With so many different things that you need to spend your hard-earned money on in 2026, the last thing you want is to buy a car that needs to be taken to the repair shop every half an hour. While good maintenance is key to keeping a car running well long-term, a vehicle also needs to be designed and built well to ensure this is the case. Older cars tend to need more work done due to their components reaching the end of their shelf life, so a good approach is to buy a used car around three to five years old.Plenty of used SUVs are on the market for less than $25,000 at this age range, but we can go a step further than that. We found the $25k modern SUV that is the cheapest to run on a yearly basis, ensuring you can keep better hold of your cash. Surprise-surprise, it's a Honda.This piece explores which used SUV is the most affordable to run on the market, but can be found for less than $25,000. Every SUV offered in the US since 2021 was investigated, with the two cheapest models to run being included. The background of both was briefly explored, as was how much they'll set you back on the used market. The Honda HR-V Is Cheap, But Also Very Dependable Honda The hero of this particular piece is the second-generation Honda HR-V, which was produced between 2016 and 2022. For under $25k, you'll be able to pick up later 2021/2022 examples, which benefited from the various tweaks that Honda made to address minor issues found with earlier cars. The subcompact crossover SUV is a little on the small side, but it's an excellent option for those looking for a family car that will prove unproblematic and cheap to run over its years of service.According to RepairPal, you should only have to part with around $301 per year to keep a later second-gen HR-V running sweetly, which is amazing value considering how cheap the car is in the first place. A large part of the reason for this is its straightforward, naturally aspirated 1.8-liter inline-four engine, which provides an adequate 141 horsepower. Equipped with Honda's venerable i-VTEC system, the engine is known to easily hit 200,000 miles with few issues, especially when properly taken care of. It also has a timing chain which, unlike a rubber belt used in many other engines, should last for around 250,000 miles before causing any problems. The HR-V Doesn't Suffer From Many Consistent Problems Honda According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, only 65 complaints have been leveled at the 2022 HR-V over the past several years. Most issues encountered tended to have been random in nature, though electrical problems were more frequently recorded. A total of 23 of the 65 complaints focused on this area, with the issues varying from loss of power while driving, to sensor issues causing dash lights to illuminate.These kinds of problems are pretty common on modern cars that heavily rely on electronics to function, so make sure to look out for any inconsistencies with the electrical system before you buy. Low-Mileage HR-Vs Are Also Affordable Honda Another plus point that goes in the second-gen HR-V's favor is that you can buy higher-trim examples with low mileage for comfortably under $25k. CarBuzz's Marketplace reports that the average sale price of the model currently stands at just $18,508, with higher-mileage cars flooding the market at well under this value. At the same time, your $25,000 budget will get you a well-looked-after and low-mileage specimen that should provide many years of happy motoring.A good example is a white 2022 HR-V Sport trim, which includes extras like larger 18-inch alloy wheels, sports pedals, as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. The vehicle was available as of February 2026 for just $23,995. This deal sounds even better when you bear in mind the vehicle sports just 32,000 miles on its odometer. The EX Model Presents More Standard Equipment Honda While the Sport offers more when it comes to emotive styling, the EX is the one you want if you fancy a shot at the high life, but for a fraction of the price. This trim is graced with goodies like automatic climate control, heated seats, and an electronically-powered moonroof. You'll be able to pick up a model with similar mileage to the lower-ranked Sport, but at a similar price, so it provides excellent value. Such an example is a silver 2022 car with a shade over 24,000 miles on the clock, which is offered for only $22,777 at the time of writing. Notably, this example also comes with the optional all-wheel drive system, which provides extra traction in dodgy conditions. The HR-V Offers Simple Motoring At A Reasonable Price Honda For buyers looking for a dependable and honest crossover that can fit five people in with ease, the HR-V is an excellent, if not a little uninspired, choice. Its magic rear seat design, which allows them to flip up or fold completely flat to unlock a total of 59 cubic feet of cargo space, makes it great for carrying plenty of cargo when desired. When the time comes to transport the family, the HR-V provides ample headroom and legroom so that everyone will be perfectly comfortable.The main area it falls down on is when you consider ride quality, as it's a little harsher than you'd ideally like, especially when compared to competitors such as the Kia Soul. This negatively affects the driving experience too, as the HRV's dampers struggle to react quickly enough when dealing with rough surfaces, sapping driver confidence. It also suffers from considerable bodyroll, a phenomenon accentuated by its high center of gravity. Considering we're looking for the modern SUV that twins affordability with the lowest running costs though, you won't find anything better at this price range than later second-gen HR-Vs. Mazda's Compact Crossover Is A More Powerful And Interesting Alternative Mazda Should the HR-V not tickle your pickle, then perhaps Mazda's CX-3 would be better suited. It was available for the US market between 2016 and 2021, and was essentially an SUV version of the Mazda2 hatchback, which it replaced in the States. It used the same underpinnings and powertrain options as the old 2, but provided extra space on the inside to make it better-suited for family duties. It also got chunkier SUV styling to take advantage of the market continuing to boom. It stands out from the HR-V when it comes to styling, with Mazda's Kodo design language affording a sleeker and more eye-catching silhouette than Honda's rather bland efforts.It is a little smaller than the HR-V, and it lacks the useful magic seats of the Honda, making it less practical overall. The Mazda not only has around an inch less headroom front and rear, but also a considerable four inches less leg wiggle space in the back. It does at least offer extra performance thanks to its 248 hp 2.0-liter I4 engine, and is slightly more fuel efficient. While the CX-3 achieves an average MPG of 31, the HR-V can only muster 30 MPG. The CX-3 Performs Strongly When It Comes To Affordability Mazda Like the HR-V, used 2021 CX-3's can be found cheaply. According to CarBuzz's Marketplace, the average value of the machine currently stands at $15,197, while examples with low mileage can be had for closer to $20k. That said, a particularly good deal currently on is a red CX-3 Sport with less than 42,000 miles on the clock, being offered as of February 2026 for $14,995, considerably less than an HR-V with similar mileage. It's also cheap to maintain, with RepairPal estimating you'll have to spend just $345 a year to keep it running well.Ultimately, both of these used Japanese SUVs will see you well, as long as you take good care of them. The Honda is the better option for those who prioritize practicality in their vehicle, while the Mazda is more suited to those who aren't so fussed by ultimate space, and prefer a nippier option that is more stylish.
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