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A bright blue Lexus ES 350 in drive mode.

The Best Used Cars Under $30,000

Buying a used car doesn’t always mean decreased performance. Many cars on dealership lots are still in great condition. Some companies, like Carvana, won’t even sell a vehicle that had been in an accident. Good reliability is also an important factor. Used cars with great reliability ratings can last many years after their initial release. …

Buying a used car doesn’t always mean decreased performance. Many cars on dealership lots are still in great condition. Some companies, like Carvana, won’t even sell a vehicle that had been in an accident.

Good reliability is also an important factor. Used cars with great reliability ratings can last many years after their initial release. However, with all the different makes and models available, it can be hard to make your choice. ISeeCars put together a list of the best used cars you can get on the current market. Here are some of our favorites, all of which are below $30k.

Lexus ES 350

A new Lexus ES costs at least $40k, but you can find a used one for half the price. $20k is definitely a steal for a luxury vehicle. It’s a midsize car, so there’s adequate room for all passengers to move around comfortably. Synthetic leather is standard and the seats are highly adjustable.

Its back seats can’t be folded down, but there’s still a good amount of trunk space. In models before 2018, smartphone integration was not standard. Technology offerings include Bluetooth, a premium audio system, and an 8-inch touchscreen. It also has many advanced safety features.

Toyota Highlander

If you need an SUV, the Highlander is a great option. The cabin feels upscale with plentiful infotainment features and luxury materials. The second row is spacious, but things get a little cramped in the third row. It also doesn’t have as many standard safety features as its rivals.

Despite its size, the Highlander is easy to handle and has a good selection of engines. In most earlier models, a 185 hp four-cylinder engine is standard. For those who need more power, a V6 engine that can produce 270 hp is also available. You can find a used Highlander for as low as $23,211.

Honda Ridgeline

The Ridgeline is a good midsize pickup, available for a little over $23k. If you get a model from before the 2017 redesign, the price may be even cheaper. The truck drives smoothly on most kinds of terrain and has a comfortable interior.

This truck can seat up to five passengers and there’s plenty of room in the cargo box. It can’t tow as much as its rivals, maxing out at around 5,000 pounds. It also doesn’t come with standard four-wheel drive. Still, loading and unloading is easy with a two-way tailgate. There are also many storage cubbies inside the cab for smaller items.

Mercedes-Benz E-class

This is another luxury car you can get for a bargain of $23,650. Like many luxury cars, a lot of cool technology is standard. Inside the base E250 BlueTec, you get an eight-speaker audio system, an iPod interface, an SD cars slot, and Bluetooth. 

A sunroof is also included, and other neat features like auto-dimming headlights and adaptive dampers. The base engine is also fairly potent, capable of 195 hp. One notable downside is that a Mercedes-Benz is one of the most expensive cars to maintain.

Silverado 1500

A used Chevy Silverado usually costs around $25k. It comes with a powerful V6 engine capable of 285 hp. For a pickup truck, it’s also surprisingly good on gas. The engine scores 18 mpg on city roads and 23 mpg on the highway.

The base truck doesn’t have much standard infotainment features and only comes with a 4-inch touchscreen. You may be able to find one with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in some 2016 models. Still, it definitely does a good job in the towing department. With the standard engine, it can tow up to 7.600 pounds.