Ten Cheap SUVs

MSRP: Starting at $16,695
Fuel Economy: 25 mpg Hwy/20 mpg City

The Kia Sportage is renowned for being an affordable compact SUV. It offers a comprehensive set of safety features, excellent versatility, and tremendous value. The Sportage is a five passenger vehicle that comes in two trims: LX and EX. The choice of front-wheel or four-wheel drive is available for both trim levels.

MSRP: Starting at $16,695
Fuel Economy: 25 mpg Hwy/20 mpg City

The Kia Sportage's standard safety features include four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, electronic stability program, traction control, privacy glass, and six airbags, including side curtain airbags.

MSRP: Starting at $17,540
Fuel Economy: 28 mpg Hwy/23 mpg City

The Patriot is a compact sport utility vehicle that features classic Jeep styling in an affordable package. While it will spend most of its life on city streets, the Patriot includes components that provide it with off-road capability unparalleled by other vehicles in its class. It's available in two trims, Sport and Limited, which have a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.

MSRP: Starting at $17,540
Fuel Economy: 28 mpg Hwy/23 mpg City

The Patriot shares its small-SUV platform with the Jeep Compass but offers off-road capability its sibling doesn't. It is available in front-wheel drive or with a four-wheel-drive system which utilizes a lock mode to enhance traction in inclement weather.

MSRP: Starting at $18,070
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg Hwy/20 mpg City

The Tucson is a compact SUV that is nicely proportioned with clean lines and short overhangs front and rear. The front-wheel drive Tucson comes in three trims: the GLS, SE, and Limited. The GLS has a 140-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with a choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or a Shiftronic four-speed automatic transmission.

MSRP: Starting at $18,070
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg Hwy/20 mpg City

Standard safety features for the Tucson include side-curtain and side-impact airbags, all-disc anti-lock brakes with traction control, active front head restraints and an electronic stability system.

MSRP: Starting at $18,465
Fuel Economy: 28 mpg Hwy/23 mpg City

The Compass is an affordable compact SUV meant to bring the Jeep name to a broader range of drivers with car-like on-road capability and fuel economy. It shares the same platform with the Patriot, the Compass offers a choice of front-wheel or full-time four-wheel drive. Two trims are available: Sport and Limited, which have a 172-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.

MSRP: Starting at $18,465
Fuel Economy: 28 mpg Hwy/23 mpg City

For 2009, Compass receives a significantly upgraded interior, with improved design and quality of materials. The Sport's radio is upgraded with an MP3 player, and the Limited receives a 6-CD/DVD/MP3 player with SIRIUS satellite radio.

MSRP: Starting at $18,799
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg Hwy/19 mpg City

The Vitara is a solid choice among compact SUVs. It's suitable for anyone who wants off-road capability or needs to manage the daily drive in a comfortable, competent manner. It's offered in four trims: Base, Premium, XSport and Luxury. The standard engine is a 166-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder available with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.

MSRP: Starting at $18,799
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg Hwy/19 mpg City

Also new for 2009 is an upgraded 230-hp 3.2-liter V6 in the Grand Vitara, matched with either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard and Suzuki's 4-Mode, full-time 4WD system with transfer case lock and low-range is optional.

MSRP: Starting at $19,730
Fuel Economy: 28 mpg Hwy/22 mpg City

The Tribute is the vehicle for you if you want a little zoom in your compact utility. It has seating for up to five passengers. It's available with two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a 3.0-liter V6. Only the i Sport FWD trim offers a five-speed manual, all other FWD and AWD trim levels, regardless of engine, are standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.

MSRP: Starting at $19,730
Fuel Economy: 28 mpg Hwy/22 mpg City

The Tribute's standard safety features include electronic stability control with roll control, front, side and curtain airbags, four-wheel anti-lock brakes and tire pressure monitoring.

MSRP: Starting at $20,220
Fuel Economy: 27 mpg Hwy/22 mpg City

The Rogue was an all-new offering from Nissan for '08. For '09, Nissan has added an auto-locking function to the power door locks. Resembling the Murano, the Rogue offers similar iconic styling in a slightly smaller package. Available in two trim levels, base S and the upscale SL, all Rogues are equipped with 2.5-liter, 170-hp, four-cylinder engine.

MSRP: Starting at $20,220
Fuel Economy: 27 mpg Hwy/22 mpg City

The Rogue's standard safety fare includes; four-wheel anti-lock brakes with panic assist, stability control, traction control, front seat side-impact and all row side-curtain airbags.

MSRP: Starting at $20,275
Fuel Economy: 25 mpg Hwy/20 mpg City

Designed to appeal to a young and active crowd. The versatile four-passenger Element maximizes space for people and cargo while retaining a relatively compact size and car-like driving characteristics. It's available in three trim levels: the LX, the EX and the (FWD only) SC. All trim levels are equipped with a 166-hp 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine.

MSRP: Starting at $20,275
Fuel Economy: 25 mpg Hwy/20 mpg City

Standard safety features on every Element include anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control, front side-impact airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags and a tire pressure monitor. New for 2009, the front seats are now equipped with active anti-whiplash head restraints.

MSRP: Starting at $20,295
Fuel Economy: 27 mpg Hwy/20 mpg City

The Forester is a vehicle that blends many of the best attributes of a sport-utility vehicle with the ride and driving dynamics of a car. The Forester enters its third generation on an all-new platform, with a wheelbase that is 3.6 inches longer than the outgoing model and a new double-wishbone rear suspension that enhances cargo capacity.

MSRP: Starting at $20,295
Fuel Economy: 27 mpg Hwy/20 mpg City

The Forester is available in four trim levels: 2.5 X, 2.5 X Limited, 2.5 XT and 2.5 XT Limited. All trim levels are equipped with Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine.

MSRP: Starting at $20,435
Fuel Economy: 28 mpg Hwy/22 mpg City

The Ford Escape breaks onto the scene with improved power, improved safety and added content to entice buyers into this gracefully aging platform.

MSRP: Starting at $20,435
Fuel Economy: 28 mpg Hwy/22 mpg City

Out with the old and in with the new must have been Ford's philosophy for the Escape for 2009. Out is the old 2.3-liter four, in is a new 2.5-liter that produces a respectable 171-hp. Similarly, the 3.0-liter V6 has also gained horses - up from 200 to 240-hp.

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