[0:00] With the rising cost of everything,
[0:04] right now feels like a good time to save
[0:06] some money where you can. So, today
[0:09] we're going to talk about all of the
[0:10] best new car bargains available.
[0:16] Buying new will allow for the lowest
[0:19] interest rates, the freshest warranties,
[0:21] the latest in crash safety, as well as
[0:24] the peace of mind that you know the
[0:27] complete history of maintenance and
[0:30] mysterious stains. However, going used
[0:33] will save you money a vast majority of
[0:35] the time. So, I'll link a video I made a
[0:37] couple years back on my favorite
[0:39] pre-owned cars if you want to watch
[0:41] that. In order for a vehicle to make the
[0:43] cut [music] for today's list, they need
[0:46] to A, be available in my region for
[0:49] $30,000 or below. You actually need to
[0:52] be able to find them for that price. B,
[0:55] they also need to be good. I don't want
[0:57] to list any cars here that are just
[0:59] penalty boxes built to a price point.
[1:02] And C, they need to be reliable. If your
[1:04] budget conscious, you want something
[1:05] that you can trust that you don't need
[1:08] to pour a bunch of money into down the
[1:10] road. To determine this, I've chosen
[1:12] only cars that have an average or better
[1:16] rating for reliability from Consumer
[1:18] Reports. I also looked at Edmunds owner
[1:21] reviews to make sure that people were
[1:23] also at large having good experiences.
[1:26] Some of the cars discussed today have
[1:27] better reputations than others. You can
[1:30] check out my full reviews for more
[1:32] information on that.
[1:34] Before we continue, if you enjoy fun
[1:37] detailed car content,
[1:39] consider subscribing and hitting the
[1:40] notification bell.
[1:42] It may seem small, but it helps open the
[1:44] door to more opportunities.
[1:46] Thank you. While today's list is in no
[1:49] particular order, the first car that we
[1:51] need to bring up would be my personal
[1:54] budget compact, and that is the Mazda 3.
[1:59] There are several reasons why I'm
[2:00] smitten [music] with Mazda's cheapest
[2:02] car, and it is
[2:04] providing a level of quality that is
[2:07] unmatched in the segment. The interior
[2:11] is covered in soft-touch materials. It
[2:13] has a classy design on the inside as
[2:16] well as on the outside. You also get
[2:18] plenty of physical inputs to control
[2:20] everything on the interior, which could
[2:22] be a really good thing for one person,
[2:25] and it could also be a nuisance for
[2:27] another. I personally think it is
[2:29] very easy to use while you're in motion.
[2:33] You don't have to lift a finger. And
[2:34] then, it's also the best car to drive
[2:37] that we'll talk about in today's video.
[2:39] The handling might not be eager, but the
[2:41] steering is precise, it gives you
[2:43] feedback, it's confident even up at
[2:46] higher speeds, and the power trains are
[2:47] also the most potent that you're going
[2:49] to find in the class. Even at the base
[2:51] level, it's still packing 191
[2:54] horsepower. And then on top of that,
[2:56] it's paired up to a six-speed automatic,
[2:59] whereas most of its competition,
[3:01] especially in base form, are using a
[3:03] continuously variable transmission. So,
[3:06] the advantage to the traditional
[3:07] automatic is that it's going to give you
[3:09] a very natural, direct response, whereas
[3:12] with a traditional CVT, we'll talk about
[3:14] eCVTs here in a second, there's going to
[3:16] be kind of a slipping sensation. You'll
[3:18] commonly hear the term rubber band
[3:20] effect used [music] to describe it. And
[3:23] while I think many modern CVTs offer a
[3:25] smooth experience for the person who
[3:27] wants something that engages the driver,
[3:31] they just don't cut it. Plus, Mazda
[3:32] offers it with all-wheel drive. And this
[3:35] is one of the only cars here to offer a
[3:37] manual transmission, though you'll be
[3:40] very hard-pressed to get that one for
[3:42] under 30.
[3:43] Now, for those of you who want a vehicle
[3:45] that rides up a little bit higher and
[3:47] you're willing to sacrifice some of the
[3:48] handling chops in order to get that, you
[3:51] can go with the Mazda CX-30. It's
[3:54] essentially a ruggedized, lifted 3
[3:58] with a little bit more cargo space, and
[4:00] in my opinion, a little bit less quality
[4:03] and some awkward body cladding. Still an
[4:06] undeniable value below $30,000,
[4:08] especially considering it comes with
[4:10] standard all-wheel drive. And that's a
[4:12] good all-wheel drive system at that.
[4:14] Now, what are the drawbacks of these
[4:16] Mazdas? First, if you want good driving
[4:18] aids those
[4:20] aren't really a concern to Mazda.
