Yes—there are new SUVs with listed starting prices below $25,000, but the examples are small crossovers and the advertised starting price is not the amount you will necessarily pay. Used models widen the choice to compact, midsize and three-row SUVs, with condition and local pricing becoming decisive. The picks below separate current new-SUV listings from used-vehicle ranking leaders; neither list is a universal verdict.
What “under $25,000” means for these picks
The new-vehicle prices below are starting prices listed by Kelley Blue Book (KBB), not out-the-door quotes. Destination charges, dealer fees, taxes, incentives, trim and local inventory can change the final amount. If $25,000 is your total budget, ask for a written out-the-door price and leave room for required charges rather than shopping right up to a listed starting price.
Used-vehicle candidates are ranking leaders, not guaranteed bargains at that price. A model belongs on your shortlist only if its asking price, mileage, condition and history work for your budget. Prices and fuel-economy figures for the new examples reflect KBB pages accessed October 8, 2026; live listings can change.
Best new SUVs with listed starting prices below $25,000
KBB’s current listings show these examples below the price cap. Combined MPG is the figure displayed by KBB; confirm the exact trim and powertrain before comparing vehicles.
#1 Best Overall
| Model | KBB listed starting price | Combined fuel economy | Why consider it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Hyundai Venue | $21,695 | 31 MPG | Lowest listed starting price among these examples. Confirm the exact trim and page details for a direct comparison. |
| 2026 Chevrolet Trax | $23,495 | 29 MPG | A subcompact option with a listed price below the cap. |
| 2026 Nissan Kicks | $23,975 | 31 MPG | Highest listed combined fuel economy among the three examples with fully specified figures here. |
| 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer | $24,495 | 30 MPG | A further small-SUV option, but its starting price leaves little room under a $25,000 advertised-price ceiling. |
Source: Kelley Blue Book’s SUVs under $25,000 page, accessed October 8, 2026. Prices are KBB-listed starting prices, not local transaction or out-the-door prices. The 2026 Trax listing also displays KBB expert and consumer ratings of 4.3 and 4.6; the 2026 Kicks, 4.3 and 3.0; and the 2025 Trailblazer, 4.2 and 4.3. Those are KBB ratings, not crash-test or safety ratings.
How to read the new-SUV shortlist
The examples cluster around smaller crossovers. Choose among them by checking passenger and cargo needs, the exact trim’s equipment, and the final written price—not just the entry-level figure. KBB’s current Trax listing describes it as affordable and easy on the eyes; that is editorial opinion, not evidence about safety, repair costs or long-term ownership.
Used SUV picks by size and type
iSeeCars’ 2026 used-SUV ranking names different leaders by category. Its quality scores belong to that ranking and should be read as one publisher’s method, not as a universal measure or a prediction about an individual vehicle.
| Category | Ranking leader | iSeeCars quality score | What to verify on a specific vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subcompact | 2023 Honda HR-V | 9.0 | Price, mileage, title and accident history, service records and condition. |
| Small/compact | 2021 Honda CR-V | 8.5 | The same vehicle-specific checks, plus whether its space and equipment suit your needs. |
| Midsize | 2022 Nissan Murano | 8.2 | Condition and maintenance history; compare the listing with local alternatives. |
| Three-row | 2020 Honda Pilot | 8.1 | Inspect the vehicle carefully and confirm that the third row and cargo layout meet your needs. |
| Hybrid/PHEV | 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid | 8.0 | Confirm condition and service documentation, including the vehicle’s plug-in hybrid equipment. |
Source: iSeeCars’ used-SUV ranking. iSeeCars says its ranking draws on reliability, value retention and safety, including recent NHTSA crash-test results and IIHS Top Safety Pick information. It also says its broader analysis covers over 12 million new and used vehicles; the page does not give a publication year for that figure, so it should not be treated as a 2026-only sample. The ranking does not establish whether a specific local listing is fairly priced or well maintained.
How the rankings differ
A separate iSeeCars ranking of new SUVs under $25,000 lists the Mazda CX-3 (8.1), Chevrolet Trailblazer (7.6), Chevrolet Trax (7.4) and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (7.2) among its top subcompact options. These are iSeeCars scores from that ranking, not KBB ratings and not the same scoring scale as the used-SUV quality scores above. The lists can differ because publishers use different methods and organize categories differently.
Source: iSeeCars’ new-SUV ranking. Use each ranking to generate candidates, then compare vehicles on the facts that matter to your purchase.
Rank #4
How to choose between new and used
- Choose new if a small crossover meets your needs and a dealer can put the exact vehicle within your actual budget. Confirm the trim, required fees, available incentives and warranty terms in writing.
- Choose used if you need a larger body style, a third row or a wider range of models. Set aside time and money to check condition, records and inspection results; a ranking score cannot do that for a listing.
- Compare like with like. Check seat count and cargo space, EPA combined fuel economy for the exact powertrain, standard and optional equipment, and model-year-specific safety information. Do not compare one publisher’s rating directly with another’s.
Safety checks: use the exact model year and equipment
Do not infer crash protection from a vehicle’s size, a consumer rating or a ranking position. Look up crash-test information for the exact model year and check which driver-assistance features are fitted to the specific trim. A feature’s availability can vary by year and equipment.
A May 27, 2026 joint IIHS and Consumer Reports used-vehicle guide illustrates how criteria can be applied: its listed teen-driver vehicles weigh more than 2,750 pounds and earn a “good” IIHS driver-side small-overlap front rating. Its Best Choices also meet stated automatic emergency braking and headlight criteria. The release says its prices came from Black Book in April 2026 and are rounded median retail prices across trims of the earliest applicable model year. These are criteria and prices for vehicles on that guide’s list; they do not establish results for every SUV in this article.
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Used-SUV checks before you commit
- Check the VIN and recalls. Look for open recalls using the vehicle identification number, then review the relevant NHTSA and IIHS information for that model year.
- Review title and history. Confirm the title status and independently review accident and ownership history rather than relying only on a seller’s summary.
- Ask for service documentation. Compare available maintenance records with the vehicle’s age and mileage, and ask about gaps or major repairs.
- Inspect wear and condition. Check tires, brakes and visible condition. Arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic.
- Get the complete price in writing. Confirm the vehicle price, required fees, taxes and any conditions attached to the offer before signing.
Marketplace listings may contain seller-provided details that have not been verified. KBB’s terms say it is not a party to a sale originating on KBB.com and that listing information may not be verified or guaranteed. Treat any marketplace as a way to find candidates, not as a substitute for checking the vehicle, seller, price and transaction documents.
Quick Recap
Source: KBB terms of service.
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.
