If you’re looking to buy a car for around $30k or under, you have a fair variety to choose from. Whether you're on a tight budget for your next car, or simply looking for an affordable family car that’s also reliable with a packed list of features, finding the best cars under $30k in Australia is a worthwhile endeavour for an automobile that meets your needs without much compromise.

Additionally, opting for the best used cars under $30K in Australia can also lead to lower ownership costs. Many models in this price range tend to offer good fuel efficiency, while maintenance and repair costs are generally more affordable, thanks to the wider availability of parts and less complex technology compared to more expensive vehicles. Overall, you’re also looking at lower running costs with a well-researched and affordable car. Here’s a list of the best cars under $30K in Australia.

The base variant of each car is 2019 and the Top variant is from 2023/24

Ford Ranger

Data for 2019 Ford Ranger Sport PX MkIII Auto 4x4 MY20.25 Double Cab

Utes are inevitable on this list and talking about Utes, Ford Ranger will ofcourse make the list. A Ute that our grandfathers used and if Ford keeps up with the quality build as they have since time immemorial our grandchildren will see the spec sheet and swoon over it.

With 197 Bhp of power and 470 Nm, there aren’t enough nice things we can say about the performance of the vehicle. However, no one would complain if Ford gave engine options in petrol. However, that would inevitably bring down the power this ute has showcased on the Aussie roads.

Another thing that concerns is while the towing capacity of the Ford Ranger is common to any other ute, the payload area isn't vert competitive. That added with warranty issues over the year, does raise some red flags. Even still, Ford Ranger remains to be most sought after car for anybody looking to purchase a used ute.

Features of Ford Ranger

• Coast-to-coast instrument panel
• C-Clamp LED headlamps
• Flexible rack system
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Cross-traffic alert
  

What’s good about it?

• Car-like driving experience
• High-tech cabin
• Raptor in particular is amazing off-road
  

What’s not so good about it?

• Raptor doesn’t qualify for commercial vehicle tax breaks
• Some alternatives are more affordable
• Ford’s warranty isn’t as long as Toyota or Kia

Toyota Hilux

Data for 2019 Toyota Hilux Workmate Manual 4x2 Double Cab

Toyota wanted to build a legend on wheels which could serve the true Australian spirit. It is absolutely admirable to see that HiLux is the gift that keeps on giving. Toyota HiLux remains to be one of the most affordable an effective utes on Australian roads of all time. The spec sheet aside, Toyota has taken special measures to give it all the technological help it can to make the story of HiLux never-ending.

While not as powerful as the Ford Ranger, Toyota does quite well for themselves with a 4-cylinder 2.7-litre turbo diesel engine, the Hilux produces just over 163 Bhp of power and maxes its torque at 245 Nm. Now while the number game is definitely won by Ford, the overall appeal and affordability aspect belongs to Hilux. These two cars, while the epitome of utes, have been each other’s biggest rivals for years.

Toyota Hilux gets alot right but it also misses alot. For example, the Hilux extra-cab feature is nothing but a joke. It is lulling you into a false sense of owning a 5 seater, but the legroom and headroom is so low that you’ll need 3 yoga instructors occupy it comfortably.

Features of Toyota Hilux

• Australia’s most powerful diesel HiLux to date
• Capped price servicing of up to $290
• 3.5 tonne braked towing capacity
• Low-range 4WD and downhill assist control
• High-speed active cruise control
  

What’s good about it?

• Unparalleled off-road capabilities
• Legendary reliability and performance
• Excellent payload capacity
  

What’s not so good about it?

• Extra cab variant is misleading
• Interiors feel utilitarian
• Engine noise

Toyota Corolla

Data for 2019 Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport Manual

All hail the might of Corolla. Toyota Corolla is another gift by Toyota which keeps on giving. The sheer lack of maintenance cost this car comes with should be all the reason why one must invest in this car. However, if that doesn’t close the deal then know this, it is one of the smoothest and most updated Toyotas out there. Be it sedan or hatchback, Corolla has garnered such respect among the Aussie folks that even Toyota can’t afford to screw this up.

While the car is pretty humble in terms of power and torque, the divers nature of engine options, variants ans trims help you tailor make your own Corolla as per your needs. Which is something people prefer to do as it lasts them longer than they’d want and given that this car is super easy to maintain, it also retains its resale rate decently for upto 3 years.

Ofcourse, Corolla doesn’t have everything you want. Small infotainment screen, lack of advanced ADAS is still something Toyota needs to equip this darling of the streets with. Some users also complain that Hatchback second-row searting is not as spacious as Corolla sedan, but otherwise, this car is worth every penny.

