MotorWeek

Hi, I'm John Davis and this is MotorWeek !

It's a sign of the times, our ten favorite cars for under $30,000... Then, we'll cool off with some boosted intercooler advice... Our FYI reporter tackles concerns over car data privacy... And then, we'll double back in the Audi Q6 e-tron...

So, come drive with us, next!

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whether it's... JOHN: With new car prices constantly on the rise, we thought it would be a good time to remind everyone there are still plenty of affordable options out there.

Not so sure?

Well, here's our list of the 10 most worthy cars for under $30,000.

Most people will be shocked to realize that at the time of this list's assembly, there are 45 new vehicles from 13 brands available for less than $30,000 including destination fees, but we feel these 10 are the cream of the crop.

An alphabetical rundown means, we start at an unexpected place, Buick.

Buick actually offers two utilities meeting our criteria.

We'd opt for the Envista which starts at $25,195.

This Trax-based crossover may be the least expensive Buick, but it gives you the full premium treatment with sleek style, lots of screen space and a serene driving experience not found in most small SUVs.

The Equinox is part of an under-30 Chevrolet quartet, barely making it at $29,995.

But it's also the biggest utility here, being a compact with close to midsize space inside along with great flexibility.

An accompanying "above class" ride quality also comes with that.

Plus, it looks sporty, has a cool tech-heavy vibe and comes with over 20 years of compact crossover legacy.

Believe it or not, you can still buy a pickup truck for less than 30K, but your only choice is this Ford Maverick, so it easily makes our list.

It's based on Ford's Escape utility, which also makes the under 30K cut, but Maverick is actually cheaper starting at $28,590.

For that, you get a hybrid powertrain, 4.5 foot bed, and comfortable room for four.

If there's one vehicle, we've recommended to friends and family more than any other over 44 years at MotorWeek , it would be the Honda Civic.

It's still one of the best cars you can buy new or used, and currently you can get a brand new one starting at $25,400.

One of three Hondas available for under 30 grand, the Civic is as fun as it is practical, and looks incredibly stylish while doing it.

Hyundai offers four vehicles that start under 30K; our top pick is the Kona.

Truly a next-gen utility as it was designed as an EV first, then retrofitted with traditional ICE powertrains, of which there are two to choose from.

So, even with gas power, this cute Ute delivers the space, flexibility and feel of an EV for just $26,000, along with a funky vibe that's sure to appeal to young drivers or people that just want to feel like one.

One of the most impressive cars we've driven this year at any price point is this Kia K4 sedan which starts at just $23,165.

One of seven sub-30K vehicles from Kia, the K4 is a first-class upgrade over Kia's previous Forte compact, with style, tech, and features well above what we typically see from rivals.

Putting the fun in affordability has been a Mazda priority for a long time, and a big reason why their Mazda3 compact has been a MotorWeek favorite for years; and nothing has changed now that's it's zoom-zooming through its 4th generation.

Currently, the sedan starts at $25,135 and you can even get a great looking and more flexible hatchback version for just a grand more.

It joins two other Mazdas available for less than $30,000.

Nissan has seven vehicles starting for less than 30K, but our current "fav" in their lineup is the Kicks small utility.

It starts at $23,220 and for just $1,500 more you can get all-wheel drive, an option that is new for this 2nd gen Kicks.

It's one utility with a fun side, both when it comes to running around town and in its radical design that incorporates styling elements from high-end tennis shoes.

Inside, there's a simple interface with all the tech you need to keep you charged and connected.

Our pick from the three available sub-30 Subarus would be the Crosstrek.

We've loved this toughened up version of the Impreza wagon since it came with an XV in its name, and it has only gotten better now that it's in its 3rd generation.

For $27,230 you get a small adventure-ready utility that is willing and able to explore the backwoods on weekends while giving you comfortable and reliable transportation for the rest of the week.

Toyota has always been a great bet for entry-level transportation, and while they offer four vehicles for less than 30K, we'd be just fine with a base Camry which starts at $29,835.

The Camry is almost a mainstream Prius at this point, as this midsize neighborhood staple is now hybrid only, delivering a combined fuel economy rating of 51 miles per gallon here in the base LE.

