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
Save
$26,222
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.5
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Audi A3 delivers entry-level pricing in a sporty, nicely equipped package loaded with Audi’s best technology and luxury equipment.
SUV
$26,237
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.0
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Acura MDX provides a healthy dose of luxury, performance, value and safety in either standard or hybrid form.
SUV
$29,328
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.9
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 and GLC 63 offer all the luxury and versatility of an SUV, with the heart of a performance sedan.
Sedan
$11,678
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
35 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Hyundai Elantra is a reasonably priced compact car offering midsize passenger space, plenty of equipment and luxury car-like style.
Sedan
$12,018
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
35 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The perfectly nice and well-priced 2020 Kia Forte compact-sedan range expands to include a new and sporty GT model.
Hatchback
$12,138
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Hyundai Elantra is a reasonably priced compact car offering midsize passenger space, plenty of equipment and luxury car-like style.
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SUV
$12,404
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Small in size but big in personality, the affordable new Hyundai Venue is a subcompact-crossover SUV well equipped for the urban jungle.
SUV
$12,764
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Hyundai Kona small SUV comes up big thanks to its style, safety and value. A choice of engines and an electric model add to its appeal.
SUV
$15,195
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
258 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2020 Hyundai Kona small SUV comes up big thanks to its style, safety and value. A choice of engines and an electric model add to its appeal.
Sedan
$17,024
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.6
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Chevrolet Impala offers full-size luxury and comfort in a speedy sedan as handsome as it is functional.
SUV
$17,311
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.2
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 BMW X1 offers good interior room in a compact-luxury SUV, but it’s the X1’s performance that will win you over.
Van/Minivan
$17,418
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Chrysler Voyager is a budget version of the Pacifica minivan. It has style and a low price but fewer frills and safety features.
Van/Minivan
$18,364
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica minivan is a sleek and solid family hauler. A class-exclusive plug-in hybrid version is especially appealing.
SUV
$18,614
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Safe and stylish, the turbocharged 3-row 2020 Subaru Ascent is the logical step up for families that have outgrown their Outback.
SUV
$18,623
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.8
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 VW Atlas Cross Sport is a new 2-row midsize SUV with a sporty attitude, a huge interior, a lot of cool tech and advanced safety.
SUV
$19,037
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Nicer than mainstream, less expensive than luxury, the 2020 Buick Enclave midsize-crossover SUV brings three seating rows and lots of space.
Sedan
$19,456
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Infiniti Q50 offers impressive power and luxury, but its handling and ride still lag behind most compact European sports sedans.
Pickup
$19,645
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Ford Ranger is a midsize pickup with big towing, payload and horsepower numbers along with the latest in high-tech driver assists.
Van/Minivan
$20,207
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
32 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica minivan is a sleek and solid family hauler. A class-exclusive plug-in hybrid version is especially appealing.
Pickup
$21,668
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Ram 1500 pickup is as beautiful as it is brawny, with numerous trims levels and features and now a new diesel engine option.
Pickup
$21,793
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Ford Ranger is a midsize pickup with big towing, payload and horsepower numbers along with the latest in high-tech driver assists.
Coupe
$22,715
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.9
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Although small, the 2020 BMW 2 Series coupe and convertible pack quite a performance punch, making them a blast to drive.
SUV
$23,069
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Honda Passport offers 5-passenger seating in a powerful crossover SUV with off-road intentions and impeccable resale values.
Sedan
$24,300
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Avalon is the flagship Toyota sedan. It is comfortable, roomy, filled with features and offers a V6 or hybrid powertrain.
SUV
$25,316
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
All new for 2020, the Toyota Highlander remains the go-to 3-row family SUV, with a new hybrid version offering up to 36 mpg in the city.
SUV
$25,977
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.8
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Sleek, roomy and powerful, the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe is a capable full-size SUV with enviable safety and resale stats.
Pickup
$26,568
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Ram 1500 pickup is as beautiful as it is brawny, with numerous trims levels and features and now a new diesel engine option.
Sedan
Save
$27,230
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Lexus IS remains a competent and capable luxury sedan, even if it is not as fresh as rivals like the BMW 3 Series and Genesis G70.
SUV
$28,341
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
35 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
All new for 2020, the Toyota Highlander remains the go-to 3-row family SUV, with a new hybrid version offering up to 36 mpg in the city.
Sedan
$28,753
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.6
Consumer
43 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Avalon is the flagship Toyota sedan. It is comfortable, roomy, filled with features and offers a V6 or hybrid powertrain.
SUV
$11,105
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.0
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Nissan Kicks subcompact SUV delivers style, comfort and economy plus some amazing safety features all for under $19,000.
Hatchback
$11,491
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.1
Consumer
226 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2020 Nissan Leaf EV offers a nice mix of features, range and price, but it can’t travel as far as some competitors.
Hatchback
$12,908
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
133 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq offers three powertrains, two hybrid and one electric. It also offers a low price and excellent range.
Coupe
$12,910
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Hyundai Veloster hatchback offers a variety of trims, but all promise a fun ride, loads of cool features and a really great price.
Sedan
$13,254
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
34 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta is a European-flavored take on the compact sedan, blending refined manners with driving talent and smart tech.
Wagon
$13,266
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.6
Consumer
50 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Kia Niro offers all the room and versatility of a small SUV with hybrid and electric technology for maximum fuel economy.