With vehicle ownership costs rising, keeping maintenance expenses low has never been more important. Choosing an SUV that won’t rack up repair bills over time can make a big difference to your budget.
In this guide, we highlight the most affordable SUVs to maintain in 2025. Whether you’re buying new or used, we also note each model’s recall history and the worst model years to avoid, helping you make a smarter, longer-term investment.
In compiling this article, we have cross-referenced information for vehicle reliability, maintenance, and pricing from sources like J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, RepairPal, CarEdge, and to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible. Please note that we have ranked the following models based on maintenance costs, from least affordable to most.
10Kia EV9
Maintenance Cost During the First 10 Years: $5,285
If you’re looking for afamily-friendly three-row electric SUV, then you can’t do much better than the EV9. Kia has already proven that they know how to do three-row SUVs with the Telluride, and the EV9 successfully integrates electric power into the formula. It is also capable of up to 319 miles. The 2026 model year starts at $54,900 but does qualify for a tax credit.
Reliability and Maintenance
Kia has definitely improved their standing in the last couple of years when it comes to reliability. Where they used to score near the bottom of the pack, they are slowly clawing their way back. The EV9 has only been around since 2022, so it’s hard to judge its long-term reliability just yet. It does, however, cost $2,923 less over ten years to maintain than the average SUV.
9Chevrolet Equinox EV
Maintenance Cost During the First 10 Years: $5,096
Chevrolet’s Equinox EV is a subcompact electric crossover and is currently the most affordable new electric SUV that you can buy. The 2025 model has a starting MSRP of $33,600, and that is before the $7,500 tax credit. Even though it is so affordable, it still manages to go up to 319 miles on a single charge, which is mighty impressive.
Chevy is a brand that doesn’t have the best public reputation when it comes to reliability. Some models, however, do go against the norm, with a reputation for lasting long periods of time without issues. The Equinox scores a reasonable 88 out of 100 for quality and reliability. CarEdge estimates its maintenance costs in the first ten years to be $3,112 less than the average SUV.
8Hyundai Ioniq 5
Maintenance Cost During the First 10 Years: $5,043
It really does feel like Hyundai is dominating right now, with vehicles in just about every segment that compete for top spot. This is also true of their electric lineup, with the Ioniq 5 comingabsolutely loaded with featuresand aiming to prove that electric vehicles can be fun too. The 2025 model has a starting MSRP of $42,600.
The EV6 may not be as fresh as the EV9, but it has still only been around since 2022. This means that while issues have been low thus far, only time will tell whether it remains reliable over during long-term ownership. You are, however, likely to spend around less than the average SUV on maintenance, with CarEdge estimatei
7Kia EV6
Maintenance Cost During the First 10 Years: $5,029
Where Hyundai opts for boxier, retro-inspired designs for their electric cars, Kia goes in the opposite direction. The EV6 fully leans into its electric identity, with contemporary styling inside and out. Its sleek exterior and low profile also help to make it particularly sporty-looking. The 2025 model has a starting MSRP of $42,900, and it hasa maximum range of 319 miles.
The EV6 may not be as fresh as the EV9, but it has still only been around since 2022. This means that while issues have been low thus far, only time will tell whether it remains reliable during long-term ownership. You are, however, likely to spend around less than the average SUV on maintenance, with CarEdge estimating the EV6’s ten-year costs to be $3,180 lower.
6Subaru Solterra
Maintenance Cost During the First 10 Years: $4,825
One of many products of the Toyota-Subaru partnership, the Solterra is a pretty good first attempt at an electric vehicle from the Japanese brand. The biggest thing that lets it down is its range, only delivering up to 227 miles on a single charge, which is well below average for this segment. It does have an attractive starting price, though, with the 2025 model starting at $38,495. It is also gettinga pretty big overhaul for the 2026 model year.
