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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Sedan
$22,400
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Audi A4 engages buyers who understand and appreciate the joys of driving a well-balanced car with style, tech, and refinement.
Pickup
$22,800
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.2
Consumer
37 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Ford Maverick is a compact truck that comes standard with a hybrid powertrain. And it can tow 4,000 pounds.
Sedan
$23,400
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
5.0
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 BMW 2 Series premium subcompact range is having a transitional year. An all-new coupe debuts, but the 4-door Gran Coupe remains.
SUV
$24,900
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
87 MPGe
Combined Fuel Economy
While the new C40 Recharge may simply be a coupe version of the XC40 Recharge, it’s a significant step in Volvo’s electrification plans.
Pickup
$25,300
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.3
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its variety of offerings, the 2022 Ram 1500 is an all-purpose pickup that blends great comfort and utility with an ability to work.
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Sedan
$26,200
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Toyota Avalon full-size sedan is a roomy, comfy and well-equipped luxury car for people who don’t want to pay luxury car prices.
Sedan
$26,300
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.6
Consumer
44 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Toyota Avalon Hybrid large sedan blends excellent fuel economy with near-luxury accommodations.
SUV
$26,900
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Toyota Highlander is a well-rounded family SUV that does almost everything well, but there isn’t much room in the third row.
Sedan
$27,300
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
21 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2022 BMW 5 Series is the premium midsize sedan for people who really like driving, yet still want luxury, technology, and space.
SUV
$27,300
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Acura RDX premium compact SUV/crossover has great reliability. It’s also engaging to drive and packed with standard equipment.
SUV
$29,900
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Slightly larger and more refined, luxurious but still sporty, the all-new 2022 Acura MDX has become a much better premium 3-row SUV.
Sedan
$13,700
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.9
Consumer
36 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Drivers looking for a simple, affordable, and efficient commuter will appreciate the humble 2022 Hyundai Accent subcompact sedan.
Wagon
$15,550
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With a huge interior, good fuel economy, and nice tech features, the funky 2022 Kia Soul is a practical choice for a wide range of drivers.
Sedan
$17,250
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.3
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The fine 2022 Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan is fresh, looks sharp, offers tons of tech, packs plenty of space, and doesn’t cost a fortune.
SUV
$17,900
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.1
Consumer
303 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The radical 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an all-new, all-electric vehicle. It’s roomy, has a max range of 303 miles, and charges really fast.
Sedan
$18,250
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.0
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Toyota Corolla is not just a compact sedan, but a pillar of the automotive establishment. It is a safe buy in many ways.
Sedan
$18,950
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
52 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is stylish, high-tech, and super fuel-efficient. This practical midsize sedan is capable of up to 54 highway mpg.
SUV
$19,750
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.7
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Nissan Rogue improves on the 2021 model, which was all-new, with an innovative new engine and a reworked transmission.
SUV
$20,700
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.0
Consumer
275 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 is a practical and compelling electric SUV with respectable range, advanced tech features, and a roomy interior.
Sedan
$20,900
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.0
Consumer
52 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is an excellent and impressively fuel-efficient compact sedan capable of 52 mpg.
Hatchback
$21,300
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.5
Consumer
56 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Toyota Prius is a highly efficient hybrid hatchback. Despite its higher price for a compact car, the Prius is an excellent value.
Pickup
$21,500
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Ford Ranger midsize pickup truck is strong, capable, relatively good on gas, and offers a nice choice of variants.
Pickup
$24,100
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Ford Ranger midsize pickup truck is strong, capable, relatively good on gas, and offers a nice choice of variants.
Coupe
$24,500
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.4
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With added horsepower and torque, plus refined styling and an improved interior, the BRZ has become an even better lightweight sports coupe.
Sedan
$24,600
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Audi A6 is a perfect premium midsize sedan. Size, style, equipment, tech, and driving talents are all in virtually ideal amounts.
SUV
$24,800
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.6
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L 3-row midsize SUV is a fine family vehicle with good on-road manners, offering adept 4-wheel-drive systems.
Van/Minivan
$24,900
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.3
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2022 Kia Carnival succeeds the Sedona MPV, bringing interior space, engine power and a warranty that are all class-leading.
Wagon
$25,200
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.0
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Audi A4 Allroad is a premium compact wagon with an SUV attitude, slightly raised ride height, and all-wheel drive as standard.
SUV
$25,500
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.1
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its upright windscreen, roomy interior, and great connectivity, the GLB shines as a practical runabout with excellent outward view.
SUV
$25,700
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.6
Consumer
39 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
If the RAV4 is too small and the Highlander too big, consider the Venza: It brings great fuel economy into the world of the midsize SUV.
SUV
Save
$25,900
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.5
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Honda Pilot is a mainstay of the midsize 3-row SUV/crossover class. It does virtually everything right and seats up to eight.
Sedan
$26,300
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.6
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is a true luxury car in a relatively affordable subcompact 4-door body, with a sloping roof.
Sedan
$14,350
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
36 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
It has a modest list of standard features, but the 2022 Kia Rio is a humble, affordable, and fuel-efficient car with a great warranty.
Hatchback
$16,400
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
55 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is a compact hatchback with exceptional fuel economy. Blue trim is capable of 60 mpg on the highway.
SUV
$17,050
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Drivers looking for a good value on a small SUV should consider the Chevy Trailblazer. It’s roomy for its size and has nice tech features.