14 SUVs That Cost Less To Own Than A Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is an undeniably popular vehicle. Kelley Blue Book lists it as the fourth top-selling vehicle of 2025, with a staggering 403,768 units sold. This makes the CR-V the second-best-selling SUV, only behind the Toyota RAV4. Last year's demonstrable popularity was no fluke, either. The CR-V sold 402,791 vehicles in 2024, which was a record at the time, until it was superseded a year later. Although the Honda CR-V remains a mainstream pick, there are some considerations drivers should bear in mind. Consumer Reports advises against this nameplate due to its comparatively small cabin, underpowered engine, and uncomfortable ride, when measured against similar models. Money Digest even highlights some core reasons that retirees regret buying the CR-V. Chief among the problems associated with this SUV is its long-term costs. 

To get a more accurate look at this popular SUV's long-term expenses, Money Digest looked at a 2021 model. This way, buyers can look at five years of real-world costs, not projections or speculation, but hard data. According to Edmunds, the 2021 Honda CR-V costs between $39,009 and $44,317 within the initial five years of ownership. This range reflects extremes present throughout the four primary regions of the U.S. as defined by the Census Bureau: the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West. 

Depreciation comprises the majority of these costs at $12,444 to $12,594. Fuel costs run $8,042 to $9,415 within a half-decade period. Maintenance bills hit between $5,410 and $6,021, while repairs hover around $3,046 and $3,598. Drivers are looking at $3,318 to $4,624 for insurance coverage. Taxes and fees, an unforeseen cost for many buyers, stretch from $1,695 to $3,458. The average financing cost over this time frame for the 2021 CR-V is $4,506 to $4,847. 

Mazda may not be the top-selling marque in the U.S., but it's one of the car brands more reliable than Jeep. The 2021 Mazda CX-30 bolsters this reputation, delivering a solid level of dependability at a reasonable price. Edmunds places this compact SUV's total five-year cost of ownership at $37,471 to $42,454. Once again, depreciation makes up the majority of this financial burden, clocking in at $10,558. Notably, this figure remains consistent across various U.S. regions. On the other hand, fuel costs vary widely, jumping from $8,649 to $10,124. The CX-30's five-year maintenance bill reaches from $6,406 to $7,061. 

Meanwhile, repair costs hover between $2,630 and $3,108. For car insurance coverage, this compact SUV requires $3,509 to $4,975 over half a decade, depending on where you're buying a plan. Unless you're buying the vehicle outright, financing costs another $3,748 to $4,015. Taxes and fees are the lowest expense, comprising $1,448 to $2,884 of the overall bill. J.D. Power estimates that the average consumer spends about $14,732 to $22,616 for the 2021 Mazda CX-30, depending on the trim type.

Nissan is one of consumers' least favorite car brands, according to Consumer Reports, but that doesn't mean all models fall victim to this low satisfaction. The Nissan Rogue is a compelling SUV with a more affordable ownership cost than the CR-V. According to Edmunds, the 2021 Rogue costs drivers anywhere from $36,707 to $41,822 over the course of five years, depending on where they live. The gradual loss of value is a solid source of these costs, with the model depreciating by $10,736 to $11,052. Fuel costs generate between $8,338 and $9,760 worth of spending. 

Owners will be spending a lot more in the states with the absolute highest gas prices. Maintenance expenses range between $6,313 and $6,941, while repairs leap from $2,630 to $3,108. While by no means the cheapest car to insure, the 2021 Rogue requires $3,509 to $5,155 for coverage over half a decade. Financing, if this is the route you choose, runs about $3,379 to $3,649. Finally, taxes and fees cost about $1,355 to $2,632. The 2021 Nissan Rogue often sells for between $16,840 and $25,151 today, according to J.D. Power, based on the trim variety.

Edmunds indicates that the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer comes with a five-year ownership cost of $35,945 to $40,487. This vehicle's depreciation range is minimal across the U.S., only jumping between $9,045 to $9,099, making it easier to budget this sizable expense. Fuel costs vary much more widely, hitting a low of $8,042 and a high of $9,415. Money Digest warns that Chevrolet is one of America's most popular brands, which might make you pay more in maintenance costs. 

