13 Best New SUVs Worth Their Price Tag
We all love the freedom of choice, but we must be careful what we wish for. It’s harder than ever to choose in a sea of alternatives — no matter the segment, class, or power system. Thanks to the unnervingly close competition among automakers, consumers are permitted to be picky.
Ironically, it’s also tougher to make that choice as manufacturers strive to outdo each other’s features and offerings. Just about every SUV boasts similar features, making identifying the best a headache for the average shopper looking to get the most bang for their buck. At some point, the criterion moves from SUVs that offer the most features to those that deserve your money better than the others.
Although the competition makes it easy to find a good SUV but hard to decide which one, we’ve combed numerous reviews and user feedback to determine the best new SUVs worth the money.
2024 Mazda CX-5
- Starting MSRP: $28,570
The new CX-5 won the US News & World Report’s Best Compact SUV for the Money award for good reasons. For starters, it attracts compact SUV shoppers with its pocket-friendly upfront cost of around $28,000. The question here is, what does the money get you?
The answer includes loads of standard equipment, a polished interior you’ll love inviting friends in, and AWD. That’s right; all-wheel-drive isn’t optional with the CX-5. Another concern for shoppers looking for the best buy is how much it costs over time to take care of the car.
The CX-5 is estimated to cost about $9,842 for fuel, $2,424 for maintenance, and $9,385 for insurance over five years. This is a favorable ownership cost compared to segment competitors.
However, the SUV is expected to lose around $12,455 in value over this period. Even so, the CX-5’s quick acceleration, sharp handling, reliability, and lower-than-average maintenance expenses make it a tough one to beat in the C-SUV segment.
2024 Hyundai Tucson
- Starting MSRP: $28,355
If you love the idea of a compact SUV that offers peace of mind, the Tucson might just be your best bet. Hyundai proudly declares that the new Tucson offers “America’s Best Warranty — a 10-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty — and Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance standard, 2025 TUCSON.” The idea is to ensure those who choose Tucson choose peace of mind “for years to come.”
The model was shortlisted in the US News Best Compact SUV for the Money award and came second only to the Mazda CX-5. Like the award’s winner, the Tucson flaunts comparatively numerous standard features, including loads of safety systems. It’s also more fuel-efficient than many of its rivals.
Toyota RAV4
- Starting MSRP: $28,675
We’re surprised that the RAV4 didn’t take the first slot in this list, considering its reputation for not skimping on family-friendly features and Toyota’s renowned reliability. It may not be number one on our ranking of the best compact SUVs worth their price tag, but the Toyota RAV4 ranks high here.
It is a finalist in US News’ Best Compact SUV for the Money award, chosen for, among other things, its class-leading five-year ownership cost. The upfront cost is also about average for its class, and it maintains its legacy of excellent fuel economy and comparatively numerous standard features. Notably, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is now standard.
2024 Ford Bronco Sport
- Starting MSRP: $29,795
We round off the “compact” category for the best new SUVs worth their price tag with the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport. The starting MSRP (manufacturer-suggested retail price) is on the high side compared to the winners so far, but the Bronco’s cultural and historical heritage is worth the price difference to the many Americans driving the rising sales numbers.
In the first quarter of 2024, the Bronco US sales increased by about 6% compared to the same period last year. So, why are people happy to pay around $30,000 for the 2024 Bronco Sport Big Bend?
Get a pen: Unique cloth front bucket seats, rubberized cargo floor, Intelligent Access with push-button start, MOLLE straps system, heated side-view mirrors, 17” carbonized gray-painted high-gloss aluminum wheels, 1.5-liter EcoBoost® engine with auto start-stop technology, Terrain Management System with five G.O.A.T. modes (Goes Over Any Terrain), safari style roof, and more. The features increase with the trim levels – Big Bend, Heritage, Free Wheeling, Outer Banks, and Badlands.
2025 Subaru Outback
- Starting MSRP: $28,895
The new Subaru Outback is serious about standing out in the crowded, hotly competed midsize SUV segment. It’d be nice to have a hybrid variant to round off its value proposition. Unfortunately, that may not be the only drawback with the new Outback.
You need to upgrade or climb the trim levels all the way up to the top for the more potent powerplant, which means many are bound to notice the standard engine is just so-so. There’s the standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 182 hp and the optional 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder producing 260 hp. All options get a CVT shifter.
Once you get past the engine thing, the Outback overcompensates for the seeming performance drawback. AWD comes standard across the board, the interior is comfortable and accommodating, the safety ratings are highly reassuring, and you get to enjoy the best of both worlds – car-like handling with off-road capabilities. That’s what makes a Subaru a Subaru.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
- Starting MSRP: $33,950
The Santa Fe is refreshed for the 2025 model year, introducing updates engineered to maintain its position as a staple in the midsize SUV market. Hyundai tweaked the base 2.5-liter straight-4 engine to deliver a bit more power and efficiency. It now makes 191 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque versus the current model’s 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque.
The extra output seems negligible, but the turbocharged option is also updated to deliver 311 hp, a significant leap from the current 277 hp. By tweaking the engine management system and aerodynamics, Hyundai prevents updated power from being translated to reduced efficiency. The updates continue to the SUV’s interior.
The cabin materials are better quality, and the interior design looks more premium, with optional upholstery choices, more soft-touch surfaces, and a revised dashboard. The infotainment touchscreen display is now 12.3 inches versus the current 10.25, smartphone integration is now wireless, and drivers can now unlock and start the vehicle with their smartphones.
