The Korean exotic is available in Europe at a competitive price.
Cologne SUVs are always more expensive than sedans or station wagons. But there are still attractive offers in the price segment under 20,000 euros. We found five cheap crossovers.
Sangyong Tivoli
The times of the status as an eccentric exotic are long gone for the Korean brand. The mini-SUV, which has been available since 2015, also meets European preferences in terms of design and handling. At 4.20 meters, the five-seater is agile and spacious at the same time, the workmanship, ambience and seats also allow for a relaxed journey on longer stretches.
The basic model is powered by a 120 kW/163 hp 1.5-litre petrol engine with four cylinders, which delivers appealing driving performance for everyday use in town and country. For the entry-level price of 17,500 euros, there is a scarce but functional equipment front-wheel drive. If you need all-wheel drive technology, you have to choose a higher line and pay 23,490 euros. In all cases, Ssangyong offers a relatively generous five-year warranty.
Dacia Duster
When it comes to cheap cars, Dacia is almost always at the forefront. But the Romanians are not sparing their customers from the current price explosion either. The 4.34 meter long Duster cost just under 12,000 euros at the end of 2011, and a good six months later it is already 14,400 euros. Even so, the SUV remains the cheapest of its kind on the German market.
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Even those who shy away from the incompletely equipped basic model and invest another 2,500 euros for radio, air conditioning and Co. still get away with it comparatively cheaply, because Dacia’s crossover is not a jacked-up small car, but a full-fledged compact SUV with all-rounder qualities.
The basic model is powered by a 67 kW/91 hp 1.0-liter three-cylinder petrol engine, which, however, only offers very moderate driving performance. Thrift and patience go together here.
The Romanian SUV from the Renault empire has recently become more expensive – but remains cheap in comparison.
Hyundai Bayon
Because the Koreans did without the crossover variant offered in the previous generation in the new edition of the small car i20, there was room again in the brand’s SUV range. Since 2021, it has been filled by the 4.18 meter long Bayon, which is visually much more prominent than its quasi-predecessor, which is mainly robustly planked.
The new one is more of a raised lifestyler than an off-road vehicle imitator, causing a stir with its modern double headlight design. With prices starting at 17,260 euros, the five-seater is still one of the cheaper SUVs on the German market.
When it comes to the drive, the offer ranges from the rather sluggish 1.2-liter petrol engine with 62 kW/84 hp to the lively 1.0-liter mild hybrid with 88 kW/120 hp.
The Koreans have made some improvements, especially in terms of optics.
Suzuki Ignis
After the SUV wave had spread from the luxury class to the compact models to the small cars, the next logical step was to flood the segment below as well. At least that was the idea that Suzuki pursued with the Ignis, which founded the still young class of micro-SUVs in 2016.
The 3.70 meter short five-door car gets along quite well thanks to the all-wheel drive option, while its crisp dimensions and the economical four-cylinder petrol engine (66 kW/90 hp) benefit it in the city. With prices starting at 16,410 euros, it is also one of the particularly affordable crossover models.
The Japanese moves on the border between small cars and SUVs.
Toyota Aygo X
Without an “X” in the name, the Aygo was a conventionally embroidered micro car at a low price until last year. In the new edition, the Japanese wants to offer more than pure basic mobility and therefore comes along as a chic city crossover with a lifestyle claim.
Robust add-on parts and the increased ground clearance provide a touch of off-road flair, a comparatively large trunk and a lively three-cylinder petrol engine (53 kW/72 hp) that is undemanding when you are thirsty for fuel stand for the practical capabilities. In contrast to the other models of the brand, there is no hybrid drive here.
Nevertheless, the four-seater with a starting price of 15,900 euros has now outgrown the traditional small car segment.
Toyota calls out a fair price for the jacked-up small car.
More: These ten e-cars are currently available at a low price