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
$23,460
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
35 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Toyota Corolla sedan continues delivering safe, comfortable, reliable, and fuel-efficient driving at an affordable price.
Sedan
$24,920
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
50 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is a safe and comfortable compact sedan with excellent fuel economy.
SUV
$25,485
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross is a competent, safe, and affordable subcompact SUV.
SUV
Save
$26,795
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Honda HR-V is a standout in the subcompact SUV class, particularly because of its roomy and classy cabin.
Sedan
$28,365
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Kia K5 is an attractive and accomplished midsize sedan with an individual style. It gets even better for 2025.
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Pickup
$29,840
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.2
Consumer
38 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Ford Maverick is a superb compact truck with plenty of capability, the option of a hybrid drivetrain, and easy driving manners.
SUV
$29,845
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
42 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is a small and fuel-efficient SUV with a good amount of standard equipment.
Wagon
$21,885
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Kia Soul is a subcompact car that’s charming and practical, affordable, and exceptional.
Sedan
$28,145
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Hyundai Sonata is a sharp-looking midsize sedan with features and tech bordering on the luxurious.
SUV
$21,895
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.5
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A subcompact SUV, the 2025 Chevrolet Trax blends an affordable price, scads of interior room, and lots of cutting-edge technology into one highly stylized package.
SUV
$23,220
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.2
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.
Sedan
$18,330
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The least expensive new car you can buy in America, the 2025 Nissan Versa delivers value, comfort, and impressive gas mileage.
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
4.4
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
3.5
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
$29,995
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
2.9
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Totally redesigned for 2025, the new Chevrolet Equinox is looking far more contemporary and competitive.
SUV
$21,695
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
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
4.0
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.
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.
Sedan
$29,000
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.6
Consumer
51 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Toyota Camry is a practical, safe, and efficient midsize sedan with a standard hybrid powertrain and available all-wheel drive.
Hatchback
$29,500
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.8
Consumer
48 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Honda Civic Hybrid takes everything we love about the fun and practical Civic and adds a hybrid powertrain that gets up to 49 mpg.
SUV
$29,200
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.7
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2026 Kia Sportage compact SUV boasts stylish looks, impressive tech, and great value.
Hatchback
$29,800
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The refreshed 2026 Acura Integra is a tempting contender among compact luxury cars for its handling, affordability, reliability, and practicality.
Sedan
$28,300
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
51 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is affordable, efficient, safe, and offers the best warranty coverage in its class.
SUV
$27,500
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.7
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The affordably priced 2026 Nissan Rogue blends terrific fuel economy with a comfortable interior and plenty of high-end tech.
SUV
Save
$29,000
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.8
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2026 GMC Terrain boasts the brand’s bold looks and rugged-yet-premium vibe in a compact form factor.
Hatchback
$28,800
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
5.0
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Mini Hardtop 2 Door has the latest tech and modern conveniences, but hasn’t lost any of its charm.
Hatchback
$29,800
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
5.0
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Mini Hardtop 4 Door takes the iconic design and fun driving character of the Mini Cooper and adds more space and practicality.