Features of Toyota Corolla

• JBL audio system
• Lane trace assist
• Automatic high beam
• Road sign assist
• Voice recognising Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
  

What’s good about it?

• Excellent centre of gravity
• Excellent rear suspension
• Powerful pick-up
  

What’s not so good about it?

• Lower variants have a small infotainment screen
• Rear seating space
• Pricier than segment alternatives

Mazda 3

Data for 2019 Mazda 3 G20 Pure BP Series Manual

Mazda is another Japanese brilliance on the Aussie roads. With 5-ANCAP stars that it has been getting since it was first launched and this is the third iteration, we’re currently seeing in the market. Mazda 3 is amde to be safe and stylish at the same time.

The interiors are made out of good strong plastic. However tapping it will make that hollow sound but otherwise, this car gets the job done. However, we feel the aggressive front grille and taillights are trying to tell a story nobody’s paying attention to. Mazda 3 is humble in performance and just a little bit thirsty for the road. With 6.4 L/100km on a 4-cylinder engine, we expected Mazda to do better.

A point to remember is that if you pick pre-2023 models of the Mazda 3, you’ll get an 8.8-inch infotainment screen while the newer models have been updated with a 10.25-inch screen. Apart from that, Mazda 3 beats Ford Focus, challenges VW Golf and somehow almost stands upto Audi A3, which is quite impressive. So, there’s a battle you must pick and choose.

Features of Mazda 3

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Advanced keyless entry
• Leather seats with driver seat power adjustment
• Dual-zone climate control with rear vents
• Smart brake support
  

What’s good about it?

• Fun to drive
• Interior quality
• Infotainment system
  

What’s not so good about it?

• Rear space
• Awkward boot
• Alternatives are comfier

Hyundai i30

Data for 2019 Hyundai i30 Go Manual MY20

The i30, one of the Hyundai small cars, is amongst the most sold cars in the Australian market in 2022 and 2023. Mostly because it is available in 2 body types and then Hyundai drops the bomb of producing it in ‘N line’ and ‘N’. Now while i30 is a great purchase, depending on your requirements, you must choose the body type of i30.

If you have a small family, boot space and affordability will become a pertinent consideration. In this case, we suggest you go with the Hyundai i30 hatchback. It has ample storage space, both in the boot and more so in the cabin. Solo striders can also opt for this one if they’re looking for a sporty compact car.

The sedan version is a bit more sleek and catering to city driving only. Hyundai’s futuristic design strategy can be seen in every i30, especially the sedan version. The sleek coupe-like structure just accentuates the idea of driving tomorrow.

Features of Hyundai i30

• Red highlights and sports stitching
• N Line steering wheel with paddle shifters
• Leather-appointed sports seats
• 18” alloy wheels
• Surround view monitor
  

What’s good about it?

• Looks smart
• Interior is spacious
• A jack of all trades
  

What’s not so good about it?

• Golf is comfier on the motorway
• Soft clutch with high bite point
• 1.0-litre engine is noisy when pushed

Toyota Camry

Data for 2019 Toyota Camry Ascent Auto

Camry is a stylish sedan of Toyota. The main purpose of this car is to make an executive-level vehicle at an affordable price. While that was the initial idea, the Camry evolved to be more useful than intended. Camry became one of the most favoured Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). Approximately 76,000 Camry units were sold in 2021 and that number has only increased over the years.

With the latest facelift of the Toyota Camry, the exteriors have received a major upgrade. Camry now looks somewhat of a darling beast of the road. While the sporty aesthetic has been kept, accents like front and rear fascias in addition to subtle changes to the metal stamping that forms the side of the body – around the roof, windscreen pillars, doors and tail-lights.

Even though global sedan sales are sliding like a 4-year-old in a park, the Camry remains to be one of the most sold sedans worldwide. Fun fact: Even though the new Camry will not be sold in Japan, the birthplace of Toyota, Japan will be manufacturing all the Camry’s that will be sold in Australia.

Features of Toyota Camry

• 9” touchscreen display & 9 speaker JBL audio system.
• 7 SRS airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag
• Blind spot monitor
• Dynamic cruise control
• Pre-collision safety system with day-time cyclist detection
  

What’s good about it?

• Smooth, quiet & engine
• Good fuel economy
• Long standard kit list
  

What’s not so good about it?

