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.
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2026 Honda Passport
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Pickup
$27,200
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a full-size pickup with variants going from no-frills to high class, with off-road ability in between.
SUV
$28,400
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.6
Consumer
246 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2023 Jaguar I-Pace all-electric luxury SUV whirrs into the new model year with just a few changes. Range is still 234 miles, though.
Sedan
$29,000
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.8
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Genesis G70 luxury compact sedan has all the style, poise, and tech to compete with anything in its class.
Coupe
$29,000
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.1
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Toyota GR86 small coupe exists for the pure joy of driving, with rear-wheel drive and a manual transmission as standard.
SUV
$29,000
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.1
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB is a subcompact luxury SUV that doesn’t blend in with the crowd. Spacious for its size and even offering an available third row of seats, it also delivers the luxury and performance you expect from the Mercedes brand.
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Pickup
$29,500
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.6
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Honda Ridgeline is a midsize pickup with a twist. It’s based on an SUV, enhancing refinement and with its own special appeal.
Sedan
$29,700
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.6
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The sleek 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA subcompact luxury sedan has qualities worthy of the famed 3-pointed star on its nose for less money than any of its stablemates.
SUV
$10,450
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
2.5
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Hyundai Nexo is a compact SUV with a hydrogen-powered drivetrain, otherwise known as a fuel cell vehicle. It’s available solely in California.
Sedan
$13,000
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Nissan Versa subcompact sedan is one of the most affordable new cars on the market and one of the better choices in its class.
SUV
$16,400
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Nissan Kicks is a subcompact SUV ideally sized to cope with city driving, but with surprising cargo space
SUV
$16,550
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Hyundai Venue is one of the best values in subcompact SUVs because of its low ownership costs, excellent warranty, and good fuel economy.
Sedan
$16,950
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
34 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The roomy 2023 Kia Forte compact sedan can be cheap to buy and run while adding a bit of driveway appeal with its styling.
Pickup
$20,800
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is equal parts functional pickup truck and comfortable SUV, with a small but very useful truck bed.
SUV
$21,600
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.8
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is a quirky and practical small SUV with standard all-wheel drive, great safety scores, and affordable pricing.
SUV
$22,100
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
Consumer
38 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The all-new 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is an efficient plug-in hybrid SUV with 3-row seating, all-wheel drive, and modern tech features.
Hatchback
Save
$24,000
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.7
Consumer
270 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2023 Polestar 2 electric vehicle has an understated luxury and a generous amount of standard equipment. Maximum range is 270 miles.
Sedan
$24,400
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Subaru WRX is engineered for the track but serves just as well as an everyday driver. Its standard all-wheel-drive system teams with a punchy turbocharged engine to deliver blazing acceleration and crisp cornering.
SUV
$25,500
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 BMW X2 is a stylish and fun-to-drive SUV, but it’s a tough sell compared to the more affordable and more practical BMW X1.
SUV
$26,300
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 3-row Subaru Ascent gets a mid-cycle refresh for 2023 with revised styling and updated safety and infotainment tech features.
Sedan
$26,600
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
358 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The all-electric 2023 Tesla Model 3 is the company’s smallest and most affordable car, yet can still manage a range of more than 300 miles.
SUV
$27,000
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
2.7
Consumer
245 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQB all-electric small SUV is the only vehicle in its class to offer seating for seven. It’s also superb family transport.
Sedan
Save
$27,700
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Acura TLX luxury compact sedan is a well-considered package of features and abilities. It has the overall quality and driving talents to make it a superb choice from a class full of great cars.
Sedan
$17,550
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.9
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Nissan Sentra is a stylish, fuel-efficient, and budget-friendly compact sedan with modern technology at an affordable price point.
Sedan
$17,600
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Nissan Altima midsize sedan comes with revised looks, new tech, and more standard safety features. It also offers all-wheel drive.
SUV
$18,250
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.6
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Volkswagen Taos subcompact SUV packs a lot of room, tech, and fun driving manners into a tidy package.
SUV
$19,100
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer subcompact SUV has the looks, cabin space, and equipment to spark interest from potential buyers.
SUV
$20,300
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.9
Consumer
258 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric is an affordable new electric vehicle with a range of 258 miles. And it’s a great subcompact SUV.
SUV
Save
$22,400
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.9
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The spacious 2023 GMC Terrain stakes out its own place in the compact SUV world, with a lineup that approaches luxury levels in top trims.
Coupe
$23,000
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Chevrolet Camaro is an all-American muscle car with iconic styling and exciting performance. It’s also surprisingly affordable.
Sedan
$25,000
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
In its final model year, the 2023 Chrysler 300 impresses as an old-school, full-size sedan with a roomy interior and two V8 options.
Sedan
$25,200
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Volkswagen Arteon is a stylish liftback sedan with a premium interior, a lively turbocharged engine, and tons of standard tech features.
SUV
$26,100
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is a family-friendly midsize 3-row SUV with a rugged look, roomy interior, and plenty of desirable features and technologies.
SUV
$26,400
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2023 Lincoln Corsair is among the small luxury SUV segment’s most comfortable entries, boasting one of its richest interiors.
Sedan
$7,850
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.3
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell sedan boasts a Lexus-like interior and is rated to travel up to 402 miles between (quick) fill-ups. It’s only sold new in California.
Sedan
$17,600
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.3
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Mazda3 compact car offers choices of body styles, engines, and all-wheel drive. It’s one of the most enjoyable cars in its class.