Skip to main content

Toyota makes plenty of reliable SUVs, sometimes making selecting one more challenging. Some of the most popular Toyota models under $30,000 are below, with high safety scores and all the features drivers are looking for. These used Toyota SUVs have good fuel economy and plenty of space for the whole family. Any applicable awards for the sport utility vehicles below are also listed below.

Some of the most popular Toyota models include the three-row Highlander, the compact RAV4, and the fairly new Corolla Cross. In the rankings by Kelley Blue Book, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 came in under budget and well-equipped. Thanks to its proven reliability and good resale value, the 2020 RAV4 remains a popular used model.

The 2020 version offered more off-road capability than ever before, thanks to the TRD Off-Road trim. Drivers can also choose from the standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine or the hybrid version, which pairs the 2.5L Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder with two electric motors. The traditional gasoline engine gets 203 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy fits between 25-27 mpg in the city and 32-35 mpg on the highway. Toyota’s RAV4 hybrid gets 219 hp, 163 pound-feet of torque, and 41 mpg in the city/38 mpg on the highway.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2020 Toyota RAV4 a five-star overall safety rating. It earned high marks on the frontal, side, and rollover tests.

The three-row Highlander SUV is one of the most popular Toyota models in recent years. For a 2019 Toyota Highlander, some options come in under budget and still have plenty to offer shoppers. This year of the Highlander comes pretty well-equipped with many standard features.

The base 2019 Highlander comes with keyless entry, USB ports, and a Toyota Safety Sense suite of safety features. This includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane departure alert, and automatic high beams. Toyota offers the Highlander with a V6 engine or a hybrid option, which pairs the V6 with an electric motor. The traditional gasoline engine gets 27 mpg combined, and the hybrid gets 30 mpg combined.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2019 Toyota Highlander the Top Safety Pick. This popular Toyota model earned high marks on most crashworthiness tests.

Toyota’s brand-new Corolla Cross is under budget

Even though the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is relatively new, finding a used one under $30,000 shouldn’t be too hard. Toyota calls this one of its more budget-friendly SUVs, and a low starting cost means shoppers can get into a top-of-the-line model without too much cash. The Corolla Cross only hit the market last year and came with many standard safety features.

Lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and full-speed speed adaptive cruise control are all standard. Toyota also added nine airbags to keep everyone safe while on the road. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a seven-inch touchscreen are included on the base model.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross a Top Safety Pick Plus award. It earned high marks on all of the main crashworthiness tests. The XLE trim equipped with the Adaptive Front Lighting System package earned the highest marks with its LED projector headlights, but the L, LE, and XLE trims still earned an “acceptable” rating.

These are just some of the most popular Toyota models that come in under $30,000. The list of used Toyota SUVs is long, but the number of good vehicles from this brand is higher than average.

Related

Best Used Toyota RAV4 SUV Years: Models to Hunt for and 1 to Avoid

Best in SUVs
Avatar photo
Staff Writer

Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.