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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Sedan
$21,200
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Volkswagen Arteon is a sleek, sporty, and upscale liftback sedan, but its price tag makes it a questionable value proposition.
Coupe
$21,500
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro is a rear-drive thrill machine. Available as a coupe or soft-top, it also has keen pricing in its favor.
Pickup
$21,800
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.2
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Drivers looking for a modern pickup that’s not too big should consider the Chevy Colorado. This stylish and capable truck is a class leader.
SUV
$21,800
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Volkswagen Atlas is a good choice for families looking for a spacious 3-row SUV, but some rivals are more efficient and/or powerful.
SUV
Save
$27,400
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 BMW X3 is a top choice among premium compact crossovers. Especially for people who like a degree or three of driver engagement.
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SUV
$28,900
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.2
Consumer
303 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The electric 2022 Tesla Model Y is sleek, quick, and has an excellent range. It’s also a practical daily driver with generous cargo space.
SUV
$29,200
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The midsize Honda Passport got some nice updates for 2022, like a more rugged exterior, an off-roady TrailSport trim, and an HPD Package.
Pickup
$29,500
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.4
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2022 Tundra uses a new chassis, powertrain, and body to bring Toyota’s pickup truck back into the competition.
Sedan
$16,800
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.3
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Available as a sedan or hatchback, the 2022 Mazda3 is a high point of the compact car class, with quality, style, and driver involvement.
SUV
$17,250
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.2
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan has matured, while remaining a spacious compact SUV with a decent array of driver aids and safety features.
Sedan
$19,650
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The eminently sensible 2022 Subaru Legacy midsize sedan has all-wheel drive as standard, along with a robust reputation in many areas.
SUV
$20,700
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.1
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is a small 5-passenger SUV for shoppers who want lots of value, good fuel mileage, and strong safety features.
SUV
$20,800
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.8
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2-row Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a roomy SUV with a sleek aesthetic, but its performance doesn’t quite match its sporty appearance.
Pickup
$21,400
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.7
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Nissan Frontier looks way better and is more modern, but it continues to be a handy pickup that’s neither too large nor too small.
Pickup
$22,600
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.8
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Nissan Titan full-size pickup has power, safety tech, and a great warranty, but its talents can’t always match the class best.
Pickup
$25,000
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Nissan Frontier looks way better and is more modern, but it continues to be a handy pickup that’s neither too large nor too small.
SUV
$25,400
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.3
Consumer
16 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The capable and high-tech 2022 Nissan Armada is a value choice in this class, but its top rivals from Chevrolet and Ford are more modern.
SUV
$26,200
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.1
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Affordable and compact, the 2022 Lexus UX shines as a high-quality crossover SUV that gets excellent fuel economy — especially the hybrid.
Pickup
$27,100
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Nissan Titan full-size pickup has power, safety tech, and a great warranty, but its talents can’t always match the class best.
Pickup
$27,200
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Jeep Gladiator is an off-road specialist in midsize pickup truck form. It’s also the only pickup with a detachable roof and doors.
Pickup
$27,200
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.4
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Nissan Titan XD pickup occupies a niche between half-ton and three-quarter-ton trucks. There’s nothing else exactly like it.
SUV
$27,300
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.9
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Inspired by the wave of compact luxury 4-door SUVs being turned into fastback coupe-like designs, Infiniti introduces the all-new 2022 QX55.
Sedan
$14,250
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.1
Consumer
37 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The new Hyundai Elantra has come a long way since the 1990s, and now it’s a bonafide competitor for the Corollas and Civics of this world.
SUV
$15,450
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.2
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new Kia Seltos looks to set a new standard among subcompact SUVs with its practicality, performance, tech and adventurous attitude.
SUV
$21,000
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.1
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Kia Telluride debuted last year and quickly became king of the hill among 3-row midsize SUVs. It packs ample features, tech and value.
Sedan
$21,000
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.2
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class subcompact sedan is the company’s least expensive new car. But it still has class, luxury and great tech.
SUV
$22,000
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.2
Consumer
19 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The updated 2021 Audi Q5 luxury compact SUV has a fine blend of features, fun and practicality. It also offers sleek new Sportback models.
Convertible
$22,400
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.7
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2-seater roadster still flies the flag for undiluted fun, with accessible power and affordable pricing.
SUV
$22,600
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
5.0
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Less hatchback and more subcompact SUV, the all-new 2021 GLA benefits from a roomier interior, better infotainment, and abundant tech.
SUV
$22,900
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 compact SUV increases its appeal with a new Prime plug-in hybrid.
SUV
$25,100
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.0
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Ford Expedition full-size SUV and its fuller-sized Max sibling are modern takes on the traditional truck-based formula.
SUV
$25,600
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.6
Consumer
40 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
If a compact SUV, which blends performance, economy, and attitude, is on your radar, then check out the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
Sedan
$27,200
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.2
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
$27,800
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.9
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Genesis GV80 is the first SUV from the luxury division of Hyundai. It is feature-rich and less costly than rivals like the BMW X5.
SUV
$28,400
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.6
Consumer
42 Miles
Estimated EV Range
Quiet and powerful, the new 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV compact SUV offers standard all-wheel drive and 42 miles of pure-electric range.