### Introduction With used car prices leveling off in recent years, shoppers can now take advantage of depreciated pricing to find superbly well-equipped sedans and hatchbacks for sums that won't break the bank. In this article, we'll explore our top picks for used cars under $30,000, balancing performance, practicality, and luxury. ### Methodology Our research focused on 3–5-year-old vehicles, with models from the 2022–2024 model years. We considered data from the residual value experts at Black Book and ensured our recommendations met the following criteria: * Earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick award * Had an above-average J.D. Power quality and reliability rating ### Top Picks #### 1. 2022 Honda Civic Si * Engine: 1.5L turbocharged inline-4 * Power: 205 hp * Torque: 192 lb-ft * Transmission: 6-speed manual * Drive: Front-wheel drive * Dimensions: 182.1 in length, 70.7 in width, 56.5 in height * Weight: 2,844 lbs * 0–100 ...
### Introduction
With used car prices leveling off in recent years, shoppers can now take advantage of depreciated pricing to find superbly well-equipped sedans and hatchbacks for sums that won’t break the bank. In this article, we’ll explore our top picks for used cars under $30,000, balancing performance, practicality, and luxury.
### Methodology
Our research focused on 3–5-year-old vehicles, with models from the 2022–2024 model years. We considered data from the residual value experts at Black Book and ensured our recommendations met the following criteria:
* Earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick award
* Had an above-average J.D. Power quality and reliability rating
### Top Picks
#### 1. 2022 Honda Civic Si
* Engine: 1.5L turbocharged inline-4
* Power: 205 hp
* Torque: 192 lb-ft
* Transmission: 6-speed manual
* Drive: Front-wheel drive
* Dimensions: 182.1 in length, 70.7 in width, 56.5 in height
* Weight: 2,844 lbs
* 0–100 km/h time: 6.1 seconds
* Top speed: 149 mph
* Fuel economy: 28 mpg city, 38 mpg highway
* Safety features: Honda Sensing suite, including collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control
* Price: $24,350 – $26,350
#### 2. 2022 Mazda3 Sport
* Engine: 2.5L inline-4
* Power: 186 hp
* Torque: 186 lb-ft
* Transmission: 6-speed automatic
* Drive: Front-wheel drive
* Dimensions: 182.5 in length, 70.7 in width, 56.5 in height
* Weight: 3,135 lbs
* 0–100 km/h time: 7.3 seconds
* Top speed: 135 mph
* Fuel economy: 28 mpg city, 39 mpg highway
* Safety features: Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Smart Brake Support, and Blind Spot Monitoring
* Price: $22,350 – $25,350
#### 3. 2022 Subaru Impreza Sport
* Engine: 2.0L inline-4
* Power: 152 hp
* Torque: 145 lb-ft
* Transmission: CVT
* Drive: All-wheel drive
* Dimensions: 182.5 in length, 70.7 in width, 56.5 in height
* Weight: 3,235 lbs
* 0–100 km/h time: 8.2 seconds
* Top speed: 120 mph
* Fuel economy: 27 mpg city, 36 mpg highway
* Safety features: EyeSight driver-assist system, including adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning
* Price: $23,350 – $27,350
#### 4. 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
* Engine: 2.0L turbocharged inline-4
* Power: 228 hp
* Torque: 258 lb-ft
* Transmission: 6-speed manual
* Drive: Front-wheel drive
* Dimensions: 180.1 in length, 71.3 in width, 56.7 in height
* Weight: 3,253 lbs
* 0–100 km/h time: 5.8 seconds
* Top speed: 155 mph
* Fuel economy: 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway
* Safety features: Volkswagen’s Advanced Safety Features package, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking
* Price: $26,350 – $30,350
#### 5. 2022 Hyundai Elantra Limited
* Engine: 2.0L inline-4
* Power: 147 hp
* Torque: 132 lb-ft
* Transmission: 6-speed automatic
* Drive: Front-wheel drive
* Dimensions: 182.1 in length, 70.7 in width, 56.5 in height
* Weight: 3,095 lbs
* 0–100 km/h time: 8.4 seconds
* Top speed: 125 mph
* Fuel economy: 28 mpg city, 38 mpg highway
* Safety features: Hyundai SmartSense safety suite, including forward collision avoidance and lane departure warning
* Price: $22,350 – $25,350
### Conclusion
When shopping for a used car under $30,000, it’s essential to balance performance, practicality, and luxury. Our top picks offer a mix of sporty handling, luxurious features, and impressive safety ratings. Whether you prioritize fuel economy, safety, or simply a fun drive, there’s a used car on this list that’s sure to meet your needs.
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