There are SUVs out there that can be dirt cheap to buy, but will make your eyes bleed with repair bills and maintenance costs. Well, buying a car is undoubtedly a significant decision, and there’s a huge chunk of money at stake. However, not many look beyond that process, and owning one means the addition of annual maintenance costs that remain consistent or even build up in some instances. If you are a short-term owner, leasing an SUV is a more lucrative option. But if you plan on keeping a car for more than 10 years, then there are a few factors that should be kept in mind.
We have compiled a list of ten SUVs that have an affordable starting price of under $30,000. Furthermore, running costs are also capped on the affordable side, thanks to reliable and long-lasting components. Other factors, such as a trustworthy track record and impressive value retention rates, strengthen their standing as the best SUVs for long-term ownership under $30,000. The Japanese likes of Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, Toyota, and even Mitsubishi dominate this lot. But there are surprises from Jeep and Kia here, too.
This list is organized in increasing order of overall iSeeCars rankings that take into account reliability and longevity, safety, and how well it holds its value over time.
10
2025 Nissan Rogue (7.7/10)
Starting Price: $28,590
Kicking off this list is the 2025 Nissan Rogue with an overall score of 7.7/10. This is the cumulative outcome of reliability (7.7/10), value retention (7.9/10), and safety (7.4/10). This Nissan offers a relatively safe, all-around appeal while looking cool and rugged. This midsize SUV is offered in four trim levels with the top-spec AWD trim priced at $38,990.
The average annual maintenance cost of the 2025 Nissan Rogue is around $467, as per RepairPal. It is estimated to cost about $7,987 for maintenance and repairs during the first 10 years of ownership, according to CarEdge. J.D. Power gives it an overall score of 84/100 and ranks it second on the ‘Best Compact SUV of 2025’ list. The Rogues score 84/100 in Quality and Reliability, 82/100 in Resale value, 86/100 in Driving Experience, and 85/100 in Dealership Experience.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|
|
9
2025 Jeep Compass (7.7/10)
Starting Price: $26,900
The Jeep Compass has an overall score of 7.7/10, identical to the Nissan Rogue above. But the Jeep is more affordable. Individual scores are higher, with 7.9/10 for reliability and 8.1/10 for value retention. It slides a bit behind on safety with 7.0/10. However, the overall score is still quite solid. The 2025 Compass is offered in four trim levels, with the top-spec Trailhawk trim being priced at $32,990.
The average yearly maintenance cost is $526, according to RepairPal. This Jeep is estimated to cost about $10,822 over 10 years of maintenance and repairs, according to CarEdge. J.D. Power gives it an overall rating of 79/100. The Quality, Reliability, and Dealership Experience scores are 80/100 each. It scores 79/100 for Driving Experience and 77/100 for Resale Value.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|
|
8
2025 Chevrolet Equinox (7.8/10)
Starting Price: $29,995
The Chevy Equinox has an overall iSeeCars score of 7.8/10. This is the average of 7.7/10 in Reliability, 7.8/10 in Value Retention, and 8.0/10 in Safety. The 2025 Chevy Equinox is offered in three trim levels with the sporty top-spec RS trim priced from $34,395.
The Equinox is obviously no hot hatchback, but it’s good enough to get the school run completed in a jiffy, or simply for quickly zipping around traffic. This crossover has more road composure than a RAV4, and it’s more playful than a CR-V.
– William Clavey for TopSpeed
RepairPal estimates the average annual maintenance cost at around $537. The estimated 10-year maintenance and repair costs are $9,196, as per CarEdge. The Equinox scores well on J.D. Power Ratings, with an overall score of 80/100. Interestingly, the only sub-80 score in the split-up is of Quality and Reliability at 76/100. The rest are all over 80. Driving Experience gets 81/100, Resale gets 83/100, and Dealership Experience gets 84/100.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|
|
10 Low-Cost Of Ownership SUVs You Should Buy Used
Buying the right used SUV takes time and research. This list should help used SUV buyers by providing a few models to help start the search.
7
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander (7.9/10)
Starting Price: $29,995
We have an uncommon entry on this list that earns a 7.9/10. The Mitsubishi Outlander scores 7.7/10 for reliability, 7.7/10 for Value Retention, and a commendable 8.2/10 for Safety. The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander is offered in a vibrant lineup of six trim levels, with the top-spec SEL Premium Package starting at $41,345.
The 2025 Outlander is expected to cost about $519 per year in maintenance, according to RepairPal. This is a commendable value given the size of this SUV. Furthermore, CarEdge states that the estimated cost of maintenance and repair for 10 years is around $7,838. It scores an overall 78/100 on J.D. Power. It scores 75/100 in Quality & Reliability, 84/100 in Driving Experience, 79/100 in Resale Value, and 78/100 in Dealership Experience.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|
|
6
2025 Kia Sportage (8.2/10)
Starting Price: $27,390
This is the first SUV that earns a total score of 8/10. It scores 7.5/10 in Reliability, 8.0/10 in Value Retention, and an impressive 9.0/10 in Safety, largely due to the extensive list of standard safety and assistive features. The 2025 Kia Sportage will leave you spoiled for choice, with a total of seven well-appointed trim levels. The top-spec X-Pro Prestige, which adds superior off-roading capabilities, starts from $38,290.
