Buying a new SUV is just the first step. The real cost of ownership comes down the road with maintenance, repairs, and fuel. While you can easily find the sticker price of a new SUV online, understanding long-term expenses is crucial for budget-conscious buyers. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of 10 of the Cheapest Suvs to maintain in 2024.
Our selection focuses on vehicles known for their mechanical simplicity, fuel efficiency, and strong reliability ratings. We’ve prioritized SUVs with standard-grade fuel requirements, reasonable tire sizes, and valuable perks like extended warranties and complimentary maintenance. This list includes a variety of SUV sizes and price points, ensuring there’s a budget-friendly option for everyone without sacrificing practicality. We’ve ranked these SUVs based on their approximate starting prices, keeping in mind that depreciation, while a real cost of car ownership, isn’t a direct maintenance expense and therefore isn’t factored into our ranking.
1. 2020 Hyundai Venue: The Subcompact Leader in Low Maintenance
Hyundai kicks off our list with the 2020 Venue, thanks to its exceptional warranty and included maintenance. Hyundai’s industry-leading warranty boasts 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain and 5 years or 60,000 miles for most other components. Adding even more value, Hyundai offers 3 years or 36,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance at dealerships. This combination of warranty and free maintenance is unmatched by non-luxury brands, making Hyundai SUVs incredibly appealing for buyers watching their wallets.
The 2020 Hyundai Venue, the smallest and most affordable SUV in their lineup, is a standout for low maintenance. While technically a subcompact crossover and lacking all-wheel drive, the Venue provides the elevated driving position and practical cargo space SUV buyers appreciate. Starting at a budget-friendly $17,350, the Venue also boasts an EPA-estimated 32 mpg combined, further reducing running costs.
2. 2021 Kia Seltos: Value and Style with Long-Term Peace of Mind
Kia, Hyundai’s corporate cousin, mirrors Hyundai’s impressive warranty, offering 5 years or 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain. This robust warranty coverage minimizes potential out-of-pocket repair costs for years to come, beyond routine maintenance like oil changes and tire replacements.
The 2021 Kia Seltos, a stylish and value-packed subcompact crossover, is a particularly smart choice for low maintenance. The Seltos presents a more refined and SUV-like experience compared to many rivals. Starting at $21,990, it achieves up to 31 mpg combined. While a turbocharged engine with a dual-clutch transmission is available for driving enthusiasts, the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a CVT is the more sensible choice for low maintenance. This simpler powertrain is not only more affordable but also delivers better fuel economy and is known for its long-term reliability.
3. 2020 Nissan Rogue: A Dependable and Spacious Compact SUV
The 2020 Nissan Rogue, a consistently popular compact SUV in the US market, is another excellent option for budget-conscious buyers focused on long-term affordability. Starting at $25,300, the Rogue emphasizes simplicity and proven reliability.
Powered by a dependable 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the Rogue offers user-friendly controls and class-leading interior space. It prioritizes practicality and dependability over flashy features, making it a smart choice for those seeking a reliable and easy-to-maintain SUV. While newer competitors might offer more advanced features or quicker acceleration, the Rogue excels in providing consistent, reliable value. It’s important to differentiate the Rogue from the Rogue Sport, which, despite the similar name and styling, offers less space, less power, and lower fuel economy.
4. 2020 Toyota RAV4: Fuel Efficiency and Toyota Reliability in a Compact Package
Toyota, renowned for its reliability, further reduces ownership costs with two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance. The 2020 Toyota RAV4, Toyota’s best-selling compact crossover, excels in fuel economy and is known for its long-term dependability, contributing to lower maintenance expenses.
The gasoline-powered RAV4 achieves up to 30 mpg combined, among the best in its class. It utilizes a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission instead of a CVT in its standard gasoline model, known for its robustness. However, for even greater fuel savings, the RAV4 Hybrid model is available, boosting fuel economy to an impressive 40 mpg. Toyota’s hybrid technology is also well-established and highly reliable. The 2020 RAV4 starts at $25,950 for the gasoline version and $28,350 for the hybrid.
5. 2020 Subaru Outback: The Wagon-SUV Hybrid with Standard AWD and Value
The Subaru Outback, blurring the lines between wagon and SUV for over two decades, offers a unique blend of practicality and value. With standard all-wheel drive, a generous 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and a spacious interior, it rivals traditional crossover SUVs in capability and functionality while often being more affordable to maintain.