Subaru is quietly one of the best brands to buy if you’re looking for something reliable. Their reputation isn’t great, but that’s mostly due to an old head-gasket issue that doesn’t really apply anymore. It especially doesn’t apply to electric vehicles. The Solterra is the first model on this list to have estimated ten-year maintenance costs that sit below the $5,000 line, costing $3,383 less than the average SUV to keep running in this time.
5Volkswagen ID.4
Maintenance Cost During the First 10 Years: $4,811
Where a lot of modern Volkswagens try to be something that they’re not, the ID.4 stays true to its simple identity. It aims to be affordable, spacious, and practical, three things that it does exceptionally well. Don’t expect it to be particularly exciting to drive,like the GTI, because it isn’t. It has a starting price of $45,095 and a maximum range of up to 291 miles.
Volkswagen made a bit of a push upmarket not that long ago, which had pretty devastating effects on the perception of their reliability and affordability. The ID.4 is a bit of a return to form for the brand in this sense. The German brand’s compact electric crossover is estimated to cost $3,397 less over ten years to maintain than the average SUV.
4Hyundai Kona Electric
Maintenance Cost During the First 10 Years: $4,727
The Kona has always been a quirky crossover, with unique styling that works for it and against it. The electric version of the crossover pushes this a step further, with looks that are even more dramatic and divisive. Despite this, you may’t really deny its value. It isone of the most affordable EVs, with a starting price of $32,975 for the 2025 model year. It has a maximum range of up to 261 miles.
The Kona Electric aims to keep things simple. It is an affordable EV that delivers reasonable power at a reasonable price. This works in its favor when it comes to reliability and maintenance costs. CarEdge estimates that it is $3,481 cheaper to maintain in its first ten years than the average SUV. It has also only had four recalls since its launch for the 2019 model, which is pretty good by EV standards.
3Nissan Ariya
Maintenance Cost During the First 10 Years: $4,671
Nissan has always aimed to be more comfortable and luxurious than its direct competitors in the mainstream market. While they may have fallen short of this mark in some of their recent vehicles, the Ariya provides a surprisingly sophisticated interior and a smooth and comfortable driving experience.The 2025 model starts at $39,770and the model with the best range can go up to 304 miles on one charge.
Nissan is a brand that has really struggled in recent times. Their image is not what it used to be and a big part of this can be attributed to a decline in quality. As mentioned above, though, the Ariya stands out within the Nissan lineup as being more upscale and better built. You’ll spend $3,539 less on maintenance for the Ariya over ten years than you would on the average SUV.
2Honda Prologue
Maintenance Cost During the First 10 Years: $4,600
The Prologue is the result of a partnership between Honda and General Motors, with the Japanese crossover being based on the Chevy Blazer EV. The two electric crossovers share the same platform, battery, and motors. It is hard to set these two models apart beyond the obvious styling differences. The 2025 Prologue has a starting price of $47,400. you may go up to 294 miles on one charge.
Reliability
Honda is a brand that is renowned for its reliability. Its success in the United States is based upon their vehicles being affordable to buy and run. The Prologue, however, is basically a Chevrolet in disguise, which won’t do a lot to convince people of its ability to last. However, CarEdge estimates its ten-year maintenance costs to be $3,608 lower than the average popular SUV.
1Toyota bZ4X
Maintenance Cost During the First 10 Years: $3,496
The mechanical twin of the Subaru Solterra, the bZ4X is also Toyota’s first real crack at the electric market. It shares the same ups and downs as its sibling, with an impressive cabin and a low starting price but a maximum range of only 252 miles. It also doesn’t come standard with all-wheel drive like the Subaru. The 2025 model year has a starting MSRP of $37,070.
Most won’t be surprised to see a Toyota taking the top spot on this list, withthe brand’s reputation for affordability and reliabilitybeing a given at this point. The Solterra’s predicted long-term maintenance costs are $4,712 lower than the average SUV. This not only makes it the most affordable electric SUV when it comes to maintenance, but it is also in the top three cheapest vehicles to maintain.
