SUVs and crossovers are the most popular body styles in the car market today, and they will remain so for the foreseeable future. People buy them in droves, although finding a good SUV for a reasonable price might be a daunting task. Here’s our take on the “10 best SUVs under $30,000” theme.
People searching for a new vehicle today are overwhelmed by the huge number of options available on the market. Even narrowing down the search to just one vehicle category will produce a mind-boggling number of results. For instance, 270 SUV and crossover models are selling in the U.S. now, and you can get to 120 by filtering only the 2023 models. Factoring in your budget is helpful, especially when the limit is not very high, but it will not produce miracles.
We wanted to see what the market has in store for people who want to buy a 2023-model-year SUV under $30,000, and we were surprised to find out that 20 models qualify for the job. Although still overkill, it’s a good base to build upon. You would not expect to get a performance SUV or a luxury model at this price point, but you wouldn’t be disappointed with the basic features either.
The best SUVs in this category are usually base trims of the bigger models or fully-equipped versions of smaller and more affordable crossovers. Either way, they come with engine options that prioritize fuel economy over performance and are usually well-equipped regarding safety and convenience features. More importantly, most of them come with comprehensive warranties and have a good reputation for reliability. Considering all this, we did our best to select the absolute 10 best SUVs under $30,000 available to buy today.
The sub-compact crossover is among the most affordable on the market while offering a roomy cabin and great standard safety features. The styling is attractive, akin to a mini-Sorento for budget-conscious buyers. The Seltos got expanded safety features for the 2023 model year and is available with two engines, with front- or all-wheel drive. The base 2.0-liter engine is slightly underpowered, and the CVT transmission might not suit everyone. If the budget allows, we recommend the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with DCT transmission, which starts at $28,635.
The redesigned Kia Sportage impressed us with its progressive design, although this might also put off some potential buyers. People praise it for its spacious cabin and cargo hold and the great equipment package offered at this price point. The best thing is that you can also buy it with a hybrid powertrain and still keep the price under $30,000. There are a plethora of trims and accessories available to choose from. The most popular engine is the 2.5-liter, but the hybrid offers a smoother experience and better fuel economy for a small price bump.
The Trailblazer competes with the Kia Seltos in the subcompact SUV category. It is the only model from the Detroit 3 in this price bracket, but it’s not quite as polished as the Seltos or the Honda HR-V. It comes with two fuel-efficient engines: a three-cylinder 1.2-liter powerplant delivering 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter four-pot offering 155 horsepower. Of course, if your budget allows, opt for the latter, which also opens the possibility of an all-wheel drive transmission.
We wanted to see what the market has in store for people who want to buy a 2023-model-year SUV under $30,000, and we were surprised to find out that 20 models qualify for the job. Although still overkill, it’s a good base to build upon. You would not expect to get a performance SUV or a luxury model at this price point, but you wouldn’t be disappointed with the basic features either.
The best SUVs in this category are usually base trims of the bigger models or fully-equipped versions of smaller and more affordable crossovers. Either way, they come with engine options that prioritize fuel economy over performance and are usually well-equipped regarding safety and convenience features. More importantly, most of them come with comprehensive warranties and have a good reputation for reliability. Considering all this, we did our best to select the absolute 10 best SUVs under $30,000 available to buy today.