Cars and Drivers

10 Best SUVs Under $25,000

Paul Ausick

Published: March 5, 2016 9:55 am

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 12:20 pm

The most popular vehicles among U.S. car buyers are compact sport utility vehicles (SUVs). In the first two months of 2016, nearly 195,000 compact SUVs and crossovers have been sold, with sales running more than 19% ahead of 2015 sales for the same period.

The average transaction price for these vehicles is just shy of $27,000, up just 1.1% year over year. That price is a bit higher than the average $25,142 that consumers pay for a midsize car and about $7,000 more than they would pay for a compact car. But midsize sales are down nearly 3% and sales of compacts are down more than 1%. Americans simply love the smaller SUVs.

The editors at Kelley Blue Book (KBB) have selected the 10 best compact SUVs and crossovers for 2016 and ranked them on the basis of KBB’s Fair Purchase Price, which is typically lower than the MSRP and reflects what other consumers are paying for a particular vehicle.

Here is the KBB ranking with some of the editors’ comments. We’ve added the MSRP for a base version and KBB’s Fair Purchase Price on each 2016 model.

1. Honda CR-V
   As our Small SUV Best Buy for 2016, one of our 16 Best Family Cars of 2016, and last year’s number one on this list, the CR-V was again an easy pick for this top spot. The MSRP is $24,495 and the Fair Purchase Price is $23,025.
2. Mazda CX-5
   Like most cars with a Mazda badge, the CX-5 is arguably the most stylish and most fun-to-drive entry in its class. MSRP on the CX-5 is $22,675, and the Fair Purchase Price is $21,838.
3. Hyundai Tucson
   A no-show on this list last year, Hyundai’s small SUV grabs the number three slot this year on the strength of a complete redesign that makes it more refined and even more stylish. The Fair Purchase Price on this vehicle is $22,648 and the MSRP is $23,595.
4. Kia Sorento
   Totally redesigned for 2016, the Kia Sorento can be configured as a roomy 2-row SUV or, if you’re willing to break this list’s $25,000 threshold, a tidy 3-row SUV. The MSRP is $25,795 and the Fair Purchase Price is $24,427.
5. Subaru Forester
   Standard all-wheel drive meets long-term reliability and excellent resale value in a small SUV that makes just as much sense in sunnier states as it does in the more wintry ones. The Fair Purchase Price is $22,057 and the MSRP is $23,245.
6. Honda HR-V
   Honda’s newest, smallest SUV proved roomy and practical enough to take home the only 2016 Best Family Car Award we awarded in the burgeoning subcompact SUV segment. The MSRP is $20,015 and the Fair Purchase Price is a skinny $19,498.
7. Toyota RAV4
   With one of the segment’s roomiest interiors and arguably the most established reputation for reliability, the Toyota RAV4 overachieves in both practicality and value. The MSRP is $25,520 and the Fair Purchase Price is $23,560.
8. Nissan Rogue
   Inside and out, Nissan’s small SUV conveys a stature akin to that of a larger vehicle. The Fair Purchase Price is $22,749 and the MSRP is $24,140.
9. Jeep Renegade
   The newest Jeep mixes the off-road spirit of a Jeep Wrangler with the added efficiency, refinement and affordability of a smaller crossover SUV. The MSRP is $18,990 and the Fair Purchase Price is a tidy $18,382.
10. Jeep Wrangler
    Take off the top, find a dirt road to nowhere and try to remember the last time you had more fun on four wheels. The MSRP is $24,490 and the Fair Purchase Price is $23,387.