Carivo Rankings · 2026

Best SUVs Under $35k Ranked by Score

Shopping with a budget? These are every suv in our database starting under $35,000, ranked by overall Carivo score — so the #1 spot is the best you can actually buy at this price.

✓ Updated June 2026

The $35k bracket is the sweet spot of the entire SUV market — it buys a well-equipped compact SUV (including the hybrid versions that dominate our rankings) or a base midsize. Hybrids deserve a hard look here: the fuel savings compound, and they hold value better.

Compare #1 vs #2: Toyota RAV4 Base vs Toyota RAV4 →

2025 Toyota RAV4 Base

Toyota · SUV · from $31,749 · 31 MPG (~$1,694/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.4 Recommended

2025 Toyota RAV4

Toyota · SUV · from $31,749 · 31 MPG (~$1,694/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.4 Recommended

2026 Toyota RAV4

Toyota · SUV · from $31,749 · 43 MPG (~$1,221/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.4 Recommended

2024 Toyota RAV4 Base

Toyota · SUV · from $30,825 · 30 MPG (~$1,750/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.3 Recommended

2025 Mazda CX-30

Mazda · SUV · from $25,744 · 31 MPG (~$1,694/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.3 Recommended

2026 Mazda CX-30

Mazda · SUV · from $25,744 · 27 MPG (~$1,944/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.3 Recommended

2024 Toyota RAV4

Toyota · SUV · from $30,825 · 30 MPG (~$1,750/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.3 Recommended

2026 Honda CR-V

Honda · SUV · from $32,043 · 29 MPG (~$1,810/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.2 Recommended

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

Toyota · SUV · from $24,112 · 33 MPG (~$1,591/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.2 Recommended

#10

2023 Toyota RAV4 Base

Toyota · SUV · from $29,900 · 29 MPG (~$1,810/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.2 Recommended

#11

2022 Honda CR-V

Honda · SUV · from $29,243 · 28 MPG (~$1,875/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.2 Recommended

#12

2025 Honda CR-V

Honda · SUV · from $32,043 · 31 MPG (~$1,694/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.2 Recommended

#13

2024 Mazda CX-30

Mazda · SUV · from $24,995 · 30 MPG (~$1,750/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.2 Recommended

#14

2026 Toyota Corolla Cross

Toyota · SUV · from $24,112 · 32 MPG (~$1,641/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.2 Recommended

#15

2022 Honda CR-V Base

Honda · SUV · from $29,243 · 28 MPG (~$1,875/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.2 Recommended

#16

2025 Honda CR-V Base

Honda · SUV · from $32,043 · 31 MPG (~$1,694/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.2 Recommended

#17

2022 Honda CR-V S

Honda · SUV · from $33,629 · 28 MPG (~$1,875/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.2 Recommended

#18

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Base

Toyota · SUV · from $24,112 · 33 MPG (~$1,591/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.2 Recommended

#19

2023 Toyota RAV4 S

Toyota · SUV · from $34,385 · 29 MPG (~$1,810/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.2 Recommended

#20

2023 Toyota RAV4

Toyota · SUV · from $29,900 · 29 MPG (~$1,810/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.2 Recommended

#21

2024 Toyota Corolla Cross

Toyota · SUV · from $23,410 · 32 MPG (~$1,641/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.1 Recommended

#22

2020 Hyundai Palisade Base

Hyundai · SUV · from $32,780 · 19 MPG (~$2,763/yr fuel) · 8 seats

8.1 Recommended

#23

2020 Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai · SUV · from $32,780 · 19 MPG (~$2,763/yr fuel) · 8 seats

8.1 Recommended

#24

2020 Kia Telluride

Kia · SUV · from $32,639 · 19 MPG (~$2,763/yr fuel) · 8 seats

8.1 Recommended

#25

2021 Kia Telluride

Kia · SUV · from $33,751 · 20 MPG (~$2,625/yr fuel) · 8 seats

8.1 Recommended

#26

2023 Mazda CX-50

Mazda · SUV · from $29,391 · 27 MPG (~$1,944/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.1 Recommended

#27

2022 Kia Telluride

Kia · SUV · from $34,864 · 21 MPG (~$2,500/yr fuel) · 8 seats

8.1 Recommended

#28

2020 Kia Telluride Base

Kia · SUV · from $32,639 · 19 MPG (~$2,763/yr fuel) · 8 seats

8.1 Recommended

#29

2021 Kia Telluride Base

Kia · SUV · from $33,751 · 20 MPG (~$2,625/yr fuel) · 8 seats

8.1 Recommended

#30

2024 Mazda CX-5

Mazda · SUV · from $29,990 · 28 MPG (~$1,875/yr fuel) · 5 seats

8.1 Recommended

Buying Tips — SUVs

Check reliability scores carefully — large SUVs vary enormously by brand
Prioritize models with standard AWD if you're in a snowy climate
Compare third-row SUVs on legroom specs before committing
Factor in fuel costs — a 20 MPG vs 28 MPG SUV is a significant difference over 5 years
Use Carivo's compare tool to put your top picks side by side before deciding