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
Save
$28,200
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Refreshed for 2021 with new tech and improved manners, the Lexus IS is an alluring rival to the luxury sport sedans like the BMW 3 Series.
Sedan
$17,700
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.3
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Honda Accord is one of the easiest sedans to recommend, with exceptional rankings for value, resale and safety.
SUV
$18,400
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.0
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
An 8-passenger/3-row, family SUV, the 2020 Kia Telluride offers size, style, safety and sophistication at an appealing price.
SUV
$18,400
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.9
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Audi Q3 offers the styling, sophistication and luxury of its larger siblings, but in a compact size with a very appealing price.
SUV
$19,950
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.0
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Honda CR-V is a roomy, affordable, and well-equipped compact SUV that also happens to be a repeat KBB Best Buy Award winner.
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SUV
$21,400
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Toyota RAV4 is more than just your average compact SUV. It can be a luxury SUV, an off-road SUV, or a fuel-efficient hybrid SUV.
SUV
$23,900
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.3
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 BMW X5 is a pinnacle among luxury-midsize-crossover SUVs. From driving thrills to seating for seven, its talents are deep and wide.
SUV
$25,000
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.8
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE adds tech inside its luxe cabin and under the sheet metal for increased capability and performance.
SUV
$25,100
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.6
Consumer
40 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Toyota RAV4 is more than just your average compact SUV. It can be a luxury SUV, an off-road SUV, or a fuel-efficient hybrid SUV.
Sedan
$26,500
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.2
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Lexus ES lineup of midsize-luxury sedans keeps the quiet and comfortable approach while adding a little more driver engagement.
Hatchback
$16,350
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.6
Consumer
259 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt touts a 259-mile range, but is pricier and has fewer standard safety features than rivals like the Hyundai Kona EV.
SUV
$16,650
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.3
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The stylish, elegant Mazda CX-30 is a subcompact SUV that’s both fun and practical. It comes standard with advanced safety and cool tech.
Sedan
$17,600
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.2
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class subcompact sedan is the company’s least expensive new car. But it still has class, luxury and great tech.
Sedan
$17,600
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.4
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Audi A4 and S4 blend impressive performance with technology and luxury to create a 4-door cruiser like no other.
SUV
$17,650
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.6
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A popular choice in a midsize, 3-row-crossover SUV, the 2020 Honda Pilot is safe, dependable, roomy, efficient and a good value.
SUV
$17,650
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.2
Consumer
20 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2020 Audi Q5 compact-luxury-crossover SUV impresses with its standard feature set, luxurious interior and high-tech Virtual Cockpit.
SUV
$17,950
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.1
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Hyundai Palisade is a boldly styled SUV with pleasing road manners, robust amenities, competitive pricing, and up to eight seats.
SUV
$18,350
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.0
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Ford Expedition 8-seater full-size SUV and its fuller-sized Max sibling are modern takes on the traditional truck-based formula.
Sedan
$18,350
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.5
Consumer
48 Miles
Estimated EV Range
In the world of green vehicles, the 2020 Honda Clarity offers two appealing options: a plug-in hybrid and a hydrogen fuel cell.
SUV
$19,050
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.0
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Ford Expedition 8-seater full-size SUV and its fuller-sized Max sibling are modern takes on the traditional truck-based formula.
SUV
$19,200
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.6
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Volvo XC40 combines standout styling with class-leading safety and innovation at a price that has the competition losing sleep.
Hatchback
$19,600
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.8
Consumer
25 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime is the plug-in version of the popular hybrid. It tempts with efficiency, comfort and carpool-lane eligibility.
Sedan
$19,800
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.2
Consumer
48 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid makes our highest-rated sedan even better with up to 48 mpg. It also costs less than a Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Sedan
$20,200
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
If you’re looking for a compact-luxury car loaded with class and pedigree, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a great choice.
SUV
$21,500
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.3
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Audi Q7 is refreshed, reequipped and augmented by a hot SQ7 model. Few luxury-midsize, 7-seater-crossover SUVs are this attractive.
SUV
$22,900
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.4
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Audi Q5 compact-luxury-crossover SUV impresses with its standard feature set, luxurious interior and high-tech Virtual Cockpit.
Sedan
$23,000
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.2
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class blends luxury, sophistication and performance in a quartet of body styles all sure to please.
Sedan
$25,100
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
5.0
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Audi A4 and S4 blend impressive performance with technology and luxury to create a 4-door cruiser like no other.
SUV
$26,200
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.0
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Audi Q8 is a luxury 5-seater crossover SUV with the kind of power, equipment and style that makes it a flagship vehicle.
Sedan
$27,200
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.2
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
All-new for 2020, the Mercedes-AMG A 35 adds gratifying performance and features to the already impressive A-Class subcompact luxury sedan.
SUV
$27,800
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.2
Consumer
316 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2020 Tesla Model Y is a premium all-electric crossover-SUV that shares its fundamental structure with the Model 3 sedan.
Wagon
$12,250
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
For buyers seeking sensible transportation infused with a healthy dollop of fun, the 2020 Kia Soul hits the mark.
Sedan
$12,950
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.9
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With new style, impressive safety and tech features and solid driving dynamics Nissan’s 2020 Sentra is one competitive compact sedan.
Sedan
$14,100
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.2
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2020 Hyundai Sonata packs a host of tech and safety features to keep in step with (or ahead of) rivals like the Honda Accord.
SUV
$14,950
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is an upscale compact-crossover SUV offering excellent value backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.