[4:23] Neither is comfortably fitting adults in
[4:25] the back seat. Now, every time I mention
[4:27] that, a lot of people tell me, "Oh,
[4:29] if you're 6'3", you shouldn't be sitting
[4:31] in the back seat." And sure, I don't
[4:33] expect to be well accommodated back
[4:34] there, but it's still the smallest that
[4:36] you're going to find in the segment. And
[4:38] you're also going to really struggle to
[4:40] fit any sort of big child seat back
[4:43] there, even if you're much shorter than
[4:45] myself.
[4:47] There are some small trade-offs for the
[4:49] sportiness, too, as the car is going to
[4:51] be a little firmer than the average. The
[4:52] larger displacement, the six-speed
[4:54] automatic, and the lack of a hybrid also
[4:59] mean that your fuel economy is
[5:01] essentially bottom of the class. And
[5:03] visibility, especially with the
[5:05] hatchback Mazda 3,
[5:07] is a compromise. It feels closed off in
[5:10] the cabin.
[5:11] If you're looking for a more
[5:12] well-rounded compact, then I'm going to
[5:15] point you toward the Honda Civic. It's
[5:18] the second best-selling compact for
[5:21] several reasons, one of which is that it
[5:24] packs the best hybrid power train that
[5:27] you can buy, at least by performance
[5:30] standards. So, not only can you get over
[5:32] 50 miles per gallon in good conditions,
[5:35] it also gives you a near EV level of
[5:37] throttle response and excellent
[5:39] acceleration only second to that of the
[5:41] Mazda 3 turbo in the compact space.
[5:46] And like that Mazda, it also handles
[5:48] well. Throwing it through corners, it's
[5:51] confident and extremely easy to drive.
[5:54] You have better visibility than the
[5:56] Mazda 3, as well as a more compliant
[5:59] ride.
[6:00] Plus, if you go with the Sport Touring,
[6:02] you get these really soft, comfortable
[6:04] seats. The cheaper Civics, for some
[6:06] reason, give you harder padding, and
[6:08] that just doesn't cut it for me
[6:09] personally. Regardless of which model
[6:11] you choose, you have a quite usable back
[6:14] seat and a
[6:16] spacious trunk. And while Honda isn't
[6:19] exactly providing you with the most
[6:21] cutting-edge tech or the best driver
[6:24] aids, the interior at least makes sense.
[6:28] So, you have tactile, easy-to-use HVAC
[6:31] controls. You have a simple infotainment
[6:35] system with optional wireless CarPlay, a
[6:38] good Bose sound system only second to
[6:40] that of, once again, the Mazda 3. And
[6:43] while the non-hybrid 2-liter offers
[6:46] underwhelming performance, it still
[6:48] delivers strong economy, and it gets us
[6:51] well below 30 grand.
[6:53] Honda does still build the Civic Si.
[6:55] It's playful on a back road, packs an
[6:57] excellent six-speed manual transmission,
[7:00] but that's going to push us a little
[7:01] above the budget set for today. I'd be
[7:04] lying if I said the Civic has the most
[7:07] reliable reputation of all of the cars
[7:10] that we're talking about today, but you
[7:11] can rest assured that the resale value
[7:14] will protect your investment for many
[7:16] years to come. Overall, the Honda is an
[7:18] incredibly well-rounded compact, but
[7:21] Honda knows that their car has basically
[7:23] become a go-to in the segment, so you're
[7:26] going to pay for that. The starting
[7:29] price of the Civic in its most
[7:31] stripped-down form is still about
[7:34] $26,000.
[7:36] And if you want the hybrid, you are
[7:38] right there at $30,000. And they also
[7:41] skimp on many features, forcing you to
[7:44] upgrade to say an Acura or an Accord in
[7:47] order to get them.
[7:49] That's where cars like the Kia K4
[7:54] are better.
[7:56] That's what I'm driving right now. This
[7:57] car was one of the biggest surprises for
[8:00] me last year. When I drove this, I was
[8:04] impressed by how nice Kia was able to
[8:07] make this feel for the price point. With
[8:10] the discounts that you'll find at many
[8:12] dealerships, you can get features like
[8:14] ventilated seats, a 360 view camera,
[8:17] heated steering wheel, this swanky new
[8:19] hatchback body style for $30,000.
[8:24] It also packs an available eight-speed
[8:27] automatic.
[8:29] This is paired up to a 1.6 liter
[8:31] turbocharged inline-4, plenty of torque,
[8:35] great passing power. This transmission
[8:37] just sometimes lulls its response. Still
[8:40] very smooth gearbox. The 2-liter CVT
[8:43] setup that you'll find on the lower
[8:44] trims is more par for the course.
