Daily commuters might consider their cars to be no more than a simple instrument designed to get them from point A to point B, but it’s not unusual to see cars being used as status symbols, especially more expensive cars like Lamborghinis and Aston Martins. While many people would enjoy driving expensive exotic or luxury cars, it is not within the average budget to spend that kind of money or to keep up with high maintenance and repair costs.

There are some cars, however, that pass as high-end luxury or exotic cars that can be purchased for a price that might surprise you, and drop into the realm of affordability without most people even knowing. Just because these cars don’t break the bank doesn’t mean they aren’t nice, and they certainly can look expensive.

Ford Mustang

Before you lay on the heat for this one, I’m referring to the base model pricing for a standard 2020 Ford Mustang – GT and Shelby owners can sleep soundly. The Mustang is a familiar and well-loved American muscle car that offers power, reliability, and style for a reasonable price. While it’s not exotic, Mustangs look nice and their aggressive lines and high-end build materials make them appear to be more than a $26,670 car. Of course, it’s also a sports car, so it gets ‘cool’ points for that as well. Because they are such a popular car, there are hundreds of cosmetic and performance modifications available to make this car look even better, and even more expensive than it already does – even if it isn’t really.

Mazda3

You may not think that the car manufacturer Mazda and the words expensive or luxurious go hand in hand, but the 2020 Mazda3 has a surprising amount of style to offer for a not so out-of-this-world price. The smooth body lines of this four-door sedan have an aggressive and high-end profile that makes it stand out among the less-expensive commuter cars. The interior uses good quality material that gives the car an expensive feel, even if it only has a starting price of $21,500. This year’s model even won an award for World Car Design of the Year.

Volkswagen Jetta GLI

The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a favorite among VW enthusiasts and has a lot of aspects of the car that make it a great choice. For one, this sporty sedan comes with a manual transmission option, making it a fun choice for more traditional drivers looking for some affordable, modern-day style. The Jetta GLI has aggressive and modern styling, from the LED headlights to the sporty front bumper design, and you can buy one brand new at a base price of $26,245.

These cars may not have a Lamborghini badge, but they don’t have to. For less than $30,000 there are some affordable options for modern-looking cars made with high-quality material that look and feel expensive, even if they don’t have a Urus price tag.