Buying a new small SUV can get expensive. There are plenty of great options from automakers, but which small SUVs provide the most value for the money? Small SUVs from Mazda and Hyundai won’t break the bank. These two budget-friendly SUVs are packed with value.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson won’t break the bank

South Korean automaker Hyundai knows value. It’s no surprise that the automaker produced the World Car of the Year, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric SUV. The automaker’s final trim level SUVs truly shine, but its base models provide plenty of value for the money as well.

If you’re looking for the best deal on a new small SUV, the Tucson is among the best options. It competes with popular compact SUVs like the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4. The Tucson is well-rounded. It’s roomy enough to be practical and features a bold, aesthetically pleasing design language. The compact SUV also comes with tons of standard features. It’s very reliable as well.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson starts at just $24,950. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to produce 187 horsepower. The small SUV achieves 26 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the highway. It comes standard with a tire pressure monitoring system with individual tire indicator, Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and many more advanced features.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 is luxurious despite its affordable price

RELATED: What’s So Great About the Mazda CX-5?

If you want the luxury SUV experience without paying luxury SUV prices, the Mazda CX-5 is the way to go. Countless critics and automotive publications have praised the CX-5’s refined interior and standard tech. The best part about the CX-5 is that it’s affordable. If you want an even snazzier small SUV, the CX-5 comes in several trims that add more creature comforts.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 starts at $25,900. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to make 187 horsepower. The small SUV gets 24 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

The CX-5 comes with standard all-wheel drive. It also includes a remote keyless entry system, push-button start, and 12-volt power outlets. It comes standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 10.25-inch infotainment system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The CX-5’s final trim level is practically a luxury SUV because of its interior and many standard features.

2022 Hyundai Tucson vs. 2022 Mazda CX-5

Both the 2022 Hyundai Tucson and 2022 Mazda CX-5 received Editor’s Choice awards from Car and Driver. The CX-5 got a perfect 10/10 overall score from the automotive publication. If you have a taste for the finer things, the CX-5 may be the way to go.

The Tucson is the better choice for tight budgets because it is slightly more affordable and gets better fuel economy. If you really want to save money, look into purchasing an older model year of either of these two compact SUVs.

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 got a 5/5 reliability score from Consumer Reports. Kelley Blue Book claims it has a fair purchase price of $21,532 with under 63,000 miles. The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is the first Tucson recommended by Consumer Reports in years, so the used CX-5 is a better buy.

Read about how the Mazda CX-5 compares to the popular Honda CR-V in the next article below.