[8:49] This has also got a soft, comfortable,
[8:51] and quiet ride, making it one of the
[8:54] best road-tripping cars that we'll talk
[8:56] about here today. With this new
[8:58] hatchback, the Kia also provides great
[9:00] cargo space. Versatility up front is
[9:04] impressive, too. And at 6'3", I can fit
[9:07] behind myself in the sedan and
[9:08] hatchback. I think the five-door also
[9:11] makes better use of the K4's angular
[9:14] aesthetic. Let me know what you guys
[9:16] think. Its only real drawbacks, in my
[9:18] opinion, come from that forgiving ride
[9:21] results in sort of a a bouncy, not super
[9:25] confident
[9:27] experience when you're
[9:29] going around corners, maybe carrying a
[9:31] good amount of speed. It just kind of
[9:32] wafts over things in a way that I wish
[9:35] was a little bit more planted. The
[9:36] engineers also made a very boneheaded
[9:40] design move with this display because
[9:44] not only does the steering wheel block
[9:47] off the top of the gauge cluster from my
[9:49] driving position,
[9:50] the display here is
[9:52] far, you have to like lean to to use it,
[9:55] and then the steering wheel also blocks
[9:58] out all of your like climate control.
[9:59] So, you have to like if you want to like
[10:01] turn on your automatic climate control,
[10:02] you got to move your head over and do
[10:04] all this.
[10:06] It's such an awkward placement. Now, I
[10:08] like that we have like physical toggles
[10:10] here to change our temperature and like
[10:12] the mode, and that makes this usable.
[10:15] It's not like a a deal breaker to me. It
[10:16] just
[10:17] uses a similar layout to what Honda has.
[10:20] You don't need to do all of this. You
[10:22] sure, I guess it's trendy. It makes it
[10:25] look futuristic, but it's a pain to use.
[10:28] I also wish that the seats would provide
[10:30] a little better thigh support.
[10:33] The K4's predecessor faced some serious
[10:35] powertrain woes in the past. We'll have
[10:37] to see how this one holds up, but for
[10:39] the type of person that wants to take a
[10:41] zero chances on running cost or resale,
[10:43] the Toyota Corolla might be your best
[10:45] option.
[10:47] For 2026, this thing is mostly
[10:49] unchanged. I'd expect a redesign coming
[10:51] maybe next year, but it packs an
[10:54] efficient powertrain whether you go
[10:55] hybrid or not. The electrified version
[10:58] is going to get even better efficiency
[11:00] than the aforementioned Civic. And while
[11:03] it is considerably slower and and it
[11:04] doesn't handle as well and it's not as
[11:06] practical and the interior doesn't have
[11:08] the same level of quality,
[11:11] it is at least straightforward.
[11:13] Everything about the cabin is easy to
[11:16] use. You have good visibility. It's a
[11:18] small car as well, so it's just very
[11:21] approachable behind the wheel, easy to
[11:23] park. Toyota's durable ECVT featured on
[11:26] hybrid gives you a more direct response
[11:29] than what you find in a traditional CVT.
[11:31] The regular Corolla has more horsepower
[11:34] from its 2-liter engine, and while it
[11:37] uses a CVT, it features a launch gear
[11:40] for better off-the-line response. It's
[11:42] also much cheaper than a Civic, and you
[11:44] can get it with all-wheel drive. It's
[11:46] the best-selling compact because for a
[11:49] lot of people who actually just want A
[11:51] to B transportation, there's really no
[11:53] beating it when you're also considering
[11:55] the reputation that it carries for
[11:57] reliability.
[11:59] Now, if you want a Toyota hybrid that's
[12:01] got a lot more character, that's more
[12:03] fun to drive, that's more peppy, you
[12:05] might be able to find a Prius for under
[12:07] $30,000, but that's basically where the
[12:10] MSRP [music] starts. So, you'll probably
[12:13] have to be a pretty good negotiator to
[12:15] get one of those.
[12:18] If you need something versatile, maybe
[12:20] even macho for under 30 grand,
[12:24] [clears throat] the next vehicle I'm
[12:25] going to recommend is the Ford Maverick.
[12:28] The bed offers plenty of tie-down points
[12:31] as well as neat tricks to help maximize
[12:34] its 4-foot-6 length. Up front, the cabin
[12:37] feels spacious. There are more cubbies
[12:40] than I could think of what to do with.
