9 Best Subcompact SUVs for the Money in 2021

$22,245 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.3/10

Value: The Subaru Crosstrek has one of the highest starting prices among subcompact SUVs. Only the luxury-grade Buick Encore will cost you more. In addition, the Crosstrek’s $26,552 target price is higher than all but two subcompact crossovers. With that said, this Subaru will cost you less to own than most rivals. Its projected five-year ownership cost comes in around $37,000.

The Crosstrek returns good fuel economy, especially for a crossover with all-wheel drive as standard. However, it has a below-average predicted reliability rating.

Quality: The Subaru Crosstrek places toward the middle of our subcompact SUV ranking due to its lackluster base engine, middling cabin quality, and lack of sportiness. Its ride is a bit firm, and it exhibits more body roll than many rivals. However, it has plenty of ground clearance, and it can hold its own pretty well off the pavement.

The Crosstrek features a composed ride, spacious seats, a roomy cargo hold, and a history of respectable safety scores. Niceties like a touch-screen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto come standard, but you have to pay extra for an automatic transmission, which also adds the EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technology.

$23,200 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.4/10

Value: The Buick Encore is the priciest subcompact SUV you can buy, though Buick tends to offer appealing incentives that make it more affordable. Its $24,854 target price places it in the middle among subcompact SUVs, but its $40,394 projected five-year cost of ownership is higher than all but one other classmate.

The Encore returns competitive fuel economy and earns a good predicted reliability rating.

Quality: The Buick Encore is a good SUV for shoppers who prioritize interior quality, ultra-supportive seats, and a serene ride. It has enough room in its luxury-grade cabin for four adults to fit comfortably, as well as competitive cargo space. The Encore is also easy to maneuver in tight spaces, but its engine is underpowered, and it’s not as agile as rivals.

The Encore comes with attractive standard features, such as a straightforward touch screen, smartphone connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. However, to get active safety aids, you have to step up from the base model to the Preferred trim and add a package. To get the Encore’s full set of safety systems, you have to add two packages. Front-wheel drive comes standard, though all-wheel drive is available.

$21,020 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.4/10

Value: The Honda HR-V has an MSRP that’s lower than a few subcompact SUVs, but it’s still more expensive than most. The same can be said about its average purchase price of $24,940. At nearly $40,000 to own over five years, the HR-V will cost you more than most subcompact SUVs.

The HR-V gets fantastic gas mileage, but its predicted reliability rating is merely average.

Quality: The Honda HR-V is arguably one of the most well-rounded and practical subcompact SUVs available today thanks to its huge cargo hold, spacious second-row seats, superb fuel economy, and fantastic maneuverability. It also offers all-wheel drive and delivers sporty handling and a relatively comfortable ride. However, its lone engine is weak, and it’s light on standard niceties.

This Honda crossover earns decent ratings in crash tests, but it doesn’t have any advanced driver-assist systems as standard. The HR-V LX base model has a 5-inch infotainment display, Bluetooth, and Honda’s Magic Seat. If you step up one notch to the Sport model, you get a touch screen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, but the infotainment system can be distracting to operate. You have to choose the $24,220 EX trim to get the Honda Sensing suite of safety features.

$20,640 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.3/10

Value: The Mazda CX-3’s starting price is slightly above average, but its target price undercuts a handful of rivals, at just $21,605. The CX-3 also has a lower estimated total cost of ownership than a few subcompact SUVs, at $37,663.

The CX-3 isn’t as reliable as many competitors, but it does return some of the best mpg ratings in the class.

Quality: If you’re in the market for a sporty subcompact crossover, the Mazda CX-3 is tough to beat. It boasts peppy acceleration, lithe handling, and responsive steering. However, this Mazda isn’t the best option if you need spacious accommodations. Its rear seats are cramped and its cargo area is small. It also suffers from a lack of adequate power at highway speeds.

The CX-3 features a premium cabin, supportive front seats, and excellent crash test ratings. It’s only available in one well-equipped trim, which includes a touch screen, voice recognition, and smartphone connectivity. All-wheel drive is available.

The CX-3 also comes standard with Mazda’s i-Activsense suite of safety technologies. The suite is loaded with the usual safety systems, as well as advanced features like adaptive headlights, rain-sensing wipers, day and night pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality.

$19,300 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.6/10

Value: The Nissan Kicks is well-priced for a subcompact SUV, especially when considering its wealth of standard features. Its $21,563 target price and $35,608 five-year cost of ownership are both only bested by two subcompact SUVs on our list.

The Kicks returns excellent fuel economy. It doesn’t yet have a rating for predicted reliability.

Quality: Nissan refreshed the Kicks for the 2021 model year. It features a modern and well-built cabin, two rows of roomy and supportive seats, and relaxed ride quality. The Kicks also has one of the largest cargo capacities in its class. However, it lags behind rivals’ acceleration, and all-wheel drive isn’t available.

The Kicks comes standard with a touch screen and the latest smartphone app integration. While the infotainment system is easy to use, it isn’t as brilliant or impressive as many rivals’ systems. A full assortment of advanced driver-assist systems is standard as well.

