Top 10 Cheapest SUVs

With the growing crossover segment, the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) market is slowly dying. Still, it’s got life in it yet and no cute-ute can replace the pure utility of a go anywhere, do anything body-on-frame Sport Utility Vehicle.

If you’re in the market for one and the Cadillac Escalade is a bit out of your budget, AutoGuide has compiled a list of the top 10 cheapest SUVs available today. True, they’re not all strict SUVs. Nonetheless, these are all seriously capable machines.

Starting off the list is the Nissan Armada, a full-size SUV with possible seating for eight and priced from $37,885. Lurking under the hood is a 5.6-liter V8 engine with 317 hp and 385 lb-ft of torque mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Available as an option is All-Mode 4WD. The Armada, while extremely functional due to its size, is hardly a lightweight at 5,267 lbs in 2WD form, 5,675 lbs in 4WD form. As a result, the Armada only gets 13 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway with 2WD. 4WD suffers a 1 MPG loss. Aramdas can tow up to 9,100 lbs.

The popular Toyota 4Runner recently received a major update and the 2013 model year SUV starts at $32,350. Powering the 4Runner is a 4.0-liter V6 engine with 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque that is matched to a five-speed Electronically Controlled automatic transmission. As a result, the 4Runner gets a respectable 17 MPG city, 22 MPG highway rating and comes with an integrated towing receiver hitch and wiring harness, allowing it to tow up to 4,700 lbs.

With a starting price of $30,790, the Dodge Durango is a competitive buy with best-in-class V8 with up to 360 hp if you want to dig deeper into your pockets. The three-row SUV in base model form has a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 290 hp while the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is the engine offering 360 hp.

The 3.6-liter powerplant offers 18 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway while the HEMI V8 receives 14 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway.

The Durango can tow up to 6,200 lbs with the V6 engine or 7,400 lbs with the V8.

Next on the list is the 2014 Honda Pilot, which is priced from $30,500. The popular Pilot is powered by a 3.5-liter, V6 i-VTEC engine with 250 hp. Its powerplant is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission while the SUV boasts a Variable Torque Management 4-Wheel Drive System.

The 2014 Honda Pilot is rated at 18 MPG city, 25 MPG highway. The Japanese automaker brags that the Pilot is the most fuel-efficient eight-passenger SUV on the market. The Pilot can tow up to 4,500 lbs.

The Ford Explorer has been a recognizable SUV on the market for over a decade now, with the 2014 model powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque.

Priced from $30,495, the Explorer can also be had with an optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque.

The V6 is rated at 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway, while the EcoBoost four-cylinder is much more fuel efficient with 20 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. The explorer can tow a maximum of 5,000 lbs.

For the 2014 model year, Jeep completely redesigned its Grand Cherokee model. While its design has been undeniably controversial, the SUV is still one of the most affordable ones on the market place today with a starting retail price of $29,970.

The base model Laredo comes equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 290 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque that is mated to a fuel-efficient, eight-speed automatic transmission. As a result, the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee is rated at 17 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. The Grand Cherokee can tow a maximum of 7,400 lbs.

The Toyota FJ Cruiser isn’t long for this world, being discontinued after the 2014 model year. Nonetheless, if you’ve always had your eyes set on Toyota’s off-road SUV, now is the time to act with a starting price of $27,990.

Powering the FJ Cruiser is Toyota’s 4.0-liter V6 engine with 260 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque and can be had with either a five-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. In 4×2 automatic transmission form, the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser gets 16 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway.

The FJ Cruiser is SAE rated to to up to 4,700 lbs.

Next on the list is the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with a starting price of $26,990.

Powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, the 2014 Wrangler Unlimited features 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It’s not the most fuel efficient of the bunch, but gets a respectable 16 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway. According to Jeep, the Wrangler Unlimited can get up to 472 miles on a single tank. The Wrangler Unlimited is rated to tow a maximum of 3,500 lbs.

The future of the Nissan Xterra is unknown, as the Japanese automaker hasn’t made a decision on its aging SUV model.

Sales are slumping for the Xterra, but it is still one of the most affordable SUVs left on today’s market with a price of $23,800.

The 2013 Xterra gets 16 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway and comes with a 4.0-liter V6 engine with 261 hp. The Xterra can tow up to 5,000 lbs.

Coming in at first place on AutoGuide‘s list of top 10 cheapest SUVs is the 2 014 Jeep Wrangl er, with a starting price of $23,390.

The 2014 Wrangler comes with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic. It gets an estimated 17 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway, but has a much smaller tank than the Wrangler Unlimited.

The Wrangler can tow 2,000 lbs.