Best SUVs Under $30,000
Offering space, safety, comfort and tech for families, these SUVs are also more affordable. You might also be interested in Best Cars Under $30,000 or Luxury Cars Under $30,000.
SUV
Top Rated Expert Ratings
$0 - $30,000
SUV
$27,051
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.9
Consumer
38 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Honda’s 2-row SUV has long been a consumer favorite in its class, and the 2021 CR-V Hybrid takes its appeal factor to a new level.
SUV
Save
$19,007
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its good looks, high-quality interior, abundant safety features, and entertaining driving manners, the Mazda CX-5 commands attention.
SUV
$20,789
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is a large subcompact SUV designed for off-road adventure. Its rivals are the Jeep Compass and Subaru Crosstrek.
SUV
$21,594
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.9
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With the Outback, Subaru has stuck with a formula that remains quite popular – that of the raised AWD station wagon that thinks it’s an SUV.
SUV
$22,813
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The spacious 2021 Hyundai Palisade midsize 3-row SUV is a strong contender with great road manners, generous features and keen pricing.
SUV
$25,160
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.8
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Audi Q3 brings bold design, innovative technology, and excellent fit and finish to the Audi’s smallest luxury SUV.
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SUV
Save
$18,142
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Highlighted by an ingenious interior, the Honda HR-V remains a great choice among small SUVs even among fresher rivals like the Kia Seltos.
SUV
$20,926
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.7
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
All-new for 2021, the Nissan Rogue compact SUV packs bolder looks, more tech, and fresh features. Its value position remains strong.
SUV
$22,727
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.6
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The well-equipped, stylish and popular 2021 Volvo XC40 premium subcompact SUV/crossover adds an all-electric variant to its range: Recharge.
SUV
$25,150
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.4
Consumer
208 Miles
Estimated EV Range
In simple terms, the XC40 Recharge is an electric Volvo XC40. While it needs more range, it’s a smartly packaged taste of Volvo’s EV future.
SUV
$26,250
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Acura RDX premium-compact-crossover SUV offers generous equipment, superb driving manners, and great build quality at keen prices.
SUV
$28,132
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Toyota Highlander is one of the most recommendable midsize 3-row SUVs.
SUV
$14,790
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Hyundai Venue is a fresh, affordable subcompact SUV with features and charisma that belie its diminutive size.
SUV
$20,174
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
260 Miles
Estimated EV Range
With 260 miles of range, good practicality, and a healthy dollop of modern tech, the new ID.4 points to a bright EV future for Volkswagen.
SUV
$20,650
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Subaru Forester is a superb compact SUV with a long and well-rounded list of attributes, including value and safety.
SUV
Save
$23,055
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.5
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Honda Pilot is one of the best choices among midsize 3-row SUV/crossovers, because it excels in so many areas.
SUV
$25,564
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.6
Consumer
39 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
All-new-for 2021, the Toyota Venza 2-row midsize SUV features a 219-horsepower hybrid powertrain, all-wheel-drive, and up to 40 mpg.
SUV
$26,032
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.5
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The new 3-row Jeep Grand Cherokee L impresses with its quality and luxury, which bodes well for the standard version coming later this year.
SUV
$27,929
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Mercedes GLB-Class small luxury SUV straddles the subcompact and compact classes with style, tech, safety and refinement.
SUV
$16,035
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Equinox is Chevrolet’s compact crossover SUV. A roomy cabin, active safety, and reasonable starting price help make it a popular seller.
SUV
$20,598
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.7
Consumer
17 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek blurs the distinction between a compact SUV and an economical 5-door hatchback.
SUV
$22,527
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.9
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Subaru Ascent is a spacious and smart midsize 3-row crossover with all-wheel drive and many safety features as standard.
SUV
$23,843
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
As long as buyers get into a 2021 BMW X1 premium subcompact SUV knowing it skews more toward thrills than frills, all should be well.
SUV
$16,255
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.8
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The stylish, well-equipped, and well-priced 2021 Hyundai Kona subcompact crossover SUV gains a sporty Night Edition and top safety scores.
SUV
$16,578
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.8
Consumer
258 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The stylish, well-equipped, and well-priced 2021 Hyundai Kona subcompact crossover SUV gains a sporty Night Edition and top safety scores.
SUV
Save
$18,826
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.9
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 GMC Terrain aspires to be more upmarket than most mainstream compact-crossover SUVs, especially in the lavish Denali trim.
SUV
$20,381
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 BMW X2 is a sportier, more stylistic take on the X1 crossover SUV. It is distinctive, costs more and is less practical than rivals.
SUV
$23,765
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse 3-row SUV is large and comfortable, but lags rivals like the Kia Telluride in standard safety systems.
SUV
$25,515
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 5-seater 2021 Honda Passport SUV puts generous interior space, V6 power and off-road talent into a smartly sized package.
SUV
$27,768
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Lexus NX 300 and hybrid NX 300h luxury compact SUVs emphasize comfort, luxury, quality, reliability and value.
SUV
$16,613
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Kia Sportage compact crossover is comfy, classy, well equipped, and keenly priced. Pity about the fuel economy and cargo space.
SUV
$17,018
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer affords excellent standard tech, sporty design and a compelling base price for a small-crossover SUV.
SUV
$21,298
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.9
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The roomy Volkswagen Atlas SUV has undergone a midcycle freshening that has broadened its appeal to families with added safety and style.
SUV
$22,508
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The aging 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee still cuts it as a plush midsize SUV, off-road champ or fast-lapping track rat.
SUV
$24,980
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
326 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2021 Tesla Model Y small premium all-electric crossover now comes with seating for up to seven.
SUV
Save
$28,924
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
18 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2021 Volvo XC90 has all the style, space, tech, safety and hardware to be a major contender among luxury midsize 3-row SUV/crossovers.
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