Much of the country is covered in rain and snow, but it’s never too early to think about the thaw. In March and his April comes spring break, one of the most anticipated times on the calendar, which brings to mind adventures and the opening of freeways. If the idea is uplifting, but you’re disappointed with your current car, consider one of the following upgrades selected by Edmunds’ car experts. Each offers plenty of space and functionality to bring friends, play tunes, and navigate new trails. All of them perform well in Edmunds rankings and have generally positive reviews from consumers. And for less than about $30,000, none of them will break the bank.
The Jeep Wrangler is synonymous with adventure, whether it’s cruising the coastal highway with its removable doors and roof stowed or scrambling up the 14,000-foot Rocky Mountain peak. Part of that is due to Jeep’s legendary four-wheel-drive system, and the other part is due to the Wrangler’s rugged simplicity and practicality. The modern Wrangler is no-frills, but not primitive. The spacious interior features attractive, durable materials, and the infotainment is easy to operate. Despite the brick-like aerodynamics, mediocre fuel economy, and constant wind and road noise, you can’t help but love driving the Jeep.
Look for: You can find plenty of 2017-2018 4-door Wranglers for under $30,000. The 2018 Wrangler is the first year of the latest generation, offering improved comfort and technology compared to 2017 and earlier models. Both are attractive, but Edmunds consumer reviews are more favorable for the 2017 Wrangler.
The GX 460 is a favorite of overlanders who love to combine off-road adventure with camping. The SUV’s rugged full-time four-wheel-drive system makes it trail-ready, but it still has plenty of luxury features, including three-row seating, acres of space, leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and slides. It’s Lexus. , 2nd row recline. The new popularity of the GX has driven up prices, but there are still good models available for less than $30,000.
Highlights: Most 2014-2017 GX 460 models hit the sweet spot between price and mileage. Overall, the GX 460 remained essentially unchanged during this period. While the high mileage of these older GXs may be intimidating, parent company Toyota’s reliability record offers some reassurance.
If you don’t need the sheer oomph of a Wrangler, but still want trail performance and a smooth highway ride, the Subaru Outback offers a more refined option. Practical, comfortable and easy to drive, the Outback is more wagon than SUV. Although you can’t go deep into nature like the Wrangler, the generous ground clearance and all-wheel drive make it easy to navigate rutted trails, snowy pavement, and remote fire roads.
What to look for: Start your search with the latest generation Outback, which debuted in 2020. You can also find a 2021 or 2022 Outback for under $30,000. The Outback’s base engine gets good fuel economy, but it’s quite slow. If you want more punch, look for the Outback with the optional turbo engine.
The Ridgeline is a truck for people who don’t buy trucks. That’s because the Ridgeline combines the characteristics of a versatile truck into a package that handles and rides more like a crossover SUV. It also hides some trick features that most other trucks don’t have, like lockable in-bed storage and a two-way tailgate that can both drop down and swing out. Granted, the Ridgeline can’t tow as well as a traditional midsize pickup. But its spacious cabin and decent ability in the dirt make the Ridgeline an excellent adventure chaser.
Look for: Find a 2017 or newer Ridgeline. This is the first year of the latest generation with a longer cargo bed, better cabin, and more powerful V6. Front-wheel drive Ridgelines are available, but for maximum towing capacity go for all-wheel drive.
Edmunds says
It’s not too early to start thinking about spring road trips with affordable adventure mobile. Whether you prefer back roads, open roads, or dirt roads, there are great used options waiting for you.
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This story was brought to you by Associated Press According to the automotive website edmunds.
Dan Frio is an Edmunds contributor.
Dan Julio, Associated Press