Top 10 Most Affordable SUVs in 2022

The Kona is an excellent SUV. It comes with standard features, has a fuel-efficient base engine, and provides confident handling and a smooth ride. It's also available with a powerful turbocharged engine and some premium options like leather and suede upholstery. The only major drawback is the cramped second-row seats and small cargo space. Anyone looking for an affordable and feature-rich small SUV should consider the Kona, priced at just $22,395.

Hyundai has given the Kona a refreshed exterior and interior for 2022, complete with even more impressive front-end styling than the 2021 model. New wheel designs, updated exterior lighting elements, a wider mouth grille, and evenly faux-slatted front and rear skid plates are all new styling highlights. Inside, the Kona gets a redesigned dashboard and some new optional amenities, including a new digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charging, and heated rear seats.

Mitsubishi hasn't made any significant changes to the Outlander Sport lineup. The only difference is that the Black Edition model is no longer offered. Instead, it has been replaced by Special Editions available on SE and GT trim levels. Most notable among these is an 8.0-inch touchscreen with integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other content with the upgrade includes black exterior accents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and red contrast stitching inside.

The braking distance of the Outlander Sport is average for its segment. Whether you opt for the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder or the optional 2.4-liter version, the EPA ratings of the Outlander Sport are competitive with its more modern rivals. The 2.0-liter engine is rated up to 24 mpg city and 30 highway. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats of the Outlander Sport easily fold down to create a flat cargo floor, but Mitsubishi can't hold as many luggage bags as many of its competitors. The relatively deep center console is a plus for the Outlander Sport.

The compact SUV Chevrolet Trax is built on the same platform as the Buick Encore. The Trax is a small SUV that can accommodate up to five people - as long as three passengers in the rear seats don't mind sitting close together. It comes with a 4-cylinder, turbocharged 1.4-liter engine, producing 155 horsepower, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Available in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. Competitors include the Kia Soul, Mazda CX-3, and Hyundai Venue. Easy to drive and park, the Trax is city-friendly in size, and the turbocharged four-cylinder operates reasonably fuel-efficiently. However, the Trax lacks many important active safety features.

The 2022 Trax LS models feature keyless entry into the fabric-covered cabin. The infotainment system comes with a seven-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker sound system, and AM/FM satellite radio for entertainment. The system integrates with Apple and Android smartphones. Enhanced Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities facilitate mobile device use while allowing internet access and hands-free phone use. Two USB ports keep devices powered. All vehicles come with a rearview camera for safe reversing.

Honda's smallest SUV, the HR-V, is known for packing a lot of convenience and smart features into a compact package. The HR-V is Honda's smallest crossover SUV, sitting below the sturdy CR-V, Passport, and Pilot in Honda's product lineup. The first generation of the HR-V is based on the Honda Fit hatchback and debuted in North America in 2016. Among its highlights are a large cargo area, excellent fuel efficiency, and a good amount of passenger space.

The 2022 Honda HR-V comes in four trims: LX, Sport, EX, and EX-L. The Sport trim is your best bet. It adds some entertainment features that the base trim doesn't provide while still retaining practical physical climate and audio controls. The base LX trim (MSRP: $21,420) comes standard with fabric seats, a 5-inch display, four-speaker audio, Bluetooth, USB port, 60/40 split Magic Seat, rearview camera, and alloy wheels. The Honda HR-V is one of the best bets for those looking to maximize interior space from a small-sized SUV.

Compact crossovers like the Chevy Trailblazer are the go-to vehicles for family-friendly, household staples. The Trailblazer serves as the smaller, more affordable alternative to the Chevy Blazer, delivering a spacious cabin in an easy-to-park package. The standard 137-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder engine, with an optional 155-horsepower three-cylinder engine, powers the front-wheel-drive models equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while all-wheel-drive comes with a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic.

The cabin design isn't as bold as the exterior, but it's spacious, practical, and equipped with many convenient amenities on the top trim. Higher trims add color-accented pieces and chrome decorations. The Trailblazer can comfortably accommodate adults in the rear seats. While not offering a particularly sporty chassis, the Trailblazer handles corners well enough. The most fuel-efficient Trailblazer, according to EPA, is the front-wheel-drive model with the larger 1.3-liter three-cylinder, achieving a rating of 29 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

The Kia Seltos, a compact and affordable SUV, comes in at just $23,805. Advanced safety technology is now standard across all trim levels; this includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver attention monitoring, and automatic high beams. For 2021, the Seltos did not offer these features on the base LX model. Seltos S models now come with the previously SX-exclusive 10.25-inch touchscreen; they also feature automatic climate control and remote start.

