Vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive continue to be popular among buyers looking for that extra sense of security when the weather gets sketchy, or for increased capability when they're off the beaten path. But finding a new car or SUV that can put the power down to all four tires at an affordable price can be something of a challenge, depending on your space, pace, and safety needs. So, what are the cheapest new AWD cars and SUVs you can buy? Which vehicles can get you the traction and features you need at a sticker you can swallow? Read on to find out which affordably priced 2024 all-wheel-drive models under $30,000 could potentially suit your lifestyle.
Stylish and roomy for a subcompact SUV, the 2024 Kia Seltos is a solid contender in the segment. That said, the Seltos doesn't exactly rise above its station in terms of overall refinement, with interior materials that feel cheap for its price point and significant cabin noise at speed. The cabin of the Seltos is comfortable, save the lack of ride quality on rough pavement, and cargo space is genuinely impressive. That said, there are better deals when looking for inexpensive AWD choices, as you need to move up to the S trim level to order the $1,500 AWD option.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 27/31 mpgNHTSA Star Rating: 4/5Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 (147 hp, 132 lb-ft)Legroom (front/rear): 41.4/38.0 inchesCargo Volume (seats up/down): 26.6/62.8 cu-ft
It seems like every new subcompact SUV these days features has its share of funky styling, but Hyundai took it to another level with the 2024 Hyundai Kona, which looks like it rolled out of 2077, only without the dystopian cues. The Kona's futuristic vibe continues inside thanks to two large screens, and an impressive amount of interior space front and rear adds to its flexibility. Gas mileage suffers a bit thanks in part to the Kona's increased size, but the cabin is quiet at speed and the ride is good unless you're bounding over washboards or speed bumps. There are cheaper AWD options, but the Kona makes a good case for itself despite AWD being a $1,500 option on top of its base price.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 26/29 mpgNHTSA Star Rating: 5/5Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 (147 hp, 132 lb-ft)Legroom (front/rear): 41.7/36.4-38.2 inchesCargo Volume (seats up): 25.5 cu-ft
It's hard for us to heartily recommend any 2024 Volkswagen Taos, but especially the AWD version. Not only is the privilege of AWD a $2,340 option, but the seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission it comes with makes just about every drive in an AWD Taos an annoyance. Clunky, slow, and prone to pushing the little SUV forward under braking, any measure of confidence gained with the AWD option in inclement weather isn't worth the frustration sustained in every climate. The Taos' cabin is surprisingly spacious, with plenty of cargo capacity, but this VW SUV isn't the best choice for folks in need of every wheel being driven.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 25/32 mpgNHTSA Star Rating: 4/5Engine: 1.5-liter turbo I-4 (158 hp, 184 lb-ft)Legroom (front/rear): 42.1/38.0 inchesCargo Volume (seats up/down): 24.9-27.9/60.2-65.9 cu-ft
Flashy isn't the forte of the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross. This inexpensive, Corolla-based crossover features a relatively large cargo area, spacious front seat, and enough room in the back for the kids to be comfy. Although AWD is an optional extra, the feature is only $875 and is available for the base model. That said, the main asset of the Corolla Cross is also its primary downside: anonymity. If you're looking for a well-built transportation appliance to take you and yours where you need to go, it works excellently, but know that there's no flair to how it looks, feels, or drives.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 29/32 mpgIIHS Safety Award: Top Safety PickEngine: 2.0-liter I-4 (169 hp, 150 lb-ft)Legroom (front/rear): 42.9/32.0 inchesCargo Volume (seats up): 24.3 cu-ft
MotorTrend's Car of the Year is:The 2024 Toyota Prius
Edgy looks and plenty of space make the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer standout from the rest of its subcompact crossover peers, but unfortunately the accolades mostly end there. The Trailblazer's optional, 1.3-liter, inline three-cylinder, turbocharged engine struggles at times to get the small crossover up to speed with traffic, taking over nine seconds to wade up to 60 mph from zero. It's slow enough that merging can potentially be unduly stressful for newer drivers. If lack of passing/merging ease doesn't deter you, and overbearing cabin noise can be ignored, the Trailblazer does have the advantage of lots of rear-seat legroom.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 26/29 mpgNHTSA Star Rating: 4/5Engine: 1.3-liter turbo I-3 (155 hp, 174 lb-ft)Legroom (front/rear): 40.9/39.4 inchesCargo Volume (seats up/down): 25.3/54.4 cu-ft