So, there you have it, proof that you don't have to break the bank to get a brand-new ride, and you also won't have to sacrifice much of anything if you choose one of these vehicles.

Whether, it's your first new car or just your next one, all of our "10 under 30" are worthy choices for your hard-earned dollars.

JOHN: When you connect your mobile phone to your car, you expect it to enhance your driving experience with apps for music, navigation, and alike, not to mention make it easier and safer to stay in touch when out on the road.

But lately, serious questions have been raised about where your personal and often very private information goes from there.

Well, a non-profit, known as Privacy4Cars, has made it its mission to identify and resolve those data privacy issues.

Our FYI reporter Stephanie Hart has more.

STEPHANIE HART: Vehicles are sold, rented, and shared every day, and you may not realize cars indefinitely store all of your personal information; things like your home address, and even in some cases your garage door code, call logs, full text messages, and even your contacts.

Not deleting this personal, private information can have serious consequences.

For instance, privacy issues usually become financial issues.

ANDREA AMICO: Some cars will collect data and then this data ends up being sold to data brokers, typically for a few cents.

And then, this data ends up in the hands of insurance companies and they will see how you drive, and based on that they may decide to raise your insurance rate or not insure you at all.

And most consumers have no idea that this is happening in the first place.

STEPHANIE: Andrea Amico founded Privacy4Cars 8-years-ago to protect consumers.

He says, at its worse, car privacy issues can also lead to violence.

ANDREA: Abusive spouses use data from cars to stalk, harass, and even physically harm their victims, and, uh, fortunately we are starting to see some states act, like California just passed a law to start to have some minimum protections.

The Federal Communications Commission is looking into this issue, but a lot more progress is required.

STEPHANIE: Consumers may discover they can't control, if and how data from their cars will be sold or shared.

That's because too many companies only do the bare minimum under the law and several states lack privacy protections for vehicles.

ANDREA: So what people don't realize is that when they buy their car or rent a car, as part of the agreement, not only are they writing a check but they're also agreeing for their data to be collected and used for essentially anything.

STEPHANIE: That's pretty unsettling and that's what prompted Amico to act.

ANDREA: I used to inspect cars, uh, in my old company and I came across a lot of data of people, and I started asking people in the industry, "Do you know this is happening?

Where is this data going?"

And nobody seemed to have any good answers, so that's when I decided to do something about it.

STEPHANIE: He says, "Two critical moments are when you purchase a vehicle and when you are selling it."

Here's how you can protect yourself: Be informed, know what your vehicle is capable of and then decide if you want to opt out of certain data collection.

Delete all of your personal, private data when you sell your car.

If you don't know how to do it, there are resources out there.

Here are some suggestions: Look in the vehicle's manual, call the manufacturer for help, search online for video tutorials, download the Privacy4cars app which will walk you through the process step by step for your specific make and model.

If it seems too overwhelming to do yourself then ask your dealership to delete all of your personal data when you sell your car.

However, it's smart to look over their shoulder to make sure it's done.

And it's important to remember the same processes apply when you return a rental car.

ANDREA: Our mission is driving privacy which is a little bit tongue and cheek, but the idea is if you buy your car you should be in control of your data.

You should decide where it goes, how it's used and to make sure that the data is protected throughout the lifecycle of the car.

STEPHANIE: Still, when you turn in that key fob, it's up to you to make sure your privacy doesn't go along with it.

JOHN: More power usually means more heat, which is why intercoolers are such an important part of any turbo or supercharged setup.

Logan McCombs is here to boost our knowledge of boosted cooling on MotorWeek's "Your Drive."

LOGAN MCCOMBS: Having a turbocharger or supercharger on your car can be fun.

They provide you with extra power without having your engine work as hard, and they do make great noises!

However, they will get hot as your engine gets to operating temperature especially when you start to push it.

This will cause the air that's being pulled in to be warm.

That's why having an intercooler is a crucial piece to make sure you get the best performance out of your engine.

Now, intercoolers aren't new technology, but, while the engineering has evolved from the systems on this '94 Lancia, they all fundamentally work the same.

An intercooler is a cooling device that's fitted between the pathway of the turbocharger and the intake of your engine.

This is all connected by an air plumbing system.

Hot air pulled in by the turbocharger, travels down to the intercooler via piping.

