The six cheapest SUVs currently on sale in Portugal

SUVs are becoming ever more dominant in the market, but the format’s popularity does not mean you need to spend a fortune to park one in your garage or outside your home.

There are new models available for under €20,000 and, below €25,000, buyers can already choose from a seven-seat SUV and even a fully electric option. We have rounded up the six cheapest SUVs currently on sale in Portugal.

Dacia Duster - from €19,907

The Dacia Duster remains proof that an SUV does not have to be expensive. At 4,343 mm long, it is one of the largest vehicles in this selection while also being the least expensive.

For €19,900, the Essential version does without certain features offered on better-equipped trims, including rear electric windows, a digital instrument cluster, a central infotainment display and alloy wheels.

It nevertheless retains what matters most to buyers seeking space and versatility at a low price. Even the trim’s name spells out its purpose: Essential, or “essential” in English.

Under the bonnet is the new Eco-G 120: a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine producing 120 hp, capable of running on either petrol or LPG. Given current fuel prices, it is an especially appealing choice.

Other trims and powertrains are available for those with more room in their budget. The key newcomer is the hybrid-G 150 4×4, an almost unique offering that brings together petrol and LPG power, electrification and four-wheel drive. Take a look:

Citroën C3 Aircross - from €20,440

Next comes the Citroën C3 Aircross. Available from €20,190, it measures 4,395 mm in length, making it 52 mm longer than the Duster.

Its strongest selling point, however, is different: it can be specified with seven seats. This option is offered with the petrol and hybrid versions, and is unusual among SUVs of this size and, above all, at this price point.

The range starts with a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine delivering 100 hp. There is also a 48 V mild-hybrid version of the same engine with 145 hp, along with fully electric variants.

As standard, the C3 Aircross comes with rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable door mirrors, manual air conditioning and Citroën Advanced Comfort suspension. For buyers placing comfort at the top of their priorities, it is one of the strongest contenders on this list.

SEAT Arona - from €22,458

The SEAT Arona is already a well-established model. It arrived on the market in 2017, has exceeded 750,000 units produced, and was updated late last year to remain competitive in one of Europe’s most fiercely contested segments.

For anyone who sees driving as more than simply a necessity, the Arona has another advantage. Its nimble handling makes it one of the most enjoyable small SUVs in this group to drive.

Entry to the range is through the familiar 95 hp 1.0 TSI paired with a manual gearbox. Further up is the 115 hp version, which can also be ordered with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission.

Even the entry-level Arona features a digital instrument display, rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable door mirrors, Full LED headlights and manual air conditioning, among other equipment.

KIA Stonic - from €24,000

The Kia Stonic is among the best-known B-SUVs on the Portuguese market and is a particularly well-rounded choice. It is neither the largest nor the most dynamic vehicle here, but it counters with comfort, equipment and a seven-year or 150,000-kilometre warranty.

There is only one engine under the bonnet: the 100 hp, 172 Nm 1.0 T-GDi three-cylinder unit. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, while the 7DCT automatic transmission is reserved for higher-specification versions.

Its available equipment is another highlight. It can be fitted with front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, several driver-assistance systems and two large cabin displays, in addition to the dedicated digital climate-control panel.

Leapmotor B03X - from €24,287

As well as being priced low enough to feature in this buying guide, the Leapmotor B03X is the only fully electric option. By a considerable margin, it is also the most powerful.

The entry-level model pairs a front-mounted 130 kW (177 hp), 200 Nm electric motor with a 39.8 kWh battery, providing up to 292 km of range on the combined WLTP cycle. Above it sits a version with a 53 kWh battery, 145 kW (197 hp) and up to 382 km of range, priced at €28,285.

It is also the most technologically focused vehicle in this Buying Guide. Inside are two displays, most notably the 14.6-inch central screen, which houses a large share of the car’s functions. LED headlights, automatic air conditioning and ambient lighting are also included.

There is another important benefit: if you have a private place to charge it, running costs could be substantially lower than for the other models in this selection.

Dacia Bigster - from €24,557

The list returns to Dacia to finish. The Bigster is the largest of the six SUVs gathered here, and it should be high on the shortlist for anyone who puts space first. It shares its platform with the Duster, but is almost 23 cm longer.

It does not offer the C3 Aircross’s seven seats. Dacia has chosen to make it a five-seater only, using its exterior dimensions to create a spacious cabin and a boot with capacity of up to 667 litres.

The range begins with the mild hybrid-G 140, which combines a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine with a 48 V mild-hybrid system. It develops 140 hp and 230 Nm, and can operate on petrol or LPG.

Its equipment also helps explain the price gap over the Duster. For €24,550, the Bigster Essential already includes 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted windows, a 7-inch digital instrument panel, a 10-inch central display, parking sensors and a rear-view camera, among other features.

There are many more

Several alternatives appear once the psychological €25,000 threshold is crossed. The Renault Captur, MG ZS and Opel Frontera are among the SUVs requiring a slightly greater financial outlay, yet they remain relatively close in price to the models on this list.

On the other hand, buyers who prefer a lower-bodied car and have a budget of no more than €20,000 still have options. We have already done the homework and gathered together every new car on sale in Portugal for up to that amount: