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
$28,500
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a great all-around truck for work and play, with a variety of cabs, engines, and specialized trims.
Pickup
$24,900
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.
SUV
Save
$26,300
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.8
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The fully revamped 2025 GMC Terrain compact SUV brings bold new looks and a surprisingly robust set of standard features.
Hatchback
$29,600
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
5.0
Consumer
149 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The fashionable and efficient Fiat 500e is a small electric hatchback with a big personality.
SUV
$21,800
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.5
Consumer
33 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The Dodge Hornet is a feisty and potent choice among small SUVs, and can be had with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
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SUV
$22,800
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.8
Consumer
37 Miles
Estimated EV Range
Practicality is the byword of the 2025 Ford Escape with its affordable price, roomy cabin, advanced tech, and efficient hybrid options.
Pickup
$25,200
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.7
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Nissan Frontier is a competent midsize pickup truck with a standard V6 engine and choice of cab/bed configurations.
SUV
$25,200
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.3
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Jeep Wrangler combines epic off-road adventure with modern tech, connectivity and safety features in an iconic package.
Hatchback
$26,800
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
5.0
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The redesigned Mini Hardtop 4 Door adds practicality to the iconic Mini Cooper while keeping it properly small and stylish.
SUV
$29,400
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
22 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe keeps this iconic off-road juggernaut rolling longer with plug-in hybrid range, excellent tech and stand out design.
Pickup
$29,600
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2025 Nissan Frontier is a competent midsize pickup truck with a standard V6 engine and choice of cab/bed configurations.
SUV
$19,500
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.7
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The totally redesigned 2024 Hyundai Kona continues to provide affordable, comfortable, and practical transportation at an attractive price.
SUV
$20,700
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.2
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Kia Seltos is a class leader in subcompact SUVs for its spacious and high-tech interior, available turbo engine, and class-leading warranty. It gets a variety of upgrades this year.
Sedan
$23,700
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.6
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Honda Accord is the king of midsize sedans. That’s quite a statement, but nothing else is such a well-rounded, well-considered, and well-respected package.
Hatchback
$25,000
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.1
Consumer
57 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The stylish 2024 Toyota Prius retains its rightful place as an excellent hybrid, with an appeal beyond just fuel economy.
Convertible
$25,000
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.
Sedan
$26,700
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.4
Consumer
44 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Honda Accord Hybrid has all the many and varied attributes that make the Accord midsize sedan a class leader, while improving both fuel economy and power.
Pickup
$27,100
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.8
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
$27,300
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.4
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.
Hatchback
$29,000
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.7
Consumer
44 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The excellent and efficient Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid balances energy with economy, and quality with affordability. It’s even stylish now.
SUV
$29,700
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.1
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Kia Telluride has been one of our highest-rated 3-row midsize SUVs since it burst onto the scene, and we’ve named it the segment’s Best Buy Award winner four years in a row.
Convertible
$30,000
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.7
Consumer
N/A
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
$20,900
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.1
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.
Hatchback
$21,800
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.8
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Honda Civic is our highest-rated compact car. It boasts a legendary reputation and enough variety to attract a wide range of drivers.
SUV
$23,400
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Honda HR-V is among our top-rated subcompact SUVs. It’s roomy, refined, and boasts excellent resale value.
SUV
$24,100
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.
SUV
$25,800
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.2
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.
Pickup
$27,200
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.1
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Ford F-150 is simply a king among full-size pickup trucks, with talents and features that should please almost any potential buyer.
SUV
$27,200
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.0
Consumer
37 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Kia Sorento Hybrid combines 3-row seating and 37 mpg as one of the most fuel-efficient people movers available. We also like the stylish, high-tech interior and strong warranty coverage.
SUV
$29,200
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.2
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Hyundai Palisade is a well-rounded family SUV with excellent resale value and a class-leading warranty, and it can get pretty luxurious in the upper trims.
SUV
$29,700
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.0
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Honda Pilot deserves its place in the top tier of 3-row midsize SUVs because it’s such a compelling and complete package.
Sedan
$18,600
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
Consumer
36 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The roomy, stylish, and well-equipped 2024 Hyundai Elantra is one of our highest-rated compact sedans.
Sedan
$21,200
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
Consumer
54 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid compact sedan blends fuel efficiency and practicality with a rare style.
SUV
$21,600
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.7
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The stylish Kia Sportage is a roomy, comfy, high-tech compact SUV with the best warranty in its class, earning it a spot among the segment’s highest-rated entries.
Sedan
$22,700
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.0
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.