Best Luxury Small and Compact SUVs for the Money for 2026
The best luxury small and compact SUVs for the money are ranked based on an analysis of their price and average lifespan, with the top-ranked models offering the longest life at the lowest price.
The best luxury small and compact SUV for the money is the Acura RDX which has the lowest iSeeCars Annual Lifespan Cost. We rank vehicles by how much a vehicle costs to purchase relative to how long the car lasts which we believe is a good determiner of value - the lower the cost, the better the value. The Acura RDX has an average new car list price of $51,278 and an average lifespan of 173,179.5 miles or about 15.4 years, resulting in an annual purchase cost of $3,332. Using this method, the second best luxury small and compact SUV for the money is Volvo XC60 with an Annual Lifespan Cost of $3,572. In third place is Audi Q5 which has an iSeeCars Annual Lifespan Cost of $4,324.
The best luxury small and compact SUV for the money is the Acura RDX which has the lowest iSeeCars Annual Lifespan Cost. We rank vehicles by how much a vehicle costs to purchase relative to how long the car lasts which we believe is a good determiner of value - the lower the cost, the better the value. The Acura RDX has an average new car list price of $51,278 and an average lifespan of 173,179.5 miles or about 15.4 years, resulting in an annual purchase cost of $3,332. Using this method, the second best luxury small and compact SUV for the money is Volvo XC60 with an Annual Lifespan Cost of $3,572. In third place is Audi Q5 which has an iSeeCars Annual Lifespan Cost of $4,324.
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Annual Lifespan Cost
3331.9
- Avg Lifespan: 173.179453125K Miles (15.39 Years)
- Starting MSRP: 45100
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
7.8
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.8
/ 10
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Safety
9.0
/ 10
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
3572.04
- Avg Lifespan: 167.45546875K Miles (16.06 Years)
- Starting MSRP: 49700
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
7.9
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.5
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
4323.75
- Avg Lifespan: 138.782890625K Miles (13.81 Years)
- Starting MSRP: 45400
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
7.5
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.2
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
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Annual Lifespan Cost
4446.74
- Avg Lifespan: 152.740640625K Miles (14.89 Years)
- Starting MSRP: 55300
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
7.7
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.5
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
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Annual Lifespan Cost
4953.2
- Avg Lifespan: 129.0566171875K Miles (12.05 Years)
- Starting MSRP: 51300
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
7.5
/ 10
-
Safety
9.8
/ 10
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Annual Lifespan Cost
5670.25
- Avg Lifespan: 135.60153125K Miles (13.01 Years)
- Starting MSRP: 58400
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
7.4
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.3
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
5956.15
- Avg Lifespan: 132.497109375K Miles (14.46 Years)
- Starting MSRP: 65400
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
7.5
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.0
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 48985
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
10
/ 10
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 49550
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
10
/ 10
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 52200
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
7.3
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 35000
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
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 39985
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
8.0
/ 10
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 41000
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
8.0
/ 10
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 44800
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
7.2
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 43000
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
7.2
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 43800
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
7.9
/ 10
-
Safety
7.7
/ 10
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 40965
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
8.5
/ 10
-
Safety
7.0
/ 10
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 45425
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
8.5
/ 10
-
Safety
7.0
/ 10
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 24700
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
7.0
/ 10
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 79100
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
Not Available
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 61800
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
7.3
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 77900
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
7.3
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 50150
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
7.2
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 49900
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
7.2
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 49495
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
7.1
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
-
Annual Lifespan Cost
Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 57000
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
7.0
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
Related Rankings
How We Rank These Cars
The Best Cars for the Money list ranks cars by their annual cost, which compares the purchase price of the car against how long the car lasts. We believe this is a good determiner of value--the lower the annual cost, the better the value.
iSeeCars analyzed millions of cars to determine how long each car can last. Then we calculated the annual cost over the lifespan for each vehicle. In the event two or more vehicles have the same annual cost, we use iSeeCars proprietary rating of the overall quality of the car (iSeeCars Score) to break the tie.
The overall iSeeCars Score is an analysis of three factors: reliability, resale value and safety. It is calculated based on the latest research and analysis by our data science team. The data analysis comes from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with NHTSA and IIHS Safety Ratings.
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).