$21,900 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.2/10

Value: The CX-30 is more expensive than many subcompact SUVs, and its target price and total cost of ownership are high as well. In fact, its $26,787 average purchase price is just shy of the highest on our list. At $41,520, it will cost you over $1,000 more to own the CX-30 than any subcompact SUV featured here.

The CX-30’s fuel economy and predicted reliability are both about average.

Quality: The Mazda CX-30’s quality more than balances out its higher cost, which is why it secures a spot ahead of many contenders for our 2021 Best Subcompact SUV for the Money award.

The CX-30 joined Mazda’s lineup as an all-new subcompact crossover for the 2020 model year. Much like most Mazda vehicles, it boasts athletic handling, a comfortable ride, a first-rate interior, and stellar crash test ratings. The CX-30 isn’t notably quick off the line, but its engine delivers sufficient power for most driving situations. A strong turbo-four engine and all-wheel drive are available.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 features good passenger space, especially for a sports-oriented subcompact crossover. Its cargo hold is also easy to load thanks to its low lift-in height and a wide opening, though it’s not as spacious as rivals. This Mazda comes equipped with a large infotainment display with smartphone connectivity and voice recognition, but it’s not a touch screen. Other standard features include a Wi-Fi hot spot and a long list of advanced driver-assist systems.

$18,750 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.7/10

Value: Only one other subcompact SUV has a lower starting price than the Hyundai Venue. Following suit, its target price and total cost of ownership are the lowest on our list, at $20,806 and $34,899, respectively.

The Venue gets superb fuel economy estimates and has an above-average predicted reliability rating. Like all Hyundai vehicles, the Venue is covered by a long warranty.

Quality: We chose the Hyundai Venue as a finalist for our 2021 Best Subcompact SUV for the Money award. Its engine isn’t powerful, and it doesn’t have much cargo space, but it's practical, comfortable, and easy to maneuver. The Venue also has an upscale cabin, especially considering its starting price. Despite its small footprint, its rear seats provide enough room for two adults.

The Venue has a history of good crash test ratings. Moreover, since it was a brand-new model in 2020, it comes standard with the latest active safety technologies. This Hyundai also features a large and intuitive touch-screen infotainment system and smartphone app connectivity. However, you can’t get the Venue with all-wheel drive.

$20,400 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10

Value: The Hyundai Kona is cheaper to buy than many subcompact SUVs, but shoppers tend to spend more on it than you would expect, at $26,822. That’s the highest target price among rivals. The Kona’s $36,641 five-year cost of ownership is reasonable, however.

The Kona’s fuel economy estimates are competitive, and it receives an above-average rating for predicted reliability. It’s covered by one of the best warranties in the industry.

Quality: The Hyundai Kona is a finalist for our 2021 Best Subcompact SUV for the Money award. Despite its reasonable price, it has a lot to offer today’s SUV shoppers. In fact, the Kona tops our subcompact SUV ranking and earns terrific crash-test ratings. However, if you need a roomy second row and/or a large cargo area, this isn’t the subcompact crossover for you. 

The Kona handles well, rides smoothly, and has an upmarket cabin. Its front seats are comfortable and supportive, and its second row should fit children just fine. Adults who aren’t too tall could also ride back there for shorter trips. The Kona’s base four-cylinder engine gets the job done, but a more energetic turbo-four is available. All-wheel drive is available, too.

$17,490 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10

Value: The Kia Soul is the least-expensive new subcompact SUV on the market today. Its $21,068 target price is only undercut by its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Venue. The Soul’s estimated five-year cost of ownership comes in slightly above the Venue’s, at an impressive $35,142.

The Soul gets typical gas mileage for a subcompact crossover. It’s covered by an industry-leading warranty, and it earns an above-average predicted reliability rating.

Quality: We named the Kia Soul the winner of our 2021 Best Subcompact SUV for the Money award. While it doesn’t offer all-wheel drive, and it’s not agile or highly capable, the Soul is arguably the most practical vehicle you can get at its price point. It has tons of space for passengers and cargo, and it’s an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 2020 Top Safety Pick.

The Soul’s base engine won’t wow you, but the available turbo-four delivers quick acceleration. Its interior focuses on function over form, so don’t expect an abundance of top-notch materials. Inside, you’ll find a user-friendly touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a rear-seat reminder. 

This Kia is available with a full array of active safety systems, as well as navigation, heated seats, a sunroof, wireless device charging, a 10.25-inch touch screen, and more. It’s important to note that the Soul comes standard with a manual transmission, though an automatic is available.

If you need to do more research before choosing the subcompact SUV that’s best for you, visit our subcompact SUV ranking. In addition, you can check out our new car deals and lease deals pages to get an idea of what you might actually pay for one of our 2021 Best Subcompact SUVs for the Money.

To see our other best cars for the money, peruse our 2021 Best Cars for the Money slideshow.

When you’re ready to move forward, be sure to use our U.S. News Best Price Program to find the dealer in your area offering the best prices. Shoppers who use the program to buy or lease a new car save an average of over $3,000 off MSRP.