[12:42] And while the MSRP starts at just below
[12:44] $30,000,
[12:46] looking on CarGurus, you'll find a
[12:49] plenty of base models or even some XLTs
[12:53] below that $30,000 mark in both hybrid
[12:56] or EcoBoost form. So, with the
[13:01] turbocharged model, you get relaxed
[13:03] passing power. And then if you go with
[13:05] the hybrid, you can get over 40 miles to
[13:07] the gallon in the city. All in a package
[13:10] that's practical enough to be bought by
[13:13] utility companies in countless cities. I
[13:16] also just think that the exterior and
[13:18] interior design is fun. It's got a
[13:20] little bit of flair. It's also got a
[13:22] laughable quality, but for a pickup in
[13:24] that sub-$30,000
[13:26] space, I'm not going to complain a whole
[13:28] lot. Other drawbacks that you might want
[13:30] to consider include the seats.
[13:33] Personally, they were not kind to my
[13:35] thighs for longer journeys. The base
[13:38] model, while not the loudest car to ever
[13:40] exist,
[13:42] does not receive some of the
[13:43] noise-reducing
[13:45] measures that the upper trim models do.
[13:48] And then they've also implemented their
[13:50] HVAC controls into the screen, something
[13:52] that I just personally don't like. That
[13:54] is the car that I'm thinking about
[13:56] buying mainly because for the money,
[13:58] it's just it's hard to find anything
[14:01] quite as practical and full of
[14:03] character.
[14:04] Now, what if you want an electric car?
[14:06] Well,
[14:07] the best option and I think one of very
[14:11] few options that you can actually buy
[14:13] for under $30,000 is the 2027 Chevy
[14:18] Bolt. Now, this is the only car here
[14:19] that I have not yet personally driven,
[14:23] but so far I've heard great things, and
[14:26] it comes with a far improved charging
[14:27] rate when compared to its predecessor.
[14:30] It also has a little over 250 miles
[14:34] of EPA-rated range. It packs a LFP
[14:38] battery, which is supposed to be more
[14:41] durable. You can also like charge it to
[14:43] full without risking damage over the
[14:46] long run. Unlike basically all other
[14:48] EVs, the interior controls and layout
[14:52] all make sense. Lots of physical inputs.
[14:55] It is a straightforward city car
[14:57] designed to give you
[14:58] low running costs. I can't speak about
[15:00] much else until I drive it, but
[15:02] personally, if I was looking for an EV,
[15:04] I think that would be one of the first
[15:05] cars that I go and test drive.
[15:08] The most well-rounded SUV option that
[15:11] you'll find for under $30,000, in my
[15:13] opinion,
[15:14] is the Honda HR-V. It takes most of the
[15:17] Civic's formula and puts it into a
[15:19] crossover size. The standard 2-liter
[15:22] engine and CVT, while very slow off the
[15:25] line, provides adequate passing power.
[15:27] It's smooth, gets decent gas mileage,
[15:29] offers all-wheel drive, and the handling
[15:33] is one of the better in the class. It is
[15:36] confident. It is
[15:38] precise, even gives you a little bit of
[15:40] feedback. It's just second to the CX-30
[15:43] in my opinion, yet it provides better
[15:45] ride quality than that car. It's also
[15:48] more practical. The back seat is huge.
[15:52] The trunk is long, and the controls,
[15:54] just like the Civic, are
[15:55] straightforward. They provide good
[15:58] soft-touch materials for where your
[16:01] knees may rest. For 2026, they also give
[16:04] you a better standard infotainment
[16:05] system than before.
[16:07] And because it uses a proven engine,
[16:11] I'd expect that to be a pretty good
[16:12] performer in the long haul. It also is
[16:15] going to have Honda resale value, too,
[16:17] so that doesn't hurt. It's only real
[16:19] problems, in my opinion, come from stiff
[16:22] seats. They're just not all that
[16:24] comfortable for me. Cabin design is a
[16:26] bit dreary, and the performance is
[16:28] sluggish. And overall, there's very
[16:30] little flair to that car. I think an
[16:32] alternative practical SUV at this price
[16:35] point is going to be, and this is going
[16:38] to be harder to find, but you can get a
[16:41] Hyundai Tucson
[16:43] for below 30,000. And that's going to be
[16:46] larger, more comfortable, and more quiet
[16:48] up at highway speeds. The Honda can be a
[16:50] bit buzzy.
[16:53] Now, the next car is something that I
[16:54] would consider if you don't need
[16:56] all-wheel drive and you don't have
[16:58] very high standards.
[17:01] Okay, maybe that's not a that's not a
[17:03] good way to introduce this car. The
[17:04] Chevy Trax.