Just about everything Mazda builds continues to be infused with a decent amount of zoom-zoom, especially so the 2024 Mazda CX-30. This hatchback-turned-crossover's handling will make some sport sedans blush, while its styling inside and out is almost exotic compared to other vehicles in its class. The CX-30's interior feels upscale, far more so than its humble sub-$27,000 starting price would suggest. All 2024 CX-30s are equipped with AWD standard, though if your budget allows it, the extra oomph from the optional turbo engine further complements its agile chassis. Otherwise, the base engine is economical to run and buy. In addition, the 2023 model year CX-30 was also an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 26/33 mpgNHTSA Star Rating: 5/5Engine: 2.5-liter I-4 (191 hp, 186 lb-ft)Legroom (front/rear): 41.7/36.3 inchesCargo Volume (seats up/down): 20.2/45.2 cu-ft
The least expensive AWD midsize sedan you can buy is the 2024 Subaru Legacy. A workhorse whose specs sit largely in the middle of the category, the Legacy's main claim to fame is its standard AWD system, and its price is noticeably more budget-friendly than anything else in the class that drives all tires. The Legacy rides well, provides decent interior space, and was a 2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick. The base Legacy leans dull rather than riveting, with a somewhat lazy engine for the class and less than exciting handling. Gas mileage with the base engine isn't bad, however, and the Legacy rides well.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 27/35 mpgNHTSA Star Rating: 5/5Engine: 2.5-liter H-4 (182 hp, 176 lb-ft)Legroom (front/rear): 42.8/39.5 inchesCargo Volume (seats up): 15.1 cu-ft
All-wheel drive hasn't traditionally been a Corolla feature, but the 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is available with the additional sure-footedness its eAWD system provides for an added $975 if you want it. It also gets tremendous gas mileage for an AWD car at beyond 50 mpg in the city in its most efficient spec. On the downside, the Corolla Hybrid is one of the slowest vehicles on sale at 9.7 seconds from 0 to 60 mph for a 2023 AWD model we tested. Full throttle is needed to get this not exactly heavyweight vehicle moving at all, not to mention getting it up to the speed of traffic. This is somewhat frustrating, because the Corolla Hybrid offers engaging handling. In terms of interior space, the Corolla Hybrid isn't anything special in the compact car class, though it does look as good as it handles from the outside.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 51/44 mpgNHTSA Star Rating: 5/5Engine: 1.8L I-4 plus front and rear electric motors (138 hp, 105 lb-ft)Legroom (front/rear): 42.0/34.8 inchesCargo Volume (seats up): 13.1 cu-ft
By our reckoning, the least expensive AWD SUV on the market is the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, which features AWD as standard equipment. (The floor mats, however, are part of a mandatory $160 "Welcome Pack. ") The Outlander Sport's cheap price is a double-edged sword, as its performance, efficiency, and refinement are unimpressive for its class, to the point where the value is hard to find. Interior space isn't terrible, but it also lags behind that of other vehicles in its competitive set. Sometimes being the cheapest isn't always an accolade.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 23/29 mpgNHTSA Star Rating: 4/5Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 (148 hp, 145 lb-ft)Legroom (front/rear): 41.6/36.3 inchesCargo Volume (seats up/down): 21.7/49.5 cu-ft
On the flipside, when it comes to the 2024 Subaru Impreza, being cheap is a good thing. Perennially the most affordable AWD option you can get, the Impreza hatchback offers more space than some crossover SUVs while providing better gas mileage and a much sleeker silhouette. While Subaru's proficient AWD system and plenty of interior space for a small car are upsides, the base Impreza isn't exactly quick to merge, with acceleration bordering on acceptable at best. Safety ratings are good, though, and the Impreza handles excellently while providing solid ride quality and a quiet cabin. Cheap, quality, AWD transportation is what the Impreza excels at being.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 27/34 mpgNHTSA Star Rating: 5/5Engine: 2.0-liter H-4 (152 hp, 145 lb-ft)Legroom (front/rear): 42.9/36.5 inchesCargo Volume (seats up/down): 20.4/56.0 cu-ft
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