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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Hatchback
$17,400
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.
Pickup
$17,700
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.9
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
$18,050
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.
SUV
$18,700
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.7
Consumer
17 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek blurs the distinction between a compact SUV and an economical 5-door hatchback.
Coupe
$19,650
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.9
Consumer
24 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.
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Pickup
$20,200
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.9
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.
Sedan
Save
$20,300
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
$21,000
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.
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
$23,200
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.9
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.
Pickup
$23,800
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.
SUV
Save
$24,300
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.6
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.
Sedan
Save
$25,800
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
$26,900
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.
Pickup
$29,700
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
$11,650
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
$13,650
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
35 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
$14,950
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.
Wagon
$15,500
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
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.
SUV
$15,650
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.
Sedan
$16,000
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Mazda6 midsize sedan has its own special blend of style, luxury, power, and driving dynamics, all at relatively reasonable prices.
Wagon
$16,200
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.
Wagon
$16,450
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
49 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Kia Niro Hybrid is practical, economical, roomy, and agreeable — all in a small crossover package with great warranties.
SUV
$16,950
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse 3-row SUV is large and comfortable, but lags rivals like the Kia Telluride in standard safety systems.
Van/Minivan
$17,050
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Kia Sedona is a smart minivan choice. It undercuts many competitors in pricing, but the base LX is far from a stripped-down model.
SUV
$18,850
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 BMW X2 is a sportier, more stylistic take on the X1 crossover SUV. It is distinctive, costs more and is less practical than rivals.
Sedan
$19,050
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Big, bold and kind of gangster, the 2021 Chrysler 300 is among the last of the large American sedans. It still offers a V8, though.
Pickup
$19,500
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 GMC Sierra full-size truck offers several engines including a diesel, and appealing trims like the premium Denali and rugged AT4.
Sedan
Save
$19,650
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Acura ILX compact-luxury sedan offers unsurpassed value, along with abundant features, decent performance and strong resale values.
Hatchback
$19,800
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.6
Consumer
233 Miles
Estimated EV Range
An all-new EV blending the utility of a small SUV with the manners of a sedan, the Polestar 2 has its sights set on the Tesla Model 3.
Sedan
$20,300
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 Subaru WRX and 2021 WRX STI prove that fun can be had in any weather. Even though they have trunks, they’re really hot hatches.
Pickup
$21,100
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 GMC Canyon, aided by the new AT4, an updated Denali, and an available diesel engine, continues to shine as a capable midsize truck.
Sedan
Save
$23,700
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Reborn for 2021 with more power and poise, the Acura TLX can go toe-to-toe with luxury sedans like the Audi A4. Its value remains high.
Pickup
$23,800
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2021 GMC Canyon, aided by the new AT4, an updated Denali, and an available diesel engine, continues to shine as a capable midsize truck.