Buyer’s Guide: The best cars for less than £30,000
Affordable motors with the stamp of approval from expert testers…
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Your support makes all the difference.If you’re looking to gauge a car by its merits, take a look and see how many stars it’s been given by What Car? magazine.
Some of the most exacting testing in the world goes into ascertaining What Car?’s star ratings. So only the very best get the coveted five-star award.
These aren’t just the sort of cars real people can’t afford, either. Every model in this guide, indeed, has two things in common.
One is a five-star rating. The other is a price tag of less than £30,000. Some cost a lot less than that, too – showing that wherever you are in the market, there’s a top-quality car for everyone.
City car
Hyundai i10
A piece of cake to drive in town, yet more spacious and better kitted than its competitors, the i10 is the definitive city car – at prices that mean it makes more sense than ever.
How much? £8995
Which one? 1.2 Premium
Small car
Skoda Fabia
Nice to drive and really handy when it comes to carrying people and luggage alike, when the Fabia was new it won What Car?’s overall Car of the Year title. It’s brilliant value, too.
How much? £10,750
Which one? 1.2 TSI 90 SE
Family car
Audi A3
Another former winner of the What Car? Car of the Year title, the A3 is the premium choice among cars of its size and price range. Interior quality is sky-high, its engines are excellent and it’s both classy and cheap to own.
How much? £19,365
Which one? 1.4 TFSI SE Sportback
Skoda Octavia
Immensely spacious inside, the Octavia is a latter-day practicality legend. It’s based on the VW Golf and is every bit as comfy and enjoyable to drive – as well as looking like very tidy value for money.
How much? £16,660
Our pick: 1.0 TSI SE
Small SUV
Seat Ateca
Closely related to the new VW Tiguan, the Ateca is an attractively priced SUV with loads of room inside and one of the most entertaining chassis you’ll find under a 4x4.
How much? £17,990
Which one? 2.0 TDI 150 SE Nav
Large SUV
Mazda CX-5
Majoring on kit and practicality, the CX-5 is an outstanding family wagon. It’s among the most fuel-efficient SUVs, too – and not a lot can match it for driving pleasure.
How much? £23,195
Which one? 2.2 Skyactiv-D SE-L Nav
Executive car
Audi A4
The A4 is What Car?’s current Car of the Year, so you know it’s going to be good. Typical of Audi is an interior blending space and usability with gorgeous build quality, and comfort and refinement are top-drawer.
How much? £27,300
Which one? 2.0 TDI Sport S Tronic
Skoda Superb
These days, no-one blinks when you call a Skoda an executive car. That’s because the Superb lives right up to its name, with a winning blend of practicality, comfort, space, kit and all-round driving quality.
How much? £22,555
Which one? 2.0 TDI SE technology
Coupe
Audi TT
Another Audi, another brilliant interior. In its materials and technology, the TT can live with cars costing three times as much – and as well as being usable everyday, it’s a blast to drive.
How much? £27,585
Which one? 2.0 TFSI Sport
Estate
Ford Mondeo Estate
If you enjoy driving, the Mondeo’s dynamics will put a smile on your face. But it’s also tremendously roomy and practical, as well as being great value to buy and cheap to run.
How much? £23,295
Which one? 1.5 TDCi Econetic Zetec
Skoda Superb Estate
The Superb Estate has the same qualities as the saloon (see above) and adds a giant amount of space to an interior that was already roomy. It’s just as comfy to drive, too, and every bit as well equipped.
How much? £23,755
Which one? 2.0 TDI SE Technology
VW Golf Estate
There’s a certain something about the Golf which elevates it above the crowd, and if you’re looking for a smaller estate you’ll find it capacious, pleasing to drive and as well equipped as it is practical.
How much? £26,350
Which one? 1.6 TDI 110 SE
MPV
VW Touran
Proving that MPVs don’t need to be huge and expensive to accommodate seven people with skill, the Touran has a cabin whose design and build quality are Volkswagen through and through – as is its fuel efficiency.
How much? £22,270
Which one? 1.6 TDI 105 Bluemotion Tech SE
Convertible
Audi A3 Cabriolet
Another A3, this time with a fabric hood that can be retracted at any legal town speed. You get a good choice of engines and a classy, comfy cabin in which to enjoy its fine handling with the wind in your hair.
How much? £26,875
Which one? 1.4 TFSI Sport
Audi TT Roadster
Like the Coupe version of the TT, the Roadster punches way above its weight for cabin quality and smart electronics. It’s also a great car to drive – and of course it has looks to die for.
How much? £29,215
Which one? 2.0 TFSI Sport
Mazda MX-5
The definitive open-top sports car remains as entertaining to drive as ever. It looks cool, too, and it’s entirely usable as an everyday motor – as well as being excellent on fuel and a complete bargain to buy.
How much? £18,495
Which one? 2.0 SE-L
Hot hatch
Ford Fiesta ST
The ST is as easy to use and live with as any other Fiesta, especially now that Ford has added a five-door version to the range. And it’s still as much fun as it ever was – enough to see off every rival it’s ever had.
How much? £16,295
Which one? 1.6T ST-2
What Car?
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