It’s easy to assume that cheap models in any segment are bound to be unreliable, but that’s not the case today. That said, there are always families searching for the best possible deal on a new SUV that fits their family comfortably and drives for years with minimal maintenance and repair costs. On top of that, shoppers are looking for the safest crossovers to keep their families protected. All-wheel drive is a great start, since it provides better traction and handling in adverse weather and on rougher roads than a front- or rear-wheel-drive vehicle would.
However, “cheap” is losing its meaning. There are no more new cars under $20,000 since the Nissan Versa is gone, and getting all-wheel drive means spending a little more. That’s why we put together a list of the most affordable, trustworthy, reliable crossovers you can buy for the 2026 model year.
We specifically limited the selections to models with a RepairPal reliability rating of 3.5 or higher, in the top quartile of J.D. Power reliability ratings, or with below-average repair and maintenance costs. This list is organized by price (the lowest possible MSRP to get AWD) from the cheapest to the most expensive.
All specifications have been sourced directly from the manufacturer. Prices are correct at the time of writing and exclude destination, options (unless otherwise mentioned), taxes, incentives, and other potential fees. Photos do not necessarily show the base trim.
2026 Kia Seltos AWD
Base MSRP With AWD: $24,990
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2026 Kia Seltos Specs Overview |
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|---|---|
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Base Engine |
2.0L Inline-4 |
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Horsepower | Torque |
147 hp | 132 lb-ft |
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Fuel Economy (AWD) (city/highway/combined) |
27/31/29 mpg |
The least-expensive model on our list is the Kia Seltos, which, when equipped with optional all-wheel drive on its base trim, starts at $24,990. Choosing AWD adds another $1,200 to its base price.
We know Kia doesn’t have the best reputation for long-term reliability, but the brand has had a bit of a comeback in the last few years. J.D. Power gave the current Seltos an 86 out of 100 for initial quality and reliability, which measures the level of defects, malfunctions, and design flaws experienced by vehicle owners for the entire vehicle, from the engine to the infotainment system.
For more proof that this car is reliable, check out some older model years from this generation. The 2021 Seltos is proving reliable with few reported issues.
2026 Mazda CX-30
Base MSRP With AWD: $26,375
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2026 Mazda CX-30 Specs Overview |
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|---|---|
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Base Engine |
2.5L Inline-4 |
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Horsepower | Torque |
186 hp | 186 lb-ft |
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Fuel Economy (AWD) (city/highway/combined) |
24/31/27 mpg |
Despite being one of the cheapest models here, the Mazda CX-30 comes standard with AWD across every trim. Mazda toes the line between affordability and premium, with some models offering some of the best-looking interiors on the market. The CX-30 is at the bottom of the brand’s lineup, yet still feels upscale. To match its driving experience, it has a solid J.D. Power score of 80 out of 100 for quality and reliability. RepairPal gives the brand an overall reliability score of 4 out of 5, ranking it 5th among 32 automakers.
2026 Subaru Crosstrek
Base MSRP With AWD: $26,995
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2026 Subaru Crosstrek Specs Overview |
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|---|---|
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Base Engine |
2.5L Flat-4 |
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Horsepower | Torque |
180 hp | 178 lb-ft |
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Fuel Economy (AWD) (city/highway/combined) |
26/33/29 mpg |
Subaru is known for its famous “symmetrical all-wheel drive” system, which comes standard with the Crosstrek and nearly every other model from the brand. The Crosstrek is great for families with adventurous spirits, since it has more ground clearance than comparable rivals and every trim comes with AWD. J.D. Power‘s latest dependability study ranked Subaru sixth overall with 181 problems per 100 vehicles, and the Crosstrek was named the most dependable small SUV in America. Its fuel economy might not be as good as some rivals, but buyers can spend more for a hybrid variant to even the playing field.
2026 Hyundai Kona AWD
Base MSRP With AWD: $27,000
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2026 Hyundai Kona Specs Overview |
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|---|---|
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Base Engine |
2.0L Inline-4 |
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Horsepower | Torque |
147 hp | 132 lb-ft |
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Fuel Economy (AWD) (city/highway/combined) |
27/29/28 mpg |
Like most of this list, all-wheel drive costs $1,500 extra on the Hyundai Kona, bringing the SE trim’s price to $27,000. Hyundai shares many parts with Kia. In the Kona’s case, that means sharing a platform and powertrain with the Seltos.
We know how reliable that model is now, and the Kona is no different. J.D. Power gave the Kona an 84 out of 100 for quality and reliability. CarEdge, a source for reliability and maintenance stats, finds that it costs buyers about $2,646 to repair and maintain over the first 5 years on the road, which is $950 cheaper than average.
2026 Honda HR-V AWD
Base MSRP With AWD: $28,000
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2026 Honda HR-V Specs Overview |
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|---|---|
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Base Engine |
2.0L Inline-4 |
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Horsepower | Torque |
158 hp | 138 lb-ft |
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Fuel Economy (AWD) (city/highway/combined) |
25/30/27 mpg |
Honda joins the game with the HR-V, its smallest SUV/crossover. It’s available in three trim levels, including the LX, Sport, and EX-L, and costs an extra $1,500.
Honda’s dependability remains strong, and the HR-V follows the trend regardless of its price or position in the lineup. According to J.D. Power‘s recent findings, it earns an 83 out of 100 in quality and reliability. CarEdge‘s data shows that buyers are spending an average of $2,347 to repair and maintain the HR-V over its first five years on the road, which is $1,249 less than the industry average. Our own research finds that used examples from the last half-decade are among the most reliable sub-$25k SUVs you can buy.
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
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