With rising fuel prices, economical SUVs ‒both in terms of price and fuel consumption‒ are becoming increasingly important. With the capacity to accommodate 5 to 7 passengers, varying levels of performance, and towing capabilities tailored to your needs, here is our top 5 for best affordable SUVs, presented by Arbour VW, your Volkswagen dealer in Laval.
This small, economical SUV is extremely agile in urban settings and roomier than it appears. The Taos leads this top 5 by offering numerous benefits, including the lowest price and the best fuel efficiency.
In its front-wheel drive trim, consumption numbers are as low as 8.4 L/6.6 L/7.6 L per 100 km (city/highway/combined). A true feat! Even with its AWD trims, it remains impressive, with a consumption of 9.4 L/7.4 L/8.4 L per 100 km under the same conditions.
And let's not forget that even though it is compact, cargo space reaches an impressive 1,866 L once rear seats are folded down!
Although it is more expensive, the Atlas Cross Sport earns its spot among our top 5 best affordable SUVs for many reasons. Firstly, it is the only 7-passenger SUV in this selection.
In addition to offering proven Volkswagen reliability this Volkswagen Canada SUV delivers the best towing capacity at 5,000 lb. (2,268 kg), the most generous cargo space (up to 2,197 L once rear seats are folded down), and the most power (269 HP and 273 lb-ft of torque). It truly gives you a lot for your money!
It is also worth noting that this economical 7-passenger SUV received a 5-Star Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Another reliable option, the Tiguan is extremely popular, and for good reason! The perfect compromise between the Taos and the Atlas, it seats 5 passengers in great comfort while offering a towing capacity of 1,800 lb. (816 kg).
It is the most powerful SUV in this top 5 after the Atlas Cross Sport, delivering 201 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of maximum torque. And if you're looking for even more performance, the 2026 version of the Tiguan has a surprise in store: a brand-new turbo trim that boosts the output to 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft maximum torque!
Another popular option, the RAV4 is similar to the Tiguan in terms of power (203 HP), but with lower torque (184 lb-ft vs. 221 lb-ft) and a reduced towing capacity (680 kg vs. 816 kg).
It does deliver attractive fuel efficiency, though bear in mind that the exterior design is less refined and on-board technologies are less advanced than the Tiguan's, featuring a 10.5-inch screen compared to 12.9 inches or even 15.0 inches for the latter.
Another affordable SUV, albeit pricier than the Taos, the Tucson from Hyundai offers a towing capacity of up to 3,500 lb. (1,588 kg). However, the power remains modest, with 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft max. torque. While these figures are comparable to those of the Taos, remember that the Taos is smaller and therefore requires less horsepower to move. Do not expect a very dynamic driving experience with the Tucson.
Do you still have questions regarding economical cars or SUVs and their performance? Come meet our team of experts at Arbour VW in Laval, on the North Shore of Montreal, near Boisbriand and Blainville. While you are here, we will also tell you more about current Volkswagen special offers in Laval and advantageous Volkswagen financing options that will allow you to get behind the wheel of the vehicle of your dreams.
In the meantime, here is a recap of this top 5:
| 2025 Volkswagen Taos | 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range (MSRP) | $32,585 à $41,785 | $53,360 à $63,360 | $39,310 à $50,310 |
| Available Trims | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Passengers | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Powertrain | 1.5 L 4-cyl. | 2.0 L 4-cyl. | 2.0 L 4-cyl. |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Auto. | 8-Speed Auto. | 8-Speed Auto. |
| Power/Torque | 174 HP / 184 lb-ft. | 269 HP / 273 lb-ft. | 201 HP / 221 lb-ft. |
| Fuel Consump. (city/high./comb.) | 8.4/6.6/7.6 L / 100 km (FWD) | 12.7/9.2/11.1 L / 100 km | 10.5/7.8/9.3 L / 100 km |
| Max. Towing Capacity | Not Recommended | 5,000 lb. (2,268 kg ) | 1,800 lb. (816 kg) |
| Max. Cargo Space | 790 L - 1,866 L | 1,141 L - 2,197 L | 615 L - 1,668 L |
| 2025 Toyota RAV4 | 2025 Hyundai Tucson | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range (MSRP) | $36,689 à $48,309 | $34,699 à $43,399 |
| Available Trims | 4 | 3 |
| Passengers | 5 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 2.5 L 4-cyl. | 2.5 L 4-cyl. |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Auto. | 8-Speed Auto. |
| Power/Torque | 203 HP / 184 lb-ft. | 187 HP / 178 lb-ft. |
| Fuel Consump. (city/high./comb.) | 8.7/6.9/7.9 L / 100 km | 9.7/7.7/8.8 L / 100 km |
| Max. Towing Capacity | 1500 lb. (680 kg) | 3,500 lb. (1588 kg) |
| Max. Cargo Space | 1,057 - 1,977 L | 1,095 - 2,119 L |
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