The Cheapest Crossovers

Unsurprisingly, the Dacia Duster is our number one pick for the best cheap crossover thanks to its very affordable starting price of just £11,745 from brand new. Naturally, you can also find a wealth of fantastic deals on the used car market too, bringing the initial price down even further. And what you get for your money is a budget crossover that is a lot better than it ever needed to be. It’s spacious, practical, and really well designed with rugged good looks. It has a strong choice of engines and is offered as a 4×4 that is surprisingly capable off road. It can tow a tonne and half trailer for added practicality and it has a large boot for everyday use. Sure, the Duster might be something of a no frills affair in terms of equipment and interior cabin quality, but that doesn’t stop it from being incredible value for money and a great all-rounder of a crossover.

Starting from just £14,249 new, the Suzuki Ignis is another crossover with a very affordable price point for buyers. The car was first introduced way back in the year 2000 as a supermini, undergoing a major development in 2016 to become a city car/crossover. And the change is for the best, as the Ignis is now brimming with charm and character. It sports a lightweight body for agile handling that is fun for nipping around town and it offers a raised ride height with boxy styling for that strong crossover look. It has dinky dimensions on the outside (perfect for city parking), yet still manages to be practical and comfortable on the inside. It’s also available as a mild hybrid for even better fuel economy and as a 4×4 for added grip and traction. In short, the Ignis perfectly balances the two sides of its city car/crossover identity.

The SsangYong Tivoli is an excellent budget vehicle to challenge the likes of the Dacia Duster and the Suzuki Ignis, greatly undercutting the likes of the Nissan Juke and the Vauxhall Mokka in its pricing. Now available from £13,495, this supermini crossover has suitably boxy looks and diminutive proportions, yet on the inside it offers a class-leading amount of cabin space, including a large 423-litre boot. And for those who want even more space, you can opt for the Tivoli XLV with an extended rear and an even roomier interior. But that’s not all it has going for it. On the road, it is enjoyable to drive with a decent level of refinement. And for greater comfort, there are also higher spec options for leather seats and handy kit, such as dual-climate control. It also comes well-equipped as standard.

The Nissan Qashqai was once the benchmark and definitive crossover on the market, helping to cement this class of vehicle and its enduring popularity. It’s still one of the top cars in its segment, only now there is greater competition and more crossovers to market. The first generation of the Qashqai was released in 2007 and since then, to the company’s credit, Nissan has continued to strengthen and improve the nameplate. It is a crossover that is good to drive with a focus on high levels of comfort and good practicality. It offers lots of good engine choices and a range of trims to suit your needs. Even from £23,550 new, the Qashqai is still great value for money. On the used car market, you can also find hundreds of excellent deals for even cheaper, which is ideal for anyone with a stricter budget.

The all-new Renault Captur, now in its second generation, is priced from £19,095 which is a great affordable starting point for this market-leading supermini/SUV crossover. It offers a spacious cabin with lots of leg and headroom and excellent levels of comfort. It also comes with generous equipment as standard, with useful kit such as autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist, and e-call automated emergency call. Buyers can choose from petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid powertrains, as well as various personalisation options and four trim levels. It’s a very useful family car and a great all-rounder of a crossover, one that is particularly stylish and pleasing to look at it.

First unveiled in 2017, the Skoda Karoq is the crossover of choice for those who value high levels of practicality. In this domain, the Karoq is a class leader with a spacious and comfortable cabin, one of the largest boots in the segment, and lots of neat cubbies and storage spaces, as well as clever touches (like an umbrella holder) that are decidedly Skoda. The car is well built and it is packed with equipment too. Plus, it is good to drive with a clear focus on comfort and refinement. You can find lots of great deals on the used car market and it has an affordable starting price from new at £22,765. In short, it is one of the best crossovers available.

From £18,250 new, the Hyundai Kona provides a strong alternative to the likes of the Skoda Karoq, Nissan Qashqai, and Renault Captur, but at a cheaper, more affordable starting price. It has striking, sporty looks, styled by the lead designer behind the alluring Lamborghini Gallardo and Murcielago, and it offers drivers a car that stands out from the crowd in a busy sector. Yet its strong image is not the only thing going for it. The Kona is also spacious and practical, as well as being comfortable with high-mounted seats giving a commanding view of the road. The cabin also has a nice finish and a clear dashboard layout, making it easy to drive.

For those who are looking for a compact SUV crossover that is engaging and fun to drive, the Volkswagen T-Roc is a car well worth taking a look at. Introduced in 2017, this vehicle offers agile and precise handling that is more akin to a hatchback than others of its class. Naturally, this leads to an enjoyable driving experience, which is good fun, whether driving in the city, on winding country lanes, or on the motorway. It pairs this aspect with great build quality and sporty, stylish looks that help it stand out from the competition. It comes with a good amount of kit as standard and a comfortable cabin that matches the exterior style with a modern finish. Available from £21,440, it also enjoys a competitive price point with rivals.

When it comes to crossovers and SUVs, Kia has the market covered with the Niro, Sportage, Sorento, and Soul. Unveiled in 2017, the Stonic is the next crossover in the South Korean manufacturer’s line up, providing the company with a truly dominant range covering all aspects and body types. It has a lightweight build for agility and it is good fun to drive, although the ride quality is slightly on the firmer side. It comes well-equipped as standard and with a good amount of interior space and practicality. Furthermore, from new it comes with Kia’s outstanding 7 years/100,000 miles warranty and a competitive starting price of £18,195. You can also find hundreds of great used deals on the preowned car market too, at even cheaper prices.

Starting from £18,605 new, the Seat Arona was unveiled to the world in 2017. It is the second vehicle to be built on the MQB A0 platform, which underpins all new small Volkswagen Group cars, so unsurprisingly it’s rather impressive. It has attractive, angular looks that gives the sharp design of the Hyundai Kona a good run for its money and it’s enjoyable to drive, with sharp steering and minimal body roll. Inside, the cabin has an impressive amount of leg and headroom, with space for adults to sit comfortably in the front and the rear. It also has strong levels of practicality, with lots of storage cubbies and a large boot with an adjustable floor. The ride quality is suitably refined too, providing a smooth and comfy journey, whether on the motorway or in the city.