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
SUV
$26,934
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Mercedes GLB-Class small luxury SUV straddles the subcompact and compact classes with style, tech, safety and refinement.
Wagon
$28,268
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.0
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Audi A4 Allroad is a raised wagon blending the amenities and plush ride of a luxury sedan with the utility of a compact wagon.
Sedan
$28,296
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.3
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With standard all-wheel drive and its innovative powertrains, the 2021 Audi A6 luxury sedan stands out from rivals like the BMW 5 Series.
Sedan
$12,586
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
36 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Kia Rio subcompact sedan and hatchback are economical yet classy, and come with an unbeatable powertrain warranty.
SUV
$15,952
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Equinox is Chevrolet’s compact crossover SUV. A roomy cabin, active safety, and reasonable starting price help make it a popular seller.
Hatchback
$16,232
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
170 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2021 Hyundai Ioniq lineup consists of three eco-friendly compact hatchbacks. Two hybrids and an all-electric car with a 170-mile range.
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Hatchback
$17,426
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
59 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Hyundai Ioniq lineup consists of three eco-friendly compact hatchbacks. Two hybrids and an all-electric car with a 170-mile range.
Hatchback
$18,152
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.4
Consumer
35 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Corolla Hatchback is an even more practical, sportier, and distinctive version of Toyota’s popular compact sedan.
Hatchback
$19,195
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
29 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2021 Hyundai Ioniq lineup consists of three eco-friendly compact hatchbacks. Two hybrids and an all-electric car with a 170-mile range.
SUV
$20,268
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.7
Consumer
17 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek blurs the distinction between a compact SUV and an economical 5-door hatchback.
Pickup
$21,462
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado is a capable pickup with a variety of engines, trims, and body styles. It touts impressive trailering tech.
SUV
$21,702
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
As long as buyers get into a 2021 BMW X1 premium subcompact SUV knowing it skews more toward thrills than frills, all should be well.
SUV
$23,149
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.9
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Subaru Ascent is a spacious and smart midsize 3-row crossover with all-wheel drive and many safety features as standard.
Sedan
Save
$24,193
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.9
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Genesis G70 has the drive, tech, luxury and warranty to compete with the best premium compact sedans, but at lower prices.
Sedan
$24,595
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.8
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Kia Stinger is an athletic sport sedan (kind of) with excellent handling, many standard features, keen pricing and an upscale vibe.
Pickup
$24,620
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado is a capable pickup with a variety of engines, trims, and body styles. It touts impressive trailering tech.
Pickup
$25,081
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado is a capable pickup with a variety of engines, trims, and body styles. It touts impressive trailering tech.
Sedan
$25,547
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 BMW 2 Series coupe and convertible continue to remind us that driving is about far more than getting from Point A to Point B.
Pickup
$27,659
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.7
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline is a highly capable, spacious and versatile midsize pickup with the refinement of a classy SUV.
Sedan
$12,092
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Nissan Versa subcompact provides more than just a low price. It offers features more often found in larger, more expensive sedans.
Sedan
$13,908
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
35 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Kia Forte compact sedan comes with plenty of standard safety tech and convenience features, yet still with reasonable pricing.
SUV
$15,733
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.8
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The stylish, well-equipped, and well-priced 2021 Hyundai Kona subcompact crossover SUV gains a sporty Night Edition and top safety scores.
SUV
$16,488
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.8
Consumer
258 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The stylish, well-equipped, and well-priced 2021 Hyundai Kona subcompact crossover SUV gains a sporty Night Edition and top safety scores.
Wagon
$17,326
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
49 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Kia Niro Hybrid is practical, economical, roomy, and agreeable — all in a small crossover package with great warranties.
Wagon
$17,344
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
239 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2021 Kia Niro EV is an all-electric small car with a crossover vibe, able to travel 239 miles on a single charge.
SUV
Save
$18,723
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.9
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 GMC Terrain aspires to be more upmarket than most mainstream compact-crossover SUVs, especially in the lavish Denali trim.
Sedan
$19,109
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Mazda6 midsize sedan has its own special blend of style, luxury, power, and driving dynamics, all at relatively reasonable prices.
Van/Minivan
$19,808
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Kia Sedona is a smart minivan choice. It undercuts many competitors in pricing, but the base LX is far from a stripped-down model.
Wagon
$20,502
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
26 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2021 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid is a small crossover that’s big on fuel economy. It’s also spacious, stylish and has a great warranty.
Sedan
Save
$21,063
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Acura ILX compact-luxury sedan offers unsurpassed value, along with abundant features, decent performance and strong resale values.
SUV
$21,171
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 BMW X2 is a sportier, more stylistic take on the X1 crossover SUV. It is distinctive, costs more and is less practical than rivals.
Pickup
$21,240
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 GMC Canyon, aided by the new AT4, an updated Denali, and an available diesel engine, continues to shine as a capable midsize truck.
Sedan
$21,932
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Big, bold and kind of gangster, the 2021 Chrysler 300 is among the last of the large American sedans. It still offers a V8, though.
Sedan
$22,510
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Subaru WRX and 2021 WRX STI prove that fun can be had in any weather. Even though they have trunks, they’re really hot hatches.
SUV
$23,705
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse 3-row SUV is large and comfortable, but lags rivals like the Kia Telluride in standard safety systems.
Pickup
$24,166
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 GMC Sierra full-size truck offers several engines including a diesel, and appealing trims like the premium Denali and rugged AT4.
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- 2026 Toyota Camry
- 2026 Toyota bZ
- 2026 Toyota C-HR
- 2026 Audi A6
- 2026 Jeep Recon
- 2026 BMW 3 Series
- 2026 AFEELA 1
- 2026 Acura RSX
- 2026 Volvo ES90
- 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 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
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- 2027 Slate Truck
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