There are many reasons to buy used rather than new. Of course, money is a significant factor, but there’s more to it than that.
With used cars, you don’t eat the depreciation; the first owner does. And if you can find one covered by the original warranty, you’re covered if anything happens. There are some good options out there, especially if you’re on a budget.
Methodolgy
Through our research, we’ve found several used cars under $30,000. We looked for those that received awards from either the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and are widely available. Given the price point, we looked for vehicles with fewer than 75,000 miles.
2022 Honda Accord
If there’s one car Honda can be proud of, it’s the Honda Accord, which debuted in 1976. The 2022 model is a midsize sedan with plenty of space inside the cabin and the trunk. You might find any one of the six available trims in dealerships across the country for under $30,000.
The Honda Accord has received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS. It has several safety features, including a crash prevention system.
2023 Toyota Camry
Like the Honda Accord, the Toyota Camry is a popular sedan in the US. It ranked in Car & Driver’s 25 bestselling vehicles for 2024. In our search, we found the 2023 model for sale for under $30,000. Many even had fewer than 50,000 miles and a lot of life left.
In 2023, the Camry received the IIHS top safety pick+ award, plus all trims received five stars from the NHTSA.
2021 Subaru Legacy
Subarus are well-known for their safety awards and ratings and frequently hit the IIHS top safety pick+, which it did in 2021. That year’s model also has a five-star NHTSA rating.
The 2021 Legacy has AWD and gets a combined 30 MPG. We found many for sale across the country, well under the $30,000 budget and 75,000 mileage constraints.
2021 Acura TLX
If you’re looking for a luxury brand, the 2021 Acura TLX is one you can find in abundance. This midsize sedan is available for below $30,000 and comes in several trims. Many of the models are well below the 75,000-mile threshold we set in our methodology.
The IIHS awarded it its top safety pick+ in 2021, and the NHTSA awarded it five stars for all trims.
2020 Toyota Avalon
Toyota vehicles are known for their reliability, and the 2020 Avalon is no exception. It’s a pretty easy vehicle to find at dealerships
In 2019, it received the IIHS top safety pick+ award and both the gas-powered and hybrid models have a five-star rating from the NHTSA.
2021 Honda Civic Hatchback
If you’re in the market for a compact used car under $30,000, the Honda Civic Hatchback can be found for around $21,000 to $24,000. It’s touted for its comfort and fuel efficiency in reviews.
The IIHS awarded the vehicle its top safety pick in 2021, and it has a five-star rating through the NHTSA.
2022 Nissan Altima
If compact isn’t your thing, you can pick up a 2022 Nissan Altima, a mid-size sedan, for $15,000 to $20,000, many with well under 75,000 miles on them. In a Car & Driver review, the Altima was praised for its fuel-efficiency, 32 MPG combined, and its safety features.
It was given the top safety pick+ award, and both FWD and AWD trims have a five-star NHTSA rating.
2020 Volvo S60
The Volvo S60 first came out in 2000 (2021 model) and was discontinued last year as the company shifted its focus to SUVs. However, the 2020 model (and later years) is still floating around out there for around $20,000. It comes in four different trims with a combined fuel efficiency of 25 to 30 MPG.
The IIHS awarded the 2020 S60 its top safety pick that year and both the T5 and T6 trims have a five-star NHTSA rating, while the T8 models are not rated.
2021 Lexus IS
Let’s take it up a notch and introduce another luxury vehicle you could find for under $30,000. The 2021 Lexus IS originally had an MSRP starting at $40,025 but can now be found for under $30,000 in some instances. It’s not the roomiest car on our list, but those in the market for one are probably already familiar with this.
All trims have a five-star NHTSA rating and received the IIHS top safety pick+ that year.
2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Last, but certainly not least on our list is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. This model is available in the $20,000 range, depending on the mileage and dealership. It’s your chance to get a luxury car without breaking the bank. It gets approximately 25 to 27 MPG combined and has several safety features such as automated emergency braking and a lane departure warning system.
The 2021 C-Class received the IIHS top safety pick+ and the NHTSA awarded the 4WD and RWD models a five-star rating.
