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Small SUVs have become increasingly popular in recent years due to the versatility, practicality, and fuel efficiency. The best small SUVs for the money come from Jeep, Subaru, and Honda. On top of that, these sport utility vehicles have the potential to last 100,000 miles or more.

The Jeep Wrangler is one of the best small SUVs for the money

iSeeCars puts a lot of research into its list with data-driven analysis on vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler. This analysis found that the Wrangler was one of the best small SUVs for the money that still has a pretty high reliability score. On top of that, the Wrangler excels in value retention.

Around 1% of all Jeep Wrangler SUVs have reached 200,000 miles or more. That’s pretty average for the segment (or for those that would have shown up in this study). The study had a few stipulations, such as being on sale for half of the last 20 years and getting beat by other vehicles. There is also a great possibility the Jeeps were sold longer than 20 years ago.

With some routine upkeep, your Wrangler can break the 200,000-mile barrier too. Following the recommended maintenance schedule outlined in the owner’s manual is the best way to get your vehicle into the million-mile club.

Subaru’s Outback also made the list of best small SUVs for the money

The Subaru Outback offers good value in a small SUV package. Subaru equipped the Outback with plenty of safety features as the standard fare the competition charges extra. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and even radar cruise control are all standard. It is easy to get in and out of and has more cargo space than it looks.

On top of that, all Outbacks come with all-wheel drive, which is an important safety feature. All-wheel drive helps divide the power between the front and rear wheels, which is helpful in colder climates.

Around 0.8% of Outbacks on the road have 200,000 miles or more on the odometer. That means the Subaru Outback is one of the best small SUVs for the money that can reach 100,000 miles pretty easily.

The Honda CR-V is a reliable sport utility vehicle

The best small SUVs for the money include the Honda CR-V
A Hond CR-V | Toru Hanai/Bloomberg via Getty Images

While the Honda CR-V is one of the best small SUVs for the money, it has a long history of reliability behind it as well. It has also been one of the best-selling SUVs since hitting the market in 1997. Honda offers the CR-V in a hybrid version for even more fuel economy.

The CR-V has many trim levels and years to choose from, but all options should be spacious enough. While it is one of the best small SUVs for the money, iSeeCars also found that around 1.4% of Honda CR-Vs on the road have 200,000 miles or more. Following Honda’s recommended maintenance schedule should have your CR-V on the road for a long time.

While these are three of the best small SUVs for the money, routine maintenance is an excellent way to get any vehicle to 100,000 miles. Oil changes, coolant flushes, and new tires are just a few ways to keep your SUV running for as long as possible.

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Staff Writer

Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.