Yahoo Autos Consumer Reports Says These Are The Most Reliable New Cars And SUVs For Less Than $30,000
Pandemic-induced supply chain shortages are finally working themselves out, so there’s a good chance that 2024 will be a much better year for new car buyers. Still, an abundance of cars on dealer lots isn’t going to magically turn a $60,000 car into a $30,000 car. The good news is, though, you can still find quite a few reliable new cars for $30,000 or less.
Recently, our friends at Consumer Reports dug through the reliability data they get from their massive owner survey and put together a list of new cars that are reliable and (relatively) affordable to buy without sacrificing safety. All of the cars on this list can be had with automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert for less than $30,000. It’s always possible that you could end up with a lemon, but if reliability is your top priority, and you don’t have an unlimited budget, you’ll want to take a look at the cars on this list.
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It’s no surprise that the Toyota Corolla is included here. It’s long been known for being both affordable and reliable. Take your pick of the sedan, hatchback or hybrid. They’re all going to be under budget unless you have your heart set on the high-performance GR Corolla.
Mazda 3
Mazda has built great cars for years, but they’re continually overlooked in favor of Hondas and Toyotas. If you want a ton of options and the more powerful engine, it’s easy to go over $30,000, but a base-model Mazda 3 starts below $25,000.
Mini Cooper
Minis aren’t generally known for being the most reliable, but according to Consumer Reports’ data, that’s mostly been fixed. At least on the Hardtop. And if two doors isn’t enough for you, there’s always the four-door version to consider.
Kia Forte
The Kia Forte isn’t the absolute best compact sedan that you can buy, but it’s reliable, and most importantly, it’s one of the few cars that still starts under $20,000.
Kia Niro
Is it a hatchback? Is it an SUV? Does any of that even matter anymore? Regardless of what it is, the Kia Niro is a practical daily driver that starts well under $30,000 and can still haul a bunch of stuff.
Hyundai Elantra
If you’re looking for a compact sedan that stands out, look no further than the Hyundai Elantra. Some people are going to love it. Others are going to hate it. At the very least, though, it isn’t nearly as forgettable as the Toyota Corolla. Sadly, you can’t get the fantastic Elantra N for less than $30,000, but it’s not that much more.
Toyota Camry
Like the Corolla, the Camry is known for being reliable above all else. Also like the Corolla, you can even get the Camry Hybrid for less than $30,000. Sadly, unlike the Corolla, there’s no long-roof option for the Camry.
Kia K5
The Kia K5 is a stylish, well-reviewed sedan that makes the Camry look frumpy. There’s no hybrid option, but only the top-of-the-line GT version has an MSRP north of the $30,000 mark.
Subaru Crosstrek
As the Subaru Forester’s gotten bigger, the Crosstrek has stepped in to fill the Forester’s shoes as a relatively small, practical hatchback with a surprising amount of off-road capability. You can certainly blow your budget on higher trim levels, but the base model starts at just over $25,000.
Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V still isn’t huge, but the newest version is more spacious than the first-generation HR-V. And while it’s not exactly quick, it’s a reliable subcompact crossover that you can get for less than $25,000.
Toyota Corolla Cross
Do you like the idea of the Toyota Corolla but want a higher ride height and more traditional crossover proportions than what you get from the Corolla Hatchback? Then check out the Toyota Corolla Cross and its sub-$25,000 base price.
Hyundai Tucson
Sadly, you can’t get the superior Hyundai Tucson Hybrid for less than $30,000, but the regular Tucson is still a solid compact crossover that’s been well-reviewed. The styling isn’t going to be for everyone, but if you like it, go for it.
Mazda CX-30
Not everyone likes the lower ride height of a sedan such as the Mazda 3, and if that’s the case for you, we have great news. Just get the Mazda CX-30. It’s a little more expensive than the sedan or the hatch but not by much, as it also starts at less than $25,000.
Ford Maverick
Ford really knocked it out of the park with the compact Maverick pickup truck. Demand has been through the roof, but if you can get one at MSRP, a base-model Maverick starts below $25,000. It can’t tow a train, but do you really need to tow a train? Really?
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