10 Best SUVs With Affordable Maintenance Costs

Aug 09, 2023

With advancing tech and complexity, maintaining modern automobiles has become more expensive, but here are 10 SUVs that manage to remain affordable

There is no contesting the fact that SUVs are dominating the market right now. Everyone wants to own one, and why not? They’re bigger, more practical, and modern ones don’t compromise fuel economy for their size, there’s a ton of reasons why these cars are so attractive.

However, something that rests on every new buyer’s mind when considering what car they’re going to go home in is the price of maintenance. It's inevitable with big machines like cars that at some point repairs are going to be a necessity and picking something that isn’t going to bankrupt you every time it does is integral.

Luckily, manufacturers know this and there is a range of options for those who prioritize the cost of maintenance and upkeep. Not only are these cars reliable, but they’ll also keep repairs on the cheap side when something does go wrong. From brands with legendary reputations for reliability to new up-and-comers, here are the best SUVs you can buy if you’re a conscious buyer looking to save money in the long run.

Data was collected from RepairPal, CarEdge, and various automakers' press releases to bring you this list of the 10 SUVs with the most affordable maintenance costs.

RELATED: 15 Most Reliable SUVs According To Consumer Reports

Over the years, the Toyota Land Cruiser has traditionally always been a full-sized SUV that mixes its legendary off-road prowess with a high-end luxury interior. The Land Cruiser was discontinued back in 2021 from North American markets but it's back in 2024 as a mid-size SUV this time, doing battle with a whole new set of rivals.

Any Land Cruiser year is going to provide you with exceptional off-road potential alongside a comfortable ride and tons of space. While its first five years of maintenance aren’t the most competitive on this list, it keeps its long-term costs incredibly low.

Mazda has absolutely been killing it lately and the CX-30 is the perfect example of everything they are doing right. It’s handsomely styled, fitted with materials and finishes that are way above its price point, and is incredibly fun to drive, especially when you get the turbocharged models.

The Mazda CX-30 comes in at an affordable price point, comes with a ton of standard features, and will save you in the long run by being reliable and cheap to maintain. It may not be the largest SUV in its class, but if you’re an enthusiast looking for something practical, the CX-30 has a great personality on the road.

If you’re looking for a practical SUV with a quiet cabin and an unoffensive ride then the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is the car for you. This compact SUV doesn’t cost a lot to buy and costs even less to own, with repair and maintenance costs remaining delightfully low.

The Eclipse Cross has a distinctive style that sets it apart from other SUVs. While competitors may offer more features, particularly when comparing the base model Eclipse Cross which is particularly sparce, Mitsubishi have maximised cargo space and offer a generous warranty to draw you in.

RELATED: The Safest Mid-Size SUVs In 2023 According To IIHS

Mitsubishi earns itself another spot on the list with its Outlander Sport. However, while this car shines in terms of its warranties and maintenance costs, it really falls flat in other areas. At least it looks good, though, with a design that is eye-catching and sportier than even its best powertrain.

Despite having the word sport in its name, the Outlander Sport exhibits nothing that is remotely sporty or exciting. Its powertrains are incredibly dull and deliver rather depressing performance and the worst part is that their fuel economy is just as mediocre. The only saving grace of this car is that its cheap to buy and cheap to maintain.

The powertrain in the Honda HR-V isn’t exactly exciting, but it doesn’t have to be. The HRV was redesigned for the 2023 model and Honda has managed to develop its subcompact SUV into an excellent option for those looking for a high-value, practical car.

Honda has a reputation for reliability and for good reason; the HR-V lives up to this reputation in every way. This is a car that will last you ages and cost you very little to repair. The 2023 model also now improves on its looks and its platform making it much more desirable than previous iterations meaning that we’d suggest nabbing the newest generation if you can.

Toyota’s full-size Sequoia SUV has been rather hit or miss over its life span. Some model years just don’t live up to the practicality and the power that rivals in its class can offer. However, there are some good options for those looking for good value, including the newest generation of Sequoia.

One thing that Toyota has always been able to say is that their cars are incredibly reliable and cheap to keep running; this is particularly true of the Sequoia if you look at its maintenance costs in the long-term. The Sequoia is hard to recommend though unless you can afford the 2023 model as most older models lose out to better-equipped rivals.

RELATED: 10 Most Fuel Efficient Mid-Size SUVs On Sale Today

If you’re looking for an SUV that is packed with the latest tech or has a modern cabin filled with comforts, the 4Runner is not for you. However, if you’re looking for an SUV with an off-road pedigree that is nearly incomparable, then the 4Runner will live up to all your hopes and dreams.

When you’re off-roading, the last thing you want is to be in a car that is unreliable and with the Toyota 4Runner you won’t have to worry about that. However, you’ll have to do without a lot of comforts as the 4Runner has always felt like it’s a generation behind every other SUV on the market.

The contrast between the Toyota 4Runner and its Highlander cousin is incredibly stark. The Highlander is packed with tons of standard tech and its interior is surprisingly high-end for the price point that this three-row SUV enters the market at.

Reliability

The difference between Lexus and Toyota has become harder and harder to make out. The Highlander proves this with its high-quality interior and standard features. Just don’t look too far back through its history as this standard has only been set in relatively recent times.

In terms of value for money in the small SUV segment, the RAV4 has always been hard to beat. Its practicality and affordability have always been its bread and butter, able to survive an off-road adventure at a price that most new buyers can easily afford.

The RAV4 has a reputation that is known around the world. These smalls SUVs have been great sellers for Toyota worldwide thanks to their rugged can-do attitude and the fact that they’re so easy on the wallet, both upfront and in the long run.

RELATED: 10 Bargain Lexus Models That Offer Luxury And Reliability On The Cheap

Toyota’s subcompact SUV offering was the C-HR up until its recent discontinuation. If you wanted to move a step up from a hatchback in terms of size and wanted to spend as little as possible doing it, the Toyota CH-R was a great option for buyers. However, there’s a reason it was discontinued.

The C-HR crossover is incredibly cheap to buy and maintain and will cost you very little over the course of its lifetime. However, it's cramped, slow, and boring. Quite simply, there are better choices in its class and better choices even within the Toyota line-up.

Tyler Dupont has had a deep passion for cars his entire life. That coupled with his love to write has brought him to TopSpeed to share his love of the automotive world.