Best Cars Under 30K

Working within a budget for anything can be exciting, stressful, or both, no matter what you are putting your funds towards.

When it comes to purchasing a new car, there has never been so many options on the market to chose from, making you wonder what the best vehicle is within your monetary budget.

If you are fortunate enough to have a budget of £30,000 or less, the options are endless.

This article will help decipher the best cars under £30K on the market today.

Please note that these are new car prices being outlined and that purchasing a used car will save you more money.

Best Cars Under £30,000

1. Toyota GR Yaris – from £28,805

2. MG4 – from £26,995

3. Volkswagen T-Roc – from £28,320

4. BMW 1 Series – from £28,740

5. Skoda Octavia – from £25,965

6. Audi A1 – from £23,365

1. Toyota GR Yaris

Toyota has given us some of the most reliable and reasonably priced cars on the market for decades now.

Even though Toyota have birthed their fair share of different vehicle types, they have never been particularly known for their performance vehicles. However, the Toyota GR Yaris has changed that.

The GR Yaris is a more performance based variant of Toyota’s Yaris, a successful hatchback for the Japanese car brand since 2020.

In the same year of the standard Yaris’ release, the performance version hit the roads.

The GR model offers a power output of up to 130hp from its 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo charged engine.

Prices for a brand new GR Yaris starts at £28,805, with varied prices depending on the version of the performance car.

Given its solid performance capabilities and reliable driving mechanics, the GR Yaris is one to consider when weighing up £30,000 vehicle options.

2. MG4

Chinese motoring Company SAIC Motor took over the MG brand in 2007, with MG cars recently shifting gears towards hybrid/electric vehicle production.

One of MG’s flagship models is their MG4, an all-electric hatchback that has taken the EV market by storm since its inception in 2022.

The critically acclaimed electric vehicle has been very well received, particularly when it comes to value for money, with industry experts like DrivingElectric and Top Gear naming the EV ‘Best Value Electric Car’ and ‘Bargain of the Year’ respectively.

Offering 200hp and 250NM of power output, the MG4 sees 0-60mph acceleration times of around 7.6 seconds.

Being the only electric vehicle of this list, the MG4 stands tall amongst most of its competitors in the hatchback EV market. A big factor of this is the price you’re paying for such a great car.

So, it is no brainer that the MG4 is the electric car making the list of under £30K bargain vehicles.

Prices for the MG4 start at around £26,995.

3. Volkswagen T-Roc

A great SUV is hard to come by for a reasonable price these days, with this segment of car typically being higher on the price scale than other body styles.

However, Volkswagen outdone themselves with one of their latest 4x4s, that being the T-Roc.

With prices starting at £28,320, the Volkswagen T-Roc offers both reliability and practicality, which is everything you need for a small family car.

The 5-seater SUV offers safe power outputs of either 108hp or 148hp, depending on what standard version of the model you opt for.

Motoring experts have dubbed the T-Roc to be a great option for SUV buyers, such as What Car? who named the VW model ‘Best Small SUV’ of 2023 at their annual Car of the Year Awards.

Practical features paired with Volkswagen’s established manufacturing capabilities makes the T-Roc a fantastic option amongst cars available at under £30,000, particularly for SUV lovers.

4. BMW 1 Series

One of the more recognisable models on this list next, with BMW’s classic 1 Series being a great option for vehicles under £30,000.

BMW really have made their name with their numbered ‘Series’ models, with a vast amount of cars spanning across each Series. These include the 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, etc.

The cheapest amongst not just the ‘Series’ range, but also BMW’s entire range, is the BMW 1 Series.

The 1 Series has been around since 2004, with BMW establishing the model line as a top vehicle amongst competitors such as the Volkswagen Golf and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

You can pick up a new BMW 1 Series for £28,740, with options of both diesel and petrol fuel types.

One of the most recognisable family hatchbacks on the market, the 1 Series offers spacious interior and a high-tech infotainment system that makes the BMW model a fantastic option for a £30K budget.

5. Skoda Octavia

Skoda has crafted one of the most spacious and reasonably priced hatchback cars on the market today – their flagship Octavia.

The Octavia is a 5-door family car manufactured by Skoda since 1996. The Swedish hatchback car offers fantastic practicality and is famous for how spacious the interior is.

Much like the 1 Series, the Skoda Octavia is a great option for families of different sizes.

What might be a surprise to those not aware is the Octavia’s inclusion in motorsport racing, through the World Rally Car version of the model.

But it is the family car that is available to the public for under £30K, as you can purchase a new Octavia for as cheap as £25,965.

So, if you’re on the hunt for a safe and practical vehicle, there is very few that come close to the Skoda Octavia.

6. Audi A1

German efficiency was spoken about previously through the BMW 1 Series, but Audi can also attest to this through their extensive model line-up.

Their A1 has stood tall for over a decade now, with Audi positioning the sporty hatchback as one of their leading car models since.

Being the cheapest car on this list with prices starting at £23,365 for the Sportback, you can leave yourself with some change if you wish to go for the Audi A1.

Petrol options are extensive for the A1, with the hatchback being known as just a genuinely fun car to drive.

The performance of the A1 is not just a positive for the model, as many fashion-conscious drivers can appreciate the sleek exterior design of the Audi vehicle.

Given that the A1 is Audi’s most attainable and affordable car, it is hard to deny the A1 as being one of the best cars within a £30,000 budget.

Final Takeaways

As mentioned at the start of this article, prices for the cars outlined on this list are brand new car prices.

If you wouldn’t mind that extra bit of mileage added to your next car, buying a used car is always viable to save that extra bit of cash.

Is your budget higher than £30K? Then you would be interested in reading on our article covering the best cars for under 50K.

Whether it’s a car on this list or not, your extensive options for vehicles under £30,000 should ensure your next car to be practical and efficient.