The 5 best interiors in vehicles under $30,000

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While many vehicles are purchased based on exterior appearance and what it says about the driver, the reality is the cabin and its makeup is the more important part of the equation — looks cannot make up for an ill-conceived cockpit or uncomfortable seats.

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That’s why we’ve compiled five rides under $30,000 with sharp interior designs. All five include A/C, power locks/widows/mirrors, cruise control, heated front seats and an automatic transmission.

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All also work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, unless noted. The ability to access a phone while driving is becoming a pressing need given the penalties for using a hand-held device while driving!

Here are the five along with the suggested trim and its MSRP.

Hyundai Venue Ultimate — $24,899

The crossover craze is seeing the proliferation of some very good rides. The Hyundai Venue may be sub-compact in its dimensions, but it is not small in any sense of the word.

The entry-level Essential ($17,099) arrives with a surprising level of content. At the opposite end, it’s loaded to the nines. The range-topping Ultimate has an eight-inch hi-res infotainment touchscreen that houses the standard navigation system along with all the key safety features, including a drowsy-driver monitor.

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Throw in the clean instrumentation, comfortable front seating and uncluttered sightlines, and there’s more shoehorned into the Ultimate than many of its more expensive competitors.

The extra kilometre is found in the interior’s jazzed-up style. There is an attractive two-tone design on offer, and another that picks up the body colour in the seats and trim pieces around the cabin. Both treatments add a degree of flair without appearing tacky. Much of what is said here holds true for Hyundai’s other refreshed product, as well as their Kia siblings.

Mazda CX-30 GS — $26,650

Based on the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback, the new CX-30 crossover takes everything that’s right with it and cranks up the quality to a much higher level — the materials look and feel well above the norm for this price class.

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More importantly, the CX-30 addressed the proliferation functions by keying in on regular controls. The buttons, knobs and sliders all have the same tactile feel and require the same amount of effort to operate. The end result is a layout that’s easily operated without the need to look at a given control!

Key is the intuitive nature of the infotainment system. The large central knob and surrounding buttons keep things simple. A less obvious plus is the attention paid to the front seats. They are designed to keep the occupant’s body upright and the spine in proper alignment. This simple move reduces stress while enhancing comfort. It all comes together to deliver one of the most pleasant environments in the segment.

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VW Jetta Execline — $29,095

The new-for-2019 Volkswagen Jetta received one seriously swanky interior makeover. From the material quality to the oversized panoramic moonroof, the Jetta Execline is a welcome haven in a busy world.

The inclusion of VW’s 10-inch Digital Cockpit brings an Audi-like look to the reconfigurable instrumentation, and brings this technology below the $30K threshold. The ability to view just about anything from a conventional dashboard to the map gives the driver unsurpassed flexibility. The eight-inch infotainment supports this aspect by giving fast and easy access to all the usual features and the ability to customize the drive.

From a visual standpoint, the two-tone Titan Black and Antler Beige leather package is one of the most attractive in the business. Finally, the sound system caps things off very nicely. The BeatsAudio delivers superb sound quality. In the end, the Jetta Execline arrives as a complete package.

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Mini Cooper S Premiere+ — $29,440

The Mini Cooper is famous for its impish driving characteristics and the ability to put a big smile on the driver’s face. The interior design adds to the smile factor — it is both retro and modern at the same time.

The retro is found in the centrally mounted infotainment system. Its location mimics the placement of the speedo, as it was when Sir Alex Issigonis penned the original back in 1959. The same is true of the toggle switches found at roof level and in the centre stack, including the start/stop toggle.

The modern aspects are found in in the infotainment system and level of connectivity. One of the nice touches is the LED light ring around the screen. It changes colour according to drive mode selected, acceleration, cabin temperature and incoming calls. The missing ingredients are Android Auto compatibility and a heated steering wheel.

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Chevrolet Malibu LT True North Edition — $29,748

There was a time when Chevy interiors looked like a committee had designed them. The effect left a cobbled-together look that appeared as though someone said “Oops, we forgot air vents.” The answer was to hack a hole in the fascia and voila! Vents. The problem was it looked tacky beyond tacky.

The 2020 Malibu, which was refreshed last year, is the antithesis of the old philosophy. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system is clean and its high placement makes its operation easy. Likewise, the remaining controls are large and clearly labeled, which is not true of all designs.

It also has some novel features. The range of OnStar services are excellent; Wi-Fi is standard; and Teen Driver limits certain functions and gives a report card on how the car was driven. Opting for the True North package adds blind-spot monitoring, a large moonroof and driver confidence package. Perhaps the lone nit is the lack of a heated steering wheel — it requires the LT Plus package, which pushes the Malibu over the $30K cap.