GOBankingRates spoke to automotive expert Lauren Fix of Car Coach Reports to provide a curated list of budget-friendly SUVs that don’t sacrifice quality. It offers a hybrid option that boosts fuel economy to the 30-plus mpg level, giving it one of the best mpg ratings of any SUV in its class. The Volkswagen Taos is a small SUV, but it delivers bigger value than some other subcompact SUVs, like the 2025 Hyundai Kona or the 2025 Buick Encore GX.