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Best SUVs Under $25,000: New and Used Picks for 2026

New SUVs can start below $25,000, while used choices extend to compact, midsize and three-row models. Compare the price basis, category and condition before you buy.
From TheFinanceBase Team6 min to read
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Yes—there are new SUVs with listed starting prices below $25,000, and the used market adds choices in larger size categories. But a starting price is not an out-the-door price: taxes, destination charges, dealer fees, trim, incentives and inventory can push a new vehicle above your limit. The strongest candidates depend on whether $25,000 is your advertised-price ceiling or your total budget.

For a new SUV, Kelley Blue Book’s current listings make the 2026 Chevrolet Trax a practical starting point: $23,495 and 29 MPG combined. For used shoppers, iSeeCars’ category ranking highlights the 2021 Honda CR-V as its small-SUV leader and the 2020 Honda Pilot as its three-row leader. Those are source-specific picks, not guarantees that any particular vehicle or local listing is a good deal.

What $25,000 buys: new versus used

At this budget, new-SUV choices in the cited listings are mostly small crossovers. Their prices are listed starting prices, not negotiated or out-the-door totals. If $25,000 is the maximum amount you can spend including taxes and fees, ask dealers for a written total before choosing a trim; you may need to target a lower starting price or consider used vehicles.

Used SUVs can offer more variety in size and model year, including compact, midsize and three-row models. In exchange, the buyer has to evaluate the specific vehicle’s mileage, condition, title and service history, as well as whether the asking price is reasonable in the local market.

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New SUVs with listed starting prices below $25,000

The following prices and combined fuel-economy figures are Kelley Blue Book’s current listings, accessed October 8, 2026. KBB does not state a publication date for these live figures. Starting prices do not establish the final price a buyer will pay.

Model KBB starting price Combined fuel economy
2026 Chevrolet Trax $23,495 29 MPG
2026 Nissan Kicks $23,975 31 MPG
2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer $24,495 30 MPG
2025 Hyundai Venue $21,695 31 MPG, as listed by KBB on its vehicle list; verify the exact trim and page details before comparing

Best new budget starting point: 2026 Chevrolet Trax

The Trax combines the lowest starting price among the three fully specified current examples above with a listed 29 MPG combined. KBB displays an expert rating of 4.3 and consumer rating of 4.6 on its page, accessed October 8, 2026. These are KBB ratings, not crash-test or safety results, and they do not establish ownership costs.

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Best listed fuel economy among these examples: 2026 Nissan Kicks

KBB lists the Kicks at 31 MPG combined and a $23,975 starting price. The same page displays a KBB expert rating of 4.3 and consumer rating of 3.0, accessed October 8, 2026. Treat those scores as KBB’s ratings rather than a substitute for checking fit, equipment, safety results or the price of the exact vehicle offered locally.

Another near-cap option: 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer

KBB’s current listing puts the Trailblazer at a $24,495 starting price and 30 MPG combined. Its displayed KBB expert rating is 4.2 and consumer rating is 4.3, accessed October 8, 2026. With a starting price close to the budget ceiling, additional charges or a higher trim can make the final price exceed $25,000.

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How to interpret other new-SUV rankings

In a separate ranking of new SUVs under $25,000, iSeeCars scores the Mazda CX-3 at 8.1, Chevrolet Trailblazer at 7.6, Chevrolet Trax at 7.4 and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport at 7.2. Those are iSeeCars scores from that ranking; they are not on the same scale as KBB ratings. Differences between the lists reflect different publishers and methods, not a single industry-wide verdict.

Used SUVs: category leaders from iSeeCars

iSeeCars’ 2026 used-SUV ranking identifies a leader in each category rather than one overall winner. Its quality scores and category placements are ranking results; they do not tell you whether a specific local listing is fairly priced or in good condition.

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Category Model-year pick iSeeCars quality score
Subcompact 2023 Honda HR-V 9.0
Small/compact 2021 Honda CR-V 8.5
Midsize 2022 Nissan Murano 8.2
Three-row 2020 Honda Pilot 8.1
Hybrid/PHEV 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid 8.0

Best used compact pick: 2021 Honda CR-V

The CR-V is iSeeCars’ small/compact category leader with a quality score of 8.5. It is a useful place to begin if you need a conventional compact SUV, but the ranking does not replace checking the individual vehicle’s mileage, maintenance records, accident and title history, and asking price.

Best used three-row pick: 2020 Honda Pilot

For shoppers who need three rows, iSeeCars names the 2020 Pilot its category leader, with a quality score of 8.1. Three-row seating is a different use case from the small new crossovers above; inspect the exact vehicle and confirm that its configuration and condition meet your needs.

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Other used category leaders

  • Subcompact: 2023 Honda HR-V, score 9.0.
  • Midsize: 2022 Nissan Murano, score 8.2.
  • Hybrid/PHEV: 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid, score 8.0.

iSeeCars says its ranking combines reliability, value retention and safety, including safety inputs from recent NHTSA crash tests and IIHS Top Safety Pick information. The page also says its broader analysis draws on over 12 million new and used vehicles for its longest-lasting and five-year depreciation studies, combined with NHTSA safety ratings; it does not state the year for that vehicle count, so it should not be read as a 2026-only sample. The resulting score is one screening tool, not a prediction of the history or repair needs of an individual SUV.

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How to choose between these SUVs

Start by setting the budget definition. If $25,000 is your total available, compare written out-the-door prices, not just advertised starting prices. If it is an advertised-price limit, leave room for taxes, fees and other purchase costs. Then match the vehicle to your actual needs:

  • Size and seating: Decide whether a subcompact or compact SUV is enough, or whether you need a midsize model or three rows. Check the specific vehicle’s seating and cargo configuration.
  • Fuel economy: Compare EPA combined figures for the exact year and powertrain. The figures in the new-SUV table are KBB listings; confirm the relevant configuration before treating them as a direct comparison.
  • Safety: Check crash-test results and driver-assistance equipment for the exact model year and relevant trim. Do not assume that a result for one year or configuration applies to another.
  • Reliability and ownership costs: A ranking can help narrow candidates, but it cannot settle expected maintenance and repair costs for a specific car. Review its maintenance record and get a qualified inspection before buying used.
  • Used-vehicle condition: Evaluate mileage, title and accident history, service documentation, tires, brakes and overall condition. Compare similar local listings rather than assuming a ranked model is automatically good value.

Check safety and verify the specific vehicle

Safety recommendations are tied to stated criteria and particular model years; they should not be generalized to every SUV on a list. In a May 27, 2026 joint release, IIHS and Consumer Reports described criteria for their teen-driver recommendations that included a “good” IIHS driver-side small-overlap front rating and vehicle weight above 2,750 pounds. Their release also said that listed prices were median retail prices for all trims of the earliest applicable model year, based on Black Book data from April 2026 and rounded to the nearest $100. Best Choices additionally met specified automatic emergency braking and headlight criteria. Those criteria explain that recommendation process; they are not ratings for every SUV in this guide.

Before committing, use the vehicle identification number (VIN) to check for open recalls and look up the exact model year’s NHTSA and IIHS information. For a used SUV, obtain a vehicle-history report, confirm title status and service records, and arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection. For any purchase, ask for the final written price and confirm what fees, warranty coverage and equipment it includes.

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Where listings fit—and what to verify

Marketplace listings can help you locate vehicles and compare asking prices, but listing details may come from sellers and may not have been independently verified. Kelley Blue Book’s terms say it is not a party to a sale originating on KBB.com. Treat marketplace information as a lead: independently verify the vehicle, price, title, history and transaction details before paying or signing.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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