenience features. The Trax is front-wheel drive only, with no AWD option on the menu. The 1.2-liter, turbocharged three-cylinder engine is good for 137 horsepower and provides sufficient power for around town errands, but there’s not much left in reserve for highway merging and passing. The interior room is decent for the class, and the cabin is nicely equipped with standard equipment including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote keyless entry and Wi-Fi hot spot capability. Upscale extras include a heated steering wheel and heated seats.
The Trax continues for 2026 with no major changes.
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3. 2026 Nissan Kicks S
- Price: $23,925 (including $1,495 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 31 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Nissan Kicks: The Kicks was redesigned for the 2025 model year, and for 2026, it gets an infotainment system update as well as a new Cold Weather Package.
Completely redesigned for the 2025 model year, the Nissan Kicks has gone from being a stylistic wallflower to a head-turning small SUV, and it’s now available with AWD. Starting just under $24,000, the Kicks’ list of standard equipment includes a 7-inch touchscreen, keyless entry, push-button start, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. Unfortunately, the base S trim doesn’t include smartphone connectivity. The Kicks requires patience when attempting passing maneuvers, as its 141-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is fine so long as it’s not rushed. At this price point, quick acceleration isn’t on the menu; heavy applications of the gas pedal result in more noise than momentum.
For 2026, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is now standard on all trims; it was previously only on SV and SR trims. Also, a new Cold Weather Package for the SV and SR trims bundles heated seats, heated side mirrors and rear floor heater ducts.
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4. 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS
- Price: $25,095 ($1,795 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 31 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer: The Trailblazer subcompact SUV is powered by a 137-hp, turbo 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine and comes with two powertrains and some standard useful tech features.
Introduced for the 2021 model year, the Chevrolet Trailblazer subcompact SUV is powered by a 137-hp, turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine and comes with standard FWD and a continuously variable automatic transmission or available AWD and a nine-speed automatic. The Trailblazer also comes standard with useful tech features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity and important active-safety features including automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning with steering assist. There are no major changes for 2026.
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This vehicle is currently in high demand given its competitive price, desirable features, and overall condition, and may have a higher chance of selling quickly.
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5. 2026 Kia Seltos LX
- Price: $25,285 ($1,495 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 29 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Kia Seltos: The Seltos was refreshed for 2024, and for 2026, it sees some trim level and price shuffling.
The Seltos LX is powered by a 147-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that works with a CVT; FWD is standard and AWD is optional. The base trim’s long list of standard features includes 17-inch alloy wheels and an 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. With its refresh for 2024, the Seltos got updated front-end styling and enhanced safety and tech features like blind spot collision warning, a speed limit assist and warning system, and enhanced forward collision avoidance assist. For 2026, the big news is that the black-trimmed X-Line has been dropped. The base LX trim is $1,000 cheaper than it was for 2025, possibly because it now comes with standard FWD, whereas before it had standard AWD; the rest of the lineup starts $200 higher.
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This vehicle is currently in high demand given its competitive price, desirable features, and overall condition, and may have a higher chance of selling quickly.
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6. 2026 Buick Envista Preferred
- Price: $26,495 ($1,795 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 30 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Buick Envista: The Envista is a stylish and upscale subcompact, channeling high-end SUV Coupes like the BMW X6 and Genesis GV70 in a more affordable package.
Treated to the same redesign as its Chevrolet Trax stablemate for 2024, the Envista was similarly transformed from a frumpy also-ran to an appealing entry in the category. The update brought a new powertrain, more standard safety and convenience features, added interior room, and a lot more style. A generous list of standard amenities includes automatic climate control, heated exterior mirrors, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That said, the only engine available is a turbocharged 1.2-liter three cylinder with just 137 horsepower and 162 pounds-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, fuel economy is decent but there’s not a lot of performance. AWD is not available with the Envista.
For 2026, the Envista continues with no major changes.
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7. 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross L
- Price: $26,385 ($1,450 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 32 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross: The Corolla Cross is positioned below the larger RAV4 in the automaker’s SUV lineup, shares a platform and powertrain with the popular Corolla compact car, and has good standard features and available AWD, but power is meager.
Having joined the Toyota lineup for the 2022 model year, the Corolla Cross is positioned below the larger RAV4 in the automaker’s SUV lineup. As its name implies, the Corolla Cross shares a platform and powertrain with the popular Corolla compact car. That powertrain — a 169-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a CVT — is rated at 32 mpg combined with the base Corolla Cross L’s standard FWD. An 8-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity comes standard, as do advanced safety features like forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. We like the Corolla Cross’ standard features and available AWD, but power is meager for both city and highway driving.
Updates for the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross subcompact SUV are minimal. The biggest change is new grilles for both gas-only and gas-electric hybrid models. The center console has been reworked with a new gear selector and an updated charging pad to improve ergonomics and to bring the Corolla Cross more in line with the rest of the Toyota lineup. Also, a larger 10.5-inch infotainment touchscreen is available as either an upgrade or standard kit, depending on the trim.
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This vehicle is currently in high demand given its competitive price, desirable features, and overall condition, and may have a higher chance of selling quickly.
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8. 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport S
- Price: $26,740 ($1,745 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 26 mpg (manufacturer-estimated)
- What to know about the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: The Outlander Sport hasn’t changed much since its debut for 2011, and it’s been eclipsed by much of its competition in that time, though it remains affordable.
The Outlander Sport hasn’t changed much since its debut for 2011, and it’s been eclipsed by much of its competition in that time. Still, it’s a very affordable vehicle, and in its base S trim, the Outlander Sport includes a 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, standard AWD and a CVT. Its standard equipment is fairly bare-bones compared to the top two on this list, but it does include a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, automatic high beams, automatic climate control, and key safety items such as forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking. You’ll be missing out on a few of the most popular options by opting for the base trim, though — blind spot monitoring, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all saved for higher trims.
9. 2026 Hyundai Kona SE
- Price: $27,100 ($1,600 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 31 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Hyundai Kona: Hyundai refreshed the Kona for 2024 with updated styling, more passenger room and improved technology, and its trim levels are shuffled for 2026.
Hyundai refreshed the Kona for 2024 with updated styling, more passenger room and improved technology. Three powertrains are available: two gas-powered engines and an all-electric version. The base SE once again gets a 147-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT; it has a 31 mpg combined fuel economy rating. The sportier N Line and uplevel Limited use a 190-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed automatic; it’s good for 28 mpg combined with FWD. For 2026, Hyundai dropped the N Line appearance package and the SEL trim; the SEL Sport and SEL Premium trims take their place.
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10. 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S
- Price: $27,470 ($1,495 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 27 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Mazda CX-30: For 2026, Mazda’s smallest SUV gets a new trim level and a center display update.
The AWD-only CX-30’s base S trim is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The CX-30 now makes 186 hp, and its EPA-rated fuel economy is an impressive 27 mpg combined. The generous list of standard features for the S trim include an 8.8-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker sound system and push-button start with keyless entry. Standard driver-assist features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure steering assist, automatic high-beam headlights and adaptive cruise control.
For 2026, a new Aire Edition is available for both available powertrains; it includes blacked-out exterior accents and a light-colored interior. In addition, a 10.25-inch center display is now available for some 2.5 S variants, and a new brake-based limited-slip differential is standard.
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This vehicle is currently in high demand given its competitive price, desirable features, and overall condition, and may have a higher chance of selling quickly.
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