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
$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
4.0
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
Consumer (N/A)
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
Save
$29,895
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.9
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Practicality is the byword of the 2025 Ford Escape with its affordable price, roomy cabin, advanced tech, and efficient hybrid options.
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SUV
$25,645
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.3
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
4.9
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
3.9
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
3.7
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
4.1
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
3.9
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
3.9
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
4.3
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
4.4
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
4.8
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
4.3
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.
Sedan
$24,595
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.1
Consumer
50 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The practical Toyota Corolla Hybrid is a safe and efficient compact sedan with available all-wheel drive and good resale value.
SUV
Save
$26,415
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.3
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Mazda CX-30 is every bit as comfortable on twisty mountain roads as it is negotiating crowded urban areas. Moreover, it has the interior materials and design to go toe-to-toe with some luxury rivals.
Sedan
$28,650
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Hyundai Sonata is a stylish, high-tech midsize sedan with an outstanding warranty. It gains appealing upgrades inside and out this year.
SUV
$28,875
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.1
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Hyundai Tucson is a spacious and comfortable compact SUV with standout styling, a class-leading warranty, and the latest technology.
Wagon
$24,115
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
5.0
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Subaru Impreza marks a new generation of this perennially popular compact car, with the distinction of fitting all-wheel drive as standard. Other features include upgraded technology, plus a sporty RS version.
Hatchback
$24,600
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.4
Consumer
35 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The practical Toyota Corolla Hatchback is a safe, reliable, and fuel-efficient compact car with sporty styling and modern tech features.
SUV
$28,440
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.4
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The outdoorsy Subaru Forester is a practical compact SUV with real off-road capabilities and the lowest ownership cost in its class.
Sedan
$17,820
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Nissan Versa is the least-expensive new car you can buy. Yet it still offers impressive safety features and good road manners.
Sedan
Save
$21,145
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
34 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Kia Forte is the bargain among compact sedans, offering loads of room, impressive fuel economy, and solid resale value.
SUV
$21,295
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Hyundai Venue is an affordable small SUV with the lowest ownership costs and the best warranty in its class.
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