The new standard safety technology may enhance the appeal of the Seltos LX for safety-conscious shoppers, but Kia also introduces a new Nightfall Edition for those interested in the popular all-black aesthetic. Replacing the S Turbo in the Seltos lineup, the Nightfall Edition features a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, 18-inch matte black wheels, blacked-out grille, and what Kia calls rugged roof rails and door sills. Safety features aren't the only changes for the 2022 Seltos, as the updates come with corresponding price increases for most trim levels.

The Toyota Corolla Cross L establishes its reputation as a compact, reliable crossover with the amenities of its larger RAV4 counterpart. This Corolla Cross fills a small gap in Toyota's crossover lineup, between the larger RAV4 and subcompact CH-R. As its name suggests, the Corolla Cross shares mechanical underpinnings with the Corolla sedan and hatchback models. Drivers familiar with the Corolla sedan will immediately feel at home as the interior is a straight lift from the sedan.

The Corolla Cross presents an attractive choice for buyers who appreciate the value and reliability of the Corolla but desire the utility of a compact SUV. The all-wheel-drive test model accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 9.6 seconds. It's somewhat slow but not entirely surprising for an SUV. Everything from steering to brakes is tuned to provide comfort. The Corolla Cross offers suitable comfort for daily driving. The front seats have decent cushioning but are slightly short on thigh support for taller drivers.

The Jeep Renegade 2022 may not be the fastest, most efficient, or cheapest small SUV on the market, but it's certainly one of the most versatile. While competitors don't truly falter when faced with rough terrain or harsh weather, the Renegade's toughness brings unprecedented flexibility to challenging situations. The Trailhawk trim of the Renegade is especially ready for adventures with its enhanced suspension system, all-terrain tires, hill descent control, and standard four-wheel drive.

The Renegade has been on sale since 2015, making it a prime candidate for a redesign. However, Jeep doesn't overhaul its products frequently, and the 2022 Renegade soldiers on without any major changes. The previously available 2.4-liter engine is no more, leaving the turbocharged 1.3-liter engine as the sole powerplant for all Renegade models today. The Renegade's interior is open and spacious with ample head and shoulder room, even offering an optional panoramic sunroof.

If you're seeking a compact SUV with a comfortable interior, consider the 2022 Volkswagen Taos. You'll find turbocharged performance, advanced tech amenities, coupled with flexible seating to expand cargo space when needed. Delivering a smooth and enjoyable driving feel both in appearance and on the road, the 2022 VW Taos SUV takes pride in impressive fuel efficiency, especially when equipped with front-wheel drive.

The modern, appealing interior starts with the striking VW Digital Cockpit, displaying vital vehicle information through high-resolution graphics. You'll discover a turbocharged engine capable of performing under the hood of all three offered trim levels of the 2022 Volkswagen Taos. It features a cargo hold that accommodates an impressive amount of goods, spacious seating with support, and a comfortable ride. If you're in search of a small, practical, and fuel-efficient crossover, the Taos is worth considering.

The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek is a distinctive member of the small SUV/crossover segment. It comes with all-wheel drive as standard and offers a plug-in hybrid variant. Its generous ground clearance also means it can tackle deeper snow without getting stuck. Appealing with outdoor styling and a non-fussy demeanor, the 2022 Crosstrek carries many attributes of other conventional Subarus. It holds good value and boasts high safety scores.

The Crosstrek features the Active Torque Vectoring system, where the all-wheel-drive system directs power to specific wheels with the mission of monitoring through corners in a stable and composed manner. The 6-speed manual transmission allows drivers to maximize performance. The elevated driving position is distinctive, while average-sized adults sitting in the rear won't find much discomfort. The base Crosstrek 2022 is the most affordable, priced at just $24,920. The automatic transmission adds $1,350, bringing additional safety features and a more sophisticated all-wheel-drive system. The top-tier Limited trim comes with a $31,000 price tag.