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Find out why these top-rated models are the most dependable, budget-friendly options on the market
A less expensive vehicle that’s less than reliable isn’t good for your budget, even if it’s under warranty. That’s because when the warranty ends, repair costs come out of your wallet. And that’s why we ranked the most reliable new cars and SUVs you can buy for less than $30,000. These models won’t bleed you dry at the mechanic’s shop.
The vehicles are ranked in order of their Overall Score and recommended by CR. That means they scored well in our road tests, which comprise more than 50 objective and subjective evaluations.
They all come standard with automatic emergency braking (AEB), AEB that works at highway speeds, blind spot warning (BSW), and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW). We note when they’re optional without pushing the price above $30,000. That’s why there aren’t any midsized sedans and compact pickup trucks in this list, and just two compact SUVs.
Though we’ve tested more expensive all-wheel-drive versions of some of these, we also recommend the less costly front-wheel-drive versions.
Sign up for CR’s Cars email newsletter to be notified when we post our latest road tests.
Jon Linkov
Jon Linkov is the deputy auto editor at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2002, covering varied automotive topics including buying and leasing, maintenance and repair, ownership, reliability, used cars, and electric vehicles. He manages CR’s lineup of special interest publications, hosts CR’s “Talking Cars” podcast, and writes and edits content for CR’s online and print products. An avid cyclist, Jon also enjoys driving his ’80s-era sports car and instructing at track days.
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