Best SUVs Under $40k for 2025 | CarBuzz
If you’re on the lookout for a new vehicle with a good mix of practicality and affordability, then an SUV under $40,000 could be the right fit. These vehicles may not have all the bells and whistles, but they’ve all emerged from our testing program with high ratings, making them easy to recommend. Our top SUVs within this price range include several hybrids, but there are almost no fully electric models, many of which start at above $40k. We’ve carefully considered aspects like performance, design, quality, and value in putting together this group of the best SUVs under $40k.
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.
Kia Sorento Hybrid
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2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid
Our first best SUV under $40,000 is the Kia Sorento Hybrid. This three-row SUV has two trim levels, the EX and the SX Prestige, but only the EX starts in our budget at $38,690. Powering this hybrid Kia is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The interior can seat up to six passengers, with the second and third rows of seats having 40.7 inches and 29.6 inches of legroom, respectively. If you don't need to carry the whole family, but have a lot of cargo to haul, you can fold the seats down for a maximum of 75.5 cubic feet of space.
Despite being so frugal, the Sorento is plenty peppy with 227 horsepower on tap. The six-speed automatic transmission lacks the smoothness of the gas model's eight-speed dual-clutch or Toyota's hybrid CVT, but it's certainly not what we'd call jarring.
- Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz Editor-at-Large
Subaru Forester
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2025 Subaru Forester
For a new SUV under $40,000, consider taking a look at the Subaru Forester. This SUV comes in five trim levels; the first four of them start under $40k, and the base model's starting MSRP is $29,995. Even the Limited trim, which is runner-up to the top trim level, starts at $36,410. Powering the Forester is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that makes 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. This Subaru SUV can hold up to five people, and rear-seat passengers get 39.6 inches of headroom in the base trim, and 39.4 inches of legroom. Cargo capacity in the base trim ranges from 29.6 cubic feet in the trunk to 74.4 cubic feet behind the front seats.
The 2025 Subaru Forester is a pleasantly easy car to drive in general, but those who take a business-like approach to driving will need a heavy foot and will have to deal with the engine noise that comes with that. The new steering system, pulled from the WRX sedan, feels great and reacts exactly how you want it to. The CVT deals with the lack of power well and does the best it can with it.
- Ian Wright, CarBuzz
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Buick Envista
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2025 Buick Envista
The Buick Envista is the best SUV under 40k on this list for sheer value, as it starts at well under 25k. It's not the most luxurious SUV on the market, but its classier styling inside and out makes affordable look good. With that being said, it's also one of the least expensive models on this list. The Envista is available in three trims, and starts at just $23,800 for the base model Sport Touring version. This Buick is powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that makes 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Inside the Envista, there's room for up to five passengers, with the rear seats having 37.3 inches of headroom and 38.7 inches of legroom. Cargo capacity tops out at 42 cubic feet.
Buick has proved it's possible to make a premium-feeling car at a cheap price tag. Just don't expect a ton of power - or Mercedes-levels of opulence - and you won't be disappointed.
- Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz
Ford Explorer
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2025 Ford Explorer
One of the best SUVs under 40k for families is the Ford Explorer. In fact, it won CarBuzz's best family car of the year award last year. This large SUV with three rows is available in four trim levels, which start with the Active trim at a base price of $39,755. The base model might be the only trim within our budget, but it's still practical, comfortable, and capable. Under the hood is a 2.3-liter EcoBoosr four-cylinder that makes 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
On the inside, you can fit up to eight occupants; those in the second row have 39 inches of legroom and the third row has 32.2 inches. Cargo space is expansive with all the back seats down since it maxes out at 85.8 cubic feet.
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Buick Encore GX
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2025 Buick Encore GX
When looking for SUVs under 40k, some people might be surprised to see how many are actually relatively affordable. Another option for well under our budget today is the Buick Encore GX. This Buick SUV starts at just $26,000. Under the hood is either the 1.2L turbo three-cylinder with 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, or a 1.3L turbocharged three-cylinder with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft. The Encore seats up to five people; passengers in the rear seats get 38.1 inches of headroom and 36 inches of legroom. Cargo space in the trunk rests at 23.5 cubic feet, but that can be expanded to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats down.
Chevrolet Trax
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2025 Chevrolet Trax
Some of you might be in the market for an SUV under 40k, but you can cut that budget in half for this Chevrolet. The Chevy Trax starts at $20,500. It might not be as large or as capable as some others on this list, but it can still seat up to five people and has some decent cargo space for its class. The only option for a drivetrain is front-wheel drive, so you won't be making it too far off-road. Under the hood is a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that makes 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. As for interior space, the Trax has a maximum of 54.1 cubic feet of storage space behind the front seats, and rear-seat passengers have 38.1 inches of headroom and 38.7 inches of legroom.
2024 Chevrolet Trax exterior
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Chevrolet Trailblazer
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2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Another General Motors product to consider for a relatively affordable price is the Chevrolet Trailblazer. The Trailblazer is available in four trims, and comes in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The cheapest of the bunch, the LS trim, starts at $23,100. You also have the option to choose between the 1.2L or 1.3L engines with the same 137 hp and 155 hp as they have in other models. The Trailblazer fits up to five people, and the second row has 38.4 inches of headroom and 39 inches of legroom. Cargo space maxes out at 54.3 cubic feet.
Hyundai Tucson
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2025 Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is another SUV for an affordable price, fitting comfortably into our budget of under $40k. The Tucson has five trim levels; the base model SE trim starts at $28,605, but the range extends to the Limited version, which is still under budget with a base price of $38,645. Every trim is powered by the same 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder that makes 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The Tucson can seat up to five people. Those sitting in the second row have 39.5 inches of headroom and 41.3 inches of legroom. The trunk can fit 41.2 cubic feet of cargo, but that can expand to 80.3 cubic feet with the rear seats down, making it one of the most spacious compact crossovers.
2025 Hyundai Tucson Black Front Low Angle Driving in desert
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Volkswagen Tiguan
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2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
The only Volkswagen on the list comes in the form of the Tiguan. We still don't have all the information and specifications for the new Tiguan just yet, but the current 2024 model has a starting price of $28,880, so we can expect the next model year to be similarly priced. Volkswagen announced the powertrain for the 2025 model to be the same 2.0L turbo-four-cylinder, but this year it's tuned for an additional 17 horsepower for a total of 201 hp. The interior dimensions and cargo capacity are still unknown as well.
Chevrolet Equinox
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2025 Chevrolet Equinox
The last Chevrolet on this list is the Chevy Equinox; this Chevy SUV is available in three trims: the LT, RS, and Activ. The base model LT trim starts at $28,600. All three versions come with standard all-wheel-drive, and are equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. There are enough seats for up to five people, and passengers in the second row have 39.2 inches of headroom and 39.9 inches of legroom. As far as the cargo room goes, the trunk can fit 29.8 cubic feet, or fold the rear seats down for up to 63.5 cubic feet.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander-1
What To Consider When Buying The Best SUV For $40k
Buying a new car is always daunting, even if it’s a cheaper model. So ask yourself if you can get what you want from an SUV under $40,000 or if you should consider saving up a bit longer for something more expensive. If you're more interested in fast SUVs, you won't find them under $40k. To help you decide, these are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the best new SUV models under $40,000.
Pros
- Many models to choose from
- Hybrid powertrains available
- More practical than equivalent sedans
Cons
- Not many powerful models in this price range
- Electric models are generally priced above $40k
- Smaller, cheaper SUVs have limited off-road and towing capabilities
Sources: Subaru, Kia, Ford, Buick, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Nissan
