The 2 Cheapest SUVs To Keep On the Road, According To Consumer Reports
Brooke Kottmann
· 3 min read
The results are in: The 2011
Kia
Sportage and Chevrolet Tahoe are two of the most affordable SUVs on the road right now, according to Consumer Reports
. For the June 2021 issue of Consumer Reports magazine, Consumer Reports set out the most expensive and least expensive SUVs to keep on the road. Consumer Reports has published their study findings online.
Here’s what you need to know about how the budget-conscious Sportage and Tahoe won their respective titles.
How were the cheapest SUVs scored?
Consumer Reports asked its members how much they spent on regular maintenance and repairs, such as oil changes and brake replacements, over the past 12 months and the make, model, and year of their vehicle.
For this study,
Consumer Reports
looked exclusively at owner input on cars that are 10 years old. Their reasoning for analyzing 2011 models is because after the 10-year-mark, older vehicles are typically more expensive to insure, and automaker warranties will have likely expired. Because car owners paid out of pocket to maintain their SUVs, their yearly average cost genuinely indicates how cheap—or expensive—their vehicles are.
SUVs were categorized by their car price, either under $10,000 or between $10,000 and $20,000, and the total cost of yearly repairs. The annual costs ranged from $200 and $300, with an average of $260 for all 2011 SUVs.
Cheap SUVs are worth the investment
You might be surprised to learn that automotive excellence doesn’t have to come with an exorbitant price tag.
Consumer Reports declared the 2011 crossover SUV Kia Sportage the cheapest model under $10,000 with a $250 yearly average cost to maintain.
This year’s model, which featured a redesigned interior and exterior and efficient fuel economy, is ranked as the No. 2 most affordable compact SUV by
U.S. News
.The Chevrolet Tahoe is the cheapest SUV valued at anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 with just $250 worth of maintenance and repairs.
Who wouldn’t be happy with that price? The Tahoe’s glowing reviews highly recommend the vehicle’s comfortable, spacious cabin and praise its reliability and towing capacity.
Factoring in the cost of insurance
Car-related savings don’t have to come to a stop after you buy a cheap SUV like the 2011 Sportage or Tahoe.
Full-coverage car insurance
can cost a staggering $1,133.92 a year. Jerry
shops over 45 insurance carriers to find you tailored coverage at the best price. Even better: The average Jerry user saves $73 on their monthly premium. You won’t have the added benefit of a new-car warranty when you purchase your used SUV, but excellent insurance coverage can offset your yearly out-of-pocket maintenance and repair costs, too.
