Buyers Guide: Best SUVs for the Value in 2023

In the ever-evolving world of SUVs, finding the perfect balance between quality, features and affordability can be the crucial element in making a buying decision.

Whether the priority is a spacious interior, advanced safety tech, or performance, the prospective buyer will always be faced with countless options in an ever-expanding market.

The best SUVs for the value will typically offer a harmonious blend of versatility, comfort and cost-effectiveness. Here are a few SUV examples that offer great value for the money, depending on what the customer’s priorities are.

1. Hyundai Kona
2. Nissan Kicks
3. Toyota Corolla Cross
4. Volkswagen Taos
5. Subaru Crosstrek
6. Mazda CX-30
7. Kia Sportage
8. Nissan Rogue
9. Kia Telluride
10. GMC Yukon

Hyundai Kona SEL AWD

Image Credit: The Car Connection

Specifications

• MSRP: $25,450 USD /  $35,120 CAD
• Engine: 2.0-litre Inline-4
• Power / Torque: 147 hp /  132 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: AWD
• 0-60 mph: 9.2 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 28 MPG (City) /  33 MPG (Highway)
• Basic Warranty: 5 years /  60,000 miles (100,000 km)

Our Take

The Hyundai Kona is an ideal urban SUV, with its compact size and bold exterior styling. There’s also a long list of standard features that should help take away the stress of meandering through city streets on a daily basis. The SEL trim also spices things up with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the same one used by Hyundai’s sporty N-Line trims.

Nissan Kicks

Image Credit: GuideAutoWeb

Specifications

• MSRP: starts at $21,955 USD /  $30,296 CAD
• Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder
• Power / Torque: 125 hp /  114 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: FWD
• 0-60 mph: 9.6 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 31 MPG (City) /  36 MPG (Highway)
• Basic Warranty: 3 years /  36,000 miles (60,000 km)

Our Take

Budget-conscious buyers will be impressed by the Nissan Kicks. The Japanese SUV is one of the most affordable crossovers on the market today. It’s not all about the price, either. The Kicks boasts impressive fuel economy and a spacious, well-laid-out cabin.

Toyota Corolla Cross

Image Credit: GuideAutoWeb

Specifications

• MSRP: starts at $24,960 USD /  $34,444 CAD
• Engine: 2.0-litre 4-Cylinder
• Power / Torque: 169 hp /  150 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: FWD (optional AWD)
• 0-60 mph: 9.2 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 31 MPG (City) /  33 MPG (Highway)
• Basic Warranty: 3 years /  36,000 miles (60,000 km)

Our Take

Capitalizing on the success of the Corolla sedan to create a crossover version was a master-stroke by Toyota. The Corolla Cross entered production in 2020 and has become increasingly popular due to its competitive pricing, features list and more practicality than a Corolla hatchback.

Volkswagen Taos AWD

Image Credit: Autotrader

Specifications

• MSRP: starts at $26,335 USD /  $36,340 CAD
• Engine: 1.5-litre, turbocharged 4-Cylinder
• Power / Torque: 158 hp /  184 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: AWD
• 0-60 mph: 7.5 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 25 MPG (City) /  32 MPG (Highway)
• Basic Warranty: 4 years /  50,000 miles (80,000 km)

Our Take

In a world of subcompact SUVs, the Volkswagen shines with trademark German build quality, a surprising amount of cargo space and impressive fuel economy. There’s an option for all-wheel-drive. It makes the Taso an even more capable crossover, and that’s the one we’d opt for.

Subaru Crosstrek

Image Credit: Autotrader

Specifications

• MSRP: starts at $24,995 USD /  $34,492 CAD
• Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-Cylinder
• Power / Torque: 152 hp /  145 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: AWD
• 0-60 mph: 9.5 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 28 MPG (City) /  33 MPG (Highway)
• Basic Warranty: 3 years /  36,000 miles (60,000 km)

Our Take

All Subaru vehicles are offered with AWD. It’s an advantage that blends well with the Crosstrek’s impressive ground clearance, making it suitable for some light off-roading adventures. The hybrid option has been dropped for the 2024 model year, but there are still 5 trim levels to choose from.

Mazda CX-30

mage Credit: CarBuzz

Specifications

• MSRP: starts at $24,325 USD /  $33,567 CAD
• Engine: 2.5-litre, 4-Cylinder
• Power / Torque: 191 hp /  186 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: AWD
• 0-60 mph: 8.1 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 26 MPG (City) /  33 MPG (Highway)
• Basic Warranty: 3 years /  36,000 miles (60,000 km)

Our Take

The CX-30 is based on the Mazda 3 hatchback. It shares most of the smaller car’s agile handling, making it a surprisingly fun car to drive. Its body style also means the CX-30 is a more practical option. Toss in the generous list of safety tech and driver assists, and you’ve got yourself a pretty decent SUV package.

Kia Sportage

Image Credit: Kia

Specifications

• MSRP: $27,615 USD /  $38,107 CAD
• Engine: 2.5-litre 4-cylinder
• Power / Torque: 187 hp /  178 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: AWD (FWD also available)
• 0-60 mph: 8.6 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 23 MPG (City) /  28 MPG (Highway)
• Basic Warranty: 5 years /  60,000 miles (100,000 km)

Our Take

The Kia Sportage stands out with a bold design that may not be to everyone’s taste. Nonetheless, it’s an SUV offering that should still attract plenty of fans with plus points that include a spacious cabin, comfortable ride and a long list of standard features. Even better is the fact that there are currently seven trim options to pick from.

Nissan Rogue

Image Credit: Edmunds

Specifications

• MSRP: starts at $28,725 USD /  $39,640 CAD
• Engine: 1.5-litre, turbocharged 3-Cylinder
• Power / Torque: 201 hp /  225 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: AWD (FWD also available)
• 0-60 mph: 7.8 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 28 MPG (City) /  34 MPG (Highway)
• Basic Warranty: 3 years /  36,000 miles (60,000 km)

Our Take

The design of the Rogue was completely overhauled for the 2021 model year, and it remains one of the car’s standout attributes. In addition, a spacious cabin and impressive fuel economy make it an ideal choice for a small family.

Kia Telluride

Image Credit: CarGurus

Specifications

• MSRP: starts at $37,255 USD /  $51,410 CAD
• Engine: 3.8-litre naturally aspirated V6
• Power / Torque: 291 hp /  262 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: AWD
• 0-60 mph: 6.7 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 18 MPG (City) /  24 MPG (Highway)
• Basic Warranty: 5 years /  60,000 miles (100,000 km)

Our Take

As far as value is concerned, the Telluride is a class leader in the world of midsize 3-row SUVs. The cabin is well-appointed and has a premium fee, with adult-friendly third-row seating. The ride is quiet, and even the base trim gets a decent load-out of safety tech and driver assists.

GMC Yukon

Image Credit: CarBuzz

Specifications

• MSRP: starts at $59,295 USD /  $81,824 CAD
• Engine: 5.3-litre V8
• Power / Torque: 355 hp /  383 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: AWD (RWD also available)
• 0-60 mph: 7.5 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 15 MPG (City) /  20 MPG (Highway)
• Basic Warranty: 3 years /  36,000 miles (60,000 km)

Our Take

This full-size SUV has room for up to eight passengers and boasts an 8,400-lb towing capacity. It is available with either rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. There are also a couple of engine options and trim levels to choose from, placing the GMC Yukon in a prime position to satisfy a wide range of customer preferences.