• Fiddly infotainment
• Quite expensive to buy
• More spacious alternatives

Nissan Navara

Data for 2019 Nissan Navara ST D23 Series 4 Manual 4x4 Dual Cab

Nissan Navara is the underdog to the ute race and we support the potential of Nissan Navara. Not only this car is designed well and can take on harsher climates, but the most fun you’ll have is driving this within the city limits. You’ll notice that this ute is easily manouevrable in those city roads. An additional boast that Navara has is the 480 Nm of torque that means you could load the payload bay and tow something and this ute will eat it up like a pro.

All that power and weight upon it and the Navara doesn’t sag down. The chassis build is strong and the transmission also seems quite decent. However, users have ramarked upon the steering experience as  ‘time taking’. There will be some time before you find the right balance of what Navara is trying to do and what you’re trying to get it to do.

If all of this has piqued your interest, we would say ‘good choice’ and that don’t pick the lower level variant. Stay medium and upper-level variant. That’s about all the advice you need before you invest in this rocketship which funky colours.

Features of Nissan Navara

• 3500kg braked towing capacity
• Nissan intelligent mobility
• Intelligent blind spot intervention
• Leather accented upholstery
• Intelligent lane intervention
  

What’s good about it?

• Payload + Towing and still powerful
• Double cab is better than King cab
• Great semi-urban driving
  

What’s not so good about it?

• Outdated infotainment screen
• Interior design isn’t very impressive
• Lower-level variants

Toyota LandCruiser

Data for 2019 Toyota Landcruiser Sahara Horizon Auto 4x4

We begin with Toyota we close the Toyota. That is how reliable and preferred cars Toyota has made for the Australian market. Landcruiser has been an exceptional large-SUV that has served people quite well. The newer models have almost everything you could imagine but the older models were famed for their sheer and raw power. No gimmicks just purebred Australian daring and style.

Toyota understand what it has made with Landcruiser and thus has equipped it with ample airbags and safety systems. Toyota Safety Sense was first introduced through an older model of Landcruiser. However, it had alot of improvements that needed to be made and thus it was called back only for the Landcruiser to come back stronger.

Problems of Landcruiser, funnily enough, aren’t problems of Landcruiser. They’re problems of Toyota. Be it the cheap plastic they’ve been using on the dashboard or the cabin noise and road noise flooding in after repeated use. No one likes these problems, however with the reliability and longevity of the car, nobody is complaining.

Features of Toyota LandCruiser

• Off-road technology
• 8-colours
• 12.3” colour touchscreen display
• Carbon fibre look steering wheel
• 10 airbags in both 5 and 7-seat variants.
  

What’s good about it?

• Incredible off-road
• Great visibility
• Toyota reliability and extended warranty
  

What’s not so good about it?

• Noisier than the Jeep Wrangler, BMW X5 and other alternatives
• Feels a bit cheap inside
• A touch tight in the back seats

Conclusion

So those were some of the used cars that you should look into. All things considered, Aussies love Utes, so there isn’t a lot of room to negotiate the prices that you get. Some dodgy dealer use this for their benefit and sell the car more than its worth. This is where CARS24 makes your life easy. Choose from over hundreds of cars and find the perfect match for your household.

CARS24 offers you an exhaustive collection of cars in all body types and major fuel types. The best part is that we sell all our cars at a fair price. However, if you’re looking to sell your sweet ride to us, CARS24 offers you a smooth and seamless journey of selling your car at a fair price or trade-in your car and save yourself unnecessary hassle.

FAQs

1. How do I find reliable used cars within my budget of $30k?

Research online listings from reputable dealerships and private sellers, prioritize vehicles with comprehensive service records, low mileage, and a thorough inspection before purchase.

2.  What are the key factors to consider when purchasing a used car under $30k?

Consider factors like mileage, maintenance history, vehicle condition, model popularity, resale value, and potential warranty coverage to ensure value and reliability.

3.  Can I get a good-quality, low-mileage used car for under $30k in Australia?

Yes, by researching extensively, focusing on well-maintained vehicles with lower mileage, and considering models known for reliability and durability, you can find quality options under $30k in Australia.

4.  What are the most popular used car models under $30k among Australian buyers?

Popular used car models under $30k in Australia include Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Hyundai i30, Volkswagen Golf, and Honda Civic, renowned for their reliability and affordability.

5.  How does the depreciation rate of a used car under $30k compare to new car purchases, and what factors should I consider?

The depreciation rate of used cars under $30k varies depending on factors like brand reputation, model popularity, maintenance history, and market demand. Thorough research and inspections mitigate potential depreciation risks.