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The best SUVs for the money for 2024

(iSeeCars) – The best SUVs for value are ranked based on an analysis of their price and average lifespan, with the top-ranked models offering the longest lifespan at the lowest price.

iSeeCars.com identified the new SUVs offering the best value (“best value”) based on their price and potential lifespan. SUVs with the lowest cost per 1,000 miles of total potential life are ranked highest.


All SUVs share common features, like available all-wheel drive and an emphasis on functionality, as evidenced by greater passenger space and cargo space. SUVs also have the potential to offer greater towing capacity and off-road capabilities than traditional cars, but not all SUVs are created equal.

The design of many of today’s most popular SUVs is very car-like. This includes being built on a car-based platform with a front-wheel-drive four-cylinder powertrain as the base engine. This design improves the driving experience of an SUV, giving it a more refined ride quality while improving its fuel economy. Most compact SUVs, like the Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, or Subaru Forester, use this approach to create a roomy, fuel-efficient SUV with a long list of standard features and an affordable starting price. Higher-end versions generally benefit from more powerful turbo engines and standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

While this is the most common approach, the range of SUV variants on sale today for new car buyers means the options are almost limitless. Serious off-road machines, such as the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Land Rover Defender, sit at one end of this spectrum. High-end models with powerful engines and high-tech features, including the Genesis GV80, Mercedes-Benz GL and Porsche Cayenne, are at the opposite extreme.

Buyers looking for the best mix of practicality and reasonable consumption should consider the mid-size SUV segment, with models like the GMC Acadia, Kia Sorento or Volkswagen Tiguan. These models can be had with up to three rows of seats, gas mileage in the 20 to 25 mph range, and enough cargo capacity to transport a family of five and their luggage for a vacation getaway. ‘a weekend.

For large families looking for roomier trips, larger SUVs like the Ford Explorer, Kia Telluride or Jeep Grand Wagoneer offer roomy third-row seating with all-day comfort for adults. These models feature high-horsepower engines that easily transport people or cargo while towing more than 5,000 pounds. These models also include the latest infotainment system technology and driver assistance features.

Conversely, SUV buyers on a tight budget might be surprised by the number of standard technologies and safety features included in the latest model year’s SUVs. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are among the items included in the standard equipment specification of almost all modern SUVs, while rear-seat USB ports and wireless charging are increasingly common on base trim levels . Buyers can search for these items on each model’s product page.

How we classify these cars

The Best Value Cars list ranks cars based on their annual cost, which compares the purchase price of the car to its lifespan. We believe this is a good determinant of value: the lower the annual cost, the better the value.

iSeeCars analyzed millions of cars to determine how long each car can last. We then calculated the annual cost over the life of each vehicle. In the case where two or more vehicles have the same annual cost, we use iSeeCars’ proprietary rating of the car’s overall quality (iSeeCars Score) to break a tie.

The iSeeCars overall score is an analysis of three factors: reliability, resale value and safety. It is calculated based on the latest research and analysis carried out by our data science team. Data analysis comes from more than 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest Lasting Cars and 5-year depreciation studies, combined with NHTSA and IIHS safety ratings.

Here are the best SUVs for the money ranked by their annual costs.

Best Subcompact SUVs for the Money

  1. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport – $2,447.89
  2. Chevrolet TrailBlazer – $2,772.22
  3. Jeep Compass – $3,214.97
  4. Honda HR-V
  5. Hyundai KONA

The best small SUVs for the money

  1. Honda CR-V – $2,671.56
  2. Toyota RAV4 – $2,720.87
  3. Nissan Rogue – $3,016.44
  4. Hyundai TUCSON – $3,053.06
  5. Chevrolet Equinox – $3,140.40

Best Small Luxury SUVs for the Money

  1. INFINITI QX50 – $3,998.37
  2. Acura RDX – $4,015.26
  3. Volvo XC60 – $4,603.92
  4. BMW X3 – $4,990.49
  5. Audi Q5 – $5,125.94

Best Midsize SUVs for the Money

  1. Mazda CX-9 – $3,722.11
  2. Toyota Highlander – $3,888.78
  3. Hyundai SANTA FE – $3,904.94
  4. Toyota 4Runner – $3,917.04
  5. Chevrolet Blazer – $3,950.70

Best Luxury Midsize SUVs for the Money

  1. Lexus RX 350 – $4,665.71
  2. Lexus GX 460 – $4,995.94
  3. Acura MDX – $5,305.24
  4. INFINITI QX60 – $5,669.40
  5. Audi Q7 – $7,305.57

Best Large SUVs for the Money

  1. Nissan Armada – $6,059.08
  2. Chevrolet Tahoe – $6,929.51
  3. Ford Expedition – $7,566.63
  4. Chevrolet Suburban – $7,774.52
  5. GMC Yukon – $8,204.89

Best Large Luxury SUVs for the Money

  1. Buick Enclave – $5,400.11
  2. Lincoln Aviator – $6,587.52
  3. Volvo XC90 – $6,784.77
  4. Lexus LX 600 – $7,448.06
  5. INFINITI QX80 – $9,128.84

Best Crossover SUVs for the Money

  1. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport – $2,447.89
  2. Honda CR-V – $2,671.56
  3. Toyota RAV4 – $2,720.87
  4. Chevrolet TrailBlazer – $2,772.22
  5. Nissan Rogue – $3,016.44

Best Luxury Crossover SUVs for the Money

  1. INFINITI QX50 – $3,998.37
  2. Acura RDX – $4,015.26
  3. Volvo XC60 – $4,603.92
  4. Lexus RX 350 – $4,665.71
  5. BMW X3 – $4,990.49

Best Hybrid SUVs for the Money

  1. Ford Escape Hybrid – $3,764.33
  2. Toyota Highlander Hybrid – $3,990.73
  3. Toyota Sequoia (hybrid)
  4. Jeep Grand Cherokee (plug-in hybrid)
  5. Toyota Venza (hybrid)

Best Luxury Hybrid SUVs for the Money

  1. Lexus RX 350h – $4,518.56
  2. Lexus RX 500h – $5,308.30
  3. Audi Q5 (plug-in hybrid)
  4. Mercedes-Benz GLE (plug-in hybrid)
  5. Lincoln Aviator (plug-in hybrid)

By choosing one of these top-rated SUVs, you can ensure you get the best value for money, combining cost-effectiveness, performance, comfort and reliability.

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About iSeeCars.com

iSeeCars.com is a data-driven car search and research company that helps buyers find the best car deals by providing key information and valuable resources, including the iSeeCars VIN Check Report and Best Car Rankings . iSeeCars has saved users over $417 million to date by applying big data analytics powered by over 25 billion data points (and growing) and using proprietary algorithms to analyze, score and objectively classify millions of new and used cars.

This item, The best SUVs for the price, originally appeared on iSeeCars.com.