Skip to main content

Small SUVs are more expensive than ever before, thanks to inflation. Some models are unbelievably affordable, and others are overpriced. How much should you expect to pay for a good new small SUV in 2023? Which small SUVs are best for the money?

Average small SUV price in 2023

A blue 2023 Subaru Forester is driving on the road.
The 2023 Subaru Forester | Subaru

Small internal combustion engine sport utility vehicles range from $26,290 to $37,695. The median new small SUV cost in 2023 is around $31,992. An average small SUV price estimate based on several popular models is closer to $29,661 before taxes and additional fees.

The Toyota RAV4 is among the most popular models ever produced, starting at $28,275. Nissan’s Rogue is another wildly popular model in its segment, starting as low as $27,910.

Expect to pay nearly $28,000 before taxes and additional fees for a good new small SUV in 2023. Some models, like the 2023 Kia Sportage, are slightly more affordable. Kia’s offering starts at $26,290 and provides incredible value following its redesign.

What are the best small SUVs on the market in 2023?

A blue 2024 Mazda CX-50 small SUV is parked outdoors.
The 2024 Mazda CX-50 | Mazda

Some of the best new small SUVs on the market include Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue, and Subaru Forester. Toyota’s RAV4 is widely considered the best daily driver for the average consumer because of its affordability and practicality.

Toyota RAV4s use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to make 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, it achieves up to 27 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway.

Toyota’s small SUV doesn’t break the bank and is efficient enough to satisfy most drivers. It is iconic in its segment and is known to last for at least a decade of ownership. The RAV4 proves that the Japanese automaker makes some of the best models on the market.

Another of the best small SUVs is the 2023 Mazda CX-5. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to make 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, getting up to 24 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway. It comes standard with all-wheel drive and has a refined interior.

Which 2023 small SUV should you get?

A blue 2023 Kia Sportage  small hybrid SUV is driving down the road.
The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid | Kia

Toyota’s small SUV continues to be a favorite among consumers. In 2023 many of the best options don’t use an internal combustion engine. The arrival of hybrid and battery-electric vehicles has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for consumers.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 is a great choice for folks that want a conventional gas small SUV. If you’re looking for a small hybrid variant, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid LX starts at just $27,490. It uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor to make 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid achieves up to 42 miles per gallon in the city and 44 miles per gallon on the highway but also includes excellent standard features and stellar fuel economy.

America’s current most popular vehicle is the best small battery-electric SUV. The 2023 Tesla Model Y starts at $47,740, but its starting price is closer to $40,240 after the federal electric vehicle tax credit. Model Ys are quick and have plenty of range. Whether you’re looking for a gas, hybrid, or battery-electric small SUV for 2023, there are plenty of great options on the market to choose from.

Related

Everything Wrong With the Cheapest New Small SUV for 2023Â