10 Used Compact SUVs With The Lowest Maintenance Costs
Keeping an SUV on the road has never cost more. Purchase prices have climbed sharply, fuel bills remain stubbornly high, and dealership service lanes aren’t getting any cheaper. In that environment, choosing the right compact SUV from the start isn’t just smart shopping — it’s a genuine long-term financial decision.
One of the most overlooked ways to control those costs is choosing a model with a proven record of reliability and low maintenance costs. Pick the wrong SUV, and you could easily spend thousands more than a comparable alternative over the course of ownership.
We’ve drawn on the available data to rank 10 compact SUVs that are cheapest to maintain. These vehicles deliver comfort, practicality, and modern features without punishing you every time a service interval rolls around.
10
2025 Kia Sportage
Average 10-Year Maintenance Costs: $8,109
The Sportage has been a staple of the compact segment for some time, with each generation building on the previous model’s success. The Kia manages to deliver in the most important areas for this segment, with a comfortable interior and a solid amount of practicality.
Reliability
Given that the Sportage and Tucson share a mechanical platform, it’s no surprise that the Kia scores a very similar 84 out of 100 for quality and reliability. On average, CarEdge estimates its maintenance costs to be slightly lower than the Hyundai’s.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $462 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,109 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 0
- Worst Sportage Year To Buy Used: 2012
9
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan
Average 10-Year Maintenance Costs: $7,934
The Tiguan may not be the most popular compact SUV, but it is certainly one of the highest-value options available. Its styling is mature and composed, with refinement and utility at the forefront. It can even be configured with a third row. Take it down a twisty road, though, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how engaging it feels.
Reliability
Volkswagen may not carry the reliability reputation it once did, but the Tiguan still ranks quite well. It achieves an 81 out of 100 for quality and reliability. CarEdge estimates its maintenance costs over the first ten years of ownership to be just over $300 less than the average SUV.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $730 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,934 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 0
- Worst Tiguan Year To Buy Used: 2018
8
2024 GMC Terrain
Average 10-Year Maintenance Costs: $7,904
The only American entry on this list, the Terrain is a sturdy standout in a segment full of sleek crossovers. It distinguishes itself with strong standard technology and well-equipped AT4 and Denali trims. It may not offer the same breadth of value as some segment leaders, but it is solidly built.
Reliability
The GMC Terrain ranks among the most reliable American SUVs on the road, scoring a respectable 85 out of 100 for quality and reliability on J.D. Power. Its ten-year maintenance costs sit $346 below the class average. It will be worth watching how the updated 2025 model holds up over time.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $558 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,904 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1
- Worst Terrain Year To Buy Used: 2011
7
2025 Nissan Rogue
Average 10-Year Maintenance Costs: $7,712
One of the most underappreciated models in the compact segment, the Nissan Rogue has a lot going for it. A notable addition to the current lineup is the off-road-oriented Rock Creek trim. Its other highlights include a high-quality interior and an impressively smooth ride.
Reliability
The Rogue hasn’t been tested by J.D. Power since before its redesign, but most of the mechanical components carry over, making the 2023 model year’s score of 83 out of 100 a reasonable reference point. CarEdge estimates the Rogue’s maintenance costs over its first ten years to be $538 less than the segment average.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $467 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,712 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 1
- Worst Rogue Year To Buy Used: 2018
6
2025 Mazda CX-5
Average 10-Year Maintenance Costs: $7,698
Mazda continues to impress with fresh, stylish vehicles that exceed expectations across the board. The CX-5 is the clearest expression of that philosophy, offering near-luxury interior materials and handling that is genuinely sporty. Its strong curb appeal only sweetens the deal.
Reliability
Reliability is another area where Mazda consistently performs well. The CX-5 may not top the brand’s own rankings, but it still earns an above-average 82 out of 100. Despite its upscale character, it remains affordable to keep, with CarEdge estimating ten-year maintenance costs to be $552 below the class average.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $447 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,698 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 0
- Worst CX-5 Year To Buy Used: 2016
5
2025 Lexus RX
Average 10-Year Maintenance Costs: $7,587
For those unfamiliar with Lexus’s reputation, seeing a near-$50,000 SUV on a low-maintenance-cost list might raise an eyebrow. The RX is the quintessential luxury SUV, built around a deep commitment to comfort. Its premium interior amenities and exceptional ride quality are central to its enduring appeal.
Reliability
Lexus vehicles are considered at least as reliable as those from their mainstream sibling, Toyota. The RX backs that up with a score of 85 out of 100 for quality and reliability. More impressive still are its running costs: not only does it rank among the most affordable compact SUVs to maintain, but its ten-year maintenance costs are estimated to be $6,565 less than the average luxury SUV.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $550 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,587 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 0
- Worst RX Year To Buy Used: 2004
4
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander
Average 10-Year Maintenance Costs: $7,519
Mitsubishi’s profile in the U.S. market has been fading, but the Outlander remains a genuinely solid choice in the compact segment with excellent value. Where earlier model years suffered from poor interior quality, the current generation is notably more comfortable and well-finished. It also comes with a standard third row of seats.
Reliability
The Outlander also holds its own on reliability, scoring a solid 82 out of 100 for quality and reliability. This really is one of the most underrated crossovers on the market. Its ten-year maintenance costs come in $731 below the class average.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $519 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,519 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 0
- Worst Outlander Year To Buy Used: 2015
3
2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Average 10-Year Maintenance Costs: $7,470
Where the Eclipse name once graced a beloved sports car, it now belongs to a small SUV. The styling suggests edge and excitement, but beneath the surface lies a fairly conventional vehicle. It isn’t a bad choice by any means, but it doesn’t offer the same breadth of value as many rivals in the segment.
Reliability
Despite its other limitations, reliability is not one of them. The Eclipse Cross ranks decently on J.D. Power with a score of 81 out of 100 for quality and reliability. Being smaller than the Outlander, it’s no surprise that it is more affordable to maintain, coming in $780 under the average ten-year maintenance cost for SUVs.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,470 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 0
- Worst Eclipse Cross Year To Buy Used:
2
2025 Honda CR-V
Average 10-Year Maintenance Costs: $7,367
If value-for-money is what you’re after, it’s hard to beat the Honda CR-V. That has been true for decades, and it remains true today. The CR-V is arguably the most well-rounded compact SUV on the market — fitting for a nameplate that helped define the segment.
Reliability
Honda’s reliability is legendary, built on a long history of vehicles that simply keep going. While perhaps not as class-leading as it once was, the CR-V still scores a strong 84 out of 100 for quality and reliability. Its ten-year maintenance costs are also $883 below the class average.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $407 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,367 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 1
- Worst CR-V Year To Buy Used: 2018
1
2025 Toyota RAV4
Average 10-Year Maintenance Costs: $5,820
If the other SUVs on this list impressed you with their low maintenance costs, the RAV4 will genuinely surprise you. A perennial best-seller in the segment, it’s not difficult to understand why: the RAV4 is a straightforward SUV that prioritizes utility, practicality, and low running costs above all else.
Reliability
While the RAV4’s reputation has long rested on its durability, the current model’s J.D. Power score doesn’t quite live up to that legacy, coming in at a modest 80 out of 100 for quality and reliability. Its maintenance costs, however, are in a class of their own — CarEdge estimates ten-year costs to be $2,430 below the class average, a gap that no rival on this list comes close to matching.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $429 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,820 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 0
- Worst RAV4 Year To Buy Used: 2007
Sources: OEMs, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, RepairPal, CarEdge
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