These SUVs provide comparable performance and features to the Jeep Wrangler but with a lower price tag.
While the 2024 Jeep Wrangler is a highly capable SUV, it’s not for everyone. Some car buyers may find the Wrangler’s price tag to be too high or may not require its extensive off-road capabilities. In such cases, several cheap SUVs in the market offer impressive features without breaking the bank.
These SUVs provide comparable performance and features to the Jeep Wrangler, but with a lower price tag. Whether you’re in the market for a daily driver, a family hauler, or an off-road adventurer, these affordable options may be worth considering over the 2024 Jeep Wrangler.
10 2023 Ford Bronco Sport – $29,215
The Bronco Sport is among the few SUVs that are great for daily city commutes and off-road use. It has a compact body that’s more maneuverable than its larger sibling, the Bronco. The Bronco Sport also has a thoughtfully designed cabin with ample space to haul fishing poles, hiking boots, tents, and coolers.
The Bronco Sport boasts an attractive design with several neat innovations and an impressive amount of space. The Bronco Sport is a great family car thanks to the all-wheel drive system and reasonably powerful turbocharged 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engines.
9 2023 Ford Escape – $28,000
The Escape shares its platform with the Bronco Sport, which covers the small off-road SUV market perfectly. This leaves the Escape to pursue a softer lifestyle with its handsome styling and spacious cabin for passengers and cargo.
The Escape boasts a wide range of powertrains, including a 181 hp turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine. As standard, the engine sends power to the front wheels. However, Ford also offers optional all-wheel drive. The Escape also has a hybridized powerplant consisting of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors for a combined 210 hp.
8 2023 Honda CR-V – $28,410
The 2023 CR-V helps usher in the next generation of Honda’s compact SUVs. It has many comprehensive updates, making it one of the best family options. The 2023 model boasts a fully revamped chassis that’s both wider and longer.
The revised chassis offers more interior room while helping make the CR-V look brawnier and adventure-ready. Honda also improves the tech, giving the CR-V larger touchscreens, wireless smartphone control, and more advanced software.
7 2023 Toyota RAV4 – $27,975
The RAV4 is a 5-passenger compact SUV that aims to win over families with its blend of features, performance, and size. Toyota offers the RAV4 with multiple trim and powertrain options, including a more fuel-efficient hybrid.
The RAV4 also boasts a spacious and well-laid-out cabin. It features the latest Toyota infotainment systems, including wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The RAV4 also gets the newest safety systems with standard features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.
6 2023 Nissan Rogue – $27,760
The 2023 Nissan Rogue is great for road-tripping and errand running. It has a gentle nature and boasts a contemporary cabin with ample passenger and cargo room. The Rogue has a great list of standard convenience and technology features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Under the hood of the Rogue is a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine producing 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. As standard, the 3-cylinder sends power to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission. However, Nissan also offers all-wheel drive as an option.
5 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander – $27,595
The Outlander is among the best compact SUVs for families. It boasts seating for up to seven people, making it a great choice for navigating the city streets. The Outlander also has excellent pricing and a decent selection of standard safety features.
Its interior features nicer cabin materials than its predecessor, including a head-up display and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Mitsubishi also offers a moderately powerful 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque.
4 2023 Mazda CX-50 – $27,550
The CX-50 is among the latest additions to Mazda’s lineup. It offers sleek styling and upscale comfort like most of its Mazda siblings. However, unlike the CX-5, it offers better off-road capability and a more rugged focus.
The CX-50 competes with the Tucson, RAV4, and Nissan’s Rogue. It’s available with a decent selection of engines, including a 256 hp turbocharged engine. Like the CX-5, the CX-50 offers a five-passenger cabin. The cabin is spacious and has plenty of tech features, including an infotainment display with the Mazda Connect interface and an eight or 12-speaker stereo system.
3 2023 Hyundai Tucson – $26,900
The Tucson is among the few compact SUVs that check all the boxes. It boasts an excellent powerplant selection, including an efficient 4-cylinder engine, a gas-electric hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid. All these options give the Tucson a premium on-the-road feel.
While the base engine doesn’t offer the best performance, the hybrids provide additional punch. As for the interior, it’s spacious, with enough room for passengers and their cargo. The entire lineup also gets a decent host of standard features, including lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and forward collision avoidance.
2 2023 Subaru Forester – $26,495
The Forester is the perfect compact SUV for adventure-seeking families. It has a practical cabin and a rugged look that gives it its outdoorsy street cred. While it doesn’t drive like the CR-V or Tiguan, the Forester offers a comfortable and quiet ride.
The Forester has a large cargo area that makes larger items easy. Its cabin is spacious, too, with plenty of well-thought-out storage cubbies. Like most of its Subaru siblings, the Forester gets all-wheel drive and a generous suite of driver assistance features as standard.
1 2023 Kia Sportage – $26,290
For the 2023 model year, the all-new Kia Sportage has an increased size, striking exterior design, and new hybridized powertrains. Kia also offers a wide range of trims to choose from, making it easier for you to find the best one, depending on your needs.
Its larger size translates into more interior space filled with high-quality materials, making it feel more premium. The extra cargo and passenger room is ideal for families, but its larger dimensions affect its maneuverability in small parking spaces.
