25. Toyota Yaris
Price: $15,250
If you’re surprised to see the Yaris on this list, with its 106-horsepower and fuel-efficient car looks, here’s something to think about: When Toyota decided to go point-blank in pursuit of the 2017 World Rally Championship, it went with the Yaris. .
24. Honda HR-V (EX)
Price: $21,515
Honda’s mass-market crossover isn’t on this list for whatever reason. It’s the sum of its parts, like a well-balanced package that combines technology, safety and creature comfort.
It’s practically inseparable in our metric from the Yaris, but since they barely compete, take it with a grain of salt.
23 Chevrolet Traverse
Price: $28,700
If you recklessly choose option fields, you can easily push Traverse’s price up to $40,000. Keep a low profile and you have a comfortable 281bhp midsize crossover that still has a surprisingly large amount to offer.
22. Nissan JUKE NISMO RS
Price: $28,020
Sure, you can get a base-level Juke for quite a bit less, but given that you can get a 215hp NISMO RS variant, you’d be remiss not to at least consider it.
This represents a big jump in power for a vehicle that, in its cheapest form, is already faster than an ’84 ‘Vette. Add to that avant-garde styling for even the small crossover crowd and you have a very intriguing quirk.
21. Volkswagen Passat V6 SE
Price: $29,295
As with the JUKE, the Passat gives you more value the higher you climb the stairs. You can get 280 hp The SE’s V6 is 110 more than the 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that comes standard – and carry some fancy technology without breaking the $30,000 MSRP barrier.
20. Kia Optima
Price: $22,200
The Optima may be lacking in punchy power and stunning beauty, according to the EPA, which it more than makes up for in good utility technology and a 30-mpg combination. Worth noting: In our metric, the base-level Infiniti QX30 and Ford Focus are in a state of absolute heat — we had to go to the second decimal to break the link.
19. Infiniti QX30
Price: $29,950
Okay, so by the time you sign the dotted line, you’ll probably have crossed 30k unless you’re a very smart negotiator. Remove it, however, and you end up with a compact crossover that shares a few details with the Mercedes GLA. The unsurprising result is an entry-level luxury crossover that has a bit of everything.
18 Ford Focus
Price: $16,775
The base Focus cracks the top 20 because it’s a very well balanced package. It has better acceleration and handling than several cars on this list, and its design is quite pleasing, both inside and out. Plus it has the technology if you want it.
17 Ford Edge
Price: $28,950
The Edge sits, oddly enough, right in the middle of Ford’s crossover. That means the entry-level Edge is still better than most cars under $30k, and it’s big enough to have a practicality advantage.
16 Subaru Outback
Price: $25,645
The Outback has long been a great choice for those looking for entertainment that you have to leave to find your way. To that end, its distinctive off-road functionality gives it just enough push to let over a dozen other vehicles pass.
15 Ford Focus ST
Price: $24,775
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll see that this is the second time the Focus has appeared on this list. What gives? Well, while the ST may not be as extreme as the crazy Focus RS, it’s still quite different from the base Focus sedan. It’s not just about the 252 horsepower and set of suspension positives the car has – it’s selling to a very different demographic. The bottom line is, if you can’t go over $30k and are even familiar with the term “hot hatch”, this should be on your list.
14. Toyota RAV4
Price: $24,910
Perhaps surprisingly, the RAV4 is comfortable enough for an entry-level crossover, and it also handles well. Those factors help, but the RAV4 is here because of a suite of electronic safety features designed to keep you always on the road.
13 Subaru Impreza
Price: $18,395
The combination of looks, ride quality, 31 mpg, and the seriously low parts price of the Impreza makes it a pretty decent company. Of course, the fun of all-wheel drive doesn’t hurt either.
