10 Affordable SUVs With Self-Driving Features for 2021

Subaru Outback EyeSight Safety ・ Photo by Subaru

If you want an SUV these days, you’re hardly alone. Folks are clamoring for their useful cargo space, high seating position, and overall image — especially now that the leading crossovers offer such excellent driving manners and fuel economy. 

But prices can get high, especially if you want advanced self-driving features. Automakers have developed valuable driver-assistance technologies that can make driving more relaxing and help you avoid a crash. These include adaptive cruise control, which maintains a minimum distance from the car in front of you as it slows down and speeds back up; automatic emergency braking, which can autonomously slam the brakes to avoid or mitigate a collision; blind-spot monitoring, which alerts you about vehicles driving next to you or just behind you; a lane-departure warning, which lets you know if you stray over the line; and lane-keeping assistance, which automatically steers the car back into place if you do so. These 10 great SUVs each include all or most of these features for $30,000 or less. 

1. 2021 Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks is one of the most affordable suvs in America — if you’re willing to consider a 122-horsepower tall front-wheel-drive hatchback to be an SUV. At a base price of just $19,500, this freshly updated subcompact crossover now includes forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a lane-departure warning; adaptive cruise control arrives at a still-low $21,300. 

While the Kicks isn’t fast, its little engine is peppier around town than you might expect, and it returns an outstanding EPA-estimated 33 mpg in mixed driving. It also has a generous 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seat and room for four adults to be reasonably comfortable. Especially if you’re looking for self-driving features, the Kicks is an incredible bargain. 

Photo by Nissan

2. 2021 Mazda CX-5

Another affordable SUV that punches above its price bracket is the 2021 Mazda CX-5. This compact crossover is backed with self-driving features at its base price of $25,370: adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward automatic emergency braking, a lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, and even automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers. 

The CX-5’s value is about much more than data points, though. From its sporty yet elegant design, to its luxuriously finished interior, to its poised handling, this Mazda looks and feels almost like a luxury suv — even though it’s priced competitively with other mainstream models. It’s not the roomiest or most economical crossover in its class, but it has a high-end experience (including high-end self-driving features) at excellent prices. 

Photo by Mazda

3. 2021 Honda CR-V

When you want a fun, luxurious compact crossover, you want the Mazda CX-5. When you’re ready to give up some style, handling, and premium interior materials for a bigger backseat, more cargo space, and better gas mileage, it’s time for the 2021 Honda CR-V. 

With up to 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded down, the CR-V can carry more stuff than many expensive mid-size SUVs. Yet it’s economical enough to average 30 mpg in mixed driving with its standard turbocharged 190-horsepower four-cylinder engine, and 38 mpg with its available gas-electric hybrid powertrain. And while it’s not as upscale or sporty as the CX-5, it’s not a cheap, basic penalty box either. For $25,350, it includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, a lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance; Honda adds blind-spot monitoring at $27,860. 

Photo by Honda

4. 2021 Subaru Outback

Most mid-size SUVs are expensive, even without self-driving features. Not the 2021 Subaru Outback. Though it’s sometimes considered a station wagon, its standard all-wheel drive and generous 8.7 inches of ground clearance make the Outback more capable than many SUVs. 

In addition to its capability, the Outback also tops most similarly priced SUVs for its smooth ride, well-finished interior, and comfortable seats. And in addition to standout safety ratings, the Outback comes standard with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and a lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance — all for $26,795, which is less money than many AWD-equipped compact crossovers. However, Subaru will charge you more than $30,000 if you want blind-spot monitoring on an Outback. 

Photo by Subaru

5. 2022 Hyundai Tucson

Newly redesigned for the 2022 model year, the Hyundai Tucson brings better gas mileage, a roomier interior, sharper styling — and more self-driving features. At a starting price of $24,950, this compact crossover includes automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance, while adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring join the lineup starting from a still-modest $26,500. 

If you’re willing to spend big bucks for a leather-trimmed, gadget-filled Tucson Limited ($34,600), you even get navigation-based adaptive cruise control. This system tracks the SUV’s location on a GPS map, then automatically slows the vehicle in advance of upcoming curves. The Tucson’s gas mileage isn’t stellar at an EPA-estimated 29 mpg with front-wheel drive and 26 mpg with all-wheel drive, but you can get a thriftier Tucson Hybrid that manages up to 38 mpg. 

Photo by Hyundai

6. 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

Our next affordable SUV with self-driving features is another redesigned 2022 model. The Mitsubishi Outlander used to be a forgettable entry in the compact crossover segment, except for its unusual perk of a standard (if tiny) third-row seat. And its self-driving features were restricted to expensive models. 

Now, the Outlander includes automatic emergency braking, a lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring as standard equipment for its base price of $25,795. Lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control arrive at $28,845. And the Outlander also offers a superior driving experience and higher-end interior than before. It’s a tempting choice if you’re looking to squeeze a third-row seat into a tight budget. If you don’t need that extra seating capacity, you could also consider the new Outlander’s mechanical cousin: the 2021 Nissan Rogue. 

Photo by Mitsubishi

7. 2021 Mazda CX-30

Like the compact Mazda CX-5, the subcompact CX-30 packs a lot of luxury and technology even at a low price. When you’re looking to go even more affordable than the CX-5, the CX-30 starts at more than $3,000 less: $22,050. 

That money doesn’t buy you blind-spot monitoring, but you get automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assistance. (A blind-spot monitor joins the equipment list at $24,050.) And it provides a beautifully finished interior. The CX-30 has even less space than the CX-5, and it’s shaped more like a hatchback than an SUV, but you can’t argue with the technological bang for the buck — especially given the high-end overall flavor.

Photo by Mazda

8. 2021 Ford Escape

The Ford Escape is an affordable compact crossover with a peppy yet economical turbocharged engine, agile handling yet a comfortable ride, a decently roomy interior, and lots of standard self-driving features. At $24,885, these include automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot monitoring; adaptive cruise control arrives at $27,310. 

While the Escape doesn’t have the fanciest or the roomiest interior in its segment, it’s a well-rounded crossover and a strong value for the money. It’s also available as a fuel-sipping hybrid, and an even thriftier plug-in hybrid is slated to join the lineup this year. 

Photo by Ford

9. 2021 Toyota RAV4

The best-selling SUV in America is another affordable crossover with self-driving features. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 comes standard with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping steering assistance at its base price of $26,150. Blind-spot monitoring joins the lineup at $27,445. 

The RAV4 may not be the least expensive compact crossover on the market, or the most luxurious or fun to drive. But it provides more of an off-road flavor than most of the affordable SUVs on our list — with more rugged styling than the class norm, along with additional equipment like an optional skid plate and torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. Combine that with its roomy cabin, agreeable ride and handling, good gas mileage (or great gas mileage, if you pick the hybrid), and its self-driving features, and the RAV4 is an appealing choice. 

Photo by Toyota

10. 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Like other Subarus, the subcompact Crosstrek is hardy, comfortable, safe, and filled with self-driving features. Unlike the other SUVs in this list, those features are all optional — but that’s in part because the Crosstrek is the only model on this list that comes standard with a manual transmission. And that’s basically the opposite of a self-driving car. 

Still, even on the base $22,245 Crosstrek, you pay a relatively modest $1,350 extra to get an automatic transmission along with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. All-wheel drive is standard, too. Subaru is a little stingier with blind-spot monitoring, which doesn’t join the roster until $26,640. The Crosstrek doesn’t have a lot of power, especially with its base 152-horsepower engine, and its handling isn’t sporty. But its generous passenger space, smooth ride on and off the pavement, and driver-assist technology are reasons to pay attention. 

Photo by Subaru