Best New SUVs Under $30,000

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Anthony Sophinos

Anthony Sophinos

Anthony Sophinos has been infatuated with cars for as long as he can remember, and that passion has fueled his journey from nerdy gearhead to professional writer and content creator who covers all things automotive. His byline has appeared at CarsDirect, New Car Test Drive, iSeeCars, and other online publications. To read more of his work, visit anthonysophinos.com. When he’s not penning articles, you can find Anthony outside biking, hiking, or exploring New England in his Miata (in the summer, of course).

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You may have heard that the average new-car transaction is now closing in on the $40,000 mark. That’s a sobering thought for a lot of us, but luckily that’s only an average - there are still plenty of excellent family vehicles available for far less money.

To prove it, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite SUVs and crossovers that have starting prices of less than $30,000. Check out our list of the best AWD options under $30K here >>

The five models highlighted here hail from different continents and attract different buyers. They are roomy, efficient, stylish, or sporty - or maybe all four.

Check out all our picks for the best SUVs >>

Read about how we rank our vehicles >>

Best SUVs Under $30K Comparison

1. Mazda CX-30 - From $24,995

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 is a small SUV known for its sporty driving dynamics and upscale interior. It offers a choice between a standard 191-hp engine and an optional 250-hp turbocharged engine, both paired with all-wheel drive. Prices range from $26,370 to $38,175.

For most buyers, the standard engine should suffice, especially with the Preferred trim, which offers a good balance of features and value. The CX-30 provides agile handling and a smooth ride, with decent fuel economy ranging from 22 to 33 mpg.

Inside, the CX-30 features high-quality materials and advanced tech options, including a standard 8.8-inch infotainment screen with Mazda Connected Services. Safety features are comprehensive, including adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking.

Current Mazda CX-30 Deals & Incentives

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Mazda deals

2. Subaru Crosstrek - From $25,195

Does that price sound enticing for a small, competent SUV that comes standard with one of the industry’s better-liked all-wheel drive systems? It certainly does to us. The value is almost unbeatable. It’s what vaulted this Subaru onto our list.

Like all Subarus, the Crosstrek uses a boxer-designed engine; in this case, it’s a 2.0-liter flat four that makes 152 horsepower. That isn’t much - and the CVT it’s paired up with doesn’t make things any better - but the whole package is surprisingly refined considering the price point. If more power is your thing, an optional 182-horse 2.5-liter flat four exists for the upper two trims. Hypermilers are also covered with the available plug-in hybrid variant.

Inside, even the base Crosstrek impresses with its tasteful trim, intuitive layout, and solid build quality. Heated seats, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking are all standard, a further testament to Subaru’s emphasis on practical value.

Current Subaru Crosstrek Deals & Incentives

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Subaru deals

3. Kia Sportage - From $27,190

The 2024 Kia Sportage is a compact crossover offering spaciousness, standard features, and an affordable starting price. It comes with a 187-hp four-cylinder engine, with hybrid options available for better performance. Prices range from $28,565 to $39,365.

The midrange EX trim offers the best value, adding features like a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, wireless smartphone charging, and heated front seats.

Performance-wise, the Sportage offers adequate acceleration with its standard engine, while the hybrid variant provides quicker performance. It rides on a new platform, improving ride comfort.

Inside, the Sportage impresses with a stylish design, spacious rear seats, and 40 cubic feet of cargo space. Infotainment features include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with options for a larger display and premium audio system.

Safety features are comprehensive, with standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking. Optional features include blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Overall, the 2024 Kia Sportage offers a compelling package for buyers seeking a practical and feature-rich compact crossover.

Current Kia Sportage Deals & Incentives

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Kia deals

4. Hyundai Tucson - From $27,500

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson stands out among compact SUVs with its stylish design and upscale yet practical interior. It's available with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering adequate performance for daily driving. Prices range from $28,875 to $38,135.

The SEL Convenience trim offers a balanced package of features, including heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, a sunroof, and a 10.3-inch digital gauge display.

Performance-wise, the Tucson provides a comfortable ride and composed handling, with a quiet and refined driving experience. Fuel economy is rated at up to 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.

Inside, the Tucson boasts a modern dashboard design with quality materials and plenty of space for passengers and cargo. Infotainment features include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with options for a larger touchscreen and premium audio system.

Safety features are comprehensive, with standard automated emergency braking and lane-departure warning, along with available adaptive cruise control.

Overall, the 2024 Hyundai Tucson offers a compelling combination of style, comfort, and features in the compact SUV segment.

Current Hyundai Tucson Deals & Incentives

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Hyundai deals

5. Honda CR-V - From $29,500

Almost a quarter-century ago, Honda wowed the world with its CR-V, which at the time was a novel idea: SUV practicality built on a comfortable and efficient sedan chassis. The idea took off, and since then Honda has been fine-tuning the CR-V into the perfect all-around utilitarian vehicle. It does so much right and so little wrong that it is hard not to recommend the CR-V as one of the best SUVs under $30,000.

We’ll start with the cabin, which shows elements of the usual Honda ingenuity. For one thing, space is abundantly generous: with all the seats folded, the CR-V boasts 76.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Legroom in the rear is a full 41 inches, more than many larger SUVs. A tall roof ensures ample headroom, and big windows keep things from ever feeling claustrophobic.

The CR-V’s powertrains are pretty standard for the segment. On the most affordable end is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which gets usurped farther on up the trim ladder by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four.

With a base of about $29,000 the C-RV comes out of the gate with high-quality materials and lots of active safety gear, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. So what’s not to like? The infotainment system, for one - a mere five-inch display is standard, and the 7.0-inch touchscreen found on most trims is still lacking in both size and interface relative to the competition.

But that’s our biggest demerit. Overall, the Honda CR-V is an excellent midsize SUV that ticks all the boxes for the modern family: roomy, efficient, well-built, and easy to live with. It’s a purchase you won’t regret.

Current Honda CR-V Deals & Incentives

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Honda deals

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best crossover under $30,000?

In our eyes, the Subaru Crosstrek is one of the best if you’re trying to keep the price down without sacrificing style, quality, or efficiency. But if that runabout is too small, try the three-row Sorento or spacious Honda CR-V.

What is the most efficient crossover under $30,000?

It’s not on our list, but the Ford Escape Hybrid gets up to 44 mpg in the city. It’s one of the most efficient non-electric SUVs of any size or price point - and can be had for as little as $29,000.

What is the most spacious crossover under $30,000?

The Honda CR-V or Kia Sorento. Both feature oodles of space - over 75 cubic feet, to be exact.

What is the best SUV for off-roading for under $30,000?

The Ford Bronco Sport is available for around $27,000. Besides short overhangs and decent clearance, Ford fits the available Badlands model with all-terrain tires, tow hooks, skid plates, and a couple of additional drive modes.