The Trailblazer matches this cautionary note, with maintenance costs between $7,710 and $8,288. Additionally, repairs go from $3,194 to $3,750. Generally, owners of the 2021 Trailblazer spend $3,047 to $4,423 on insurance coverage. If you're relying on financing to purchase this SUV, that will add another $3,166 to $3,374. Taxes and fees, once again, are the lowest expense at $1,259 to $2,442. J.D. Power puts the lowest-cost 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer trim at $14,210, while the highest-grade version goes for $21,125.

The Ford Escape is recognized as one of the top-selling SUVs that are perfect for a retiree, in part due to its relatively competitive long-term ownership costs. According to Edmunds, the average Escape owner spends around $35,582 to $40,336 over a half-decade period, based on where you're located in the U.S. This SUV's gradual loss of value is a standout cost, yet remains less volatile than other expenses, depreciating between $10,529 and $10,607 over five years. Sporting a less-than-ideal fuel economy, the Trailblazer racks up $8,338 to $9,760 of fuel costs. No matter where you live, this SUV's fuel economy will have you spending more money than the average American spends on gas.

Owners should budget about $5,312 to $5,985 for general maintenance. At the same time, repairs hover in cost between $3,280 and $3,852. Insurance costs for this nameplate hover around $3,499 to $5,213. Those who decide to finance will experience another $2,965 to $3,162 of outlays. Finally, taxes and fees typically come to $1,196 and $2,296. These add-on costs can reach to the upper end of the range in the most expensive states to own a vehicle. Consumers can spend as low as $14,280 or all the way up to $24,782 for the 2021 Ford Escape, choosing between various trim types, according to J.D. Power.

The Honda HR-V is a smaller and lower-cost version of the CR-V. However, this hybrid-only version has been making up some ground in size over the years. Kelley Blue Book identifies the HR-V as one of the best new cars money can buy. In addition to lower upfront costs, the HR-V also beats out its larger SUV cousin in prolonged expenses. According to Edmunds, this hybrid's five-year ownership costs range between $35,443 and $40,414, based on where owners reside throughout the country. As with other vehicles, the HR-V's depreciation isn't location dependent, with a tight range of value loss between $10,351 and $10,475. 

Fuel expenses are right on the heels of value loss as a proportion of overall costs, driving up a half-decade bill of $8,338 to $9,760. Generally, owners end up paying $5,380 to $5,941 for maintenance. Repairs cost anywhere from $2,630 to $3,108. To insure the 2021 Honda HR-V, you should budget about $3,227 to $4,667. No matter where you live, you save money on car insurance by joining the 57% of Americans who shop around for policy quotes. If you're not paying for this vehicle upfront, you'll spend another $3,611 to $3,883 on financing. The entry-level 2021 Honda HR-V trim is listed at around $16,365, per J.D. Power, although the more premium models can reach $23,497.

Money Digest heralds the Buick Encore GX as one of the best cars for retirees under $30,000. The 2021 model fits squarely into this recommendation, with a relatively affordable long-term ownership cost. Edmunds projects that the average driver will spend about $34,392 to $39,355 over a five-year period on the 2021 Encore GX. These costs will range based on where you're living in the country. Depreciation tends to run in a tight range, bouncing between $9,048 and $9,286. Drivers tend to spend about $8,042 to $9,415 on fuel, which is one of the most varied costs. Over a half decade period, the 2021 Encore GX has a maintenance bill of $6,287 to $6,819. 

On the other hand, repairs usually cost around $3,005 to $3,530. If you're stuck between buying new, used, or leasing, knowing financing totals can help clarify the decision. It's estimated that financing expenses on this SUV hover from $2,949 to $3,128. Taxes and fees wrap up the five-year costs as the cheapest expense, running from a baseline of $1,188 to a ceiling of $2,272. For the 2021 Buick Encore GX, buyers tend to spend $14,507 on the low end and $21,172 on the high end, given the various trim options, according to J.D. Power data.

