The 15 Cheapest New SUVs and Crossovers of 2017

The diversity of today’s crossover and SUV market is staggering. Just a few decades ago, Ford Explorers and Chevrolet Blazers were just about the only sport-utility vehicles extant. SUVs come in such a wide variety of sizes and shapes now that it’s hard to make sense of the array.

If price is your top consideration while shopping for one of these practical, high-riding boxes, you’ve come to the right place. Here we’ve gathered the least expensive new crossovers for 2017, based on the lowest MSRPs for vehicles on sale now. Because “car” is in our name, we’ll say that shoppers would do well to also consider hatchbacks like, say, the 10Best Cars–winning Mazda 3 and Volkswagen Golf, but we’ve limited ourselves here to the ever popular crossover/SUV segment.

Before you flip through, a few notes: Many listed prices are for stripped-down base models lacking equipment most buyers seek in these vehicles, such as an automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, and even air conditioning in some cases. Better-equipped and more expensive versions are much more likely to be in stock at dealerships. Finally, all prices include the required destination and delivery charges.

Hyundai built its reputation on value, and while the Korean company’s prices have risen in recent years, the Tucson crossover is still a great deal in its base SE trim. Although it lacks the punchy turbocharged 1.6-liter engine found in higher Tucson trim levels, the base model’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder acquits itself well enough and is offered with all-wheel drive for another $1400. The Tucson does a good job of balancing style with practicality, and its standard equipment list is generous, too, with a backup camera, 17-inch wheels, Bluetooth, and keyless entry all included on the base model. RESEARCH THE TUCSON >>

Subaru is one of the few automakers that still offers a manual transmission on several of its crossovers (or wagonoid SUVs, if you will). Subtract the extra cost of an automatic transmission from the Forester’s already low base price, and the Subie undercuts several of its mainstream automatic-only competitors, including the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. The Forester is part of an even more exclusive club in that it offers standard all-wheel drive along with its six-speed manual transmission. If you’re willing to pay a bit extra, you can even get the better-equipped 2.5i Premium trim with the manual, which adds a sunroof, power seats, automatic climate control, and heated seats. RESEARCH THE FORESTER >>

While we wait for the redesigned 2017 Mazda CX-5 to go on sale, the outgoing model remains a solid choice among compact crossovers. And it even still offers a manual transmission on its base Sport trim level-there’s no word yet whether the new one will retain a self-shifting option. Admittedly, you’re stuck with a somewhat underpowered 2.0-liter four-cylinder base engine making just 155 horsepower, and you can’t opt for all-wheel drive with the stick shift. The CX-5’s sharp handling and attractive looks inside and out help compensate. RESEARCH THE CX-5 >>

Like the larger Forester, the Impreza-based Subaru Crosstrek offers the rare combination of all-wheel drive and a manual transmission. In this case, it’s a five-speed, and it mates with a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 148 horsepower. The lowest-priced 2.0i trim level comes with a backup camera, Bluetooth, and keyless entry, while the 2.0i Premium (which is also available with a manual) adds heated seats. For those who would like to stay on Subaru’s cutting edge, an all-new Crosstrek will arrive in just a few months; as such, more budget-minded buyers may be able to get a great deal on the outgoing model as dealers sell off inventory before the new one arrives. RESEARCH THE CROSSTREK >>

By far the largest crossover on this list, the Dodge Journey is an aging entry in the mid-size-SUV field that has been around for nearly a decade. It’s so old, in fact, that the base SE model with that low, low price comes standard with a four-speed automatic in an era when many cars have six-, eight-, or even 10-speed transmissions. If your sole priority is space per dollar, however, and you can forgive a lackluster driving experience, it’s hard to beat the Journey; a third-row seat is $1995 extra on the SE model and gives the Dodge the honor of being among the cheapest ways to get seven seats in a new vehicle. RESEARCH THE JOURNEY >>

Think of the Trax as a raised Chevrolet Sonic hatchback with available all-wheel drive, and you get the idea. There’s not much that stands out about the bland-looking and inexpensively trimmed Trax, but the driving experience is inoffensive, and it offers a decent amount of standard equipment. For the sub-$22,000 base price of a front-wheel-drive LS model, you get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, keyless entry, and Bluetooth. RESEARCH THE TRAX >>

