20 of the Most Popular Crossovers under $40,000

Base price: $26,545

The Mazda CX-5 is exactly what you’d hope from a compact crossover from the brand, delivering sporty-leaning driving dynamics. Available with either a turbocharged or naturally aspirated 2.5-liter I4, and with optional all-wheel drive if you need the extra traction.

Read more about the Mazda CX-5

Base price: $27,565

The venerable Toyota RAV4 may easily be called the Camry of crossovers. Now on its fifth generation, the RAV4 has eclipsed the 10 million global sales mark since its debut in Japan in 1994. Available in front-drive or all-wheel-drive models, the current model is also available with a hybrid powertrain, meaning the RAV4 has something for most folks shopping for a budget-friendly crossover.

Read more about the Toyota RAV4

Base price: $33,775

Honda’s Pilot first rolled onto the scene in 2003 during the original SUV craze. The current generation model debuted in 2016, drawing power from a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 that mates to a now-standard nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in both all-wheel-drive models and more affordable front-wheel-drive variants, the Pilot hits multiple price points, but still slots in below $40,000.

Read more about the Honda Pilot

Base price: $35,335

Capitalizing on the three-row crossover craze, Mazda’s CX-9 gives Mazda fans an answer for their growing families’ needs. Powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter I4, the CX-9 sends 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque to the standard six-speed automatic transmission.

Read more about the Mazda CX-9

Base price: $26,975

If you don’t need the size of the larger Honda Pilot but still want the elevated view found in crossovers, Honda has something for you, too. The Honda CR-V made its introduction in the 1990s but has kept up with the times. Powering the base CR-V is a 190 hp 1.5-liter turbocharged I4. If that’s not enough, Honda also offers the CR-V in a more powerful hybrid model that sends 212 hp to the wheels.

Read more about the Honda CR-V

Base price: $22,910

In a sea of lookalike, entry-level crossovers, the Toyota C-HR sports some of the most polarizing styling in the Toyota portfolio. Originally planned for the since-defunct, youth-targeted Scion brand, this Toyota packs plenty of features for its relatively low price. Its 144 hp 2.0-liter I4 isn’t as potent as others on this list, but it does translate into decent fuel economy.

Read more about the Toyota CH-R

Base price: $33,885

While it might not be as popular as its smaller stablemates, the Toyota Venza shows how diverse the crossover market is under $40,000. Exclusively available as a hybrid, the Venza moves by way of a 2.5-liter gasoline engine, an eCVT, and an electric motor. The electric motor and gasoline engine combine to make 219 hp. That power figure might not be great, but the highlight of the Venza is its fuel economy: 40 city, 37 highway, and 39 combined mpg.

Read more about the Toyota Venza

Base price: $24,190

Volkswagen added the Taos stateside in 2020 to its ever-expanding crossover lineup to heat up the highly competitive compact-crossover pool. The Taos slots below Volkswagen’s Tiguan and Atlas crossovers, which means it might not have as much space as its larger counterparts but does make it easier to manage in the city.

Check out our Volkswagen Taos review

Base price: $34,670

The Volkswagen Atlas led the charge for VW’s latest crossover push when it made its debut in 2018. This midsize crossover features enough combinations of powertrains, trims, and features to make this ‘ute fit most folks’ needs and means. Under the hood is the standard 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 making 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. If you want more power, the Atlas also offers as optional the corporate narrow-angle VR6 with 276 hp.

Read more about the Volkswagen Atlas

Base price: $33,420

The Ascent is Subaru’s entry into the tightly contested three-row crossover field. Powered by the company’s legendary boxer engine, the 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four makes 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. And with three rows of seating, this Subaru could pull double duty as your main family hauler.

Read more about the Subaru Ascent

Base price: $34,855

Redesigned for 2022, the Nissan Pathfinder returns to the SUV’s rugged roots despite moving from its traditional body-on-frame construction to a unibody layout. The new Pathfinder also ditches the CVT and returns to a traditional automatic transmission. The 2022 Pathfinder is also available in front- and all-wheel-drive models.

Check out our Nissan Pathfinder review

Base price: $34,015

The Kia Telluride made waves as a concept at the Detroit auto show in 2016 and surprised some when it made it to production. While it’s less opulent than the concept, the Telluride is a family-friendly three-row crossover with a hefty dose of style. Powering the Telluride is a 291 hp 3.8-liter V6 that feeds a standard eight-speed automatic.

Check out our Kia Telluride review

Base price: $34,335

Sharing a platform with the aforementioned Kia Telluride, the Hyundai Palisade takes a very different styling path. Instead of the relatively reserved look of its Kia cousin, the Palisade is more aggressively styled. It also has a different interior design feel but still features three rows and has the same 3.8-liter V6 underhood.

Check out our Hyundai Palisade review

Base price: $30,665

Kia’s Telluride isn’t the company’s only crossover. The Sorento entered its fourth generation in 2020 and is nearing its 20th anniversary as a nameplate. The Sorento is a midsizer slotting well below the Telluride, and while its smaller size does make for a smaller cabin, it also makes for a lighter machine requiring a smaller engine, a 2.5-liter I4.

Read more about the Kia Sorento

Base price: $26,575

The fourth-generation Hyundai Tucson battles in one of the most competitive spaces, the compact crossover segment. Powering this Hyundai is a 2.5-liter gasoline-direct-injected I4 that makes 187 hp. The power might not push you back into your seat, but the engine does help the Tucson deliver reasonable fuel economy at 29 mpg combined.

Read more about the Hyundai Tucson

Base price: $28,760

The Ford Bronco Sport shouldn’t be confused with the more hardcore Ford Bronco. This soft-roader shares the same underpinnings as the Ford Escape but offers a different experience. The Bronco Sport might not have the off-road chops of the bigger Bronco, but it does offer an easier commute.

Check out our Ford Bronco Sport review

Base price: $27,695

The folks at General Motors and Chevrolet have been churning out wagons and utility vehicles for most of its life. With that in mind, you’d obviously expect to see a bowtie-badged crossover on this list. The Chevrolet Equinox packs a 1.5-liter turbocharged I4 under its hood making 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. This turbo-four mates to a standard six-speed automatic transmission.

Read more about the Chevrolet Equinox

Base price: $40,090

The Dodge Durango might be best known for its ridiculous performance variants, but the entry-level Durango packs a good punch. The Durango’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 sends 293 hp through an eight-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels. All-wheel-drive systems are available, as well as more potent engines, though those upgrades can quickly throw the Durango above $40,000.

Check out our Dodge Durango review

Base price: $27,070

Subaru is synonymous with cold-weather states, thanks to the reputation of its fantastic all-wheel-drive products. Its compact Forester crossover is no exception. Kicking off right before the turn of the century, the Forester spans five generations, the most recent version making bowing in 2018. Powering this Forester is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine making 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque.

Read more about the Subaru Forester

Base price: $37,650

The Ford Explorer dates back to the original SUV craze that dates back to the 1990s. This latest generation of Explorer, the sixth generation, has 30 years of development behind it. Like other products on this list, the base Explorer offers plenty for the price, but you can quickly spring it past the $40,000 mark by jumping to the more upmarket or performance trims.

Read our Ford Explorer review