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!
SUV
$22,400
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.8
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Sleek, roomy and powerful, the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe is a capable full-size SUV with enviable safety and resale stats.
SUV
$23,500
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
All new for 2020, the Toyota Highlander remains the go-to 3-row family SUV, with a new hybrid version offering up to 36 mpg in the city.
Sedan
$24,300
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.6
Consumer
44 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Avalon is the flagship Toyota sedan. It is comfortable, roomy, filled with features and offers a V6 or hybrid powertrain.
Sedan
Save
$24,800
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Lexus IS remains a competent and capable luxury sedan, even if it is not as fresh as rivals like the BMW 3 Series and Genesis G70.
Sedan
$24,900
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Avalon is the flagship Toyota sedan. It is comfortable, roomy, filled with features and offers a V6 or hybrid powertrain.
Advertisement
Hatchback
$10,650
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
226 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2020 Nissan Leaf EV offers a nice mix of features, range and price, but it can’t travel as far as some competitors.
Hatchback
$11,250
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
133 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq offers three powertrains, two hybrid and one electric. It also offers a low price and excellent range.
Coupe
$11,950
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Hyundai Veloster hatchback offers a variety of trims, but all promise a fun ride, loads of cool features and a really great price.
SUV
$12,750
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With a choice of turbo engines, a modern interior and new standard safety features, the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has never looked better.
Sedan
$12,950
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.0
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Kia Optima has wide appeal as a refined midsize sedan with attractive styling, a great safety suite and a fantastic powertrain warranty.
SUV
$12,950
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.0
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Nissan Kicks subcompact SUV delivers style, comfort and economy plus some amazing safety features all for under $19,000.
Hatchback
$13,850
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
124 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq offers three powertrains, two hybrid and one electric. It also offers a low price and excellent range.
SUV
Save
$14,050
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.9
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 GMC Terrain aspires to be a little more upmarket than most mainstream compact crossover SUVs, especially in Denali trim.
Sedan
$14,150
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.1
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Stylish, good to drive, thoughtfully equipped, and technologically advanced, the 2020 Nissan Altima makes a strong case for consideration.
SUV
$14,250
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Kia Sportage already was a stylish compact SUV, but the new 2020 version looks classier and has many more standard features.
Sedan
$14,350
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
34 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta is a European-flavored take on the compact sedan, blending refined manners with driving talent and smart tech.
Wagon
$14,800
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.6
Consumer
43 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Kia Niro offers all the room and versatility of a small SUV with hybrid and electric technology for maximum fuel economy.
SUV
$14,850
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.3
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With more interior room than all of its main competitors, the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse is a roomy alternative to midsize and full-size SUVs.
Hatchback
$14,850
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
55 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq offers three powertrains, two hybrid and one electric. It also offers a low price and excellent range.
SUV
$14,950
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.3
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport puts style and value ahead of power, but for most people the formula should work quite nicely.
Sedan
$15,650
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.5
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Mazda6 sedan offers style, luxury and power plus a dynamic driving experience that makes it unique in this price range.
Wagon
$15,650
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.5
Consumer
239 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2020 Kia Niro offers all the room and versatility of a small SUV with hybrid and electric technology for maximum fuel economy.
Sedan
$15,900
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its upgraded interior on top of standard all-wheel drive, the new 2020 Subaru is a force to be reckoned with in the midsize segment.
Sedan
$15,900
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.3
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With seductive styling and an interior fit for an Audi, the 2020 Mazda3 sedan and hatchback take the compact car to new heights.
SUV
$15,950
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.9
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Made especially for North America, the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas midsize-crossover SUV can take up to seven occupants plus their luggage.
Pickup
$16,100
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its varied powerplants and models, along with some modern tech, the 2020 Ford F-150 has what it takes to remain a strong seller.
Wagon
$16,400
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.6
Consumer
26 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2020 Kia Niro offers all the room and versatility of a small SUV with hybrid and electric technology for maximum fuel economy.
Pickup
$17,050
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.3
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Ram 1500 Classic uses an older Ram full-size pickup design that is both capable and affordable.
Sedan
$17,450
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta is a European-flavored take on the compact sedan, blending refined manners with driving talent and smart tech.
Hatchback
$17,550
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.5
Consumer
52 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Toyota Prius hybrid gets over 50 mpg and touts a comfortable ride. Apple CarPlay and optional all-wheel drive make it even better.
SUV
Save
$17,850
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.0
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The subcompact 2020 Toyota C-HR SUV features good reliability and resale figures plus an impressive suite of standard safety assists.
Sedan
Save
$18,100
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.3
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Acura ILX compact-luxury sedan offers tremendous value, with numerous features, good performance and impressive resale figures.
SUV
$18,300
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Infiniti QX50 offers luxury, performance and some very advanced driver assists, at a price that easily undercuts the competition.
SUV
Save
$19,800
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.3
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Thanks to its excellent road manners, German pedigree and high-tech interior, the 2020 BMW X3 sets the bar for compact-crossover SUVs.
Sedan
$19,900
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.8
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2020 Kia Stinger is a powerful 5-door liftback with excellent road manners, numerous standard features and a very reasonable price tag.