Best SUVs Under 25k | 2025 Ratings

$25,000 is the new budget ceiling for SUVs in America. As of the 2025 model year, there are no more SUVs on sale for under $20k, making the $20k – $25k bracket the affordable price range for those searching for a new crossover. There are many enticing vehicles in this category, and although you have to sacrifice performance, space, features, or a combination of these, most of these crossovers will suit the needs of students or a young couple. Let’s look at the best SUVs for under $25,000 in more detail.

Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available.

1

Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks has a completely refreshed look for the 2025 model year, and makes it to the top of our list as an SUV under $25,000. Getting straight to the basics, the Kicks has three trim levels; the S, SV, and SR, and all of them are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. However, out of those six possible options, three of them start at under $25k.

The cheapest of the bunch, the Kicks S, starts at $21,830 for the front-wheel-drive version, but all-wheel drive is available for a base price of $23,330. The last option under our price ceiling is the Kicks SV FWD, which starts at $23,680. Both the FWD and AWD versions of the Kicks S have nearly identical specs and features except for fuel economy, and the SV trim has some nicer features like a larger infotainment screen. CarBuzz also named the Kicks the best budget car of the year.

The balance of style, fun, features, and affordability Nissan has pulled off with the new Kicks earned it one of our most hotly contested award segments.

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2

Toyota Corolla Cross

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

Base MSRP: $24,035
Base Trim Horsepower: 169 HP @6600 RPM
Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined): 31/33/32 MPG
Base Trim Engine: 2L Dynamic Force I4 ICE

The Toyota Corolla Cross could be the best SUV under $25,000 for being so well-rounded and reliable. The Corolla Cross has three available trim levels—the L, LE, and XLE – but only the Corolla Cross L starts below $25k. With a starting MSRP of $24,035 (excluding the delivery charge of $1,350, of course), the L trim is a truly base-level subcompact SUV.

The interior is simplistic with manual seats and manual air conditioning. If you want to stay under the $25k price limit, your only option is front-wheel drive, but an all-wheel-drive version of the L trim is available for $25,335. On the bright side, this is the most powerful option on our list with 169 horsepower while getting good fuel economy in comparison to the rest of this list.

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3

Buick Envista

2025 Buick Envista

Base MSRP: $23,700
Base Trim Engine: 1.2L Turbo 3-Cylinder
Base Trim Horsepower: 137 hp
Base Trim Fuel Economy Equivalent (city/highway/combined): 28/32/30

General Motors fills the last few options for the best SUVs under 25k, starting with the Buick Envista. The 2025 Envista has three trim levels; the Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir, but only the Preferred falls under $25k, with the Sport Touring starting just barely out of our range. The Preferred trim has a base MSRP of $23,700 while the Sport touring starts at $25,100, both excluding the destination charge of $1,095.

Being a Buick, however, means the Envista gets some more features than a base-level Toyota, for example. This cheap SUV comes with an 11-inch infotainment system, 17-inch wheels, and available heated seats. Subjectively, the Buick Envista looks and feels good for being so cheap.

Even at the base level, the Buick Envista delivers a near-premium cabin at a budget price.

– Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz Editor-at-Large

4

Chevrolet Trax

2025 Chevrolet Trax

Base MSRP: $20,400
Engine: 1.2L Turbo 3 Cylinder Gas
Horsepower: 137 hp
Fuel Economy: 28/32 MPG

The last SUVs under $25k come with a Chevrolet badge on the front. The 2025 Chevrolet Trax is officially the cheapest option on this list with a starting price of $20,400. You can buy the Trax at five different trim levels—in order from cheapest to most expensive, your options are the LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and ACTIV.

Every trim level comes with the same 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that makes 137 horsepower, so the trims are differentiated by various cosmetic and convenience packages available per trim. Although not a great performer, the Trax has a substantial look about it and is very competitively priced.

Trim	LS	1RS	LT	2RS	ACTIV
Base Price	$20,400	$22,300	$22,500	$24,300	$24,300

5

Chevrolet Trailblazer

2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Engine: 1.2L Inline-3 Turbo Flex-fuel (FFV) | 1.3L Inline-3 Turbo
Horsepower: 137 hp (1.2L) | 155 hp (1.3L)
Fuel Economy: 29/33/31 mpg (1.3L FWD) | 30/31/30 mpg (1.2L FWD) | 26/29/27 mpg (1.3L AWD)

The next SUV under 25k according to our scoring is the Chevrolet Trailblazer. Chevrolet offers the Trailblazer in four trim levels: LS, LT, ACTIV, and RS. Only the first two start under $25,000. With front-wheel drive, the Trailblazer LS starts at a base price of $23,100 while the LT starts at $24,300 before the destination charge of $1,295. Both the LS and LT trims have the same 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that makes 137 horsepower as the Trax and Envista utilize, but a 1.3-liter turbo three-cylinder is available. For something a bit more practical and powerful than the Trax, the Trailblazer is a solid choice.

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Characteristics Of The Top-Rated SUVs Under $25k

If you’re looking for one of the best SUVs of 2025 under $25k, this is what you can expect:

Powertrain: Small three- or four-cylinder engines and an automatic gearbox are the most common powertrain setups in the segment as they offer sufficient power to move along without costing a fortune at the pumps. Front-wheel drive is generally standard, and while this setup does benefit mpg ratings, it means one would have to spend more to upgrade to all-wheel drive for improved traction.
Performance: Whether hybrid or gas, the power plants under the hoods of SUVs in this category are, most often, designed for casual, everyday use. Leisurely acceleration is common, but these cars are suitable for use in the city and for shorter trips.
Features: As manufacturers continue to try to outdo each other in providing the best SUV for the money, consumers benefit in that the majority of new cars come relatively well-equipped with safety and convenience basics. You’re likely to find cruise control, blind-spot assist, and parking sensors as standard on models in this price bracket, with some offering even more. The same applies to luxuries like higher-end sound systems and top-quality materials used in the cabins.
Quality and reliability: Perceived quality is understandably lower in this price range, with many cheaper SUVs having a few harder plastics and rougher edges inside. That said, the absence of many high-tech features means there is technically less to go wrong with these unpretentious crossovers.

What To Consider Before Buying

If you’ve got the money to spend on an SUV for around $25k or less, here are some of the things to keep in mind:

Pros

Frugal engines
Low purchase price
Practical interiors with more cargo space than small sedans
Appealing maintenance costs
Multiple choices from trusted brands

Cons

AWD and/or 4WD are not always available
Slow acceleration
Less luxury and opulence than more expensive rivals
You may have to budget a bit more for extra features on top of the MSRP
Safety tech may be more comprehensive on the upper, more expensive trims only

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What is the best SUV for no problems?

No car is perfect, but many SUVs on this list can be considered reliable. We recommend SUVs that have been on sale for longer, such as the Hyundai Venue. Being produced over a longer period of time often allows manufacturers to iron out any early issues.

Do dealerships allow for trade-ins of pre-owned SUVs?

Yes, many dealerships will accept fair trade-in deals for used automobiles, usually for a reduced cost on a second-hand offering.

Are less expensive SUVs still as good as the pricier versions?

Although you often pay for what you get, some SUVs in this price category match or surpass those in the class above.

Sources: Nissan, Toyota, Buick, Chevrolet

1 Nissan Kicks