Consumer Reports celebrates the Chevrolet Trax as one of the best-selling, most reliable cars. Better yet, the 2021 Trax has a five-year ownership cost of $34,765 to $39,176, according to Edmunds. Admittedly, the Trax doesn't have the best fuel economy, racking up a fuel expenses between $8,976 and $10,508. In some areas of the country, gasoline is the vehicle's single largest expense category, even outpacing depreciation. Over a half decade period, this SUV loses roughly $9,684 to $9,742 of its original value. Drivers normally spend about $5,419 to $5,958 on general maintenance to keep the Trax up and running smoothly. Alternatively, repairs generate bills worth $3,247 to $3,812. 

For proper vehicle coverage, owners should budget roughly between $3,217 and $4,544. The state-specific cost can vary greatly depending on each jurisdiction's associated expenses. If you're not buying the 2021 Trax outright, you'll spend around $2,656 to $2,830 on financing. The remaining $1,093 to $2,066 are for taxes and fees. J.D. Power estimates that the 2021 Chevrolet Trax ranges in price from $10,592 to $13,779. This relatively limited price range covers five different trim options.

Edmunds places the five-year ownership expenses of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport between $33,002 and $37,403. Regardless of where you're located in the U.S., this SUV's fuel costs outpace its depreciation over half a decade. In general, owners tend to spend anywhere from $8,649 to $10,124 on gas. Depreciation-related costs, which measure how much a vehicle loses of its original value over time, remain around $8,174 and $8,268. For its part, general maintenance jumps from $6,688 to $7,427. Repairs eat up a much smaller portion of these five-year expenses, typically costing owners from $1,906 to $2,253.

Vehicle coverage on this SUV is estimated at $3,488 to $4,879, another very state-level variable. Leasing, which is one of the things people always get wrong about buying a used car, costs Mitsubishi Outlander Sport owners another $2,581 to $2,752 in financing. Together, taxes and fees fill out the rest of the five-year ownership costs, with a total of $1,074 to $2,012. The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has a price range of $11,332 to $16,268, per J.D. Power, with 10 different trims from which to choose.

Consumer Reports pinpoints the Kia Seltos as one of the best cheap cars that maintain reliability. As it turns out, this compact SUV is also more affordable to own than the CR-V when measured across a five-year timeframe. On the low end the cost spectrum, the 2021 Seltos costs $33,332 over half a decade, while the upper end represents total costs of $38,121, according to Edmunds. Depreciation, as is the case with many vehicles on this list, represents the bulk of the Seltos' financial weight, reaching $9,477 to $9,730 over the course of half a decade. Filling up the tank for routine driving throughout this period stretches from $8,042 to $9,415, a serious jump when looking at regional variability. Drivers spend about $5,304 to $6,051 on servicing this SUV for general maintenance. 

Concurrently, repairs run up their own bill of around $2,094 to $2,460. Generally, the 2021 Kia Seltos generates a five-year insurance premium cost of $3,439 to $4,752. Feel like you're overspending in this category? Learn about the various car insurance discounts you might qualify for. At the five-year mark, financing tends to add up to between $3,244 and $3,496. Although taxes and fees are the most expensive at the beginning, they total $1,307 to $2,526 in this time frame. According to pricing data from J.D. Power, people often pay from $13,291 to $19,592 for the 2021 Kia Seltos, with six different trim selections.

Money Digest highlights the Nissan Kicks as one of the vehicles that are more reliable vehicles than the Honda CR-V, but this sporty SUV is also cheaper in the long run. Edmunds estimates that the average owner will spend between $31,712 and $36,361 during the first five years driving the 2021 Kicks, depending on where they live in the U.S. It's worth mentioning that combined maintenance and repair costs exceed any other subcategory for this SUV. This is true across all four regions of the country. Broken down, maintenance costs run between $6,744 and $7,465 across half a decade, while repair expenses rack up $2,291 and $2,708 worth of bills. 

This compact SUV's depreciation and fuel costs are very similar. Over five years, the 2021 Kicks loses about $7,903 to $8,136 of its original value. Gas costs experience much more volatility, jumping from $7,077 to $8,286. Generally, insurance companies charge about $3,488 to $5,103 for covering the Nissan Kicks for half a decade. The lowest costs for owners are taxes and fees at $1,125 to $2,118. J.D. Power indicates that the average 2021 Nissan Kicks sells for between $12,694 and $17,394, varying based on the four trim types available.

