Best new cars for under £30,000 in 2024

Rising car prices have been a big talking point over the past couple of years, however a budget of £30,000 can still grant you access to a wide range of new models to appeal to a variety of needs.

With that said, Carwow’s team of road-testing experts have picked out a broad selection of new cars for under £30,000, ranging from practical family seven-seaters to sporty drop-tops and everything in between.

Our pick of the top 10 cars under £30,000 in 2024 is: 

1. Dacia Jogger
2. MG4
3. Mazda MX-5
4. Hyundai i20 N
5. Citroen C5 Aircross
6. Volkswagen Golf
7. Skoda Octavia Estate
8. MINI Countryman
9. Renault Captur
10. Audi A3

1. Dacia Jogger

Considering how much space and capability the Jogger offers, it’s all the more impressive that you can pick one up for under £30,000. Seven-seaters tend to be far more expensive than this, but the Jogger actually starts at well under £20,000, so a budget of £30,000 will see you behind the wheel of a range-topping version with plenty of cash left over for fuel.

It may not be all that posh inside, and the engine can struggle when the car is fully loaded, but the Jogger has plenty of sapce for seven people and it even has a decent amount of standard equipment.

2. MG4

Electric cars are fantastic in all sorts of ways, but one thing they tend not to be is cheap. Yet MG has somehow managed to price it’s 4 so that even the long-range version, which can cover up to 281 miles on a single charge, comes in at under £30,000.

The MG4 is more than just affordable, though: it’s also genuinely fun to drive, well-equipped and practical. The infotainment system could be easier to use, but it makes up for this with it’s cool-looking exterior styling.

3. Mazda MX-5

Okay, so enough with the sensible, practical cars – if you’re spending all that money, why not invite a bit of fun into your life? Well, as long as you don’t need to carry more than one passenger or much in the way of luggage, the Mazda MX-5 roadster is sure to bring that.

You may well be able to bag a great deal through one of our trusted dealers but, strictly, if £30,000 is your maximum budget, you’ll have to settle for the 1.5-litre engine rather than the 2.0-litre unit – not that that should be too much of a hardship, as the MX-5 offers a genuinely rewarding driving experience whatever is under its bonnet.

4. Hyundai i20 N

But what if you’re after something fun with the added practicality of back seats and a large boot? Well the Hyundai i20 N fits the bill nicely by building on the format set by it’s larger stablemate, the i30 N.

Powered by a 204hp turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, the i20 N is a genuinely thrilling car to thread down country lanes, where its small size helps make it all that more manageable. It’s still pretty sensible in some ways, though, with space for four passengers, and Hyundai’s excellent five-year warranty.

5. Citroen C5 Aircross

Moving back into more sensible territory, the Citroen C5 Aircross is one of the best-value SUVs you can buy, so much so that it won the Carwow Car Of The Year Award for Family Values in 2024.

Masses of space? Check. Reasonable running costs? Absolutely. A comfortable, no-nonsense driving experience with plenty of refinement? Check. You can also have the car with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid power options to choose from.

6. Volkswagen Golf

In today’s world of massive, jacked-up SUVs, the Volkswagen Golf still makes a very good case for the traditional family hatchback. Our £30,000 budget gets you a nicely specced Golf, and it offers buyers a bit of everything.

You have enough space for four people, with five being possible for shorter trips, the boot is a decent size and it’s properly comfortable. It may not be the most inspiring choice, but it’s realistically all the car most people will ever need.

7. Skoda Octavia Estate

The Skoda Octavia Estate is the car that does almost everything, offering more space than almost any other car on the market (yes, really – its boot and back seats are absolutely vast), together with a thoroughly competent driving experience.

There’s a range of petrol and diesel engines available to suit all needs, while build quality is strong, motorway refinement is excellent and, while the Octavia may not quicken your pulse, it’s beyond easy to recommend for the sheer breadth of its competencies.

8. MINI Countryman

The new MINI Countryman only just squeaks in under £30,000 (as of March 2024) if you go for the entry-level Classic version, however a mid-spec Exclusive is just about possible after Carwow savings. This is one stylish family SUV, and the interior is a lovely place to sit as well.

It’s got more character than some alternatives, and it’s not style over substance either because the cabin is nice and spacious. All cars get LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels and smartphone mirroring as standard, so you won;t feel short-changed no matter which model you go for.

9. Renault Captur

With a starting price of around £22,000, a budget of £30k will get you a seriously well-specified Captur, with a high-end R.S. Line model within reach if you go for a petrol model, or the excellent E-Tech petrol-electric hybrid also available.

Whichever model you choose, the Captur will impress you with its easy driving experience, decent practicality and plush interior, while running costs will be helpfully low.

10. Audi A3

It’s telling that the Audi A4 Avant used to sit on our rundown of the best cars for under £30,000 but, due to price increases in almost every walk of life, that model now starts at almost £40,000, leaving the smaller A3 available within budget.

Fortunately, the A3 is a consummate all-rounder, and £30k will get you a really nice version. A sporty S Line model is even possible after Carwow savings. Whichever version of the A3 you choose, though, you’ll get great technology, a comfortable, sleek cabin, and an impressively refined driving experience.

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