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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Convertible
$16,650
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.6
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Coupe or convertible, the new 2018 Ford Mustang is a sophisticated modern muscle car that delivers affordable power, style and performance.
SUV
$17,050
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.8
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A popular full-size SUV that seats up to nine, the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe offers big space, features and V8 towing power for active families.
Coupe
$17,750
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.0
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Toyota’s only real performance car, the 2018 Toyota 86 is a small, lightweight coupe that thrills with 205 horsepower and rear-wheel drive.
Coupe
$18,900
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.6
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A lightweight rear-wheel-drive sports coupe, the 2018 Subaru BRZ is beloved by young driving enthusiasts looking for affordable thrills.
Sedan
$21,100
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.8
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Audi A7 and Audi S7 are two brilliant sports sedans that excel in both luxury and performance.
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SUV
$22,100
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.7
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator is as all-new as it gets, with a new aluminum body, unique styling and great interior that sets it apart.
SUV
$22,800
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.9
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Mercedes-AMG versions of the GLC up the ante with more power and better handling, but without sacrificing any family-friendly utility.
SUV
$23,400
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.7
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator is as all-new as it gets, with a new aluminum body, unique styling and great interior that sets it apart.
Sedan
$23,900
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Small, fast, and relatively inexpensive, the 2018 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 is the easiest way to experience the high-performance AMG brand.
SUV
$25,500
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Comfortable, luxurious and reliable, the 2018 Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid continue to dominate a competitive midsize-luxury-SUV market.
Sedan
$28,900
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.7
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Audi A6 sedan may not be as well-known as the BMW 5 Series, but it packs a stellar combination of luxury, performance and tech.
Sedan
$29,000
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.9
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Audi A7 and Audi S7 are two brilliant sports sedans that excel in both luxury and performance.
Hatchback
$9,900
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.2
Consumer
151 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2018 Nissan Leaf electric car pulls out all the stops. It boasts new looks, new tech, more power, a longer range and a lower price tag.
SUV
$10,250
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Nissan Kicks is a brand-new subcompact SUV that is stylish, efficient and practical. Starting under $19,000, it is big on value.
Sedan
$10,650
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Though the Elantra received a major redesign for 2017, Hyundai has added substantial fun and feature choices within the 2018 model lineup.
SUV
$10,750
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Hyundai Kona enters the fast-growing, small-crossover-SUV market with unique styling, plenty of features, and a competitive price.
SUV
$11,500
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.2
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With seating for up to eight people and tons of cargo space, even with the third row up, the Chevrolet Traverse deserves a spot on every family car shopper’s list.
SUV
$11,500
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2018 GMC Terrain brings fresh style and the class’s only diesel engine to a competitive compact-crossover-SUV market.
Hatchback
$11,600
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Though the Elantra received a major redesign for 2017, Hyundai has added substantial fun and feature choices within the 2018 model lineup.
SUV
$12,000
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new Volkswagen Atlas is a spacious 3-row SUV that combines VW sportiness and tech savvy with a surprising amount of practicality.
Hatchback
$12,100
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.7
Consumer
118 MPGe
Combined Fuel Economy
Sporty, quick and quirky the technically advanced 2018 BMW i3 and new i3s are offered as electrics or as plug-in hybrids for extended range.
SUV
$12,500
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.2
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Although small, BMW’s 2018 X1 SAV offers all the driving expertise of its bigger siblings but in a more affordable package.
Sedan
$12,900
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.6
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Comfortable, spacious and fuel-efficient, the 2018 Chevrolet Impala is a full-size family sedan with a starting price below $30,000.
Sedan
$13,050
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A gorgeous and comfortable sport-lux sedan with more power and lower sticker prices than its more famous European competitors.
Sedan
$13,100
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
BMW’s 3 Series sedan for 2018 delivers the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, performance and driving excitement at price that won’t shock.
Pickup
$13,600
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
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.
Convertible
$13,800
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.9
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Fiat 124 Spider is a sleek Italian roadster with a turbocharged engine and cush cabin, yet its price is remarkably affordable.
SUV
$13,900
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.9
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The stylish 2018 Audi Q3 is the luxury brand’s smallest and least expensive SUV. It’s a compelling entry in the compact-luxury-SUV segment.
Pickup
$14,900
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
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.
SUV
$16,700
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
10 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE midsize luxury SUV boasts advanced features, an enviable German badge and even a plug-in hybrid variant.
Pickup
$16,850
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
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.
Wagon
$16,900
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.
SUV
Save
$16,950
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Although aging, the 2018 Acura RDX compact-luxury-crossover SUV still offers excellent performance and resale at a very reasonable price.
SUV
$17,050
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler gains new powertrains, civility and high-tech features, all without losing any of its character or heritage.
Pickup
$17,750
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.