The six cheapest SUVs currently on sale in Portugal

SUVs are taking an ever-larger share of the market, yet the format’s popularity does not mean you need to spend a fortune to have one parked in your garage or outside your home.

New models are available for under €20,000 and, below €25,000, the selection already features a seven-seat SUV and even a fully electric choice. 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 need not come with a high price tag. At 4,343 mm long, it is one of the largest vehicles in this list while also being the least expensive.

At €19,900, the Essential trim forgoes some of the features fitted to better-equipped versions, including rear electric windows, a digital instrument cluster, a central infotainment display and alloy wheels.

However, it retains what matters most to buyers chiefly looking for space and versatility at a low price. Even the trim’s name makes its purpose clear: Essential, or “essential” in Portuguese.

Under the bonnet sits the new Eco-G 120, a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder unit producing 120 hp, which can run on either petrol or LPG. It is a particularly appealing option given current fuel prices.

For buyers with more room in their budget, further trims and powertrains are offered. The key new arrival is the hybrid-G 150 4×4, an almost unique proposition in the market that combines petrol and LPG operation with 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 greatest strength lies elsewhere, though: it can be specified with seven seats. This option is offered on petrol and hybrid versions, and is unusual among SUVs of this size and, above all, at this price point.

The range opens with a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine delivering 100 hp, while the line-up also includes a 48 V mild-hybrid version of the same engine with 145 hp, as well as fully electric variants.

Standard equipment on the C3 Aircross comprises rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable door mirrors, manual air conditioning and Citroën Advanced Comfort suspension. If comfort is your leading priority, it is one of the strongest contenders here.

SEAT Arona - from €22,458

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

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

Entry-level models use the familiar 95 hp 1.0 TSI paired with a manual gearbox. Above it is the 115 hp version, which can also be matched with the seven-speed DSG automatic transmission.

Even the entry trim gets digital instruments, rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable door mirrors, Full LED headlights and manual air conditioning, among other features.

Kia Stonic - from €24,000

The Kia Stonic is one of the best-known B-SUVs in the Portuguese market and a particularly well-balanced offering. It is neither the biggest nor the most dynamic vehicle in this group, but counters with comfort, equipment and a seven-year or 150,000-kilometre warranty.

There is just one engine under the bonnet: the 100 hp, 172 Nm 1.0 T-GDi three-cylinder. It is fitted as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the 7DCT automatic transmission is reserved for better-equipped trims.

Its available equipment is another highlight. Buyers can expect front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, several driver-assistance systems and two large cabin screens, 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. It is also, by a considerable margin, the most powerful.

The entry version pairs a front-mounted 130 kW (177 hp), 200 Nm electric motor with a 39.8 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 292 km 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 technology-focused model in this Buying Guide. Inside, there are two displays, led by the 14.6-inch central screen that brings together much of the car’s functionality. 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 may be considerably lower than those of the other models in this list.

Dacia Bigster - from €24,557

We return to Dacia to complete the list. The Bigster is the largest of the six SUVs gathered here, and should be high on the shortlist for buyers who place the greatest value on space. It shares its platform with the Duster, but is nearly 23 cm longer.

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

The range starts with the mild hybrid-G 140, combining a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine with a 48 V mild-hybrid system. It develops 140 hp and 230 Nm, and can run on both petrol and LPG.

The equipment also helps account for the price difference over the Duster. For €24,550, the Bigster Essential already comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted windows, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10-inch central display, parking sensors and a rear-view camera, among other items.

There are many more

Once past the psychological €25,000 threshold, several alternatives emerge. The Renault Captur, MG ZS and Opel Frontera are among the SUVs that require a slightly greater financial outlay, but remain relatively close in price to the vehicles in this list.

Conversely, if you favour a lower body style and have no more than €20,000 to spend, there are choices there too. We have already done the homework and compiled every new car on sale in Portugal up to that amount: