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.
Sponsored
2026 Honda Passport
Car Match Quiz
Let Kelley Blue Book match your personality to your automotive soulmate. It's fast and fun!
SUV
$19,800
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Subaru Forester is a superb compact SUV with a long and well-rounded list of attributes, including value and safety.
SUV
Save
$20,000
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.5
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Honda Pilot is one of the best choices among midsize 3-row SUV/crossovers, because it excels in so many areas.
Hatchback
$20,800
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.5
Consumer
52 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A benchmark among hybrids, the 2021 Toyota Prius packs high efficiency, robust safety, and tech features, and even offers all-wheel drive.
Sedan
$21,100
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
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.
SUV
$21,800
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.6
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The new 3-row Jeep Grand Cherokee L impresses with its quality and luxury, which bodes well for the standard version coming later this year.
Advertisement
SUV
$23,400
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.1
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.
SUV
$23,500
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.6
Consumer
39 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
All-new-for 2021, the Toyota Venza 2-row midsize SUV features a 219-horsepower hybrid powertrain, all-wheel-drive, and up to 40 mpg.
Wagon
$24,500
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
$12,950
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.
Hatchback
$13,000
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.
SUV
$13,450
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
$14,450
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.
Hatchback
$16,550
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.
Pickup
$17,250
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.
Hatchback
$18,400
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.
SUV
$19,400
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
17 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek blurs the distinction between a compact SUV and an economical 5-door hatchback.
SUV
$19,550
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.0
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.
SUV
$19,800
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.
Sedan
$21,100
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.
Sedan
Save
$21,600
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.8
Consumer
25 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
$21,900
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
$22,400
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.
Wagon
$22,500
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.7
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country and regular V90 wagon are cool, comfortable and safe alternatives to the usual luxury crossover crowd.
Pickup
$23,300
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
Save
$24,500
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.7
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Ford Bronco marks the return of an icon. With two or four doors, off-road chops and cool style, it’s ready to face the Jeep Wrangler.
Pickup
$25,100
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.6
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
Save
$26,700
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The new-for-2021 Genesis G80 affirms itself as a 5-passenger luxury sedan by offering plenty of features, good build quality and value.
Pickup
$29,300
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.1
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
Available in 2500 or 3500 form, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD touts brash looks, big engines and towing capacity of over 35,000 pounds.
Sedan
$10,600
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
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
$13,900
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
33 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
$14,400
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.9
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
Save
$15,200
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.
SUV
$15,400
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.9
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
$15,500
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.
Wagon
$15,900
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.