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...
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.
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
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
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.
Find a great deal on a Audi A3
Skoda Octavia
Price from: £16,660 Our pick: 1.0 TSI SE
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
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.
