10 New Small SUVs That are the Cheapest to Own

If you're in the market for a new compact SUV and are looking for the least expensive model to own, you've come to the right place. Here's a simple formula to speed your search.

The cost of owning a new vehicle depends on its sticker price, the deal you're able to swing, current rebates, insurance costs, auto-loan rates, the cost of fuel, how many miles you drive annually, and depreciation. Many of these costs are impossible to estimate precisely. To get you pointed in the right direction as quickly as possible, we've slimmed down the number of key factors contributing to ownership costs to purchase price, fuel economy, and insurance.

The ownership costs cited here are based on the base model in each manufacturer's 2019 compact-SUV lineup. The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) includes the destination charge. We're assuming an owner will drive 15,000 miles per year, will achieve the EPA combined fuel-economy figure. We've factored in a fuel cost of $2.50 per gallon and the insurance cost for a driver who lives near our Ann Arbor, Michigan, headquarters. For the purposes of this guide, we've compiled the costs for three years of ownership.

MSRP: $24,485 Engine: 1.6-liter inline-4; permanent magnet synchronous AC motor EPA Combined: 50 mpg

The Niro is the only hybrid vehicle on this list. Its gas-electric powertrain delivers a stunning 50 mpg combined on the EPA test. The dollars it saves in gas make up for the its midpack MSRP. That, plus its good looks and pleasant driving character, got it elected to our 2019 Editors' Choice list.

MSRP: $23,385 Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4 EPA Combined: 28 mpg

The Rogue Sport is a stylish and comfortable compact SUV with class-competitive passenger and cargo room. Despite its name, it's not in the least sporty to drive. (The "Sport" badge distinguishes it from its larger Rogue sibling.) Still, its strong fuel economy and an asking price on the low side notched it into second place in this cheap-to-own guide.

MSRP: $23,590 Engine: 2.4-liter inline-4 EPA Combined: 26 mpg

The Compass occupies a narrow slot in the Jeep lineup between the subcompact Renegade and the slightly larger Cherokee. And while some Jeeps can get quite expensive—especially when loaded with options—sticking with an unadorned, base-model Compass keeps ownership costs toward the low end of the compact-SUV class.

MSRP: $24,445 Engine:2.0-liter inline-4 EPA Combined: 26 mpg

The compact Tucson is a handsome and well-equipped choice with strong enough attributes to win an Editors' Choice berth. The base model is blessed with a lot of standard tech, including a touchscreen infotainment system plus lane-keeping assist and automated emergency braking.

MSRP: $24,690 Engine: turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 EPA Combined: 27 mpg

The Eclipse Cross's most appealing trait is its styling. Inside and out, it looks and feels like a more expensive vehicle than it is. Its sharply sloped roofline and crisply rendered sheetmetal look fresh and sporty, and its interior boasts good-quality materials. While it looks racy, it's actually an easy driver with a soft ride.

MSRP: $24,995 Engine: turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 EPA Combined: 28 mpg

The Equinox occupies the middle ground in this group in almost every way. Like most of the vehicles in this class, the Equinox offers plenty of passenger room and adequate cargo space to go along with its raised seating position. Its interior is handsomely designed, though the base model is a little short on standard equipment.

MSRP: $24,795 Engine: 2.4-liter inline-4 EPA Combined: 26 mpg

The Sportage looks intriguing to some, a bit odd to others, but there's no denying it's a good value. It's nimble, has a well-crafted interior for the price point, and offers one of the best warranties in the business—character strengths that made it an Editors' Choice pick.

MSRP: $25,270 Engine: 2.5 liter flat-4 EPA Combined: 29 mpg

The Forester is the only SUV on this list with all-wheel drive standard. The base model delivers excellent fuel economy—the best in this group this side of the Kia Niro hybrid. And even base models are equipped with key safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automated emergency braking. No wonder it's also an Editors' Choice winner.

MSRP: $25,395 Engine: 2.5-liter inline-4 EPA Combined: 28 mpg

The CX-5 is a perennial Car and Driver favorite—and 10Best winner—for its fun-to-drive personality, impeccable styling, and upscale interior fittings. It is short on storage space, and its infotainment system could use updating, but its drawbacks are far outweighed by its positives once you climb behind the wheel.

MSRP: $25,545 Engine: 2.4-liter inline-4 EPA Combined: 28 mpg

The CR-V sells like crazy, and with good reason: it offers many plusses but few minuses. It's handsome and roomy, offers generous cargo space, is well-built, and drives well. Its only negative is a fussy infotainment system. That nearly straight-A report card is how the CR-V earned a spot on our Editors' Choice list for 2019.