2025 Kia Sorento
- Starting MSRP: $31,990
There’s a reason this SUV is only second in popularity to the Sportage in Kia’s SUV lineup. For the 2025 model year, the Sorento is available as a mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid, offering a wide range of trim levels to choose from both drive systems.
No matter the powertrain, what gives the new Sorento an edge over its rivals in terms of value for money includes its stylish looks and ample interior space.
2025 is coming with a more premium interior and a large infotainment display with wireless smartphone integration. Even so, the most popular Sorento across the 12 trim levels has to be the Hybrid EX AWD. This one is good for an estimated 34/34 MPG city/highway.
2024 Toyota Venza
- Starting MSRP: $35,070
Toyota discontinued the Venza after the 2024 model year to make way for the Cross and then made sure we’d miss the Venza’s absence. For some reason, the Venza isn’t the commercial success Toyota always hoped it would be, even though the SUV might as well be a Lexus without the “L” logo.
The upmarket interior gives off a Lexusy vibe, is quiet, and ultimately challenges the notion that Toyotas are too uptight and hung up with substance to care about style and fun.
The new Venza is reportedly more fun to drive thanks to its responsive steering and smooth ride quality. The standard powertrain is hybrid, which is totally a “Toyota” thing to do, delivering a class-leading economy rated at 39 mpg of combined city/highway driving.
2025 Hyundai Palisade
- Starting MSRP: $36,800
We’re quite motivated to agree with a forum user who had interesting things to say in response to Carbuzz’s question, “Which full-size SUV is the most bang for the buck?” Ironically, Carbuzz struck out by naming the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Santa Fe as their favorite full-size SUVs, both of which are classified as midsize SUVs. The user with the moniker “Auto Aficionado” had this to say;
“Most definitely the Hyundai Palisade, what a bargain for what you get on the SEL Premium trim, which is the middle trim, you get heated and cooled first and second-row seating, automatic lane changing, 12.3-inch gauge cluster… and the list goes on and on.
Even for those willing to spring for the fully loaded palisade calligraphy for under 60k, you will not find a more feature-packed all-around incredible car. I believe that Hyundai Kia (and Genesis) are running the auto industry these days and make the absolute best cars for the money, especially if you lease your cars.” We couldn’t agree more.
2025 Buick Enclave
- Starting MSRP: $45,000
First of all, if your criterion for sport utilities worth their price tag is how capable they are off the beaten path, turn away from the Enclave. It has never claimed to be that guy, and AWD isn’t the standard drivetrain. Your guy is the Subaru Outback if you want a city-friendly SUV with impressive off-road capability and aren’t interested in emptying your bank account.
The good news is you can swap the Enclave’s standard FWD for AWD, no matter the trim level. Plus, the SUV comes with 18-inch aluminum wheels. Another option available on all trim levels is GM’s SuperCruise hands-free driving.
The 2025 Buick Enclave is one of the toughest ones to beat in the arena of new SUVs worth the money. The new Enclave is taller, wider, and longer than the previous model, translating to a roomier cabin space. You can’t help but appreciate the new upscale interior with a sharp 30-inch infotainment touchscreen. Buick also swapped the thirstier V6 for a more potent and efficient 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic.
2024 Lexus TX
- Starting MSRP: $55,050
The TX is an all-new SUV launched in 2023. We imagine Toyota thought long and hard before birthing a new model into the already crowded SUV segment. The strategic family planning is evident in the SUV’s market positioning as a Lexus for America, marking the first time a Lexus rolls out of the Japanese automaker’s Indiana manufacturing plant.
The TX shares Toyota’s TNGA-K platform with its cousin, the Toyota Grand Highlander, translating to a class-leading 3rd-row legroom and cargo capacity. It comes with gas, hybrid, and PHEV variants, with a promised 33 miles of electric driving range with the PHEV model.
2025 Cadillac XT6
- Starting MSRP: $49,195
The newest XT6 is a proud and zealous heir confidently upholding the family crest. You can see and feel the evidence of that zeal in the comfortable, well-equipped cabin, albeit with user-friendly technology.
The Escalade, with its supersized proportions and ultra-luxurious features, is no threat to the XT6, thanks to the latter’s more affordable pricing, classic styling, and family-oriented features. It’s been roughly four years since the XT6 saw its last refresh, but that’s probably because it doesn’t need it.
It still has enough candy in its looks, even without as much bling as the larger, more expensive Escalade. However, you can do better than the XT6 if you want a sportier full-size model. The Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5 would beat it on that front, but the XT6 wins in the battle of bangs for the buck.
2024 Kia Telluride
- Starting MSRP: $38,190
With four compacts, four midsized, and four full-sized, number 13 is the odd number on this list. So, let a “straddle” like the Kia Telluride take the odd number. Though classified as a midsize, it straddles the midsize and full-size segment, partly contributing to its attractive value proposition.
The Telluride is classified as midsize but sits on the larger end of the category, with 3-row seating and generous cabin space, making it ideal for families looking for something close to a full-sizer without actually going all the way.
The Telluride lets you dip in the full-size pool without touching down there. It offers a long list of bangs for the buck, including a 360° surround-view monitor, wireless phone charging with most trims, standard Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go, 24-inch combined dual panoramic display, self-leveling rear suspension, leather seat trim, head-up display, and more.
