TheUnstitchd
In the wake of a global pandemic, money sure is tighter than ever before. Still, as the show inevitably must go on, and families are still seeking the best ways to invest in transport, there’s a reason why vehicles like the Ford EcoSport are popular: they don’t break the bank. But it’s not just Ford’s offerings that are well-priced, and with the continuing trend in motoring towards small and mid-size crossovers, there are many derivatives to consider when looking to purchase something versatile, practical, capable, reliable, and – to be fair – not half bad looking.
Counting down the top five cheapest new crossover SUVs in the USA, these little tykes should definitely be on your shortlist for a test-drive, with all brands offering new iterations for 2021:
Hyundai Kona
With its unique exterior aesthetic, the Kona is a handsome little crossover that, for 2021, comes in an assertive-looking Night Edition, too. There are six trims to choose from, with two engine choices across the range, including a 1.6-liter turbo on the top three variants. With either mill, the Kona is still really frugal, offering great gas mileage figures in either of its FWD or AWD configurations. For it’s starting price of $20,400 on the base model, it comes comprehensively specced with standard features.
Ford EcoSport
The smallest crossover from the Blue Oval, the EcoSport is a subcompact with enough space for five seats and a trunk that has sufficient space for 20.9 cubic feet of cargo. While performance from either of its powertrains are a little bland, all models can be had with an all-wheel-drive setup. Fuel economy is not the best, but this is offset against a brilliant infotainment system, full smartphone integration, and a cost price of only $19,995, which also accounts for the limited number of creature comforts on board.
Nissan Kicks
Replacing the Versa Note and the Juke in 2018, the Kicks is a brilliant contender in the affordable family car market. With a fresh face for the new model year, the Kicks presents with a sexy new look and plenty of standard on-board equipment. It can be had in one of three trims, with the top SR spec kitted out with LED headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear-lever, and a surround-view camera. All of this for an MSRP starting at $19,070
Hyundai Venue
Small doesn’t mean subpar, and the Venue is proof of the fact that dynamite comes in small packages. For its dimensions, the Venue is ideal as a city runabout, and has a spacious (for the segment) interior with a good spread of safety features for it’s asking price. And, at just $18,750, there’s a lot to be said for the little ute that has a rearview camera, stability management, six airbags, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention warning, too – all on the entry-level models.
Kia Soul
The most affordable SUV on the list, the Kia Soul is known for its boxy appearance and funky cabin layout. It’s this design that endows it with a spacious interior and a practical cargo bay, and still gives you the option between a 2.0-liter four-pot with 147 p and 132 lb-ft, or a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of twist. Fuel economy figures are not half bad in comparison to rivals, either, and for how much the happy little box is equipped with, the starting price of a scant $17,490 is exceptional.