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!
Get Your Match!SUV
$23,220
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
1.5
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Nissan Kicks marks an all-new generation of this subcompact SUV, and it’s improved in virtually every area.
Hatchback
$24,875
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.4
Consumer
35 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The stylish 2025 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is a smaller but more versatile variant of the venerable Corolla compact car.
SUV
$25,195
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Buick Envista is a subcompact SUV with a little coupe action mixed in for style.
Wagon
$25,530
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
5.0
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Subaru Impreza is an affordable, all-wheel-drive hatchback that delivers dependable, safe, and comfortable transportation.
SUV
$29,980
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.7
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Nissan Rogue is a comfortable, fuel-efficient compact SUV with plenty of technology.
Advertisement
SUV
$22,910
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
For the subcompact SUV segment, the 2025 Nissan Kicks Play delivers surprising passenger space, better-than-average fuel economy, and loads of advanced safety tech for its affordable price.
SUV
$24,495
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Thanks to its roomy interior, affordable pricing, and solid fuel economy, the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer is an alluring subcompact SUV.
SUV
$26,420
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.4
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Volkswagen Taos is a practical yet fun subcompact SUV that boasts spry manners and a surprisingly roomy interior. The 2025 model only improves the formula.
SUV
Save
$26,690
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 lives a double life as an almost-luxurious subcompact SUV while also being one of the most enjoyable of its kind to drive.
SUV
$21,695
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.4
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Hyundai Venue subcompact SUV touts the lowest ownership costs in its class, plus easy and efficient driving manners.
Sedan
$25,335
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Mazda3 is an exceptionally sporty and stylish compact car that also offers upgrades like a powerful turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive.
Sedan
$28,140
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Nissan Altima is a comfortably adequate sedan that swims in a sea of excellent competitors.
Sedan
$22,730
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.9
Consumer
34 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Nissan Sentra is a good car among greats. It’s a competent and easy-to-live-with compact sedan with attractive pricing and good fuel economy.
Hatchback
$27,125
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
5.0
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The redesigned Mini Hardtop 4 Door adds practicality to the iconic Mini Cooper while keeping it properly small and stylish.
Sedan
$27,980
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The only midsize sedan with standard all-wheel drive, the 2025 Subaru Legacy is a roomy, comfortable family hauler with top-notch advanced safety tech.
SUV
$25,645
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.6
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The totally redesigned 2024 Hyundai Kona continues to provide affordable, comfortable, and practical transportation at an attractive price.
SUV
$25,865
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.2
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Kia Seltos is a class leader in subcompact SUVs for its spacious and high-tech interior, available turbo engine, and class-leading warranty. It gets a variety of upgrades this year.
Sedan
$29,045
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.6
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Honda Accord is the king of midsize sedans. That’s quite a statement, but nothing else is such a well-rounded, well-considered, and well-respected package.
Hatchback
$29,045
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.1
Consumer
57 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The stylish 2024 Toyota Prius retains its rightful place as an excellent hybrid, with an appeal beyond just fuel economy.
Sedan
$25,100
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.8
Consumer
35 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Honda Civic is our highest-rated compact car. It boasts a legendary reputation and enough variety to attract a wide range of drivers.
SUV
$25,995
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Honda HR-V is among our top-rated subcompact SUVs. It’s roomy, refined, and boasts excellent resale value.
Sedan
$22,740
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
Consumer
36 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The roomy, stylish, and well-equipped 2024 Hyundai Elantra is one of our highest-rated compact sedans.
SUV
$26,540
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.9
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Redesigned for 2024, the Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV continues as a favorite pick for those with adventure in their soul, helping to make it the carmaker’s best-selling model.
Sedan
$27,400
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
Consumer
54 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid compact sedan blends fuel efficiency and practicality with a rare style.
Sedan
$27,515
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.9
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Toyota Camry midsize sedan swims against the tide of fashion, but fashion can’t always create such a consistent and sensible car.
SUV
$28,565
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.8
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The stylish Kia Sportage is a roomy, comfy, high-tech compact SUV with the best warranty in its class, earning it a spot among the segment’s highest-rated entries.
Sedan
$29,950
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.9
Consumer
52 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid puts many Toyota attributes — reliability and fuel economy, for example — into one excellent midsize sedan.
SUV
$29,965
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.8
Consumer
43 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The stylish Kia Sportage Hybrid is a practical and exceptionally fuel-efficient compact SUV with a roomy, high-tech interior and an outstanding warranty.
SUV
$25,210
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross is among our top-ranking subcompact SUVs for its strong mix of value and practicality.
Pickup
$25,515
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.3
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The impressive 2024 Ford Maverick powers its way to the top of our compact pickup ratings with its many talents.
Sedan
$26,745
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The sporty and stylish 2024 Kia K5 is a practical midsize sedan with an outstanding warranty and an exciting GT model.
Wagon
$28,315
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
49 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The super-efficient Kia Niro is a practical hybrid with some style a spacious and high-tech interior, and a class-leading warranty.
SUV
$29,570
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
42 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is an easy-driving small SUV that touts 42 mpg combined fuel economy, all-wheel drive, and impressive features.
Wagon
$21,565
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.5
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Kia Soul is a practical and stylish subcompact SUV with a spacious, high-tech interior at an affordable price point.
Sedan
$23,145
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.1
Consumer
35 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Toyota Corolla upholds its reputation as a safe, reliable, and fuel-efficient compact car while offering modern tech features at an affordable price.