The sedan segment has been “dying” for more than a decade now, and while it has certainly lost some ground to SUVs, the sedans that remain are among the best cars that have ever been made — sedan, SUV, or otherwise. If you’re shopping for a lightly used sedan with great tech and features on a $30,000 budget, you may well be living in the Golden Era.
Here are 10 of the best used sedans you’ll find for less than $30,000.
1. 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid
The 2021 Honda Accord
Honda
The 2021 Honda
HMC,
Accord Hybrid combines the Accord’s spacious, well-appointed cabin and exterior design with a hybrid system that’s capable of 48 mpg combined or 43 mpg combined in top-spec Touring trim, which should be within range of our budget. With features like leather upholstery, heated seats, wireless device charging, and adaptive suspension, the Accord Hybrid Touring is nearly a luxury model.
Read: Should you buy a used hybrid car? Here are some of the pros and cons.
2. 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid
The 2021 Toyota Camry
Toyota
Like the Accord, the 2021 Toyota
TM,
Camry Hybrid brings serious efficiency to an already excellent sedan platform. Even more efficient than the Honda, the Camry Hybrid is good for up to 52 mpg combined in base LE trim or 46 mpg combined in all other trims, including the nicely equipped mid-range XLE at the sweet spot of our budget.
See: The pros and cons of hybrid cars
3. 2020 Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy
Subaru
For those seeking a comfortable, capable sedan with standard all-wheel drive, the 2020 Subaru Legacy is an easy pick. The quiet and refined ride, solid interior materials, and roomy 5-passenger seating make it a great road-tripper. The 260-horsepower turbocharged engine in the Legacy Limited XT is within our budget’s reach, too, if you should desire a little extra pep.
4. 2021 Mazda6
2021 Mazda6
Mazda
Speaking of pep, the 2021 Mazda6 is an exceptionally well-balanced, fun-to-drive sedan with an available 227-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that adds appreciable pace. Our budget affords the turbo engine and the Grand Touring trim with features like wireless Apple
AAPL,
CarPlay, an 11-speaker Bose audio system, and upgraded brakes.
Also see: 10 cool used coupes you can get for under $20,000
5. 2020 Toyota Avalon
The Toyota Avalon
Toyota
Larger, roomier, and even more comfortable than the Camry, the 2020 Toyota Avalon is a luxury sedan masquerading as a reasonably priced mainstream car. Excellent standard safety features, lots of tech, a 301-horsepower V6 engine, and sleek, refined style are also included.
6. 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
The Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai
Another excellent hybrid midsize sedan, the 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is still nearly new, with nearly all of its industry-leading warranty still on the clock. The Sonata Hybrid rates up to 52 mpg combined in Hybrid Blue form or 47 mpg in other trims. Our budget should afford the top-spec Limited, with features like wireless device charging, a head-up display, and Remote Smart Parking Assist.
7. 2020 BMW 3 Series
The 2020 BMW 3 Series
BMW
The 2020 BMW
BMW,
3 Series might be a surprise to see in our budget, but we found plenty of examples for sale that fall below the $30,000 mark. Those who like turbocharged power will enjoy the 340i’s 382 horsepower and taut chassis and suspension. Most of the 3 Series you’ll find at this price will be the 255-horsepower 330i, with or without all-wheel drive (xDrive). Whichever you choose, it’s still a BMW 3 Series, so expect to have fun.
8. 2020 Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3
Tesla
It might seem crazy, but it’s true: You can buy a nearly new 2020 Tesla
TSLA,
Model 3 for less than $30,000 these days. For that money, you’ll get the rear-wheel-drive Standard Range model, rated for 250 miles of range and 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.3 seconds. Persistent or lucky shoppers may also find the Long Range version, with up to 322 miles of range within reach of our budget, but likely only with higher-mileage examples.
Plus: Here are the 10 cheapest new electric cars of 2024
9. 2020 Kia Cadenza
The 2020 Kia Cadenza
Kia
The 2020 Kia
000270,
Cadenza might not have as much name recognition as the Accord and Camry, but in many ways, it ought to. It’s comfortable, quiet, roomy, and handsome, with an excellent standard suite of advanced safety tech. Our budget swings the Cadenza Technology model. It has a 290-horsepower V6 engine, leather upholstery, wireless device charging, an 8-speaker audio system, and more.
Also see: Feed your need for speed: 10 fastest used cars you can get for under $30,000
10. 2021 Nissan Maxima
The Nissan Maxima
Nissan
Funky, futuristic style and lots of on-board tech and available upgrades make the 2021 Nissan
NSANY,
Maxima an appealing choice even among a challenging field of competitors. Its standard 300-horsepower V6 engine provides snappy acceleration. Our budget affords the Platinum trim, which includes a plusher suspension, diamond-stitched leather upholstery, satin maple trim, and more.
This story originally ran on KBB.com.