The Outback stands out with generous standard features, impressive fuel economy (up to 29 mpg with the base engine, 26 mpg with the turbo), and a competitive starting price of $26,645. The 2020 redesign brought improvements in ride quality, handling, fuel efficiency, and interior refinement, while retaining its rugged character. In certain regions outside of Subaru’s typical strongholds, buyers may also receive two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance, further lowering initial ownership costs.
6. 2020 Toyota Highlander: A Spacious and Reliable Three-Row SUV
For families needing more space, the 2020 Toyota Highlander, a three-row SUV seating up to eight passengers, is a strong contender for low maintenance in its class. Building on Toyota’s reputation for reliability and including two years or 25,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance, the Highlander stands out for minimizing running costs.
Redesigned for 2020, the Highlander comes standard with a powerful yet fuel-efficient V6 engine, achieving up to 24 mpg combined – remarkable for a large and capable SUV. The Highlander Hybrid elevates fuel efficiency further, reaching an exceptional 36 mpg with its four-cylinder hybrid powertrain. While not the absolute cheapest three-row SUV upfront (starting at $34,600 for gasoline, $38,400 for hybrid), the Highlander’s lower running costs and renowned reliability make it one of the most affordable to own in the long run.
7. 2020 Jeep Wrangler: Surprisingly Efficient and Holds Its Value
The Jeep Wrangler, famous for its off-road prowess, might not immediately come to mind as a low-maintenance vehicle. However, the latest generation Wrangler has become surprisingly fuel-efficient, making it a more practical choice for daily driving and reducing long-term running costs. While it’s one of the pricier mid-size SUVs without a luxury badge (starting around $30,000 for a basic two-door), the Wrangler offers unique advantages.
Recent redesigns have improved aerodynamics, and powertrain options now include economical four-cylinder and diesel engines. The Wrangler achieves up to 25 mpg combined, surpassing some Jeep crossovers. Furthermore, the Wrangler is known for exceptional value retention, holding its value far longer than typical SUVs, which can offset higher initial costs over time.
8. 2020 BMW X1: Entry-Level Luxury with Included Maintenance
Luxury vehicles are often associated with high maintenance costs, but some brands offer perks that can mitigate these expenses. BMW, for instance, provides three years or 36,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance, covering typical lease terms and reducing out-of-pocket expenses during the initial ownership period.
The 2020 BMW X1 subcompact crossover is our pick for a luxury SUV that can be relatively inexpensive to maintain. Its four-cylinder engine achieves a respectable 27 mpg (premium fuel required) and boasts a good reliability track record. The X1 delivers the sporty handling, brisk acceleration, and upscale interior expected from a BMW, combined with a surprisingly spacious cabin for its class. To keep maintenance costs down, avoid optional “sport” packages with larger wheels and performance tires, as these will increase replacement costs. The BMW X1 starts at $35,200.
9. 2020 Jaguar E-Pace: Luxury Style with Extensive Free Maintenance
Jaguar stands out in the luxury segment for low maintenance costs thanks to its generous five years or 60,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance – the longest offered by any brand in the US market. This comprehensive coverage significantly reduces ownership expenses for the first several years.
The 2020 Jaguar E-PACE, the brand’s entry-level subcompact crossover, offers maximum value with a starting price of $39,950. Even as the entry-level model, the E-Pace delivers striking Jaguar styling, a sporty driving experience, and a luxurious interior. To minimize maintenance costs, it’s advisable to avoid the optional 20-inch wheels, as replacement tires for larger rims are considerably more expensive.
10. 2020 Tesla Model Y: Electric SUV with Minimal Upkeep
Electric vehicles (EVs) are inherently designed for lower operating costs compared to gasoline cars. Electricity is typically cheaper per mile than gasoline, and EVs eliminate the need for oil changes and coolant flushes. Regenerative braking in EVs also reduces wear on brake pads, extending their lifespan. With fewer moving parts in an electric motor compared to a combustion engine, EVs also promise lower long-term repair costs.
While the electric SUV market was still developing in 2020, the Tesla Model Y emerged as a compelling option. Unlike some early electric SUVs that were more akin to hatchbacks, the 2020 Tesla Model Y is a true SUV rivaling gasoline-powered luxury SUVs like the Acura RDX and Audi Q5. Starting at $52,990, the Model Y requires a higher initial investment, but the significantly lower running and maintenance costs of an EV can lead to substantial savings over the vehicle’s lifespan.
