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What makes an SUV cool? Important factors are important factors of off-road capability, customizable features, and a reasonable enough price. Standard safety features are less cool but arguably just as important. These are some of the coolest SUVs under $30,000 for 2022 that will go off-road and get you there safely.

The Jeep Wrangler is one of the coolest SUVs under $30,000 for 2022

The coolest SUVs under $30,000 for 2022 includes the Jeep Wrangler like this one
The Jeep Wrangler SUV in the desert | Jeep

When Consumer Reports tested the 2022 Jeep Wrangler, the owner satisfaction score was relatively high. That’s because the Jeep Wrangler is one of the coolest SUVs for any budget, not just under $30,000. When it comes down to it, the Wrangler is an off-road adventure-ready vehicle regardless of budget.

Safety systems like forward collision warning (FCW), blind-spot warning (BSW), and rear cross-traffic warning (RCTW) are optional but not standard. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) did not give the Wrangler an overall score but gave it four and five stars on the tests it performed. The 2022 Jeep Wrangler is one of the coolest SUVs for 2022, but it didn’t win any safety awards. Most Jeep buyers aren’t too concerned with safety scores, but checking which Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) your new SUV has is worth checking.

Price range: $29,995 – $79,595

The Ford Bronco Sport is another one of the coolest SUVs for 2022

The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport has high scores in areas like the road test, predicted owner satisfaction, and even reliability. Much like the Wrangler, the Ford Bronco Sport is known for being fun off-road. Owners can choose the engine and customize most of the other bits of this sporty SUV from the factory.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Bronco Sport high scores on all crashworthiness tests. The Ford SUV even received the Top Safety Pick Plus award. FCW, BSW, and RCTW are standard safety features. Lane-departure warning (LDW) is also an included system. The Bronco has been hard to find lately thanks to its popularity, but that’s a good sign.

Price range: $28,815 – $36,590

Don’t overlook the Subaru Forester sport utility vehicle

Drivers love the 2022 Subaru Forester, thanks to its off-road capability and overall character. The Forester SUV has been on an upward trend for owner satisfaction since 2018, thanks to the driving experience, comfort, and value. The reliability history has also been on a positive trend since 2020.

Owners love the Forester for its roomy interior and comfortable ride. Consumer Reports says this Subaru SUV has excellent visibility and plenty of standard safety equipment. FCW, LDW, and automatic emergency braking (AEB) are standard. Blind-spot warning (BSW) and RCTW are optional. The IIHS gave the Forester the Top Safety Pick Plus award for 2022.

Price range: $25,895 – $35,995

Depending on how you spend your weekend, these sport utility vehicles won’t leave you bored. Reliability and owner satisfaction is also important, so consider the ratings from Consumer Reports before buying your next car, truck, or SUV.

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Staff Writer

Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.