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 Accord Hybrid
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Sedan
$17,150
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
$21,600
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
$21,700
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.
SUV
$21,900
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.
Hatchback
Save
$24,200
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.
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SUV
$26,100
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
$26,100
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
$27,300
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
$28,600
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
$17,250
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
$18,650
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
$19,200
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
$20,400
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
$21,900
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
$25,500
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
$26,200
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
$26,600
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
$26,700
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.8
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
$7,700
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
$18,100
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.
SUV
Save
$19,150
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.8
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The refreshed 2023 Ford Escape is a well-rounded compact SUV with a flexible interior, modern tech features, and some variety under the hood, including two hybrid options.
SUV
$19,400
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.2
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The family-friendly 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan is a rare compact SUV offering three rows of seating to accommodate up to seven occupants.
SUV
$19,650
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox is a competent compact SUV. That’s faint praise, but it’s tough out there with so many superb rivals.
SUV
$19,850
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.6
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2023 Dodge Hornet is a small SUV with class-leading power. It drives as good as it looks.
Sedan
$20,000
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Subaru Legacy is the only midsize sedan with all-wheel drive as standard but keeps prices competitive against front-drive rivals.
SUV
$22,300
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.8
Consumer
37 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The refreshed 2023 Ford Escape is a well-rounded compact SUV with a flexible interior, modern tech features, and some variety under the hood, including two hybrid options.
Pickup
$22,500
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.7
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Nissan Frontier is a great value for drivers looking for a midsize truck with modern tech features and muscular capabilities.
SUV
$23,800
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.9
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport midsize SUV takes a leaf from the luxury design book for extra panache, while still being spacious.
SUV
$23,900
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.3
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse midsize 3-row SUV has space and an efficient 310-horsepower V6 on its side.
SUV
Save
$25,300
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Mazda CX-9 is the 3-row SUV for buyers who appreciate driving and design as much as they do shuffling the kids to soccer practice.
SUV
$25,700
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.2
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Infiniti QX50 is a well-rounded luxury SUV with a spacious interior, reasonable pricing, and an appealing complimentary maintenance plan.
Pickup
$26,100
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.0
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Nissan Titan is a good value if you’re looking for a V8-powered full-size pickup, but most of its rivals are more modern.