SUVs Under $30,000: 12 All-New, Redesigned, or Refreshed Models
The latest crop of SUVs under $30,000 offers exciting features. These 12 models are all-new or significantly updated.
Volkswagen
SUVs under $30,000 are some of the least expensive choices on the market. Fortunately, there are picks in this segment that offer new features and lots of value, giving you maximum bang for the buck.
The most up-to-date SUVs in the under $30,000 price range are often freshly introduced or significantly revised for 2022. If you want to learn more about these models, we invite you to check out the list we've put together. Each new SUV we've included is in one of three categories:
- All-new: An all-new model is one that debuts for the 2022 model year. Prior to this launch, it didn't exist
- Redesigned: A redesigned vehicle is heavily upgraded by the automaker both inside and out. It usually differs from the previous generation in several ways. For example, it may have a new exterior design, more cargo room, and a new engine
- Refreshed: A refreshed vehicle gets notable updates, but the changes aren't as extensive as those that go along with a redesign. For example, a refreshed vehicle may get revisions like a new front fascia or a freshened cabin
Each SUV in our lineup has a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of under $30,000, including destination fees. The models appear below in alphabetical order. We've limited our selections to SUVs with confirmed pricing.
Chevrolet
2022 Chevrolet Equinox
The Equinox is a compact SUV that starts at around $27,000. Size wise, the Equinox sits above the Trailblazer and below the Blazer in the Chevrolet lineup. It comes standard with 17-inch wheels, keyless entry and ignition, in-car Wi-Fi, and forward collision mitigation. Chevy's Equinox gets a 2022 refresh that includes these updates:
- Revised exterior design with new front and rear fascias, new headlights, and a new grille
- A new RS trim in the lineup, featuring 19-inch wheels and sporty styling cues
- Wireless connectivity for the SUV's standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration
GMC
2022 GMC Terrain
With a base MSRP of around $29,000, the GMC Terrain is the most expensive model on our list of SUVs under $30,000, and it's the smallest GMC SUV you can buy. All Terrains have lane-keeping assist, keyless entry and ignition, and heated side mirrors. For the 2022 model year, GMC's compact SUV gets a refresh that brings these changes:
- Updated exterior design with new front and rear styling
- New interior design cues and fabrics
- Wireless connectivity for the SUV's standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration
- A new AT4 trim level in the roster, built for off-roading
Hyundai
2022 Hyundai Kona
Starting at around $22,000, the Hyundai Kona is the least expensive model on our list of new SUVs under $30,000. This subcompact SUV comes standard with an 8-inch touch screen, lane-keeping assist, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration. The Kona is significantly refreshed for 2022 and gets these improvements:
- Freshened exterior design with a stretched hood and bold character lines
- Updated interior design that includes a new console
- New connectivity and convenience features like a 10.25-inch digital cluster
- Sporty new N Line trim
- Power increase for the available 1.6L turbocharged engine
Hyundai
2022 Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV that starts at around $26,000. It comes standard with a driver drowsiness monitor and a rear-seat reminder that helps you remember to check the back seat for pets and small children when leaving the vehicle. A 2022 redesign takes the Tucson into its fourth generation, and the overhaul brings these updates:
- New exterior design
- A revised engine lineup that includes hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains
- Increased passenger and cargo volume
Jeep
2022 Jeep Compass
Starting at just under $27,000, the Compass is Jeep's small SUV. All models come with standard equipment like satellite radio, a blind-spot warning system, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration. The Compass gets a 2022 refresh that ushers in these changes:
- Updated exterior design, including a new front fascia
- A broader range of standard safety features
- Larger touch screen
Mazda
2022 Mazda CX-5
Mazda's CX-5 has a base price of around $27,000. This small SUV comes standard with adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. Mazda refreshes the CX-5 for the 2022 model year, and it gets these upgrades:
- Updated exterior design, including a revised grille and new headlights
- Retuned transmission and suspension enhancements
- All-wheel drive is now standard
Mitsubishi
2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
The Eclipse Cross is a subcompact SUV that starts at around $25,000, and it comes standard with a driver drowsiness monitor and forward collision mitigation. The Eclipse Cross fits between the similarly-named three-row Outlander and the smaller Outlander Sport. A 2022 refresh brings these updates:
- Revised sheet metal, including new headlights, new front bumper, and new rear hatch
- Suspension upgrades
- Expanded range of standard safety features
- A new infotainment system
Mitsubishi
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi's Outlander is a compact three-row SUV that seats seven. Pricing begins at around $27,000, and the Outlander comes standard with a blind-spot warning system and keyless ignition. This little SUV has been redesigned for 2022, entering its fourth generation. The overhaul includes these upgrades:
- New sheet metal with muscular fenders and sculpted design cues
- Increased passenger room and cargo capacity
Subaru
2022 Subaru Forester
The Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive and starts at around $26,000. The Forester is larger than the Crosstrek, but smaller than the three-row Ascent in the Subaru SUV lineup. This small SUV gets a 2022 refresh that includes these updates:
- Exterior upgrades such as restyled headlights, new wheel designs, and a new grille
- A new Wilderness trim joins the roster with higher ground clearance than standard Foresters
- Strengthened and restyled roof rails
Toyota
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross
With a base price of around $23,000, the Corolla Cross is an all-new small SUV from Toyota that slots below the popular RAV4 and above the C-HR in the lineup. It's based on the Corolla sedan and comes with these standard features:
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration
- Satellite radio
- Amazon Alexa compatibility
- 7-inch touch screen
- Forward collision mitigation
- Lane-keeping assist
Volkswagen
2022 Volkswagen Taos
Volkswagen introduces the Taos as an all-new model for 2022, and it starts at roughly $24,000. The new Taos slots in as the most affordable SUV entry to the Volkswagen lineup just below the (newly refreshed) Tiguan. This subcompact SUV comes with these standard features:
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration
- 6.5-inch touch screen
- In-car Wi-Fi
Volkswagen
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan
The Tiguan is a compact SUV with a base price of roughly $27,000. It's Volkswagen's best-selling vehicle and comes standard with features like keyless entry and ignition, blind-spot warning, in-car Wi-Fi, and heated front seats. Volkswagen has given the Tiguan a 2022 refresh that includes these updates:
- Exterior upgrades like a new front end, new headlights, and restyled wheels
- Feature enhancements like touch-sensitive switchgear for the climate control system
With today's new SUVs under $30,000, you don't have to sacrifice feature content for price. The models listed here are modern choices in an appealing class.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Warren ClarkeA car purchase is a big decision. And once you've made the purchase, you'll be faced with countless other choices that will affect your ownership experience one way or another. Throughout my career in the automotive industry, I've written everything from vehicle reviews to articles covering topics such as car insurance and leasing. My mission is to help you make the best decisions regarding your vehicle.
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