Best SUVs Under $40,000

Consumer Reports' top choices are based on our extensive testing and member surveys

Jon Linkov, Consumer Reports Autos Editor.

By Jon Linkov
Autos Editor

Updated July 15, 2026

2026 Kia Sportage driving through desert — 2026 Kia Sportage

Buyers love the versatility, elevated ride height, and comfort that SUVs deliver. But once you decide that you want an SUV, it can be difficult to select the right model. That’s where Consumer Reports can help.

Below, we present the best SUVs under $40,000 ranked by their Overall Score. This list features two- and three-row SUVs, and all entries offer at least one trim with all-wheel drive for less than $40,000, including the destination fee. That’s why some models, such as the Kia Sorento Hybrid and Honda Pilot, aren’t included.

In this article

Two-Row SUVs
Three-Row SUVs

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Two-Row SUVs

Three-Row SUVs

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Jon Linkov

Jon Linkov is the deputy auto editor at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2002, covering varied automotive topics including buying and leasing, maintenance and repair, ownership, reliability, used cars, and electric vehicles. He manages CR’s lineup of special interest publications, hosts CR’s “Talking Cars” podcast, and writes and edits content for CR’s online and print products. An avid cyclist, Jon also enjoys driving his ’80s-era sports car and instructing at track days.