(iSeeCars) – Are you looking for an SUV under $30,000? Here’s a rundown of top-rated options that deliver reliability, value retention, and safety without breaking the bank. These SUVs blend quality with affordability, offering excellent features—from ample cargo space to impressive fuel efficiency—all in a budget-friendly package. Here are the best small SUVs under $30,000.

1. Toyota RAV4

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.8 / 10
  • Reliability: 8.5 / 10
  • Value Retention: 8.7 / 10
  • Safety: 9.0 / 10
  • MSRP: $28,675 – $38,380
  • Used Price: $21,786 – $34,748
  • MPG: 28 – 30 mpg
  • Cargo Volume: 37.5 – 37.6 cu ft

2. Ford Escape

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.6 / 10
  • Reliability: 8.2 / 10
  • Value Retention: 7.6 / 10
  • Safety: 10 / 10
  • MSRP: $27,995 – $36,540
  • Used Price: $14,994 – $31,921
  • MPG: 26 – 30 mpg
  • Cargo Volume: 37.5 cu ft

3. GMC Terrain

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.6 / 10
  • Reliability: 8.0 / 10
  • Value Retention: 7.8 / 10
  • Safety: 10 / 10
  • MSRP: $28,700 – $38,600
  • Used Price: $17,788 – $33,302
  • MPG: 25 – 26 mpg
  • Cargo Volume: 29.6 cu ft

4. Chevrolet Equinox

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.6 / 10
  • Reliability: 8.0 / 10
  • Value Retention: 7.7 / 10
  • Safety: 10 / 10
  • MSRP: $28,600 – $35,000
  • Used Price: $15,592 – $29,394
  • MPG: 26 – 28 mpg
  • Cargo Volume: 29.9 cu ft

5. Subaru Forester

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.6 / 10
  • Reliability: 8.3 / 10
  • Value Retention: 8.4 / 10
  • Safety: 9.0 / 10
  • MSRP: $29,695 – $39,995
  • Used Price: $19,499 – $34,199
  • MPG: 26 – 29 mpg
  • Cargo Volume: 26.9 – 28.9 cu ft

6. Subaru Outback

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.5 / 10
  • Reliability: 8.6 / 10
  • Value Retention: 8.1 / 10
  • Safety: 9.0 / 10
  • MSRP: $28,895 – $42,795
  • Used Price: $19,900 – $36,994
  • MPG: 23 – 28 mpg
  • Cargo Volume: 32.6 cu ft

7. Volkswagen Tiguan

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.2 / 10
  • Reliability: 7.4 / 10
  • Value Retention: 7.9 / 10
  • Safety: 9.3 / 10
  • MSRP: $28,880 – $38,880
  • Used Price: $16,909 – $30,069
  • MPG: 24 – 26 mpg
  • Cargo Volume: 12.0 – 37.6 cu ft

8. Kia Sportage

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.2 / 10
  • Reliability: 7.6 / 10
  • Value Retention: 7.9 / 10
  • Safety: 9.0 / 10
  • MSRP: $27,190 – $38,090
  • Used Price: $15,499 – $31,998
  • MPG: 25 – 28 mpg
  • Cargo Volume: 39.6 cu ft

9. Mazda CX-5

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.2 / 10
  • Reliability: 7.2 / 10
  • Value Retention: 8.3 / 10
  • Safety: 9.0 / 10
  • MSRP: $28,570 – $40,600
  • Used Price: $19,130 – $30,995
  • MPG: 24 mpg
  • Cargo Volume: 30.8 cu ft

10. Nissan Rogue

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.1 / 10
  • Reliability: 8.0 / 10
  • Value Retention: 7.9 / 10
  • Safety: 8.6 / 10
  • MSRP: $29,230 – $40,920
  • Used Price: $16,574 – $30,995
  • MPG: 31 – 33 mpg
  • Cargo Volume: 31.6 – 36.5 cu ft

11. Mitsubishi Outlander

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.1 / 10
  • Reliability: 8.2 / 10
  • Value Retention: 7.7 / 10
  • Safety: 8.4 / 10
  • MSRP: $28,395 – $40,845
  • Used Price: $14,832 – $33,743
  • MPG: 26 – 27 mpg
  • Cargo Volume: 11.7 cu ft

12. Hyundai TUCSON

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.1 / 10
  • Reliability: 7.5 / 10
  • Value Retention: 8.0 / 10
  • Safety: 8.7 / 10
  • MSRP: $28,355 – $39,795
  • Used Price: $15,994 – $31,453
  • MPG: 25 – 28 mpg
  • Cargo Volume: 38.7 cu ft

Conclusion

The top-ranked Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester stand out for their well-balanced scores in reliability, value retention, and safety. Other strong contenders, like the Ford Escape and GMC Terrain, offer superior safety ratings, while options like the Kia Sportage provide maximum cargo capacity among small SUVs. The Nissan Rogue is an excellent choice for fuel efficiency, making this list diverse in terms of specific strengths across different models and budgets.

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This article, Best Small SUVs Under $30k, originally appeared on iSeeCars.com.