Best Crossover SUVs Under $40k for 2026
The best crossover SUVs under $40k based on a data-driven analysis of each vehicle's reliability, resale value and safety.
The best crossover SUV under $40,000 is the Ford Explorer based on our analysis of 12 million vehicles to assess their reliability, resale value and safety. The Ford Explorer has a starting MSRP of $38,465 with an overall iSeeCars score of 8.2. Coming in at number 2 is the Hyundai SANTA FE with a starting MSRP of $35,050 and iSeeCars score of 8.2. Ranked #3 is the Nissan Pathfinder at $37,500 and 8.2 iSeeCars’ best car rating. iSeeCars analyzed vehicles with starting MSRP between $35,000 and $40,000 for this list.
The best crossover SUV under $40,000 is the Ford Explorer based on our analysis of 12 million vehicles to assess their reliability, resale value and safety. The Ford Explorer has a starting MSRP of $38,465 with an overall iSeeCars score of 8.2. Coming in at number 2 is the Hyundai SANTA FE with a starting MSRP of $35,050 and iSeeCars score of 8.2. Ranked #3 is the Nissan Pathfinder at $37,500 and 8.2 iSeeCars’ best car rating. iSeeCars analyzed vehicles with starting MSRP between $35,000 and $40,000 for this list.
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iSeeCars Score:
8.2
/ 10
- Starting MSRP: 38465
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
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Reliability
7.3
/ 10
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Value Retention
7.4
/ 10
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Safety
10
/ 10
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iSeeCars Score:
8.2
/ 10
- Starting MSRP: 35050
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
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Reliability
7.2
/ 10
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Value Retention
7.7
/ 10
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Safety
9.7
/ 10
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iSeeCars Score:
8.2
/ 10
- Starting MSRP: 37500
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
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Reliability
7.2
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.3
/ 10
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Safety
10
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
7.8
/ 10
- Starting MSRP: 37995
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
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Reliability
7.1
/ 10
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Value Retention
7.4
/ 10
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Safety
8.9
/ 10
5. Mazda CX-9
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iSeeCars Score:
7.6
/ 10
- Starting MSRP: 38750
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.3
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.6
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.3
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.2
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
7.4
/ 10
- Starting MSRP: 38900
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.3
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.9
/ 10
-
Safety
7.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
7.3
/ 10
- Starting MSRP: 38995
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.2
/ 10
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Value Retention
7.7
/ 10
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Safety
7.0
/ 10
9. Jeep Cherokee
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iSeeCars Score:
7.2
/ 10
- Starting MSRP: 37695
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
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Reliability
7.0
/ 10
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Value Retention
7.7
/ 10
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Safety
7.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 38800
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
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Reliability
Coming soon
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Value Retention
7.9
/ 10
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Safety
10
/ 10
Jeep Grand Cherokee WK
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iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 36980
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
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Value Retention
7.8
/ 10
-
Safety
7.5
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 39190
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.7
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 39435
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.7
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 39995
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.6
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 38300
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.5
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 39310
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.4
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
Related Rankings
How We Rank These Cars
iSeeCars Best Cars Under $40k Rankings are calculated based on the latest research by our data science team and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
We analyze data from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with the NHTSA's Safety Ratings to give you an unbiased guide to the best vehicles in each segment.
After being evaluated, vehicles with the highest average scores earn a spot in the iSeeCars Best Car Rankings. (No final score is given to vehicles missing a score in any of the categories, but scores for other categories are still shown.)
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).