Best Used Cars Under $30k for 2024
The best used cars, trucks, and SUVs under $30k based on a data-driven analysis of each vehicle's reliability, resale value and safety.
Best Used Cars Under $30k by Vehicle Type
The best used SUV under $30k is the 2019 Acura MDX with an iSeeCars rating of 8.9 out of 10 and an average used car price of $28,789. The 2019 Honda Ridgeline is the best used truck under $30k with a rating of 9.2 and a used car price of $27,602. The 2023 Honda Accord is the best used sedan under $30k; it has an overall score of 9.3 and an average price of $26,874. The best used luxury passenger car under $30k is the 2020 Lexus IS 300 with an iSeeCars rating of 8.9 out of 10 and a price of $29,519. The 2019 Acura MDX is the best used luxury SUV under $30,000, having an iSeeCars rating of 8.9 and price of $28,789.
The iSeeCars Rating/Score for each model is an analysis of three factors: reliability, resale value and safety based on over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with NHTSA and IIHS Safety Ratings.
Best Used Cars Under $30k
Best Used SUVs Under $30k
Best Used Trucks Under $30k
Best Used Hybrids Under $30k
Best Used Electrics Under $30k
Best Used Minivans Under $30k
How We Rank These Cars
iSeeCars Best Used Cars Under $30k Rankings are calculated based on the latest research by our data science team and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
We analyze data from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with the NHTSA's Safety Ratings to give you an unbiased guide to the best vehicles in each segment.
After being evaluated, vehicles with the highest average scores earn a spot in the iSeeCars Best Car Rankings. (No final score is given to vehicles missing a score in any of the categories, but scores for other categories are still shown.)
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
