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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Wagon
$21,565
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
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
4.4
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.
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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.
Wagon
$26,115
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.
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
4.5
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.
SUV
$22,730
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Small and nimble, the 2024 Nissan Kicks does a great job of delivering solid fuel economy, decent interior space for its segment, and a wide array of advanced safety technologies.
SUV
$23,495
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2024 Buick Envista is a stylish subcompact SUV aimed at young city dwellers, with big screens included as standard. It’s also the cheapest new Buick.
SUV
$24,395
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Chevy Trailblazer is a good value in subcompact SUVs because of its roomy interior and many standard features at an affordable price point.
Pickup
$28,295
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a flexible small pickup that combines car-like driving dynamics with truck-like utility and a class-leading warranty.
SUV
$21,495
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The totally redesigned 2024 Chevrolet Trax is a stylish subcompact SUV with affordable pricing, modern technology, and more interior space than many others.
Sedan
$25,335
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.2
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Mazda3 is one the best-looking, most fun-to-drive compact cars of all time.
SUV
$25,420
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.5
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Volkswagen Taos brings outsized cargo room and European driving manners to the subcompact SUV class.
Sedan
$27,510
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Nissan Altima is a midsize sedan that comes with loads of advanced safety tech, solid fuel economy, and a comfy cabin at an affordable price.
Sedan
$22,030
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.9
Consumer
34 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Nissan Sentra compact sedan is one of those cars that simply do the job without fuss or fanfare. The 2024 model year brings a handful of styling and hardware upgrades.
SUV
$27,995
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The well-rounded 2024 Chevrolet Equinox is a good value in compact SUVs, but it fails to stand out in its competitive class.
Sedan
$28,315
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Subaru Legacy is a roomy and proven midsize sedan, and the only one with all-wheel drive included as standard across the line.
Sedan
$30,000
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.8
Consumer
49 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Honda Civic Hybrid takes everything we love about the fun and practical Civic and adds a hybrid powertrain that gets up to 49 mpg.
Hatchback
$29,200
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The refreshed 2026 Acura Integra is a tempting contender among compact luxury cars for its handling, affordability, reliability, and practicality.
Sedan
$28,200
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
51 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is affordable, efficient, safe, and offers the best warranty coverage in its class.
Hatchback
$25,400
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
5.0
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Mini Hardtop 2 Door has the latest tech and modern conveniences, but hasn’t lost any of its charm.
Hatchback
$27,200
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
5.0
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Mini Hardtop 4 Door takes the iconic design and fun driving character of the Mini Cooper and adds more space and practicality.
Pickup
$27,600
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.1
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Toyota Tacoma is a highly capable, powerful, surprisingly refined midsize truck that’s available as a hybrid.
Sedan
$29,000
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.4
Consumer
44 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Honda Accord Hybrid earns our Best Buy Award because it’s a safe, reliable, practical car with outstanding fuel economy and resale value.
SUV
Save
$29,022
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.6
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Honda CR-V is really a masterclass in how to make a great compact SUV.
SUV
Save
$26,971
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.0
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Kia Sorento is smaller and more affordable than most midsize 3-row SUVs, and it might be perfect for families that only occasionally need that third row.
Sedan
$27,138
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.8
Consumer
49 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid combines 49 mpg and impressive power to take its place in the upper reaches of the class-leading Civic lineup.
SUV
$28,981
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.2
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Both stylish and sensible, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV has plenty of space, equipment, and tech.
SUV
$25,656
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.7
Consumer
43 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid is one of our favorite fuel-efficient compact SUVs. It’s both sensible and characterful.
SUV
$27,332
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.0
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The sturdy 2025 Subaru Outback steers a fine line between SUV and wagon styles, always delivering in terms of dependability and sure-footedness.
Sedan
$27,343
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.0
Consumer
342 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The all-electric 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 sedan is brimming with charisma as well as capability.