This Is The Cheapest New American Subcompact Suv You Can Buy

The Chevrolet Trax has earned respective bragging authorities since nan 2nd procreation was launched successful 2024. Not only is nan Trax Chevy's second-best-selling SUV, it besides sits atop nan full subcompact category, outselling rivals for illustration nan Kia Seltos and Honda HR-V. Last year, nan Bowtie marque sold complete 200,000 examples, according to GM Authority. For 2026, nan Trax has different declare to fame: it's nan slightest costly caller subcompact SUV you tin bargain from an American brand. The value of introduction starts astatine $23,495 (which includes destination charges, arsenic do nan different prices mentioned here).

That's a connection that nan trading group from General Motors are judge to love, but let's put those words into perspective. In 2026, GM is technically nan only American automaker to connection subcompact SUVs. The forgettable Ford EcoSport exited nan arena aft 2022. Stellantis killed disconnected nan Dodge Hornet before nan 2026 version ever reached showrooms. Plus, it was a batch much costly and fell into nan compact category.

So, Chevy, return nan triumph wherever you can. However, it's not nan cheapest caller subcompact SUV. We'll screen that below. And what astir nan Chevy Trailblazer, different made-in-South Korea mini utility? This Trax stablemate has a guidelines value of $25,095.

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The Trax's worth comes down to individual expectations. In a 2024 article, Jalopnik said, "the Chevy Trax didn't person to beryllium this good." Of course, that was erstwhile nan guidelines value was $2,000 little than it is today. Nonetheless, it scored points successful nan bang-per-buck factor.

Buyers should cognize really and why Chevrolet continues to present nan Trax truthful cheaply. It starts pinch simplicity. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder motor making 137 horsepower. It's a mill we called "not precisely silky, aliases bully to perceive to" successful that 2024 story, but nan Trax is almost half nan value of nan cheapest Lexus SUV (the UX). Chevy besides skips all-wheel thrust successful favour of a front-wheel-drive-only configuration.

The automaker cuts backmost connected immoderate of nan modular bells and whistles. Rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring are portion of a $395 upgrade package. Meanwhile, adaptive cruise power requires stepping up to a higher trim. The guidelines trim besides has 17-inch steelies alternatively of nan aluminum wheels connected nan higher 1RS and LT grades. None of this is surprising; it conscionable explains nan Trax's bargain-basement value for nan entry-level LS trim.

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The title of nan slightest costly caller subcompact SUV (and one of nan cheapest caller cars for 2026) belongs to nan Hyundai Venue — nan guidelines SE trim stickers astatine $22,150. Like nan Trax, it only has front-wheel drive, but gets its powerfulness from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, albeit pinch less ponies (121 horsepower). Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert aren't disposable connected nan cheapest Venue.

At $24,275, nan Nissan Kicks S is astir $900 much than nan Trax. However, immoderate driver-assist immunodeficiency (blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert) are standard. Its people aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder motor produces 141 horsepower. All-wheel thrust is optional.

The different accustomed subcompact suspects (Kia Seltos, Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda HR-V, Subaru Crosstrek, Hyundai Kona, Volkswagen Taos, Mazda CX-30, and Buick Envista) each commencement northbound of $25,000 (with freight) for nan 2026 exemplary year. Last year, location were further offerings beneath nan $25,000 threshold. The Kia Soul started astatine $21,895, and nan Kicks Play (a rehash of nan first generation) costs $23,375. These models weren't carried complete into 2026. However, a speedy cheque of Autotrader still shows immoderate caller units successful trader inventory.