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2025 Car Mileage with the Best Gas MileageBest SUVs for Road Trips under $35,000
We’ve considered cargo space, cabin comfort, and tech to compile the top ten best road-trip-ready SUVs for less than $35,000.
These ten SUVs will take you anywhere
Road trips can be one of the very best ways to travel and experience North America. Often, they’re accomplished in a large SUV or even better yet, a far more efficient minivan. Still, pricing for those vehicles is skyrocketing these days. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 road-trip-friendly SUVs on sale for under $35,000. Pick your favorite, review our 20 road-trip essentials, and enjoy the ride!
1. Kia Sorento
The Sorento barely makes it to this list as only the base model is available under budget. Nevertheless, it deserves the spot as it is full of road-trip-ready features. It uses a 2.5-liter engine to make 191 horsepower while still getting 31 mpg. It also features a standard 12.3-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty which adds to peace of mind on the road.
2. Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe also just barely clears the bar but adds even more value. It comes standard with a 2.5-liter engine that makes 277 horsepower and still gets 29 mpg. On top of that, it’s bigger than before which improves cabin comfort, especially on long trips. Did we mention that it has three rows and 14.6 cubic feet of cargo space for additional storage? Oh, and it has the same warranty as the Kia and includes three years of complimentary maintenance.
3. Honda CR-V
On the other end of the spectrum, just about all of the CR-V trim levels are within our budget. This little SUV is so well-known and reliable that a list like this requires its inclusion. It comes with a 1.5-liter 190-horsepower turbocharged engine, a CVT, and the choice of front or all-wheel drive. The CR-V isn’t flashy or fun, you want simplicity and functionality on a road trip. This Honda provides both while also offering up to 34 mpg and 39 cubic feet of storage behind the second row.
4. Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
One of the very few hybrid options here, the Tucson is a killer value for those who want the most bang for their buck. Expect a 1.6-liter engine under the hood good for 231 horsepower. A six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are standard, which is great for road trippers who plan to do a touch of soft-roading. In addition, the Tucson Hybrid gets up to 38 mpg regardless of whether you’re on the highway or in the city. Finally, it has 39 cubic feet of storage and the same industry-leading warranty as the Santa Fe.
5. Mazda CX-50
Of all the SUVs on this list, the CX-50 is likely the most enjoyable to drive. Its turbo engine is out of our price range but the base four-cylinder with 187 horsepower is good enough. What makes it special is the excellent chassis, quick six-speed gearbox, and standard AWD. The interior is a quality that some would consider near-luxury and that includes an 8.8 or 10.3-inch infotainment system, tons of headroom, and great standard features like adaptive cruise control. That’ll make a long drive just that much more enjoyable.
6. Subaru Outback
The Outback is sort of an SUV crossed with a wagon, but its popularity means that it deserves to be on this list too. The Premium trim comes standard with an 11.6-inch infotainment system, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. In addition, few vehicles here offer the off-road capability that the Outback does. If your road trip ends deep in the wilderness, this might be the right vehicle for you.
7. Toyota RAV4 / Hybrid
The only other hybrid available on this list is the RAV4 and we’d recommend checking out both it and the normal version for those interested in this segment. The former offers 219 horsepower from a 2.5-liter engine and standard all-wheel drive along with 40 mpg combined. Few SUVs are as well-loved as the RAV4 and that’s understandable. It has a long history of reliability and excellent build quality. It also boasts a long list of standard driver safety aids like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and more.
8. Volkswagen Tiguan
While Volkswagen isn’t known for consistent reliability, it is well-known for well-built interior spaces. The Tiguan offers exactly that and does so with an available third row too. The base model even comes with VW’s IQ.Drive semi-autonomous software that can remove stress from a long drive.
9. Ford Bronco Sport
This pint-sized Bronco offers a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, a special off-road-focused all-wheel drive system, an eight-speed automatic, and real capability. 18-inch wheels come standard on the Outer Banks model which is just inside of our budget. It also gets dual-zone automatic climate control, heated power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and the ability to add intelligent adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist for $895.
10. Tesla Model Y
This car both does and doesn’t belong here as it’s currently priced at $42,000 but when the Federal tax credit comes into play the price drops below $35k. Let’s face it, what we care about is staying within our budget, so the Model Y gets mentioned here. It’s the best-selling car on the planet for a reason. For this kind of cash, you’ll get 260 miles of range, rear-wheel drive, and a glass roof. Cargo space starts at 30.2 feet and can expand up to 76.2 cubic with the seats folded.
