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
$21,400
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
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
$22,200
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
$28,200
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
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.
Pickup
$29,300
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.
Pickup
$29,400
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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Sedan
$9,425
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.9
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.
Hatchback
$10,850
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
$10,950
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
$11,000
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
29 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.
Sedan
$11,050
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.0
Consumer
31 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.
Hatchback
$11,050
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.
SUV
$11,100
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
$11,100
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.
Sedan
$11,850
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
$11,850
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.8
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Infiniti’s QX30 luxury-subcompact-crossover SUV for 2018 blends Mercedes-Benz engineering with Infiniti style and technology.
Sedan
$12,100
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.
Wagon
$12,200
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.6
Consumer
50 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
$12,250
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.5
Consumer
31 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.
Sedan
$12,250
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
$12,350
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.
Hatchback
$12,650
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.
Sedan
$13,100
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.
Pickup
$13,600
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.
Sedan
$14,100
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.
Wagon
$14,200
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
$15,050
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.
SUV
$15,200
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.
Sedan
Save
$15,400
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.7
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Lexus GS offers varying levels of performance and luxury in a line of sedans backed by legendary Lexus quality.
Hatchback
$15,750
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.5
Consumer
56 MPG
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.
SUV
Save
$16,150
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.0
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.
Sedan
$17,150
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.
Coupe
$17,150
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.
Pickup
$17,250
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
Save
$17,400
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.
Sedan
Save
$17,750
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.3
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Acura’s tech-savvy, comfortably smooth TLX is updated for 2018, with new looks, plus a new A-Spec trim level that adds attitude to the line.