10 SUVs Cheaper Than The Average Car

Introduction

According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, the average price of a new car sold in the United States is $28,400. When most people go shopping for cars, rarely do they consider that they could potentially buy some of the biggest cars on the market, including many with room for seven passengers. As the market for larger cars (especially those that aren't the most fuel efficient) wanes, prices have dropped even farther. In this gallery, we round up the largest SUVs you can buy for less than the price of an average car.

Mitsubishi Endeavor

MSRP: $27,999 - $31,499
Invoice: $26,389 - $29,688
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg Hwy, 15 mpg City

The Mitsubishi Endeavor is a midsize crossover SUV, which has generous seating for five passengers, and ample storage for cargo. The Endeavor can be had as either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The LS trim is exclusive to front-wheel drive, while the SE trim is offered in both.

Mitsubishi Endeavor

MSRP: $27,999 - $31,499
Invoice: $26,389 - $29,688
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg Hwy, 15 mpg City

Power delivery is from a 225-hp, 3.8-liter V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Safety features include six airbags, four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS, stability and traction control, theft-deterrent alarm, anti-theft engine immobilizer, and tire-pressure monitor.

Ford Explorer Sport Trac

MSRP: $27,810 - $35,190
Invoice: $25,937 - $32,653
Fuel Economy: 20 mpg Hwy, 14 mpg City

The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is effectively an Explorer SUV with a pickup bed, a midsize utility vehicle that delivers rugged styling, capable power and a versatile cargo area.

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Ford Explorer Sport Trac

MSRP: $27,810 - $35,190
Invoice: $25,937 - $32,653
Fuel Economy: 20 mpg Hwy, 14 mpg City

The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is available in rear-wheel, four-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations, in a choice of two trim levels: XLT or Limited (Limited only on all-wheel drive models). Two powertrain combinations are available: a 210-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission is standard on all trims, while a 292-hp 4.6-liter V8 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission is optional on the Limited.

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Nissan Murano

MSRP: $27,680 - $37,260
Invoice: $25,504 - $34,315
Fuel Economy: 23 mpg Hwy, 18 mpg City

The Nissan Murano is a crossover vehicle that integrates function and high fashion. It combines sport-utility cargo capacity and sporty driving dynamics. The Murano, in front-wheel drive, is available in S, or SL trim. Order the all-wheel drive system, and an additional LE trim is available.

Nissan Murano

MSRP: $27,680 - $37,260
Invoice: $25,504 - $34,315
Fuel Economy: 23 mpg Hwy, 18 mpg City

The Nissan Murano features Nissan's superb 3.5-liter six-cylinder VQ engine, which generates 265 horsepower. The engine is mated to Nissan's Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with adaptive shift control. Standard features for the Murano include 18" alloy wheels, six airbags, and front seat active head restraints.

Toyota Highlander

MSRP: $25,705 - $34,520
Invoice: $23,134 - $31,067
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg Hwy, 18 mpg City

The Toyota Highlander is a seven-passenger mid-size sport utility vehicle, engineered with Toyota's legendary quality and designed to stand out. A smooth performer, the Highlander also provides a spacious, flexible interior and progressive safety technologies.

Toyota Highlander

MSRP: $25,705 - $34,520
Invoice: $23,134 - $31,067
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg Hwy, 18 mpg City

The Toyota Highlander is offered in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations, each with three trim levels: Base, Sport and Limited. All models are powered by a 270-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine, coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission with sequential manual shift mode.

Nissan Pathfinder

MSRP: $27,210 - $40,210
Invoice: $25,499 - $37,238
Fuel Economy: 22 mpg Hwy, 15 mpg City

The Nissan Pathfinder is a mid-size SUV suited for everything from a suburban lifestyle to off-road adventures. It provides rugged performance and styling in a comfortable package.