12. Ford Mustang EcoBoost with Quick Release Package
Price: $28,815
It’s been a long time since you could order anything other than a straight-faced V8 Mustang when looking for performance. The EcoBoost is the best Ford under $30k and still has enough changes to move on to a performance package that has plenty of goodies to make the car fit for racing purposes. The Mustang has actually dropped since our last ranking thanks to some price fluctuations, but with some legitimate improvements due later this year, expect it to pop into the top 10 this fall.
11. Honda Civic Hatchback EX
Price: $22,800
There aren’t many power differences between the various Civic Hatchback trim levels, but when you upgrade to the EX ($3,100 base), you get a whole suite of desirable tech items, including CarPlay.
10 Nissan 370Z
Price: $29,990
Like the Infiniti above, the 370Z does indeed cost less than $30k on paper unless you get a good deal. However, grab this great deal and you’ll get one of the most attractive driver’s cars on the market, no matter the price.
9 Subaru WRX
Price: $26,695
The WRX name has by now been set up just like any other on this list, and the entry-level version of the car comes with a hefty 268bhp. Think of it as the responsible, adult version of the dance partner you raised as a child.
8. Hyundai Elantra
Price: $17,150
If the Elantra seems a bit out of place, step back and consider what it represents. If the goal is to build a good, solid car, then this is the Elantra. It’s not powerful or particularly sporty, but it’s good enough in terms of performance (design, technology and efficiency).
7. Acura ILX
Price: $27,990
Moderate power (201 hp) combined with high marks for comfort and technology allows Acura to get an overall score that is confidently in the top 10. If you haven’t seen them yet, check out the bejeweled LED headlights – they’re part of the base package.
6 Mazda CX-3
Price: $19,960
The CX-3 may be a compact crossover, but it’s still a crossover, which means it gets high marks for practicality thanks to its interior volume. Combine that with both fresh design cues inside and out and you begin to see why the CX-3 is getting top 10 approval.
5 Mazda CX-5
Price: $21,795
I know what you’re thinking, but there’s nothing wrong with the math here – the CX-5 and CX-3 are really right next to each other. The higher, but not too much, cost of Mazda’s big brother is more than offset (provided by the smallest margin) with slightly more comfortable travel and more mature looks. Indeed, any number of factors can affect the balance between the two.
4Chevrolet Camaro
Price: $25,700
For some people, a Camaro is nothing more than a V8 with a car attached to it, possibly driven by a mullet. These people are morons because A) the current generation Camaro is a damn good car with good handling, and B) even the “base” Camaro engine is 275 hp. with four cylinders.
3Chevrolet Cruze
Price: $16,975
One of the least expensive cars on this list, the Cruze also ranks as the most economical non-hybrid rated here at 35 mpg. It has an edge in the looks and comfort departments, but really shines when it comes to technology, with features like 4G LTE and programmable key fobs to limit the car’s capabilities when you give your spare key to someone.
2. MINI Hardtop 4-Door
Price: $21,950
The base model limits the sportier S model here, simply because the big percentage jump in power has been offset by the cost. In truth, it’s actually dead heat.
As for the MINI sedan overtaking the coupe, they are also more or less the same, with only slight deviations (practicality and ride on a four-door, design and handling on a two-door). Considered separately, they will be in order here, so you just have to decide if you want a classic look or extra space and if you want extra power under the hood (hint: yes).
1 Mazda 6
Price: $21,945
Yes, if you keep score at home, that’s three Mazdas in the top ten, and surprisingly none of them end with “-iata”. Mazda’s slogan is “Driving Matters”, which is no doubt true, but the simple fact is that practicality and comfort also matter, and both of those areas have an edge… over most things under $30,000. It can not have a ton of power (184bhp) but with handling that is within reach of some of Germany’s sports sedans – and it’s more than a little noteworthy that they’re not even eligible for a rating below $30,000 – it’s not a loss much in the execution department.
That you can upgrade to a tech-heavy package and really load up the car with options without breaking the budget makes it at least an obvious car to at least have on your bucket list.