IRVINE, Calif. -

As summer travel season gets under way, including the family road trip, dealers may want to push affordable SUVs — and new SUV rankings by Kelley Blue Book could help that sales initiative.

KBB.com released its inaugural listing of experts’ recommendations this week, as the 10 Best SUVs Under $25,000 in 2013.

Coming in on top? The Honda CR-V, which editors dubbed “stalwart, steady and sensible.”  

Regarding the compact SUVs on the list, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. Jack R. Nerad said, “Far more flexible than a sedan but more affordable, maneuverable and fuel-efficient than a full-size SUV, today’s compact SUV is a masterful mix of style and practicality.”

“It’s an exciting time to be shopping the segment, because eight of this year’s 10 handpicked standouts are totally redesigned or first-ever models,” Nerad added. “We ranked the perennially popular Honda CR-V No. 1 because it is so outstandingly reliable and exceptionally easy to get along with.”

Here’s the KBB.com full list of Best SUVs Under $25,000 of 2013:

Rank

2013 Model-Year Vehicle

60-Month Residual Value

5-Year Cost to Own1

60-Month Residual Value2

  
 
 

1

Honda CR-V

$12,140

$35,336

49%

  

2

Mazda CX-5

$8,240

$36,205

36%

  

3

Ford Escape

$8,619

$36,992

37%

  

4

Toyota RAV4

$12,262

$36,773

48%

  

5

Kia Sorento

$8,460

$45,988

30%

  

6

Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

$10,540

$41,044

39%

  

7

Subaru Forester

$10,036

$39,063

40%

  

8

Jeep Wrangler

$12,716

$38,114

55%

  

9

Volkswagen Tiguan

$7,658

$41,550

30%

  

10

Buick Encore

$8,982

$38,956

36%

  

1 Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own sourced on May 14, 2013.

2Kelley Blue Book® Residual Values sourced from May/June 2013 book.