Best Cars Under $30,000
Paying a fair price for the car you want is important, and these cars should fill the bill. For more results, see Luxury Cars Under $30,000 and Best SUVs Under $30,000.
Top Rated Expert Ratings
$0 - $30,000
Sedan
$22,547
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.3
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Honda Accord is one of the best sedans you can buy, deftly blending great manners, safety and comfort.
Pickup
$22,912
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.3
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The highly capable all-new 2021 Ford F-150 comes with new innovations, a wide range of trims and engines, and a tow-friendly hybrid option.
SUV
$22,966
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.0
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Honda CR-V is one of the best compact SUVs you can buy. It is practical, roomy, and reliable.
SUV
$23,828
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.9
Consumer
37 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid is a midsize crossover that seats six and saves fuel. It’s part of an all-new generation that debuts this year.
Sedan
$25,317
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.2
Consumer
48 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid midsize sedan is spacious, pleasant, safe, and reliable, balancing superb fuel economy with useful muscle.
Pickup
$25,425
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.3
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The highly capable all-new 2021 Ford F-150 comes with new innovations, a wide range of trims and engines, and a tow-friendly hybrid option.
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Van/Minivan
$25,532
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.5
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Honda Odyssey minivan continues its award-winning ways with more safety features, raised equipment levels and revised styling.
SUV
$26,099
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.9
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class brings an impressively high level of style, refinement, luxury and tech to the premium compact SUV world.
SUV
$27,025
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.9
Consumer
38 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Honda’s 2-row SUV has long been a consumer favorite in its class, and the 2021 CR-V Hybrid takes its appeal factor to a new level.
Sedan
$28,630
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.5
Consumer
48 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2021 Honda Clarity can be a plug-in hybrid, or the ultimate green machine, a hydrogen fuel cell car whose only emission is water vapor.
Sedan
$28,982
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.4
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class range of luxury compact sedans, coupes and convertibles stretches from posh runabout to powerful AMG models.
Pickup
$29,658
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.5
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Ford Super Duty pickup range offers massive torque, impressive towing and payload abilities, driver aids, and sumptuous cabins.
Pickup
$29,900
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.3
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The highly capable all-new 2021 Ford F-150 comes with new innovations, a wide range of trims and engines, and a tow-friendly hybrid option.
Hatchback
$15,396
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.6
Consumer
259 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The all-electric 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV can cover up to 259 miles. But it’s pricier and has fewer standard safety features than some rivals.
SUV
Save
$19,470
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its good looks, high-quality interior, abundant safety features, and entertaining driving manners, the Mazda CX-5 commands attention.
SUV
$20,866
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is a large subcompact SUV designed for off-road adventure. Its rivals are the Jeep Compass and Subaru Crosstrek.
SUV
$20,952
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The spacious 2021 Hyundai Palisade midsize 3-row SUV is a strong contender with great road manners, generous features and keen pricing.
Sedan
$21,028
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.9
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Toyota Camry is one of the best midsize cars around — safe, reliable, practical, stylish, and you can get it with all-wheel drive.
SUV
$21,277
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.9
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With the Outback, Subaru has stuck with a formula that remains quite popular – that of the raised AWD station wagon that thinks it’s an SUV.
Hatchback
$22,987
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.8
Consumer
25 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2021 Toyota Prius Prime is the plug-in version of the popular hybrid. It tempts with efficiency, comfort and high reliability.
Pickup
$23,645
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.0
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The best-selling 2021 Toyota Tacoma boasts rugged design, top resale value, great safety features and a wide range of configurations.
Sedan
$24,652
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.9
Consumer
52 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a surprisingly entertaining family sedan, still comfortable and frugal, but also sporty in its XLE trim.
SUV
$25,439
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.8
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Audi Q3 brings bold design, innovative technology, and excellent fit and finish to the Audi’s smallest luxury SUV.
Sedan
$25,997
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Available as a coupe, convertible, or sleek hatchback, the 2021 Audi A5 and S5 models have tremendous grace, style, and sophistication.
SUV
$29,882
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Audi Q7 has undergone subtle refinements that make this luxurious midsize crossover remain one of our favorite 7-seat SUVs.
Wagon
$14,028
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Kia Soul proves that inexpensive cars can be highly stylish and hugely enjoyable, as well as completely practical and sensible.
SUV
Save
$18,190
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Highlighted by an ingenious interior, the Honda HR-V remains a great choice among small SUVs even among fresher rivals like the Kia Seltos.
Sedan
$18,481
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Longer, lower, wider, and roomier than the Optima it replaces, the all-new 2021 Kia K5 also offers a 290-hp engine and all-wheel drive.
SUV
$21,170
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.7
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
All-new for 2021, the Nissan Rogue compact SUV packs bolder looks, more tech, and fresh features. Its value position remains strong.
Coupe
$21,853
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.6
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Ford Mustang continues an American automotive tradition and underlines it with a new 480-horsepower Mach 1 version.
SUV
$22,394
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.6
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The well-equipped, stylish and popular 2021 Volvo XC40 premium subcompact SUV/crossover adds an all-electric variant to its range: Recharge.
Pickup
$23,097
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Ram 1500 ranges from simple pickup to sumptuous daily driver to fuel-efficient EcoDiesel model. All with an ability to work.
Sedan
$23,559
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
For 2021, the A4 has matured with more power, better safety, and standard quattro all-wheel drive. And the S4? Still one of our favorites.
Van/Minivan
$24,382
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.2
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Pacifica is a great choice for sensible families seeking greater space and easier access than that of a crossover/SUV.
SUV
$25,150
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.4
Consumer
208 Miles
Estimated EV Range
In simple terms, the XC40 Recharge is an electric Volvo XC40. While it needs more range, it’s a smartly packaged taste of Volvo’s EV future.
Sedan
$26,219
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
5.0
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Think of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class as a luxury subcompact sedan with some coupe attitude.
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- Best Vans and Minivans
- Most Fuel Efficient SUVs
- Best Hybrid Vehicles
- Best Luxury Hybrid SUVs
- Best Electric Vehicles
- Best Midsize Trucks
- Best Luxury Fullsize SUVs
- Best Fullsize Trucks
- Best Compact Cars
- Best Midsize Cars
- Most Fuel Efficient Trucks
- Best Luxury Electric SUVs
- Best Luxury Midsize Cars
- 2026 Nissan Sentra
- 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
- 2026 Lexus ES
- 2026 Kia EV4
- 2026 Subaru Outback
- 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6
- 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback
- 2026 Nissan LEAF
- 2026 Hyundai Palisade
- 2027 Slate Truck
- 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA
- 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9
- 2026 Kia EV9
- 2027 Scout Traveler
- 2027 Scout Terra
- 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 9
- 2025 Audi S6 e-tron
- 2025 Hyundai NEXO
- 2025 Audi A6 e-tron
- 2025 Kia EV3
- 2026 AFEELA Sedan
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class EV
- 2025 Volvo EC40
- 2027 Rivian R3