Although Kelley Blue Book says the 2026 Hyundai Kona is one of the best new cars you can buy, you don't have to pay full price to get all of the attractive features of this compact SUV. The 2021 Kona delivers a similar fuel economy, performance, and design appeal at a much cheaper upfront cost. Plus, it's cheaper than the Honda CR-V in the long run. Edmunds estimates that owners of the 2021 Hyundai Kona spend about $30,904 to $35,103 within the initial five years of driving. Fuel is the single-largest expense at $7,857 to $9,237. The car's prolonged loss of value adds another $7,809 to $7,991 to the financial equation. 

The maintenance expenses of the 2021 Kona run anywhere between $5,771 and $6,462, while repair costs jump from $1,767 to $2,076. Drivers tend to pay about $3,298 to $4,544 for vehicle insurance over half a decade, depending on their state of residence. Buyers who rely on financing face another $2,758 to $2,922. Taxes and fees are the lowest cost, but still add up to a considerable $1,137 to $2,130. The 2021 Hyundai Kona sees a wide spread of prices hovering between $12,972 and $20,984, per J.D. Power. This broad cost range is due to the Kona's dozen trim types, offering customers a broad spectrum of options.

Edmunds projects the five-year cost of owning the 2021 Kia Soul at $31,000 to $35,447, based on where you live. The Soul experiences less devaluation than some models, yet this residual loss of value still costs owners anywhere from $8,562 to $8,791 across half a decade. Energy costs are close behind as a proportion of these five-year costs, with fuel expenses rising from $7,606 to $8,943. During this period, owners of the 2021 Soul should budget about $5,505 to $6,344 on general maintenance to keep the vehicle operating optimally. 

On the flip side, repairs run between $1,767 and $2,076. Drivers pay about $3,439 to $4,752 for vehicle coverage. In fact, the Kia Soul is one of the cheapest new cars to insure, according to Consumer Reports. Those taking out a loan on the vehicle will spend between $2,585 and $2,785 on financing. Taxes and fees make up the lowest ongoing costs of owning the 2021 Kia Soul, estimated at $1,088 to $2,036 within five years. Across six unique trims, the 2021 Kia Soul goes for anywhere from $13,769 to $19,569, based on sales data from J.D. Power.

Edmunds suggests that the 2021 Kia Niro costs about $30,238 to $34,253 over half a decade to own. After driving the Niro for five years, drivers lose about $10,379 to $10,656 of their initial investment through depreciation. The Kia Niro is recognized as one of the hybrid cars with the best gas mileage. With this track record, it's unsurprising that this compact SUV's five-year fuel costs are only $4,714 to $5,543. 

In general, maintenance costs hover between $5,083 and $5,772, while repairs jump from $1,767 to $2,076. Car insurance coverage for the Niro ranges between $3,823 and $5,076. Those who decide to finance, instead of buying outright, will spend another $2,933 to $3,160. This vehicle's lowest cost across five years is taxes and fees, which land between $1,204 and $2,294. J.D. Power estimates that the average 2021 Kira Niro owners spend about $15,345 to $21,518 across five different trims.

Consumer Reports champions the Hyundai Venue as one of the best cheap car models that money can buy. Edmunds backs up this claim, showing a five-year ownership cost of $29,507 to $33,600 for the 2021 model. This places the Venue as the least expensive vehicle to drive. Unlike many models for which depreciation makes up the lion's share of costs, Venue owners spend the most on fuel, adding up to between $7,606 and $8,943. This compact SUV's loss of value over half a decade is $7,603 to $7,780. 

On general maintenance to keep things running smoothly, the average 2021 Venue owner should budget between $5,047 and $5,718. Simultaneously, repairs rack up another $1,767 to $2,076 worth of upkeep expenses. Insurance costs from $3,298 to $4,544. Financing costs leap from $2,613 to $2,769. Taxes and fees tack on another $1,089 to $2,024. It's estimated by J.D. Power that the 2021 Hyundai Venue is priced between $11,588 and $16,134. Consumers can choose between four different trim types.