What Is the Best Small SUV for the Money?

If you are a driver on a budget looking for the style and features of an SUV without the size and price-tag, you should consider a small, or compact, SUV. Small SUVs give you cargo space and a higher seating position, but they don’t take up a lot of room on the road, offer good fuel economy, and are more affordable than their larger counterparts. There are a variety of makes and models of compact SUVs on the market, all with good standard features and a range of eye-opening options.

To give you an idea of the choices available to you, here is a selection of the best small SUVs for your money.

GMC Terrain

Image via Flickr by truckhardware

The GMC Terrain offers you a quiet, comfortable ride at a starting price around $26,000. The base model of the 2020 GMC Terrain, the SL, comes equipped with some impressive safety features such as front pedestrian braking, lane departure warning, and forward automatic emergency braking. Standard models also have a fuel-efficient engine, plenty of back seat room, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. If you want a higher-powered turbo-charged engine, you can pay extra for that, though it is not nearly as efficient as the standard engine.

With its fold-down back seat to extend the cargo room, the GMC Terrain is good for shopping or out-of-town travel. Its size is well suited to city driving, making it an all-round practical choice.

Chevrolet Trailblazer

Starting at less than $20,000, the Chevrolet Trailblazer is among the most affordable compact SUVs. But the low price tag doesn’t mean it skimps on features. Trim styles start with the L, which offers standard features such as front pedestrian detection, forward collision alert, LED daytime running lights, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. If you’re willing to pay a bit more, you can go up to the LS, LT, RS, or ACTIV trim. These offer additional features such as a fold-down back seat, heated front seats, remote start, and LED taillights.

The standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine is more than sufficient for everyday driving. With the LS and LT trims, you can upgrade to a 1.3-liter engine and all-wheel drive. Whether you are driving around the city or taking the car off-road, the Trailblazer’s user-friendly controls and soft-touch surfaces will give you a comfortable and enjoyable ride.

Ford Escape

The redesigned 2020 Ford Escape is a roomy compact SUV that is both sporty and functional. You may pay a little more for an Escape than other small SUVs, but you’ll get your money’s worth in standard features. These features include spacious back seating, which is useful if you need to install a child safety seat, and a variety of driver assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring, curve control, and driver drowsiness monitoring.

Also standard with the Escape is a powerful 180 horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder engine that gives you quick acceleration and more than enough power for everyday driving. At 27 mpg in the city, its gas mileage is among the best in the category. If you want to improve on this, Ford also makes a hybrid version of the Escape.

Jeep Cherokee

The Jeep Cherokee is a good all-purpose compact SUV, whether you’re shuttling kids to their next event, picking up groceries, or taking the family on an off-road adventure. It’s comfortable seating, spacious interior, and easy-to-use infotainment system make the Cherokee a car to consider.

While the Cherokee handles well on the road, it is most notable for its off-road capabilities and impressive towing capacity. There are also special features for handling rough terrain and challenging weather conditions. These include Active Drive, which automatically engages four-wheel drive should the road surface become unstable, and Active Drive Lock, which provides added traction when off-roading.

There have been five generations of Cherokee, the fifth coming out in 2014. All models since 2014 come with features introduced with the fifth generation including rear-axle disconnect, which helps reduce energy consumption, and the Uconnect infotainment system. This is important to bear in mind if you plan to buy used. Models made from 2019 onward also come with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability as well as a well-organized 7-inch infotainment system as standard.

Chevrolet Trax

Image via Flickr by TuRbO_J

If you’re looking for a compact SUV that combines comfort, space, and agility, you need to look no further than the Chevrolet Trax. With high seating and plenty of headroom, the Trax is easy to get in and out of for most people. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly on highways and city streets. Whether cruising around town or navigating a parking lot, the Trax handles the road with agility, allowing you to maneuver with confidence.

The Chevrolet Trax comes with a nice set of standard features. These include a Wi-Fi hot spot, a responsive 7-inch infotainment screen, touch-screen navigation, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There is sufficient cargo space for your daily needs, but if you need a bit more room, the rear seats fold down to give you that extra capacity. The more expensive Premier model also offers you heated front seating and a sunroof.

There are also some impressive safety features on the Trax that are worth noting. These include a side blind zone alert, which warns you of oncoming vehicles in your blind spot as you change lanes, and a lane departure warning, which alerts you if you change lanes without signaling. You also get a free trial of OnStar services, which include a stolen vehicle locator and automatic crash response. The Trax’s five-star National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rating is well-earned.

This is just a small selection of the many compact SUVs available to you, but they are some of the best for your pocketbook. While they all have notable features, the Chevrolet Trax commends itself in terms of comfort, performance, and safety. If you would like more information about the Chevrolet Trax, feel free to contact us at any time. Alternatively, visit our home page and check out our full range of compact SUVs.