Top 5 Luxury Cars Under 30k (2022)

Last Updated on January 30, 2023 by Calvyn Ee

Finding great luxury cars under 30k is a lot easier than you think. You’ll be surprised by how many luxury brands offer compelling new and used cars under the $30,000 dollars price range.

The best luxury cars promise world-class safety features, performance, suspension, drive quality and interiors to eager buyers. The cars we picked check off some of these boxes and hold onto their value and appreciate better than their counterparts.

What We Looked for in Our Picks

We singled out the most important features that most standard new and used luxury cars should have and used them as a guide in writing our post. None of the cars on this list are perfect, but they’re the closest you’ll find for luxury cars under 30k dollars.

Appearance

You can instantly spot a luxury car from its design and bodywork. Sharp, sophisticated design, great aerodynamic styling, and a bold aesthetic make the biggest luxury cars stand out from their competition. The principle remains the same across all price ranges.

Performance

Luxury cars come with sophisticated, well-designed, efficient engines and feature quality suspension, transmission, and handling. All these features work together to deliver exceptional ride quality and a measured experience.

Interiors

The interiors are one of the biggest attractions of any luxury car. We prioritized cars that featured extensive leather styling for the seats and steering wheel and a high-quality finish for the dashboard and cabin overall.

Technology

Luxury cars are at the cutting edge of auto technology. Expect quality weather control, safety features, drive modes, digital instruments, and a large, high-definition touchscreen and gauge clusters to access these amazing features.

Here’s our list of 5 of the most compelling Luxury Cars Under 30k.

New Luxury Cars under 30k

If you want the many perks of buying a new car but still want that luxury experience, check out the cars on this list.

2023 Hyundai Elantra

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra is a bold new contender in the compact sedan line. It outshines most of its competitors in its price range thanks to the fresh new design, outstanding range, and impressive interiors. Starting at just $21,765, the Elantra gradually ramps up in price and value, offering a Hybrid range, a swifter 4-cylinder engine, as well as other luxury features like a wider infotainment screen, leather seats, and heating.

The Blue Hybrid trim and N Line trims are where this car really shines. While slower at a 1.6-cylinder electric engine that outputs 139 hp, it has some of the best range we’ve seen on a car in its class– 53 mpg in cities and 56 mpg on highways.

The interiors of the new Hyundai Elantra are equally futuristic to match its refreshed exterior. An LED screen stretches from the gauge cluster to the air vents and slopes down to the 10.4 inches infotainment system. On some of the better trims, the car front seats are heated. The cabin is also roomy enough to fit five passengers, with plenty of room for suitcases in the trunk.

2023 Kia Forte

The 2022 Kia Forte shows that you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy a luxury sedan experience. The base FE model will get you all the essential features, but the GT trim makes the Forte a compelling choice.

The upscaled 201-hp four-cylinder engine outpaces the standard 147hp base model, and the CVT transmission makes handling snappier and more satisfying. The interiors get upscaled with full leather stitching, and the 10.3-inch infotainment system allows for easy reach and control while you’re on the road. Fuel efficiency is not bad either. It gets 33 mpg in cities and up to 40 mpg on highways, and since you’re buying new, you get Kia’s generous limited warranty that covers up to 60,000 miles or five years.

Used Luxury Cars under 30k

If your eyes are set on premium brands like BMW and Mercedes, then the used luxury car list is perfect for you. With cars depreciating as quickly as they do, it’s never been better to get the luxury car experience on a budget.

2016 Mercedes-Benz C-class C300 4Matic

If you have your heart set on a Mercedes car, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal than the 2016 Mercedes Benz C-class C300 4Matic. It comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that outputs 241 horsepower and is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission and All Wheel Drive on all models. The internals is what you’d expect from a premium Mercedes car– leather seats, an infotainment display, easy tactile controls for temperature controls, etc.

You’ll also delight in the Burmester sound system, Spot Assist Plus, Navigation System, and collision prevention technologies. Its fuel efficiency is not amazing, but it’s not bad either. In cities, expect to get 18-25 mpg and 25-34 mpg on highways.

2018 Lexus ES

The Lexus ES car line prides itself on delivering a quality car luxury experience, prioritizing ride quality, cabin comfort, and integrity. Both models of the 2018 Lexus ES are the epitome of this philosophy and design. A used 2018 Lexus ES is available on the market for about $30,000 or less, and a quick vehicle history report from VinFreeCheck can help clear up any reservations before your purchase.

For the price, you get a powerful 268-hp 3.5 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and Rear Wheel Drive. On the ES 300h hybrid model, you get a 2.5-liter inline-four and an electric motor that outputs 200 horsepower combined.

The interiors of the ES are lined with leather, provide plenty of head and legroom (40 inches), and feature a host of temperature control and driver-assist features. The only area in the Lexus ES falls short of is its infotainment system. It is laggy and does not hold up to the competition. However, if your priority is the luxury cabin experience, you’ll find the ES more than adequate.

5. 2019 BMW X3

No luxury car list is complete without a car from BMW. BMW X3 Crossover is no simple crossover. It comes with a snappy 248-horsepower turbocharged 2.0- liter four-cylinder engine under its hood. It also has automatic transmission, Rear-Wheel Drive, and moves like a sedan instead of a beefy crossover.

BMW pulled out all the stops with the car, equipping it with 19-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, advanced navigation features, automated emergency braking, and forward collision detection, to name a few.  The fuel economy is decent, and the interior is lavish. 10-way adjustable front seats, reclining seatbacks, leather seats, faux-leather dash, and door coverings are a few of the features you’re greeted with when your purchase this car. The 6.5-inch infotainment display is the only interior feature that feels out of place.

Finding the Right Luxury Car for you

Each car offers something unique and interesting and ultimately, we think you should shortlist the luxury cars under 30k that most appeal to you, whether they’re new or old. If performance matters a great deal to you, look at the BMW X3 and the Mercedes Benz C300, but if you’re in the market for something more reliable, maybe a new car purchase makes more sense.