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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Pickup
$20,400
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado HD offers power, durability and comfort in a big truck that doesn’t mess around.
Pickup
$22,800
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado HD offers power, durability and comfort in a big truck that doesn’t mess around.
Pickup
$22,900
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado HD offers power, durability and comfort in a big truck that doesn’t mess around.
Pickup
$23,900
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado HD offers power, durability and comfort in a big truck that doesn’t mess around.
Pickup
$24,700
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado HD offers power, durability and comfort in a big truck that doesn’t mess around.
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Hatchback
Save
$8,725
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.6
Consumer
115 Miles
Estimated EV Range
A best-seller in the compact class, the 2018 Ford Focus is a fun-to-drive sedan or hatchback with high-tech features and high fuel economy.
Sedan
$9,400
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.6
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A roomy compact sedan, the fuel-efficient 2018 Nissan Sentra is perennially popular with first-time car buyers and budget-minded consumers.
Sedan
$9,500
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.8
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A sexy and sophisticated sports sedan, Alfa Romeo’s 2018 Giulia is an Italian alternative to popular German sedans like the BMW 3 Series.
SUV
Save
$10,350
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Ford Escape is a competent, popular player in the crowded compact-SUV class. Updates like CarPlay integration keep it fresh.
Sedan
$10,400
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.9
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its sleek styling and fantastic features, the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu looks to run circles around all comers both foreign and domestic.
Sedan
Save
$10,700
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.4
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Ford Fusion marches on with few changes after last year’s thorough revision, which included a twin-turbo V6 Sport model.
Sedan
$11,100
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.4
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Stylish, fuel-efficient and fun to drive, the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta is a sporty turbocharged compact sedan with as much as 210 horsepower.
Sedan
$11,400
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Volkswagen’s largest and most powerful sedan, the 2018 VW Passat is a spacious and fun-to-drive midsize with high safety and mpg ratings.
Sedan
$11,700
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
42 MPG | 97 MPGe
Combined
The 2018 Ford Fusion marches on with few changes after last year’s thorough revision, which included a twin-turbo V6 Sport model.
Convertible
$11,750
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A stylish 4-passenger convertible, the 2018 Buick Cascada is a sporty and luxurious ride for sun-worshipers looking for some fresh air.
SUV
$12,350
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.8
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Comfortable on-road as well as off-road rugged, the aggressively styled 2018 Jeep Renegade is the brand’s smallest and most affordable SUV.
Wagon
$12,400
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With available all-wheel drive, the fuel-efficient 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen is perfect for young families and first-time buyers.
SUV
$13,250
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Whether as a coupe, convertible or 5-door liftback, the 2018 Audi A5 has an excellent blend of driving dynamics, technology and safety aids.
Hatchback
$13,300
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
One of our favorites, the fun-to-drive 2018 Volkswagen Golf 4-door hatchback offerings include turbocharging and all-electric power.
Hatchback
$13,350
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
46 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Toyota’s smallest and most affordable hybrid, the 2018 Toyota Prius C is a comfortable and sporty 4-door hatchback that gets over 45 mpg.
SUV
$13,450
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Jaguar’s first compact-crossover SUV, the sexy, powerful and all-wheel-drive F-Pace, has quickly become the brand’s most popular model.
Sedan
$13,650
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.4
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
In addition to its standard all-wheel drive, the 2018 Subaru Legacy midsize sedan is a standout for its long-term value and feature set.
SUV
Save
$13,650
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With sleek styling and sports-sedan-like handling, the 2018 Mazda CX-9 is no ordinary 7-passenger family SUV.
SUV
$13,800
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.8
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio enters the compact-luxury SUV fray with potent power, stylish looks and made-in-Italy flair.
SUV
Save
$13,950
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A luxurious and turbocharged compact SUV, the stylish 2018 Lincoln MKC packs big comfort, features and performance in a small package.
SUV
$14,600
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.2
Consumer
16 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The luxurious 2018 Nissan Armada is perfect for families looking for a full-size SUV that seats eight and can tow up to 8,500 pounds.
Hatchback
$15,750
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
One of our favorites, the fun-to-drive 2018 Volkswagen Golf 4-door hatchback offerings include turbocharging and all-electric power.
Sedan
$16,050
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Offered as a coupe, hardtop convertible or 4-door Gran Coupe, the 2018 BMW 4 Series boasts excellent driving manners and premium amenities.
Coupe
$17,800
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2018 Dodge Challenger offers muscle-car flavors ranging from the V6 model available with AWD to the all-conquering Hellcat and Demon.
Sedan
Save
$19,000
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
21 Miles
Estimated EV Range
A sophisticated midsize luxury sedan, the 2018 Volvo S90 enjoys a long wheelbase and generous rear-seat legroom.
Sedan
$23,300
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
335 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2018 Tesla Model S is the fastest production-luxury sedan in the world, yet this electric marvel is priced just under $75,000.
Hatchback
$24,200
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.9
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
One of our favorites, the fun-to-drive 2018 Volkswagen Golf 4-door hatchback offerings include turbocharging and all-electric power.
Coupe
Save
$26,200
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With aggressive styling, available all-wheel drive and up to 467 horsepower, the 2018 Lexus RC is a standout in the luxury-coupe class.
Sedan
Save
$9,550
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
36 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The newest, smallest and least expensive model from the British luxury brand, the sophisticated 2018 Jaguar XE is a real-deal sports sedan.
Sedan
$10,900
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.1
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A popular family sedan, the comfortable, sporty and sophisticated 2018 Nissan Altima is improved with new safety technology and features.