[17:06] So, it packs a turbocharged inline three
[17:09] with a six-speed automatic, so it
[17:11] actually has decent passing power at low
[17:14] speeds. It gets a little wheezy up at
[17:16] highway speeds. I like the response of
[17:18] the powertrain. It handles well, and for
[17:20] under $25,000, I commend Chevy for
[17:23] giving that a design with a little bit
[17:26] of pizzazz. Whether it's on the inside
[17:28] or the outside, it doesn't look like
[17:30] just the cheapest thing that they could
[17:32] scrounge up or uh like peak rental car
[17:36] the way that you had with the previous
[17:39] Trax. Oh, and the feature set really
[17:42] isn't half bad, either. But if you want
[17:44] something more quiet, more refined, and
[17:46] more family-centered,
[17:48] as well as more efficient, you might be
[17:51] lucky enough to find a Toyota Camry LE.
[17:55] That is the base model of the Camry. It
[17:57] still gets over 50 miles to the gallon.
[17:59] It's comfortable. The interior is
[18:01] simple. It comes standard with good
[18:02] driving aids, a big trunk. Sure, it's
[18:05] not fun to drive in the slightest, nor
[18:07] will you have a whole lot of amenities
[18:09] if you stick below the $30,000 price
[18:12] mark. But if I wanted a family sedan in
[18:14] this budget, that is the one that I
[18:16] would gun for because it also carries
[18:18] Toyota's reputation for reliability and
[18:21] longevity, and it'll hold its value.
[18:25] That's going to conclude the main list
[18:28] for today, but I do have some honorable
[18:30] mentions if none of those were really
[18:33] your taste.
[18:34] One,
[18:36] the Hyundai Sonata. If you want
[18:38] something more well-equipped, a little
[18:40] bit more pizzazz than the Camry,
[18:45] the Sonata gives you that. In my
[18:47] opinion, it handles better, as well. The
[18:50] reason why it didn't take the place of
[18:52] the Camry is the hybrid is going to be
[18:55] more expensive, and it doesn't have
[18:57] really anywhere near the same reputation
[18:59] for longevity. But if you're looking for
[19:01] something to lease, that might be the
[19:03] best family sedan option. The next car
[19:06] would be seen as an alternative to the
[19:08] that Honda HR-V,
[19:10] and that is the Subaru Crosstrek. I
[19:14] think that one is definitely more
[19:16] comfortable than the Honda. Not only
[19:18] does it have a more forgiving
[19:19] suspension, it also gives you softer,
[19:22] more supportive seats and a better
[19:25] all-wheel drive system that comes as
[19:26] standard. Crosstrek has a lot going for
[19:29] it. The reason why I put the Honda above
[19:30] it is simple.
[19:32] The tech of the Crosstrek is just it
[19:34] drives me mad.
[19:36] I think that the driver aids are
[19:39] they're they give you more anxiety than
[19:41] they ever do help. And then the
[19:43] touchscreen is
[19:44] slow. It looks very dated. The HVAC
[19:48] controls [music] are partially
[19:49] integrated into that display, as well,
[19:52] so it kind of forces you to interact
[19:54] with it more. I'm surprised that Subaru
[19:56] is still using this, though for a lot of
[19:57] other people that won't be a deal
[19:59] breaker, my parents included. They have
[20:01] a Crosstrek and they love it. So, teach
[20:03] their own, at least it has a decent
[20:05] reputation for reliability. The last
[20:08] honorable mention is going to be
[20:10] the Ford Mustang. If you're looking for
[20:12] a performance car below $30,000, that is
[20:15] about the only one that you're going to
[20:18] consistently be able to find. Like maybe
[20:22] you could get a really good deal on
[20:24] something else that's a little bit more
[20:25] fun, but this 0 to 60 with the EcoBoost
[20:29] can still come up in around 5 seconds.
[20:32] That is properly quick, and it's still
[20:36] reasonably spacious, it's comfortable,
[20:38] it's more of like a grand touring sporty
[20:41] car. And then it also has muscle car
[20:43] styling, which is definitely a selling
[20:46] point to some other people. It didn't
[20:47] make it into the main list because as a
[20:50] performance car, I just wasn't that
[20:51] impressed by the Mustang. The steering
[20:53] is numb, the controls are frustrating,
[20:55] the quality doesn't seem to be all that
[20:57] good, but if you want speed and style
[20:58] for the money, that is basically
[21:00] unbeatable.
[21:03] Thanks for watching this more casual
[21:05] video. Let me know if there are any cars
[21:07] that I missed and that should be
[21:09] included in this list. And as always,
[21:11] [music] thank you to my channel members
[21:12] for helping me improve my videos.
[21:15] Consider joining for additional content,
[21:17] and I'll catch you in the next one.