https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/best-cars-under-30000/

There are many, many great cars available in this price category, as you're about to see. For me, though, I need all-weather performance plus enough room for a couple of big dogs -- criteria that sadly rules out the now sedan-only WRX. I also need something that can tow a small trailer, carry a few kayaks on a roof rack and with enough active safety systems to make my life easier when cruising down the highway to the airport at 4 a.m. The best choice for me in this budget? It's the 2019 Subaru Forester.

It's not the sportiest car ever, but in Sport trim it at least looks the part, with a fetching white and orange paint job. One-hundred-and-eighty-two horsepower from the 2.5-liter flat-four engine is just enough oomph to keep things interesting, while the CVT is... well, it's unobtrusive, at least.