Marc Serafino
There is no easy answer to this question cause there are quite a few excellent options, with automakers building many SUV offerings to appease to today’s customer tastes. Whereas older generation SUVs were built on truck chassis to give occupants a harsher ride experience, modern car-based SUVs — also known as crossovers — deliver ride, handling and even fuel economy that can easily match many sedans.
Since many of today’s SUVs under $30k resemble each other, you should go with the one that you like the most. They are all rather similar, with a few details here and there helping them differentiate in the eyes of buyers. Your best options include the following…
1. Honda CR-V
The CR-V is among the top-selling vehicles in the U.S. Honda has managed to find the segment’s sweet spot with excellent ride quality, laudable fuel economy and an intelligently designed interior. The newest-generation CR-V offers 105.9 cubic feet of passenger cabin volume to provide comfortable seating for four adults, and five can squeeze in when needed. There is also 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space that can grow to 75.8 cubic feet when rear seats are folded flat. Engine choices include a 184-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a 190-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Honda CR-V starts at around $25k and rises to $35k, depending on the trim level and engine choice.
2. Toyota RAV4
It is hard to make an argument against Toyota, RAV4 included. It was the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. last year that is not a pickup truck, offering an excellent resale value. One issue we have with it is a relatively small passenger area of 101.9 cubic feet. On the other hand, it has 38.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats that grows to 73.4 cubic feet of space when those seats are folded. Under the hood, the 2018 RAV4 packs a 176-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. There are also more expensive and more fuel-efficient hybrid versions of the vehicle. Toyota RAV4 starts at $25k and rises to $36k, depending on the trim level.
3. Kia Sorento
First of all, it is important to realize that Kia Sorento is probably the largest SUV/crossover you can get for under $30k. That feat alone makes it a worthy contender in this category. Its total passenger volume is a substantial 142.9 cubic feet, while the cargo capacity with both second- and third-row seats folded maxes out at 73 cubic feet. Sorento is a seven-passenger vehicle, with its base model boasting a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 24 mpg combined fuel economy. If you need more power, there’s the model with a 3.3-liter V6 engine, offering 290-horsepower. Kia Sorento starts at around $27k but its higher trim levels can get the price north of $45k. So it’s up to you pick the model and features you like the most.
4. Ford Edge
Ford Edge is one of the best SUVs out there. The low-priced SE trim packs a 245-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, making it one of the most fun-to-drive options under $30k. Passenger volume is 113.9 cubic feet, and you can get up to 73.4 cubic feet of overall cargo space when you recline back seats. If that’s not enough for you, Consumer Reports places the Edge in its “Recommended” section. The price starts at $29,315 but is routinely discounted. If you need more bells and whistles, you can easily spend north of $35k.
5. Volkswagen Tiguan
Like any other Volkswagen vehicle, Tiguan regularly tops the charts in its respective category. The new 2008 model has been revamped from the ground up and is now 10.6 inches longer than its predecessor. That added space allows for an optional third row of seats and pretty much transforms the vehicle. Speaking of space, passengers get 123.9 cubic feet, while cargo space can be extended to 73.5 cubic feet with rear seats folded down. The single-engine offered is a 184-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder coupled with an eight-speed conventional automatic transmission. The price, you ask? Volkswagen Tiguan starts at around $25k for front-wheel drive and goes up to $38k for the all-wheel-drive version.
Start a Search Today!
For the biggest savings in your area, you should do your own research. Remember that many of the dealerships’ biggest deals are location-based. So what are you waiting for? Start a search today!
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