The car market has never been so full of SUVs and crossovers as it is now, and with even $20k being enough to buy you a good SUV these days, you’re sure to find some of the best SUVs under $50,000. With the list of excellent SUVs under $50k offering variations in size, levels of luxury, and power on tap, there’s something for every shopper in the USA. You can even find products from upper-crust brands like Lexus, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW – and there are even some EVs that come in well under the $50k mark. Here are the best SUVs for under $50k in 2025.

Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available.

1

Mazda CX-90

With a great BuzzScore of 8.8 out of 10, the best SUV under $50,000 is the Mazda CX-90. Like other Mazdas, this SUV looks and feels more premium than the price would suggest. It might not be the cheapest option on our list, but for a base price of $38,045 before destination charges and other fees, the CX-90 is a premium family SUV. There are six trims in total, but only the first four start under 50k. These all come with a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six that makes 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. The two trims over our budget have the same engine, but are tuned for a maximum of 340 hp and 369 lb-ft.

Whether it’s a day’s adventure during the summer or a week-long excursion, the ride in the CX-90 is smooth and quiet. Rough pavement is largely muted both in terms of sound and vibration. If the kids doze off, they’re not going to be jostled awake the first time you’re in a construction zone.

– Nicole Wakelin, CarBuzz

2

Volvo XC40

The next best SUV under 50k is another high-end option: the Volvo XC40. Volvo has a knack for creating beautifully modern cars with sharp lines and simple design language while simultaneously drawing people into a welcoming and comfortable driving experience. They might seem simple at a glance, but they’re often filled with nice features and tech. The most basic XC40, the Core trim, starts at $40,650. For that price, you get a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder mild hybrid that makes 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Out of the three trims available, only one starts over our price limit, but it still carries the same powertrain.

3

Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is among the best SUVs under 50k for those who want a reliable and practical family-hauler, but also might have a more adventurous spirit for weekend camping trips and getaways. There’s a reason it was the best-selling vehicle in the United States last year—taking the title from the Ford F-150, which held the title for over four decades. There are four gas versions and seven hybrids, and all of them start under our budget. The cheapest is the LE trim at $29,250. Depending on which variant you choose, the RAV4 has either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 203 hp and 184 lb-ft, or a hybrid version of the same engine that makes 219 combined horsepower. Finally, there’s a plug-in hybrid with over 300 hp.

4

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

An SUV that toes the line closer to our budget is the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class. It might be a bit more expensive than the rest of the options on the list, but it’s a Mercedes-Benz, so you can expect every bit of the usual luxury and comfort that the brand provides. If you can afford to spend at least $45,800, then the GLB 250 could be a worthy investment. This is the only normal trim of the GLB for now, and it’s powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. However, there’s an AMG version of the GLB that starts at a touch over $60k—this one has another 2.0L engine, but it’s tuned for more power.

5

Subaru Forester

When looking at SUVs under 50k, consider the Subaru Forester. There are a staggering ten variants of the Forester between regular gas models and hybrids; the base model, actually called the Base trim, has a starting MSRP of $29,995. Even the Touring Hybrid trim, which is the top trim level, starts at just $41,695. Despite having so many trims of the car, every one of them has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine. While there are different tunes for some trims, the base level is 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Hybrid versions of the same powertrain increase output to a combined 194 horsepower and 199 lb-ft.

The 2025 Subaru Forester is a pleasantly easy car to drive in general, but those who take a business-like approach to driving will need a heavy foot and will have to deal with the engine noise that comes with that. The new steering system, pulled from the WRX sedan, feels great and reacts exactly how you want it to. The CVT deals with the lack of power well and does the best it can with it.

– Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz

6

Buick Envista

The Buick Envista is another SUV under $50,000 that’s on this list for sheer value, as it starts at well under 25k despite looking more premium on the outside. It’s not the most luxurious SUV on the market, but its classier styling inside and out makes it affordable look good. With that being said, it’s also one of the least expensive models on this list. The Envista is available in three trims, and starts at just $23,800 for the base model Sport Touring version. All three trims of the Envista are powered by the same 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that makes 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque.

7

Nissan Rogue

The Nissan Rogue is one of the handful of models that starts at under 30 grand; you can cut your budget by a considerable amount while still getting a practical compact SUV. It doesn’t always meet the expectations of its direct competitors, the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, but there’s some charm left in the higher trims. There are four FWD trims, starting with the S at $28,590 and ending with the Platinum, but there’s a new trim called the Rock Creek that’s only available with AWD for a minimum of $33,490. Every trim is powered by a 1.5-liter three-cylinder that makes 201 hp and 225 lb-ft.

8

Ford Explorer

Not only is the Ford Explorer a contender for the title of best SUV for 50k, but it actually won CarBuzz’s best family car of the year award for 2025. The Explorer is available in four trim levels, but only two are under our price limit; the Active is the cheapest at $39,785, and the ST-Line starts at $44,595. The most luxurious version you can buy is the Platinum, but that and the ST trim both start at over 50k. Powering three of the four trims is a 2.3L turbo four-cylinder that makes 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, but the Explorer ST has a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 that makes 400 hp and 415 lb-ft.

9

Genesis GV70

Another premium brand that gets close to the 50k ceiling is Genesis with the GV70. The GV70 competes with the likes of the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3, which it happily compares to in terms of offering a luxurious experience. This SUV barely makes the list, though, since there are only two trims that fall within the budget out of the seven available. The 2.5T AWD starts the lineup at $46,200. This version gets a 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder that makes 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Among the trims that cost over $50k, there are three that include a 3.5-liter turbo V6 that makes 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque.

10

Chevrolet Trax

Similar to the Buick we mentioned above, the Chevrolet Trax will help you cut your budget by more than half. This Chevy is available in five trims, with the LS starting at $20,500, and the most expensive only costing at least $24,500. It might not be as large or as capable as some others on this list, but it can still seat up to five people and has some decent cargo space for its class. The only option for a drivetrain is front-wheel drive, so you won’t be making it too far off-road, not that the Trax was intended for this purpose. Under the hood is a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that makes 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque.

Best Of The Rest

Characteristics Of The Best SUVs Under $50,000

$50k is enough to buy you some of the best new SUV models on the market in the US. Here’s what you can expect for that price:

• They come in a variety of sizes and shapes
• They have a range of powertrain options
• They are well-specced and feature high-quality interiors
• They aren’t exorbitantly priced, yet most have excellent brand pedigree

What To Consider When Buying The Best SUVs For $50k Or Less

If you’re going to be spending your hard-earned cash, you’ll want to know that you’ve invested in the best SUV under $50k. Here’s what you need to take into account before signing on the dotted line:

Pros

• Variety of sizes, styles, and brands to choose from
• Most offerings in this price bracket score well for being reliable
• Loads of standard features are included
• Powertrain options cover performance or efficiency
• Some larger options have loads of space for passengers and cargo

Cons

• Some premium brands ask for much more money in higher trims
• Straddling the line between premium and mainstream can leave you with a middling balance
• Adding options can push the total cost over the $50k mark

Sources: Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Buick, Volvo