Nissan Pathfinder

MSRP: $27,210 - $40,210
Invoice: $25,499 - $37,238
Fuel Economy: 22 mpg Hwy, 15 mpg City

The Nissan Pathfinder is equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 266-hp. A 5.6-liter 310-hp V8 is available on the four-wheel drive version. Both engines are mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The Pathfinder seats seven and includes such safety features as active head restraints, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring.

Hyundai Veracruz

MSRP: $27,145 - $35,995
Invoice: $25,766 - $33,366
Fuel Economy: 23 mpg Hwy, 16 mpg City

The Hyundai Veracruz is the company's first larger sport-utility vehicle. Hyundai hopes to beat the class benchmarks in powertrain performance, standard safety features, and cargo volume.

Hyundai Veracruz

MSRP: $27,145 - $35,995
Invoice: $25,766 - $33,366
Fuel Economy: 23 mpg Hwy, 16 mpg City

The Hyundai Veracruz has instruments that are illuminated with a crisp blue backlighting, cupholders that are ringed with glowing blue light, and cubbies that are lined with a soft, velvety material. All Veracruz models will seat seven, with a third row that tumbles flat into the floor.

Ford Edge

MSRP: $26,920 - $35,770
Invoice: $25,407 - $33,191
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg Hwy, 17 mpg City

The Ford Edge is a five-passenger crossover sport utility that answers the call for a roomy vehicle with utility and style. It isn't a truck. Nor is it a minivan. Yet it's more than a car. All Ford Edge models are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 265 horsepower, and a six-speed automatic transmission.

Ford Edge

MSRP: $26,920 - $35,770
Invoice: $25,407 - $33,191
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg Hwy, 17 mpg City

Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available. Standard safety features on all models include front impact, front seat-mounted side-impact, and front/rear curtain airbags, four wheel anti-lock brakes, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, auto-locking power locks, an occupant classification system and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Kia Borrego

MSRP: $26,245 - $39,995
Invoice: $24,640 - $36,860
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg Hwy, 17 mpg City

The Kia Borrego is an all-new midsized SUV that features rugged body-on-frame construction, and fully independent front and rear suspension. Its muscular looks are backed up by an available V8 engine, a first for Kia.

Kia Borrego

MSRP: $26,245 - $39,995
Invoice: $24,640 - $36,860
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg Hwy, 17 mpg City

The Kia Borrego is available with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive systems, in either LX, EX, or Limited trims. Two drivetrain choices are available, the first, a 276-hp 3.8-liter V6 mated to five-speed automatic, or a 337-hp 4.6-liter V8 mated to an all new six-speed automatic transmission.

Toyota Venza

MSRP: $25,975 - $29,250
Invoice: $23,506 - $26,325
Fuel Economy: 29 mpg Hwy, 21 mpg City

The all-new 2009 Toyota Venza is a five-passenger vehicle that couples the styling and comfort of a passenger car with the flexibility of a sport utility vehicle (SUV), to give customers a stylish alternative to the traditional sedan.

Toyota Venza

MSRP: $25,975 - $29,250
Invoice: $23,506 - $26,325
Fuel Economy: 29 mpg Hwy, 21 mpg City

The all-new 2009 Toyota Venza offers the choice of two powerplants, a 182-hp 2.7-liter four-cylinder or 268-hp 3.5-liter V6. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift control and both can be had in either front or all-wheel drive.

Suzuki XL7

MSRP: $25,745 - $29,930
Invoice: $24,716 - $28,733
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg Hwy, 17 mpg City

The Suzuki XL7 is a crossover SUV that provides space for seven passengers, a smooth ride on the highway, and is comfortable and competent around town. The XL7 comes in three trims: Premium, Luxury, and Limited. A 252-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine and a new six-speed automatic transmission with manumatic shift mode are standard.

Suzuki XL7

MSRP: $25,745 - $29,930
Invoice: $24,716 - $28,733
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg Hwy, 17 mpg City

Available in front-wheel drive or with an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system, the Suzuki XL7 includes a Nivomatic self-levelling rear suspension on all trims. Standard safety features include side-curtain airbags, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, and an electronic stability system with traction control.