The air then goes through a small set of tubes that run the entire length of the intercooler, thus cooling it down.

Here's a look at that airflow using a fog machine.

On the outside, you will see visible fins that allow air to pass over the metal pipes inside the intercooler while you're driving, cooling these pipes and allowing for the air inside to become dense and up to 20 to 30 degrees cooler.

Optimal airflow depends on the intercooler's mounting location, usually in the front behind the bumper or grille, but they can also be on top of the engine where it is getting air from a hood scoop.

Now, you may be wondering, "doesn't my radiator already do that?"

While this is true, a radiator and an intercooler do completely different tasks.

A radiator is used to cool your coolant while it flows through your hot engine to help maintain optimum temperatures and to not let it overheat.

The intercooler cools the compressed air that is pulled in by your turbocharger and fed into your engine.

Cooler air is denser, making for a more efficient, and reliable, and happier engine.

If you have any questions or comments reach out to us right here at MotorWeek .

JOHN: Your never know what a new car is really like until you take it out for a QuickSpin!

GREG CARLOSS: The EV market is a hot zone for startups, Vietnamese maker VinFast being one of the most recent.

Deliveries to their slow-growing dealership network are taking place, including one Maryland locale where we were able to sample the 2025 VF8.

This 2-row SUV is currently offered alongside the 3-row VF9, with the smaller VF6 and VF7 on the way.

They all sport a unique look; this VF8's Italian flare was instilled with design help from Pininfarina, accentuated by its "Deep Ocean" paint.

Materials look premium, as does fit and finish for a near luxury cabin environment.

The bright 15 inch infotainment screen, minus occasional hints of lag, is much more responsive than early media reviews suggested.

The powertrain is solid.

An 87.7 kilowatt-hour battery provides our VF8 Plus enough juice for 402 horsepower, 457 pound-feet of torque and 235 miles of range.

But that's not even the best part.

I'm probably most impressed with the regenerative braking.

That can be a little touchy depending on the brand.

It feels really natural, and I think that's a hard thing to get right.

I think VinFast has done that really well.

There's a bit more roll than we'd like, and the steering is a little vague, even for today's standards, but chassis woes plague many first-time EVs, even from legacy automakers.

VinFast has made large improvements since their initial media drive two years ago, and we suspect more of these quirks will get worked out as time goes on.

The 2025 VinFast VF8 starts at just over $47,000 with Plus trims starting at $55,000, both backed by a 10 year, unlimited-miles warranty on the battery, something else to separate VinFast from the rest of the EV pack.

And we'll have more QuickSpins...soon!

GREG: We're just breaking in this 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek edition, having driven just 500 miles in our first month.

Nissan has been using the Rock Creek name for a few years now, but this is by far our favorite execution of the theme.

It really toughens up the mild-mannered Rogue's looks with unique black and silver trim, along with "lava red" accents.

Beyond just style, Rock Creek adds real-deal all-terrain tires on 17 inch wheels and a tubular-style roof rack with cross bars.

Since, we first tested this 3rd gen Rogue, Nissan has upgraded the engine by downsizing from a naturally aspirated 2.5 liter 4-cylinder to a 1.5 liter 3-cylinder turbo, but it gains 20 horsepower to 201.

So far, we're averaging an impressive 32.5 miles per gallon.

That's nearing some hybrid SUVs.

And speaking of downsizing, our fleet is about to get one sedan smaller.

Our short stint with the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is already at an end.

Like they say, time flies when you're having fun, and this GLI gave us plenty to smile about.

That includes a final fuel economy of 30.2 miles per gallon from its 2.0 liter turbo-4.

That's a slight bump from last time and two-tenths over the EPA's combined rating, proving that fun doesn't have to come at the expense of decent fuel economy.

It's not easy to walk that fine line between commuter car and performance car, but this GLI tiptoes that tightrope masterfully with its lively turbo-4 and taught, but not stiff suspension.

And the fact that the exhaust note can be dialed up or down is the cherry on top of this daily driver.

The GLI Autobahn has been a pleasure to shift through our commutes in, even without hitting Autobahn speeds.

It'll be EV time, with an update on our Fiat 500e on the next MotorWeek Long-Term Road Test Update!