Nissan’s funky little Juke crossover is nearing the end of its life span, with a redesigned model rumored to appear within the next year or so. We still think the current Juke’s styling is pretty cool, and it is the most powerful crossover on this list with its standard 188-hp turbocharged four-cylinder. Sadly for driving enthusiasts, Nissan has dropped the manual transmission from the standard Juke lineup, so a CVT is your only choice to manage that power unless you opt for the sportier and costlier Juke NISMO. The S model’s list of standard equipment is long-push-button start, Bluetooth, a backup camera, and 17-inch wheels are all included-making us wonder why you’d step up to the more expensive Juke SV and SL models. RESEARCH THE JUKE >>

The 500X crossover, which shares its underpinnings with the Jeep Renegade, was meant to be the Fiat brand’s sales savior in the United States. That didn’t exactly play out: The 500X trailed the diminutive 500 hatchback in sales in 2016, while Fiat sales dropped 24 percent overall for the year. It sure is cute, though, and the 500X also handles well. A somewhat cheaply made interior is more forgivable in the less expensive versions of the 500X than it is when the price nears $30,000, as it can on higher trim levels. The base powertrain, a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder mated to a six-speed manual transmission, also provides competitive performance and imbues the little Fiat with a greater fun-to-drive index than you’d expect. RESEARCH THE 500X >>

Created during far darker days for Chrysler’s Jeep division, the Dodge Caliber–based Compass has long outlasted its welcome. Admittedly, it’s still selling in decent numbers, so it’s no surprise that Jeep decided to keep it around for the 2017 model year even as the company has introduced an all-new Compass that is decidedly more appealing. We don’t yet have pricing for the redesigned version, however, so the old Compass still makes the list due to its low base price. Production of the old Compass ended last year; however, there’s a good chance that shoppers will be able to find heavily discounted examples sitting around at dealerships, which sweetens the deal a bit for this outdated small SUV. RESEARCH THE COMPASS >>

Given how much smaller it is than the CX-5, you might expect the price gap between that model and the diminutive Mazda CX-3 to be more than just $1875. But the littler Mazda doesn’t offer a manual transmission as standard, so a comparable CX-5 with an automatic would actually cost $3800 more. Like other Mazdas, the CX-3 is fun to drive, stylish, and nicely trimmed inside, although its small cargo hold and cramped rear seat keep it from being as practical as competitors such as the roomier Honda HR-V. For less than $21,000, the entry-level Sport trim is well equipped, coming standard with push-button start, a backup camera, and Bluetooth, while all-wheel drive is the only option, at $1250. RESEARCH THE CX-3 >>

The vast majority of Mitsubishi’s U.S. sales come from crossovers, and the automaker offers the Outlander SUV in two strengths: the standard seven-seat version and the smaller, cheaper Outlander Sport. The Mitsubishi wouldn’t be our first choice if we were looking for a compact SUV, because its interior materials are mostly low rent, and its driving experience is not up to par with competitors. But it looks decent and offers a good amount of standard equipment on the base ES model with a five-speed manual transmission, including automatic climate control, 18-inch wheels, keyless entry, and Bluetooth. RESEARCH THE OUTLANDER SPORT >>

Honda’s smallest SUV carries a small price tag in its base LX form, which comes standard with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission. Compared with the optional, $800 continuously variable automatic, the stick shift helps the driver make the most of the HR-V’s paltry 141 horsepower, even if it can’t be paired with the optional all-wheel drive. You must step up to the pricier EX and EX-L models to get features such as heated seats, leather, and navigation, but the LX retains traditional volume and tuning knobs rather than the frustrating capacitive-touch interface found on the infotainment system in higher-trim HR-Vs. And it still includes features like Bluetooth, a backup camera, and 17-inch wheels even if you don’t splurge for the fancier trims. RESEARCH THE HR-V >>

The Patriot nameplate isn’t long for this world. Jeep is replacing both the current Patriot and Compass with an all-new Compass slated to go on sale later this year. But you can still buy a 2017 Patriot at your local Jeep dealer for now, and if this boxy Jeep strikes a chord, you’re likely to get quite a deal. The base price sneaks in just under $20,000 for a stripped-out Patriot Sport with a five-speed manual and crank windows; if you commit to negotiating hard, you just may be able to snag a better-equipped model for significantly less than even this entry-level sticker price. RESEARCH THE PATRIOT >>

Among the growing field of small crossovers, the Jeep Renegade might be the best representation of the “cheap and cheerful” ideal. Its cute looks represent half of that equation, with classic Jeep styling cues like the slatted front grille boiled down to a smaller size in this application. The price is certainly enticing, too, although you don’t get much bang for your buck in the base, sub-$19,000 Sport model that does without niceties such as air conditioning, cruise control, or even power mirrors. You’ll quickly top $20,000 if you add even a few conveniences, but even at that price, the Renegade strikes us as a good value. RESEARCH THE RENEGADE >>