The 6 Best Small SUVs For The Money, Subaru’s 2 Picks And One That’s Missing

There are many choices for small SUV shoppers looking to purchase a new model now, but which new vehicles are the best? I cover the best new models every year. A new report from iSeeCars says Subaru has two models that combine a low purchase price with a long lifespan: The 2024 Subaru Forester and the 2024 Subaru Outback.

Six are the best picks now, according to iSeeCars data, making them the value leaders for new car buyers. I will explain why the Forester and Outback are the best, and there's one other Subaru SUV you should also consider.

iSeeCars says automotive value can be defined in several ways, but buyers seeking the longest vehicle lifespan at the lowest price should keep reading. 

On average, a new car costs $2,779 for every 10,000 miles of lifespan it provides, but the Forester and Outback cost less than $2,000 per 10,000 miles of lifespan. The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are also value picks.

How did iSeeCars evaluate the best small SUVs?

iSeeCars analyzed the prices of over 8.3 million new cars sold in September - December 2023 and the odometer readings of over 181 million used cars from its Longest Lasting Cars Study to determine the rankings for the best new cars and small SUVs for the money.

"New car prices keep climbing, which makes finding the highest value models more important than ever for buyers," said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. "By identifying cars that combine the lowest purchase price with the longest lifespan, we're helping consumers who want to maximize their car-buying budget."

iSeeCars Best small SUVs for the money

The average small SUV costs $2,100 for every 10,000 miles of lifespan, but six models cost less, reflecting better-than-average value. Honda's CR-V leads the segment, with the 2024 Subaru Forester and 2024 Subaru Outback making the top three.

"These six SUVs are among the best-selling models in the U.S., suggesting consumers have recognized their excellent value proposition," said Brauer.

The average among all Small SUVs 

• Price per 10,000 miles - $2,100
• Average New Car Price - $36,530
• Average Lifespan in Miles - 173,927

1. Honda CR-V

• Price per 10,000 miles - $1,617
• Average New Car Price - $35,490
• Average Lifespan in Miles - 219,509

2. Subaru Forester 

• Price per 10,000 miles - $1,850
• Average New Car Price - $36,018
• Average Lifespan in Miles - 194,651

3. Subaru Outback 

• Price per 10,000 miles - $1,970
• Average New Car Price - $39,809
• Average Lifespan in Miles - 202,033

4. Toyota RAV4

• Price per 10,000 miles - $1,983
• Average New Car Price - $35,359
• Average Lifespan in Miles - 178,320

5. Ford Escape

• Price per 10,000 miles - $2,031
• Average New Car Price - $34,071
• Average Lifespan in Miles - 167,744

6. Hyundai Tucson

• Price per 10,000 miles - $2,088
• Average New Car Price - $34,216
• Average Lifespan in Miles - 163,902

Another new Subaru small SUV shoppers should consider is the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The next-generation Crosstrek gets a remodel that I have covered extensively. I have also covered its overall ranking as the #2 small SUV with Consumer Reports. 

According to an updated ranking from Consumer Reports (by subscription), it's the 2024 Subaru Forester and the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. They are the two highest-scoring SUV picks out of the ten best this year. 

I cover the Consumer Reports best picks for customers monthly and annually, and it's the first time both the Subaru Forester and Subaru Crosstrek have been ranked number one and two best among all SUVs. 

CR’s 10 Best SUVs You Can Buy Now And Subaru’s 2 High-Scoring Picks @SubaruReport @torquenewsauto#subaru #forester #crosstrek #foresterwilderness #crosstrekwildernesshttps://t.co/OxIlutCqIZ
— Denis Flierl (@DenisFlierl) December 23, 2023

My Take

Why are the Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek the best? 

The Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek have added features for active customers you won't find on the other small SUVs listed above by iSeeCars. All 2024 Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek trim levels come with 8-7 inches of ground clearance, Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system for all-weather capability, X-Mode for severe winter capability, and dual-function X-Mode on some trim levels for all-terrain capability. 

The most adventurous SUV shoppers should check out the rugged outdoor-themed 2024 Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek Wilderness trims. They have added features for escaping civilization and getting further off the grid. Check out my report here for additional information on the Subaru Wilderness family.

Head To Head The 3 Hot Subaru Wilderness Models, And A Look Ahead @SubaruReport @torquenewsauto#subaruwilderness #subaru #outbackwilderness #foresterwilderness #crosstrekwildernesshttps://t.co/rVvKnMoLKo
— Denis Flierl (@DenisFlierl) January 8, 2024

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this Subaru Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek best small SUV story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

For additional articles related to new Subaru models, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

My Must-Read Top Picks

• CR’s 13 Most Reliable 3-Year-Old Small SUVs Says 2 Subarus Hit The Sweet Spot.
• The Next-Generation Subaru Forester, 5 New Features And Its 5 Secret Upgrades
• The Subaru Outback Boost Gear Kicks It Out Of Any Park

Watch the Subaru Outback Wilderness XMode Extreme Snow Test

I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

I’ve got you covered! - I cover all Subaru all the time - It’s called the “Subaru Report.” Check back daily for my expert Subaru analysis!

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photo credit: Subaru USA