Looking for a new compact SUV that won’t break the bank on the road? These small SUVs cost less than $25,000 out-of-pocket for the first few years of ownership. Every Kia, Subaru, and Hyundai sport utility vehicle has an estimated cost for fuel, insurance, and even depreciation.
The Kia Sportage Hybrid is a small SUV that will cost less than $25,000 out of pocket
Kelley’s Blue Book Here’s an idea of the cost of owning a 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. After adding fuel, insurance, financing and fees, the Sportage Hybrid will cost about $20,402 out-of-pocket for the first five years. That’s pretty reasonable, given the starting price of $27,290.
| Gasoline | $4,854 |
| Maintenance | $4,897 |
| Sure | $5,430 |
| Repair | $651 |
| Financing | $1,908 |
| state rates | $2,662 |
| Total Out-of-Pocket | $20,402 |
| Depreciation (loss of value) | $12,685 |
| Five Year Cost of Ownership | $33,087 |
One of the most significant costs of owning a Kia Sportage Hybrid is depreciation, but every car goes through it. After depreciation of $12,685, this Kia SUV will cost about $33,087 in the first five years of ownership. While that may seem like a lot at first, the 2023 Sportage Hybrid has the lowest five-year cost of ownership in its class. For small SUVs that cost less than $25,000 out-of-pocket, the Sportage Hybrid has you covered.
Subaru’s Forester small SUV will cost less than $25,000 out-of-pocket in the first five years
There’s not much to dislike about the 2022 Subaru Forester. It’s a capable small SUV that packs a lot of standard safety features for the money. Kelley Blue Book found it to have fairly reasonable costs of ownership in the first few years of ownership. Total out-of-pocket expenses for the Forester were $20,903.
| Gasoline | $7,241 |
| Maintenance | $2,682 |
| Sure | $4,985 |
| Repair | $1,784 |
| Financing | $1,729 |
| state rates | $2,482 |
| Total Out-of-Pocket | $20,903 |
| Depreciation (loss of value) | $12,298 |
| Five Year Cost of Ownership | $33,201 |
Depreciation was one of the biggest losses with the Subaru SUV, losing around $12,298. After KBB added up all the fees, the five-year cost of ownership was approximately $33,201. Subaru priced the 2022 Forester at $25,895 to start.
Don’t overlook the Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid
When it comes to the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid, owning this car would only cost around $11,507 out of pocket for the first five years. Since it’s a plug-in hybrid, buyers don’t have to pay the same rates as a traditional gas-powered vehicle. That’s why you see -$3,430 in that category.
| Gasoline | $2,601 |
| Maintenance | $3,734 |
| Sure | $5,530 |
| Repair | $676 |
| Financing | $2,396 |
| state rates | -$3,430 |
| Total Out-of-Pocket | $11,507 |
| Depreciation (loss of value) | $19,542 |
| Five Year Cost of Ownership | $31,049 |
Kelley Blue Book estimates the 2022 Tucson PHEV will depreciate $19,542, bringing the total cost of ownership to $31,049. That sounds like a pretty good deal for five years of stress-free ownership of an SUV that only costs $35,400 to start.
These small SUVs that cost less than $25,000 out-of-pocket are the top three in the segment. While some are 2023 vehicles, you may be able to find a better deal overall on an outgoing 2022 model.