Many would like to paint all sport utility vehicles with the same brush. They would have you believe all SUVs are expensive, thirsty and of questionable use for day-to-day driving. However, the reality is that sport utility vehicles comes in a wide variety of sizes, prices and fuel economy ratings. The cheapest SUVs are found in the compact segment, however there are several SUVs on our list that offer everything buyers have come to expect in a traditional sport utility vehicle yet won't break the bank. With excellent financing and rebate deals available, several of these brand new SUVs -- complete with the peace of mind provided by a factory warranty -- can be owned for a very low monthly payment.

Of the 10 SUVs on the list, not a single one of them exceeds $20,000 in price. The least expensive SUV -- and holding the number one spot on our list -- is the 2008 Jeep Patriot with a starting MSRP of $15,475. That is a $5,240 premium over the cheapest car currently available in North America, the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. The most expensive SUV on the list is the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara with a starting MSRP of $19,349.

CHEAPEST: THE JEEP PATRIOT

The 2008 Jeep Patriot comes in with an introductory MSRP of $15,475, which makes it the least expensive sport utility vehicle in America. The Jeep Patriot is available in two trims, the Sport and the Limited. Each trim is available as a 4x2 or 4x4. The most expensive Jeep Patriot is the Limited 4x4, with a starting MSRP of $21,945. All Patriot SUVs are standard with a 2.4L inline four-cylinder producing 172-hp. The Patriot manges to scrounge up 23-mpg city and 28-mpg in 4x2 trim, with the 4x4 models shaving a single mile per gallon off the top. A five-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on all trims, with a variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive available as an option.

2008 Jeep Patriot OvERVIEW

The 2008 Jeep Patriot is a four-door, five-passenger sport utility vehicle available in two trims, the Sport and Limited. Each trim is available as a 4x2 or 4x4, making for a total of four distinct options when it comes time to shop the dealer's lot. The introductory Patriot is the 2008 Jeep Patriot Sport 4x2, which has a starting MSRP of $15,475. The top-of-the-line Patriot is the 2008 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x4 with a starting MSRP of $21,945. Adding options can quickly take the Patriot Limited up to the $24,000 and higher mark.

All Jeep Patriot trims are equipped with a standard 2.4L inline four-cylinder that produces 172-hp. This same engine can be found in the 2008 Dodge Caliber and the 2008 Jeep Compass. A five-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on all trims and a variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is available. When equipped with the standard transmission, the 4x2 Patriot trims are rated at 23-mpg city and 28-mpg highway. The 4x4 models shave a single mile per gallon from the rating. One Platform, Three Chrysler Cars

The review of the Jeep Patriot could easily be six words long: See The 2008 Jeep Compass Review. However, there's a little more to it than that. The platform on which the Patriot rides was developed jointly between Chrysler and Mitsubishi, and underpins the 2008 Jeep Patriot, 2008 Jeep Compass, 2008 Dodge Caliber, 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer and the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander. Between the five vehicles, there is a car, a wagon, and three crossover sport utility vehicles. As you can see, the platform's versatility is exceptional. The three Chrysler products on this list not only share the platform, but also share many interior pieces and the 2.4L engine. All three are similarly priced, with the Caliber at the bottom, the Patriot in the middle and the Compass at the top.

While the Compass held onto long-standing Jeep traditions such as the seven-bar grill and the round headlights, it deviated with the rest of the body. The Patriot counterbalances the car-like Compass by being a Jeep-like car. Simply put, the Patriot is a car that looks like a Jeep, and the Compass is a Jeep that looks like a car (or in this case, a compact SUV). The Patriot retains the traditional square-windowed, greenhouse look make popular by SUVs such as the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Cherokee.

The features list and off-road performance capabilities also differ between the two closely related Jeeps. The Patriot Sport 4x2 is standard with an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), four-wheel ABS brakes, traction control, air conditioning, a full complement of safety features, AM/FM radio with four speakers and a vehicle anti-theft system. Overall, the interior of the Patriot is Wrangler-like, with exposed bins in the dash and a more spartan-appearing interior treatment. The Patriot and Compass share dash layouts with each other, and the center-stack console is shared with the Caliber. The largest difference comes in the form of the instrumentation layout. The Caliber's instrumentation is white-faced and easy to read whereas the speedometer in the Patriot (and the Compass) is small and increases in 20-MPH increments, which makes it somewhat difficult to pinpoint exact speeds. Trail Rated Badge Trail Rated - The other major difference -- if you are a Jeep aficionado -- is that the Jeep Patriot has been Trail Rated(R) whereas the Compass is the only vehicle in Jeep's family that has not earned the badge. The Trail Rated badge means the Patriot has passed tests that measure traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation and water fording capability. This may have been a marketing decision rather than a reflection on the Compass. It is unlikely Compass buyers would care much about the car being Trail Rated. However, buyers who prefer the Jeep look also prefer the Jeep capabilities, and may be more swayed toward the Patriot since it is Trail Rated.

2008 Jeep Patriot Safety Features

The 2008 Jeep Patriot does well in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety tests. The Patriot scored four-stars (out of five) in driver frontal impact testing, five-stars in front passenger frontal impact testing, five stars in side impact testing for both front and rear passengers and four-stars in rollover testing. It's 18% chance of rollover is toward the lower end for SUVs. Standard safety equipment includes:

• Multistage dual front airbags

• Front & rear side curtain airbags

• 4-wheel anti-lock brakes

• Electronic stability program w/roll mitigation

MOST EXPENSIVE : SUZUKI GRANT VITARA

Suzuki's Grand Vitara, which can be equipped either with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive for 2008, is powered by a 185-horsepower, 2.7L V6 engine and either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

The four-wheel drive system that's available has a full-time mode for on-road driving, which sends power to the front wheels when it's needed, yet also comes with a low range ready for off-road duty. The center differential can be locked while in either high or low range for negotiating off-road terrain, mud, or deep snow. Short overhangs and good ground clearance help negotiate tight off-road situations.

Relative to its compact size, towing is a strong point for the Grand Vitara; it can tow up to 3,000 pounds. It's also a good choice for those who plan to tow a vehicle behind an RV-when in the four-wheel drive system's Neutral position, the Grand Vitara can be towed with four wheels on the ground without registering miles on the odometer.

The Grand Vitara is more truck-like than so-called crossover SUVs (such as Suzuki's own XL7), with a uni-body construction riding on a ladder frame, yet it's fitted with a four-wheel independent suspension for precise handling and a good, smooth ride. Anti-lock brakes-discs in front, drums in back-are standard, including electronic brakeforce distribution.

Other standard safety features on the Grand Vitara include electronic stability control, to help prevent the loss of control on slippery surfaces or in sudden emergency maneuvers, and six air bags, including side air bags for front occupants and side curtain air bags for front and rear outboard occupants. The Grand Vitara seats five, and with the 60/40-split rear seat folded forward its already roomy 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space is expanded to nearly 69 cubic feet.

The base Grand Vitara comes very well equipped, with some items that aren't expected to be standard in its price class, such as automatic climate control, cruise control, steering-wheel audio controls, remote keyless entry, power mirrors, and a CD/MP3 sound system with XM satellite radio compatibility. The sportier, mid-range Xsport adds a SmartPass keyless entry and starting system, six-disc in-dash changer, additional tweeters and a subwoofer, fog lamps, roof rails, and a sunroof, while the top-of-the-line Luxury brings leather upholstery and steering-wheel trim, heated front seats, woodgrain trim, a power sunroof, larger 17-inch alloy wheels, a garage-door opener, and heated mirrors.