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.
Sedan
$29,564
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.1
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Lexus ES 250 AWD, ES 350 and hybrid ES 300h are comfortable, spacious luxury midsize sedans with degrees of driver engagement.
SUV
$17,425
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe is a 2-row, 5-passenger SUV that offers quality at a value price, intuitive tech, and a strong emphasis on safety.
SUV
$17,520
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.3
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Mazda CX-30 takes the notion of a subcompact SUV then adds space, luxury, power, style, driving talent and technology.
Sedan
$18,900
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.7
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Available as a sedan or hatchback, the 2021 Honda Civic is one of the best small cars you can buy, even if slightly pricier than rivals.
SUV
$20,485
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.3
Consumer
34 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is a new and fuel-efficient variant in a range of excellent SUV/crossovers.
SUV
$20,717
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.0
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Kia has done a great job updating the Sorento. It’s better-looking and more efficient, plus it’s loaded with driver assists and safety tech.
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Sedan
$21,705
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.
SUV
$22,773
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.0
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.
Pickup
$22,912
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.2
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
$23,081
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.
Van/Minivan
$24,035
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.
Pickup
$24,075
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.2
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.
SUV
$24,083
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.
Sedan
$24,175
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.
SUV
$25,447
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.
Pickup
$25,789
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.
Sedan
$26,660
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
$27,847
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
$28,550
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.2
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
$15,404
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
$18,324
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
$19,952
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.
Sedan
$20,310
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
$21,463
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.
SUV
$21,490
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.
Pickup
$21,916
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
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.
Hatchback
$22,816
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.
SUV
$24,365
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.8
Consumer
25 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
$24,548
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.
Sedan
$26,192
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.0
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
$27,268
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
$13,544
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
$17,830
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
$18,844
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
31 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
$19,689
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.
SUV
$21,368
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.
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- Best Luxury Midsize Cars
- 2026 Jeep Compass
- 2026 MAZDA CX-5
- 2026 Land Rover Defender 130
- 2026 Porsche Cayenne EV
- 2026 Land Rover Defender 90
- 2026 INFINITI QX65
- 2026 Polestar 4
- 2026 Land Rover Defender 110
- 2026 Chevrolet Corvette
- 2026 Audi Q3
- 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC
- 2026 Lexus RZ
- 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6 N
- 2026 Subaru Solterra
- 2026 Ford Explorer
- 2026 Nissan Armada
- 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
- 2026 Jeep Cherokee
- 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
- 2026 Dodge Durango
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- 2026 Dodge Charger
- 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona