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.
SUV
$23,495
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.8
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
4.6
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
4.6
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
4.3
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.
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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
4.0
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.
Sedan
$26,015
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.
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
$29,755
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.
Sedan
$28,239
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Hyundai Elantra N is a sport compact with truly engaging performance, a class-leading warranty, and an attractive price tag.
SUV
$29,800
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.9
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.
SUV
$29,088
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Hyundai Tucson is an excellent compact SUV overall, and gets even better for 2025.
Sedan
$24,233
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
47 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is the sharpest-looking midsize sedan that can achieve 47 mpg. It’s also well equipped and comfortable.
SUV
$28,195
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Totally redesigned for 2025, the new Chevrolet Equinox is looking far more contemporary and competitive.
Pickup
$28,941
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a compact pickup truck that’s useful, stylish, and comfortable. It gets even better for 2025.
Convertible
$27,123
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.7
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a superb little sports car that can be relished by a wide range of drivers.
SUV
$27,974
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.6
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The well-rounded Honda CR-V is our highest-rated compact SUV and the segment’s reigning Best Buy Award winner. It remains the benchmark for the class.
Pickup
$28,541
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.2
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma midsize pickup truck enters an all-new generation, with variants going from basic to luxurious to intrepid. New drivetrains include a muscular hybrid.
SUV
$24,963
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.3
Consumer
303 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a well-rounded electric SUV that does almost everything well, backed by a high-tech interior, good range, and the best warranty in its class.
SUV
$25,303
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.4
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Hyundai Santa Fe is all-new for 2024. It boasts a boxy new design, roomier interior, and 3-row seating.
SUV
$27,150
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.0
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The dual-threat Kia Sorento is appealing as a smaller but more affordable alternative to the typical 3-row midsize SUV, or as a slightly nicer, roomier option to many compact SUVs.
Sedan
$25,213
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
5.0
Consumer
361 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The head-turning Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a sleek and high-tech electric sedan with impressive range figures and a class-leading warranty.
SUV
$26,522
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The adventurous 2024 Subaru Outback is a practical, wagon-like SUV with the off-road chops to back up its rugged aesthetic.
SUV
$28,334
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Instead of the usual compact SUV suspects in shopping mall lots, the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport can go further afield.
Pickup
$29,501
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.5
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A well-rounded midsize pickup truck ideally suited for hard work, play, or hauling the family wherever it needs to go, the Chevrolet Colorado is also affordable and easy to look at.
SUV
$29,712
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.4
Consumer
324 Miles
Estimated EV Range
Right from the outset, the new 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV is a force to be reckoned with in the all-electric midsize SUV class.
Wagon
Save
$21,749
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.7
Consumer
253 Miles
Estimated EV Range
A fully electric compact SUV, the 2024 Kia Niro EV is a tidy family mover well-suited to urban errands as well as highway cruising.
SUV
Save
$27,706
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.2
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
In its second year, the all-wheel-drive 2024 Mazda CX-50 delivers a bit of adventure and a lot of quality to the compact-SUV shopper.
Hatchback
$28,007
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Acura Integra is a compact luxury car with a sporty edge. It gets even more fun with the addition of the 320-horsepower Type S this year.
SUV
$23,042
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.0
Consumer
304 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2024 Nissan Ariya is a highly competent all-electric compact SUV with a maximum range of 304 miles.
Sedan
$24,024
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
47 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a stylish sedan with excellent fuel economy and the best warranty coverage in its class. Several enhancements make it even better for 2024.
SUV
$25,608
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
291 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The Volkswagen ID.4 continues to be an effective and attractive all-electric small SUV, and gets better for 2024.
SUV
$26,729
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.3
Consumer
261 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The all-new 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric has a spacious, high-tech interior, up to 261 miles range, and a class-leading warranty.
SUV
Save
$27,058
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Mazda CX-5 remains an engaging and attractive compact SUV, kept up to date with current tech.
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