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.
Car Match Quiz
Let Kelley Blue Book match your personality to your automotive soulmate. It's fast and fun!
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.
Pickup
$18,350
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.0
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.
Sedan
$18,500
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.
Pickup
$20,200
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.9
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.
SUV
$21,200
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.9
Consumer
20 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.
Advertisement
Pickup
$23,900
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.
SUV
$24,700
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.
SUV
$25,300
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.8
Consumer
21 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2022 Lincoln Aviator is a luxury midsize SUV/crossover with three seating rows. It’s roomy, quiet, supremely comfortable, and tech-rich.
Pickup
$25,400
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
4.2
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
$25,700
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.2
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
$26,600
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
$26,700
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.
Sedan
$14,500
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.0
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
$14,850
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
$20,100
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.0
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
$20,200
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
$20,500
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
$21,000
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
$21,700
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
$22,500
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
$23,800
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
$26,200
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.0
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
$26,400
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
$27,700
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
$29,800
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.
SUV
$17,100
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
$17,600
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.9
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.
Sedan
$17,650
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
$17,800
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
$18,600
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.
Pickup
$18,850
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.
Sedan
$19,000
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
$19,550
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.2
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.
Sedan
$19,850
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.