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.
Wagon
$19,540
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Luxurious yet slightly more adventurous than your average luxury wagon, the 2018 Audi Allroad blends the best elements of a sedan and SUV.
Pickup
$19,541
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Powerful, efficient engines, innovative tech and class-leading towing capacity give the impressive Ford F-150 even more of an edge for 2018.
Pickup
$20,295
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Ford Super Duty pickup is built for heavy towing and hauling, with a lightweight aluminum body and loads of high-tech features.
Sedan
Save
$23,477
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The sleek and affordable Lexus IS luxury-sports sedan continues to improve this year, with more features and increased horsepower.
SUV
$25,976
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Mercedes-AMG GLE takes an already commendable luxury-midsize SUV and injects it with serious performance and more exclusivity.
Pickup
$28,635
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Ford Super Duty pickup is built for heavy towing and hauling, with a lightweight aluminum body and loads of high-tech features.
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Wagon
$8,995
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.6
Consumer
49 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Offered as a hybrid or as a plug-in hybrid, the stylish 2018 Kia Niro is a family-friendly 4-door hatchback with outstanding fuel economy.
Hatchback
$9,447
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
58 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Available as a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and as a pure electric, the affordable 2018 Hyundai Ioniq is a smart and sporty 4-door hatchback.
Sedan
$9,934
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.1
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Kia Optima gets a handful of modest changes, and a new trim level offering sporty looks at a lower price.
Sedan
$10,333
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.1
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
All-new for 2018, the Hyundai Accent sedan gains upscale style and better technology while retaining value pricing and excellent warranty.
Sedan
$10,892
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Already known for comfort and value, the 2018 Hyundai Sonata adds new styling, new interior, new tech, and improved suspension to the mix.
SUV
$10,935
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Kia Sportage greets the new year by expanding technology to lower-end models, in addition to its stylish looks and great warranty.
Sedan
$11,009
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.5
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Playful and sophisticated, the 2018 Mazda3 is a fun and fuel-efficient compact available as a 4-door sedan or a versatile 5-door hatchback.
SUV
$11,798
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.3
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport is on the larger side of the subcompact-SUV field, but it’s not as powerful or feature-filled as some rivals.
Sedan
$11,908
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
42 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Already known for comfort and value, the 2018 Hyundai Sonata adds new styling, new interior, new tech, and improved suspension to the mix.
SUV
$12,286
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is a stylish, nicely equipped, and comfortable argument against buying a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.
Sedan
$12,426
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
42 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Kia Optima gets a handful of modest changes, and a new trim level offering sporty looks at a lower price.
SUV
Save
$12,746
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.9
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Toyota C-HR is Toyota’s first subcompact-crossover SUV, bringing a combination of outrageous styling and practical packaging.
Hatchback
$12,851
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
124 Miles
Estimated EV Range
Available as a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and as a pure electric, the affordable 2018 Hyundai Ioniq is a smart and sporty 4-door hatchback.
SUV
$13,223
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.8
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Infiniti’s QX30 luxury-subcompact-crossover SUV for 2018 blends Mercedes-Benz engineering with Infiniti style and technology.
Sedan
$13,631
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.5
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Dynamic and fun to drive, the 2018 Mazda6 is a stylish and fuel-efficient midsize family sedan with an upscale cabin and top safety ratings.
Hatchback
$13,652
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
29 Miles
Estimated EV Range
Available as a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and as a pure electric, the affordable 2018 Hyundai Ioniq is a smart and sporty 4-door hatchback.
SUV
$13,712
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Subaru Forester is adventure-ready thanks to standard all-wheel drive. High resale value and strong safety systems are other perks.
Coupe
$14,609
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.0
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
As coupe or convertible, the sophisticated 2018 Chevrolet Camaro is a modern muscle car with seating for four and up to 650 horsepower.
Wagon
$14,953
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.6
Consumer
26 Miles
Estimated EV Range
Offered as a hybrid or as a plug-in hybrid, the stylish 2018 Kia Niro is a family-friendly 4-door hatchback with outstanding fuel economy.
Sedan
$15,398
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.9
Consumer
39 MPG | 99 MPGe
Combined
Already known for comfort and value, the 2018 Hyundai Sonata adds new styling, new interior, new tech, and improved suspension to the mix.
Sedan
$15,488
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.6
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Visceral and dynamic, the all-wheel-drive 2018 Subaru WRX is a turbocharged high-performance sports sedan with a starting price below $30K.
Pickup
$15,639
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.6
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With big power and attitude, the 2018 Ram 1500 is an extremely capable and comfortable full-size pickup that’s ready to work, tow or play.
SUV
$15,827
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 is an economical compact-crossover SUV with many faces, including a new Adventure model and a high-mileage hybrid.
SUV
Save
$15,902
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2018 BMW X3 offers standard all-wheel drive, a pair of powerful engines, a cavernous interior, and classically good BMW looks.
Sedan
$16,286
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.8
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Kia Stinger promises to change your mind about what a Kia is, and with turbocharged engines, a sport-tuned chassis, it delivers.
Sedan
$16,297
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
40 MPG | 103 MPGe
Combined
The 2018 Kia Optima gets a handful of modest changes, and a new trim level offering sporty looks at a lower price.
Hatchback
$16,399
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.5
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
America’s best-selling hybrid, the 2018 Toyota Prius is a family-friendly 4-door hatchback that delivers industry-leading fuel economy.
Sedan
$16,647
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.5
Consumer
42 MPG | 106 MPGe
Combined
Chevrolet’s 2018 Volt delivers all the benefits of an electric car without the mandatory hassle of recharging after the battery is depleted.
SUV
Save
$17,022
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 is an economical compact-crossover SUV with many faces, including a new Adventure model and a high-mileage hybrid.
SUV
Save
$17,238
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.6
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 XC60 is an all-new version of Volvo’s very popular small SUV, and it captures much of the luxury of its big brother, the XC90.
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- 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
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- 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid
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- 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona
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