10 Affordable SUVs That Will Turn More Heads Than A Lamborghini Urus

Creationists believe that God is the creator of all, the original designer. And, so as part of his creation, the designers back at Sant’Agata Bolognese are gods in their own right. Mitja Borkert, Lamborghini’s Head of Design, worked to perfect the 2012 Lamborghini Urus concept, drawing inspiration from the 20th-century LM002 and Countach. The resulting creation was a masterpiece that, apart from being the fastest midsize SUV, has been the center of attention since its release in 2018. Attention is something that most of the best-looking SUVs attract; the Lamborghini Urus easily commands it.

The Urus is definitely that SUV that will turn heads on that drive or car meetup. It simply stands out. However, at a price range of $235,000 to $300,000, not everyone can afford this art on wheels. But what if you could still grab just as much attention on a budget? It’s possible. There are some SUVs that will simply turn heads either because they are not as common, their quirky design, or simply because they are nostalgic. And getting your hands on any SUV on this list for a fraction of the price of a Lamborghini Urus will more than make the cut.

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1 1999 Isuzu VehiCROSS

Front 3/4 shot of a 1999 Isuzu VehiCROSS parked

From its exterior, the VehiCROSS is nothing short of stunning. It’s a combination of quirky design elements, weird styling, and a futuristic touch that was unconventional at the time it was announced. Many would argue that this two-door four-seater SUV was way ahead of its time, and it is not hard to see why. Its most apparent quirk is the massive body cladding that’s riveted onto the vehicle, running all around from the bumper to the side panels, all the way to the rear, halfway over the spare tire. It also features a black and red interior styling, leather seats, and plastic carbon fiber trimmings on armrests, and its spare wheel is located inside the tailgate.

1999 Isuzu VehiCROSS Specs

The Isuzu VehiCROSS comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, all-wheel drive, and a torque-on-demand(TOD) four-wheel drive system. Only 6,000 models of Isuzu VehiCROSS were ever made, with a little over 4,100 sold in the U.S. market, which makes this SUV very rare. However, they are relatively affordable at auctions, with prices averaging around $14,000.

2 1992 GMC Typhoon

Front 3/4 shot of a 1992 GMC Typhoon parked

Widely recognized as the first performance SUV, the GMC Typhoon is a gem adored by collectors and enthusiasts alike. It’s based on the GMC S-15 Jimmy but has a lowered center of mass and uses the powerful GMC Syclone powertrain. Though it’s a unique SUV, its styling does not feature as many quirks and looks pretty basic. However, what sets it apart from the Jimmy is its low profile and sportier body kit that features a body cladding that runs all around it.

1992 GMC Typhoon Specs

The Syclone-shared 4.3-liter turbocharged V-6 engine cranked out a screaming 286 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, propelling the Typhoon from 0-60 mph in just 5.3 seconds. These were crazy performance figures at the time. Today, getting your hands on one of these gems may not be as easy since only 4,697 of them were made. The average price on auctions is less than $29,000.

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3 2001 Pontiac Aztek

Front 3/4 shot of a Pontiac Aztek parked

Unlike the VehiCROSS, which just features weird styling, General Motors’ Pontiac Aztek gets more bashing for many reasons, with most regarding it as downright «ugly.» The Aztek would be best forgotten, but since it happened, it should only live in our memory as a cautionary reminder. But, hey, taste in automobiles is relative, right?

2001 Pontiac Aztek Specs

The 2001 Pontiac Aztek grew in popularity long after it ended production in 2005, thanks to AMC’s Breaking Bad. It has some interesting quirks that you won’t find on any vehicle unless it’s an R.V. It was marketed as a sport recreational vehicle in its debut, featuring a cooler that was integrated into the center console and even an optional tent. It also comes with an air mattress making it ideal for camping trips. Under the hood, it features a 3.4-liter V-6 engine that generates 185 horsepower. You can get one for about $7,000.

4 1995 Toyota Mega Cruiser

Front 3/4 shot of a white Toyota Mega Cruiser parked on rugged terrain

This is the biggest SUV Toyota has ever built. Initially built for the Japanese military, the Mega Cruiser derives inspiration from the robust Hummer H1 but is relatively larger. Though it’s an inch slimmer than the Humvee, it’s 16 inches longer and, being 7–10 inches taller, it has more headroom. The Toyota Mega Cruiser is rare and attracts a lot of attention. Thanks to inboard brakes, it comes with 420 millimeters of ground clearance and is powered by a 153-horsepower 4.1-liter turbo-diesel inline-four engine.

1995 Toyota Mega Cruiser Specs

On the quirky side of features, it comes standard with four-wheel steering and has a system that inflates and deflates the tires while on the road. Truth be told, it will be a lot harder to find one since only 150 of the 3,000 Toyota Mega Cruisers built found their way into the civilian market. It leans less on affordability since a pickup truck recently sold for $36,000 while the SUV fetched a staggering $310,000 in October 2022 at Cars and Bids.

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5 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution

Front 3/4 shot of a 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution parked

The legendary Pajero Evo is one that has conquered all off-roaders in its era. Dubbed the «King of the Desert,» the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution has an enviable race record, currently holding the record for the highest number of victories in the Dakar Rally, 12 wins, with about 150 podium finishes. It swept all top four positions in the rally in 1997 and 1998. Only about 2,690 of these were produced between 1997 and 1999, all sold in Japan.

