5-star cars for less than £30,000

A £30k budget will get you some of the best cars on sale – but there are also 5-star cars available for a lot less than that...

5-star cars for less than £30,000

If you buy a car that's been awarded our top five-star rating, then you can be certain that you're getting one of the best cars on sale today.

Anyone with £30,000 to spend will find they have a huge variety of five-star cars to choose from. But you can also pick one up for less than half that; from city cars to sports car to SUVs, there's something for everybody.

Here's our round-up of five-star cars that you can buy for less than £30,000.

City car

Hyundai i10

Price from: £8995 Our pick: 1.2 Premium

5-star cars for less than £30,000

The Hyundai i10 is our favourite city car. It's cheap to buy and run, and is ideal for use around town, where its tight turning circle, light steering and small dimensions combine to make life easy. The rival Volkswagen Up might have a classier interior, but the i10 gives you more equipment and space for your money.

Read the full Hyundai i10 review

Find a great deal on a Hyundai i10


Small car

Skoda Fabia

Price from: £10,750 Our pick: 1.2 TSI 90 SE

5-star cars for less than £30,000

A former What Car? Car of the Year, the Skoda Fabia isn't just one of the best small cars on sale, but one of the most rounded models full stop. It offers a spacious and practical interior, strikes an excellent balance between comfort and control, and offers excellent value for money.

Read the full Skoda Fabia review

Find a great deal on a Skoda Fabia


Family car

Audi A3

Price from: £19,365 Our pick: 1.4 TFSI SE Sportback

5-star cars for less than £30,000

Like the Fabia, the Audi A3 is an outstanding car in almost every respect and a former What Car? Car of the Year. Whether you choose three or five doors, you get strong refinement from a line-up of punchy, economical turbocharged engines, and a beautifully built interior that’s practical enough for most everyday needs. What's more, the A3’s three-year running costs are lower than those of much of the mainstream opposition, helped by rock-solid resale values.

Read the full Audi A3 review

Find a great deal on a Audi A3


Skoda Octavia

Price from: £16,660 Our pick: 1.0 TSI SE

5-star cars for less than £30,000

The Skoda Octavia might not be the most stylish family car, but it's classy, comfortable, incredibly spacious and keenly priced. It should definitely be on your shopping list if space and value are priorities.

Read the full Skoda Octavia review

Find a great deal on a Skoda Octavia


Small SUV

Seat Ateca

Price from: £17,990 Our pick: 2.0 TDI 150 SE Nav

5-star cars for less than £30,000

The Ateca is the first SUV in Seat's history, but it's gone straight to the top of the class, knocking the Nissan Qashqai off its perch in the process. Keen pricing makes the Ateca one of the cheapest SUVs of this size but, crucially, it also offers excellent handling and loads of space.

Read the full Seat Ateca review