JOHN: The Q6 e-tron is not Audi's first EV; they've been in the game since the original e-tron arrived for 2019.

But it is the first one to arrive on an all-new premium platform electric architecture.

So, time for us to get to work and find out if it's a foundation that Audi can truly build on.

It's an interesting time in the auto biz, that's for sure, as no one is really certain what the future holds for internal combustion engines or even EVs at this point.

Audi is of course, part of the Volkswagen Group who made a massive investment in BEVs as they emerged from Dieselgate.

We continue to enjoy driving the results, the latest of which is this 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron.

Even though it shares Volkswagen Group's Premium Platform Electric basics with the Porsche Macan EV, the overall driving experience is similar to the rest of the Audi utility lineup, more so than any previous e-tron EV.

Next-gen electric motor design means the standard rear-drive setup gets 302 horsepower from a permanently excited synchronous AC motor.

All-wheel-drive add an asynchronous AC motor up front for a total 422 horsepower output.

Both motors are about 30 percent smaller and weigh about 20 percent less than previous e-tron motors.

Range estimates are as high as 321 miles.

Our dual-motor setup with 20 inch wheels and 100 kilowatt-hour battery is rated for 295 miles.

A test loop found 260 miles to be more realistic.

Eight-hundred volt architecture and 270 kilowatt fast charging can fill the battery to 80 percent in just over 20 minutes.

And using 35 kilowatt-hours of electricity per 100 miles earns a good efficiency rating.

While, 422 horsepower is the official rating, there's a peak of 456 horsepower on hand when using Audi's launch control.

And launch is the appropriate term, as we blasted to 60 in just 4.6 seconds at our Mason Dixon test track.

After a big jolt off the line, power continued to build going down the track, with no signs of it tapering off before we finished the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds at 108 miles per hour.

We also got a chance to hit the track with the Q6's swole sibling, the SQ6.

It cranks out 509 horsepower with launch control, and ripped to 60 in just 3.9 seconds and through the quarter in 12.4 at 112 miles per hour.

Bargain hunters have long known that many Audis unlock Porsche-style high performance for less, and that surely feels like it here.

Both the Q6 quattro and the SQ6 felt incredibly nimble in our handling course, with minimal understeer and tremendous grip.

Steering was quick and responsive.

The SQ6 comes with an adaptive air suspension that can also be added to the Q6 quattro.

The biggest benefit seemed to be more away from the track, feeling smoother over irregular pavement.

During panic braking runs in the Q6 quattro, there was a nice firm pedal, and quick stops in just 100 feet from 60.

There was a good bit of nosedive and be prepared for the seat belt to squeeze you like an anaconda.

(car whooshing by) As more and more EVs arrive, we also see lots of new active and ambient lighting setups, something that Audi was pioneering before the EV revolution.

And if nothing else, the Q6's can keep you and others entertained while you're sitting at the charging station.

And of course, you can monitor charging status and everything else through Audi's latest virtual cockpit.

Interior dimensions have the Q6 falling firmly in the midsize luxury segment, though it doesn't feel that much smaller than the Q8.

Audi owners will definitely notice the all-new Digital Stage infotainment setup.

This Android-based system is part of a new E3 1.2 electronic architecture that will be used in all future Audis.

It's fully integrated with all vehicle functions, boasting more computer power than ever, along with the ability to seamlessly update just about every electronic function of the vehicle over the air.

Here in the Q6, there's a central 14.5 inch touchscreen for driver interaction, along with an available 10.9 inch display for the front passenger.

Pricing starts with the rear-drive Q6 at $65,095, quattro's just two-grand more at $67,095; with the SQ6 quattro starting at $74,195.

The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron is more than just another great EV from Audi.

It's truly a next level BEV that not only sets a new benchmark for the Audi brand, but sets them up nicely going forward, as this new platform provides a highly flexible high-tech launching pad for more great Audis to come.

Well, that's our show, I hope you enjoyed it.

Now, for more MotorWeek , including daily news updates, podcasts, and even complete episodes, cruise on over to PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

And I hope you'll join us next time when we tally our votes for the best cars, trucks, and utilities of the year in our annual Drivers' Choice Awards special!

Until then, I'm John Davis.

We'll see you right here on MotorWeek !

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