Did you know SUVs are the most popular type of car sold in the UK? 

Prior to this popularity explosion, they were usually large, luxurious, and expensive vehicles that few people owned. However, almost every manufacturer is now making smaller, compact SUVs for daily life and all budgets. 

The trick to finding a cheap SUV is knowing which brand is worth buying. Consider this your SUV cheat sheet — we’ve compiled a list of the most affordable (quality) SUVs currently on the market in the UK. 

The list below starts at the most expensive affordable SUV and counts down to the cheapest. Get your notepad out and scroll down for more.

13. Volvo EX30 - £33,000

The Volvo EX30 isn’t the cheapest on this list by far, but it still sits in the lower price category for SUVs, and it’s a great choice if you’re ready to invest in an outstandingly reliable car. The EX30’s durability makes it excellent value for money, so your upfront purchase pays itself off after years of use. 

The highlights of the Volvo EX30 include its comfort, up to 296 battery range, and five-door design. Some drivers critique the car’s boot space, so keep this in mind if storage is a priority.

12. Volkswagen T-Cross - £22,900

The Volkswagen T-Cross is another entry on this list that is above £20,000. However, don’t discount it, as this is still a more affordable SUV price, especially when you consider the value provided by the car.

The T-Cross offers lots of boot storage, ample space for backseat passengers, and great standard equipment. It also has innovative features like lane assist, cruise control, and blindspot detection. However, some drivers may opt for a cheaper car with similar features, such as the SEAT Arona.

11. Hyundai Bayon - £21,000

Next is the Hyundai Baron. Known for its smooth ride and low CO2 emissions, this spacious and comfortable SUV is priced at the entry-level. It also has good rear space and plenty of storage in the boot.

The one feature to note is the Bayon’s low driving position. This won’t work for all drivers, so don’t rush into buying without a test drive.

10. Vauxhall Mokka - £19,300 

The Mokka, the oldest of Vauxhall’s SUV range, has been a familiar sight on UK roads since its first generation in 2012. The 2023 model, however, is a delightful blend of modern and retro, with clear design cues from the Nova of the 1990s, sure to pique your interest.

Inside, the Mokka comes with air conditioning and a touch-screen stereo equipped with Apple CarPlay as standard. The model we found also had lane keeping and cruise control for long-distance comfort.

9. Vauxhall Crossland 1.2 Turbo - £19,140 

As the smaller of the new-age Vauxhall range of SUVs, the Crossland could well be considered more of a crossover rather than an SUV, but with the lines between the two ever more blurred and the Crossland offering more space than some pronounced SUV, we’ll include it here.

Fitted with the GM 1.2 turbocharged petrol engine, the Crossland can be quite frugal on fuel, although not as impressive as some cars on this list, namely those with the VW 1.0 TSI engine. 

8. SEAT Arona 1.0 TSI - £18,995 

As our pick from our recent rundown on 1.0-litre engine cars, the Seat Arona is an excellent choice for those looking for the holy trinity: affordability, style and practicality.

The Arona benefits from the 1.0 turbocharged VW engine, stylish SEAT design and a large cross-section, meaning plenty of room for kids, dogs and luggage. The boot space is very generous at 400 litres. 

7. KIA Stonic 1.0T GDi 2 5dr - £18,570 

The Stonic was first brought to market in 2017 as Kia’s smaller SUV, sitting below the Sorento and the Sportage in their lineup. However, what it lacks in stature, it makes up for in value, with new models available from just over £18,500.  

For that price tag, you get Apple car play on the 8-inch touchscreen, cruise control and forward collision avoidance. The 1.0 turbocharged engine produces around 100 horsepower and achieves over 50 MPG.

6. Skoda Kamiq 1.0 TSI - £17,990 

As it's based on the same chassis as the aforementioned SEAT Arona, the Kamiq is similarly sized and has the exact same boot capacity! That, alongside the fact the engine and gearbox options are the same, means it's down to styling and cost on which one you should pick.

For us, the SEAT is just that little bit more stylish. The Skoda is typically more angular and functional than the SEAT's sleekness. The Skoda does pip the SEAT on price, though, with this brand new SE spec being a whole £1,000 cheaper than the Arona.

5. Citroen C3 Aircross - £17,985 

The C3 Aircross is an interesting-looking car with bubbly body panels that are very Citroen in shape. Inside, the steering wheel and dash are also quirky, with rounded squares and rectangles being the primary design cue.

Under the bonnet, the 1.2 turbocharged petrol engine does a good job moving the vehicle around, especially considering it can manage over 52 MPG on the motorway. Colour choices are aplenty with the C3, with some vibrant blues and yellows for those who want to stand out!

4. Suzuki Ignis - £17,900

With a praised fuel economy, generous equipment, and a surprising amount of space for a smaller SUV (260L boot), the Suzuki Ignis is worth your time. If you’d prefer a version that can drive on all terrains, pick the four-wheel drive Suzuki Ignis. 

This car isn’t as stylish as others on the list, but it can get you from A to B without a hitch. However, this might not suit you if you want an SUV with a premium infotainment system. 

3. Dacia Jogger - £17,800

The Dacia Jogger bridges the gap between seven-seat family cars and expensive people carriers. It’s practical, spacious, and comfortable to drive. It’s also praised for being easy to park, which is a pro if you’re new to SUV-type cars.

The most popular variant of the Dacia Jogger is the Extreme 1.6 HEV Auto, a hybrid engine with five doors and automatic driving. Could this be the SUV for you?

2. Dacia Duster Essential TCe 90 - £17,300 

Dacia is great at making small, bare-bones cars that tick most of the boxes needed for an A-to-B kind of car. The new Duster does this while being packaged into a stylish SUV form factor.

The basic trim level keeps costs low by using steel wheels instead of alloys, which the Duster pulls off quite successfully, giving it a Land Rover Defender utility feel.

The Duster's interior design, while fairly sparse, exudes a touch of French style and elegance, a likely influence from Dacia's parent company, Renault. The engine, sourced from Renault’s Japanese partner Nissan, promises longevity and fuel efficiency. 

1. MG ZS 1.5 VTi-TECH - £15,300 

Lastly, MG’s SUV is one of the cheapest on the market. The 1.5 petrol engine produces 109 horsepower, and while it is not likely to break any speed records, it returns an admirable MPG figure of around 43 MPG. 

The ZS is not just about its snazzy infotainment system. It also offers a significant 7-year or 80,000-mile warranty, providing you with peace of mind. 

What is the cheapest SUV in the UK?

For the best combination of value, style and technical features, we’d recommend the SEAT Arona as the best cheap SUV to buy in the UK. It’s a great way to get an economical, high-tech sports utility vehicle for less than £20,000.

However, if budget is the biggest factor, you can’t go wrong with a Dacia Duster, which offers all the basic - and some not-so-basic - features the rest do at a no-frills price.

The best value and affordable SUVs - The takeaway

Whether you’re looking for your first SUV or your third, spending ample time on the research is always good. Use this guide to compare and contrast cheap SUVs until you find one that checks your personal boxes. 

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Author - Joseph Law

Joseph has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.