1997 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution Specs

It features a wide-body kit with wide fenders, wide Ralliart mud flaps, skid plates, extended side sills, a large hood scoop, and a distinctive rear spoiler. Under the hood, it features a naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 MIVEC engine that produces 276 horsepower and 256 pound-feet of torque. This powerful Pajero Evo commands attention due to its rarity, averaging only $33,400 at auctions.

6 2020 Great Wall Tank 300

Front 3/4 shot of GWM’s Tank 300 on rugged terrain

If you want to go wild, this GWM’s midsize SUV would be an excellent way to do just that. The Great Wall Tank 300 is a rugged-styled body-on-frame SUV that dares to combine off-road capability with luxury at price buyers can’t refuse. It comes with a 2.0-liter inline-four engine, an eight-speed automatic, and a four-wheel drive system as the powertrain. In the interior, it features neat appointments that give a hint of luxury and comfort.

2020 Great Wall Tank 300 Specs

Many say that the Tank 300 borrows design elements from the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler due to the similarities in exterior styling. On the interior, it’s heavily influenced by the Mercedes-Benz G Wagen. Nevertheless, it’s different from what you see daily on the roads. Prices start around $28,000, and since it’s available in Saudi Arabia and Australian markets, we can only wait to see if it will be available here.

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7 1990 Toyota Land Cruiser J70

Front three-quarters shot of a red 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser 4.2 parked on the street

Being the successor of the outgoing 40 Series, such as the Toyota FJ40, the 70 Series has stayed true to its workhorse role for years. Since its release in 1984, every model of the 70 Series has featured the same distinct simplicity in its interior, the same rugged exterior design with minimal changes, and an outright reliable and durable powertrain.

1990 Toyota Land Cruiser J70 Specs

This machine is built to handle the toughest of terrains and driving conditions, making it a top choice for bodies such as the U.N. The 7O Series comes in different powertrains, and you can choose between the two-door or four-door wagon, Troop Carrier, or pickup truck. The long-wheelbase 70 Series is suitable for safaris and ambulance applications, while the pickup truck also gained popularity for having been the star in a North African war ushering in an age of «technicals». The two-door Troop Carrier comes with a removable top and though not as common as the wagons and trucks, is the most exciting. Owning an imported Land Cruiser J70 will cost you around $30,000.

8 2020 Troller T4

Front 3/4 shot of a blue Troller TX4 in a show room

This Brazilian four-wheel drive SUV is a rugged off-roader that presents stiff competition to the Jeep Wrangler and has even participated in the Dakar Rally. Though Troller has been under the ownership of Ford Motor Company since 2007, the T4 has only been sold in Brazil, which doesn’t sound fair to enthusiasts who would like to test it out. It has incredible exterior styling, and the interior is fitted with basic appointments such as dual-zone climate control and an infotainment system with both Android Auto and Apple Car Play.

2020 Troller T4 Specs

The 2020 Troller T4 comes standard with a 3.2-liter inline-five turbo-diesel engine that cranks out 200 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. It utilizes a six-speed manual transmission, but a six-speed automatic Troller is also available, dubbed the TX4. The market price for the T4 is around $33,000, while the TX4 costs about $6,000 more.

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9 2014 Citroën C4 Cactus

Front 3/4 shot of a 2014 Citroën C4 Cactus driving

The C4 Cactus is certainly an SUV that you won’t see in your neighborhood. Due to import regulatory constraints, Citroën hasn’t sold in the U.S. market for about 50 years. Too bad if you’re into quirky designs since this compact crossover SUV is packed with a few. The most notable quirk in its exterior styling is the AirBump panels on the doors meant to protect the Cactus from small damages.

2014 Citroën C4 Cactus Specs

Another quirk is the leather door straps in place of handles, and the dashboard also features two leather straps on top of the top opening glove box. Under the hood, you either get a gasoline-powered 1.2-liter turbo inline-three PureTech engine or a diesel-powered 1.6-liter turbo inline-four BlueHDi engine that generate 110 and 99 horsepower, respectively. It’s available in three trims, Touch, Feel, and Flair, and the price starts at around $10,000.

10 2022 Suzuki Jimny

Front 3/4 shot of a 2022 Suzuki Jimny on a muddy trail

This is probably the best on this list, and sadly, most can’t get their hands on the Jimny since Suzuki ended sales in North America in 2012. The main reason for Suzuki’s departure from the U.S. market was low sales, which strained finances. Moreover, the stiff competition from manufacturers such as Toyota in the mini-SUVs segment and a loss of product partners put the final nail in the coffin. Six years later, in 2018, Suzuki announced the fourth generation of the Jimny, featuring an all-new design and a host of cutting-edge tech and safety features.

2022 Suzuki Jimny Specs

The 2022 Jimny is a competent off-roader with a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated inline-four engine that generates 100 horsepower, ALLGRIP Pro all-wheel-drive system, and a five-speed manual gearbox. It delivers impressive performance at an affordable price of about $30,000. Moreover, due to its boxy build, it’s possible to find body kits that make it look like a G Wagen or Defender