Despite being a loaded SUV, the 2025 Kia Sportage is expected to cost $462 in average annual repair costs, according to RepairPal. It is estimated to cost about $8,453 in maintenance and repairs over the first 10 years, according to CarEdge. The Sportage impresses with an overall score of 81/100 on J.D. Power as well. The split up includes 84/100 for Quality and Reliability, 80/100 for Driving Experience, 85/100 for Resale Value, and 73/100 for Dealership Experience.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|
|
5
2025 Hyundai Tucson (8.4/10)
Starting Price: $28,705
The Hyundai Tucson is one of the most loaded SUVs in the segment. It has an overall iSeeCars score of 8.4/10. This is the culmination of a Reliability score of 7.4/10, a Value Retention score of 8.1/10, and a solid Safety score of 9.7/10. It is offered in five trim levels, with the top-spec Tucson Limited trim starting from $38,645.
Its chassis always feels rock solid, and there’s a mechanical fluidity to the way the Tucson drives that makes it feel more expensive than it actually is.
– William Clavey for TopSpeed
According to RepairPal, the 2025 Tucson will cost about $426 in average annual repair costs. The estimated repair and maintenance costs over 10 years are around $8,560, according to CarEdge. Furthermore, this Hyundai scores highly on the J.D. Power Ratings, earning an overall score of 81/100. The split-up of this score is as follows: 83/100 for Quality and Reliability, 83/100 for Driving Experience, 83/100 for Resale, and 71/100 for Dealership Experience.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|
|
Most Reliable SUVs Under $40,000: Dependability On A Budget
With escalating vehicle prices it’s more important now than ever to choose an SUV with bullet-proof reliability.
4
2025 Mazda CX-5 (8.5/10)
Starting Price: $29,050
This is the first car in this lot to score 8+ across all reliability-related parameters on iSeeCars. The CX-5 scores 8.1/10 on Reliability, 8.3/10 on Value Retention, and 9.0/10 on Safety. The line-up is wide, with the 2025 Mazda CX-5 being offered in a total of eight trim levels; the top-spec trim of which is 2.5 Turbo Signature, starting at $41,080, and loaded to the brim with luxury features.
According to RepairPal, the 2025 CX-5 should cost about $447 in yearly maintenance. It’s more frugal for the 10-year maintenance and repair costs, at about $7,906, according to CarEdge. The J.D. Power rating is also commendable at 82/100. It scores 82/100 on Quality and Reliability, 79/100 on Driving Experience, 84/100 on Resale Value, and 82/100 on Dealership Experience.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|
|
3
2025 Subaru Forester (8.6/10)
Starting Price: $29,995
The 2025 Subaru Forester is an underrated SUV offering AWD as standard across the board, and for under $30,000. It scores lavishly on iSeeCars with 8.0/10 for Reliability, 8.7/10 for Value Retention, and 9.0/10 for Safety. It has one of the most extensive line-ups in this bunch, with a total of 10 trim levels. The base trim starts at under $30,000 and tops out at $43,295 for the top-spec Touring Hybrid trim.
I have tested the last three Forester generations, and one thing I notice: each new next-gen model drives and handles better than before – significantly. And while the older Forester handled well, the 2025 Forester simply tightens things up.– William Clavey for TopSpeed
The Forester has an expected average annual repair cost of $632. Even better is its 10-year maintenance and repair cost of $8,610, as per CarEdge. It has an overall score of 84/100 from J.D. Power and ranks third on the ‘Best Compact SUV of 2025’ list. It gets 81/100 for Quality and Reliability, 80/100 for Driving Experience, 85/100 for Resale Value, and 91/100 for Dealership Experience.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|
|
2
2025 Subaru Crosstrek (8.6/10)
Starting Price: $26,560
From the same stable as the aforementioned Forester, the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek also scores relatively high with 8.6/10. While the overall score is identical, the Crosstrek scores higher on Value Retention at 8.9/10 (compared to the Forester’s 8.7/10). The Reliability score is 8.0/10, and the Safety score is 9.0/10. This off-road-ready SUV is offered in five trim levels, with the top-spec Wilderness trim priced at $33,360.
The average annual repair cost is $492, as per RepairPal. The Crosstrek will cost about $8,450 in maintenance and repairs over the first 10 years. With an overall J.D. Power score of 86/100, the Subaru Crosstrek takes the spotlight with the second spot on the ‘Best Small SUV of 2025’. The split-up of the J.D. Power score includes 85/100 for Quality and Reliability, 78/100 for Driving Experience, 89/100 for Resale Value, and 91/100 for Dealership Experience.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|
|
10 Reliable Full-Size SUVs Built In The Last Decade
Needing a full-size, reliable SUV? We’ve got you covered.
1
2025 Toyota RAV4 (8.8/10)
Starting Price: $29,800
The top-scoring SUV under $30,000 on this list is the RAV4, with an overall score of 8.8/10. It scores 8.2/10 for Reliability, 9.1/10 for Value Retention, and 9.0/10 for Safety. The 2025 Toyota RAV4 is offered in 11 trim levels, with the top-spec Hybrid Limited priced at $41,155.
The steering is pleasantly quick for an agile feel, and the ride quality is excellent. This Toyota brushes off larger bumps and potholes with ease, keeping much of the roadway harshness away from the passenger compartment.
– Craig Cole for TopSpeed
The RAV4 has an estimated average yearly maintenance cost of $429, according to RepairPal. The first 10 years of maintenance and repair costs are about $6,005, according to CarEdge. It scores 79/100 on J.D. Power, with the following breakdown: 77/100 for Quality and Reliability, 79/100 for Driving Experience, 88/100 for Resale Value, and 76/100 for Dealership Experience.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|
|
Sources: iSeeCars, J.D. Power, CarEdge, and RepairPal.