The Best New Cars And SUVs Under $30,000 And Subaru's Two Standout Picks

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What are the best new cars and SUVs for 2024? Check out two top Subaru SUVs that customers should have on their shopping list.

I've covered the best new cars for 2023, but what are the best new vehicles for the 2024 model year? A new report from U.S. News Autos says two new Subaru SUVs make the best cars and SUVs under $30,000 ranking: the 2024 Subaru Outback and the 2024 Subaru Forester. I will give a detailed report on both.  

First, here are the U.S. News Best Cars and SUVs Under $30,000

The Best Cars of 2024

  • 2024 Subaru Outback
  • 2024 Toyota Camry
  • 2024 Kia K5
  • 2024 Honda Accord
  • 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  • 2024 Mazda3
  • 2024 Honda Civic
  • 2024 MINI Cooper

The Best SUVs of 2024

  • 2024 Buick Encore GX
  • 2024 Kia Sportage
  • 2024 Subaru Forester
  • 2024 Hyundai Kona
  • 2024 Kia Seltos
  • 2024 Kia Soul
  • 2024 Hyundai Tucson
  • 2024 Mazda CX-30
  • 2024 Mazda CX-5
  • 2024 Honda HR-V

What does U.S. News say about the 2024 Subaru Outback?

$28,895 | U.S. News Score: 8.1/10

"The 2024 Subaru Outback has plenty to offer for a sub-$30,000 vehicle. All Outbacks come with all-wheel drive, a long list of safety technologies, and ample cargo and passenger space."

"All Outbacks also include Subaru's comprehensive EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance and safety technologies. The list features lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a rear-seat reminder, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Its adaptive headlights helped the nearly identical 2023 model earn a 2023 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ designation."

"The base Outback comes standard with an 182-horsepower Boxer engine, a pair of 7-inch infotainment screens, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. While the Outback's base engine doesn't inspire excitement, its all-wheel-drive setup gives it more capability than many rivals."

My take.

The 2024 Subaru Outback is set apart from other midsize SUVs because it is a one-of-a-kind vehicle. U.S. News puts the Outback in the car category because it has the ride quality and driving dynamics of a car. But the Outback has the utility and versatility of an SUV. It comes with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard all-wheel-drive, X-Mode for severe weather, and dual function X-Mode on some trim levels for all-terrain capability. 

The Outback comes in a new Wilderness trim level for customers who want to get out of the city, further off the grid, and away from civilization. The Outback offers customers what no other Crossover/SUV can.  

What does U.S. News says about the 2024 Subaru Forester?$27,095 | U.S. News Score: 8.2/10

"The 2024 Subaru Forester has a roomy cabin and good fuel economy estimates, and it can handle some light off-roading thanks to its standard all-wheel drive. It's a good choice if you want a reasonably priced SUV to haul your family and their luggage comfortably."

"With a $30,000 budget, you can afford the base Forester model. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive."

"Forester has a 6.5-inch touch-screen infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple Carplay, automatic climate control, and the Subaru EyeSight safety technology package. The Forester earns a spot near the top of our compact SUVs ranking."

My take.

The 2024 Subaru Forester is set apart from other compact SUVs because it offers something for everyone. The Forester is a good family commuter during the week and provides upgrades to get customers away from the city on the weekends. 

Forester comes with 8.7 inches of ground clearance (9.2 inches on the Wilderness trim), standard all-wheel-drive, X-Mode for severe weather, and dual function X-Mode on some trim levels for all-terrain capability. 

The Forester comes in a new Wilderness trim level for customers who want to get out of the city, further off the grid, and away from civilization. The Forester offers customers a unique compact SUV with a "go-anywhere" attitude. 

Customers who can wait should check out the all-new, remodeled 2025 Forester in the spring of 2024. Check out the links below for more information on the newly upgraded model. 

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this Subaru Outback and Forester story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

By the way, during this winter driving season, consider the difference between the all-season tires vs winter tires for your Subaru and watch this video from the Torque News Youtube channel.

For additional articles related to the 2025 Subaru Forester, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

My Must-Read Top Picks

Check out the YouTube video from Motormouth: All-New 2025 Subaru Forester First Look // What do you think of the design?

I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

I’ve got you covered! - I cover all Subaru all the time - It’s called the “Subaru Report.” Check back daily for my expert Subaru analysis!

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photo credit: Subaru USA