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.
Pickup
$12,959
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Great looks, three engine choices, big capabilities; the 2016 GMC Canyon redefines what had become a stale compact/midsize-pickup segment.
SUV
$12,963
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.0
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Infiniti QX60, a 7-passenger, 3-row luxury crossover SUV, stands out for its comfort, value and safety — and is sportier for 2016.
Pickup
$13,631
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Not only does the new diesel engine in the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado improve fuel economy and towing capacity, it’s also surprisingly refined.
Pickup
$13,822
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado offers up refreshed styling, Apple CarPlay and expanded availability of the 8-speed automatic.
Pickup
$13,957
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado offers up refreshed styling, Apple CarPlay and expanded availability of the 8-speed automatic.
Pickup
$14,732
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Great looks, three engine choices, big capabilities; the 2016 GMC Canyon redefines what had become a stale compact/midsize-pickup segment.
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SUV
$17,794
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.7
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Porsche’s Macan may look like a hunkered-down sport-utility vehicle, but from behind the wheel it feels more 911 than Cayenne.
Sedan
$18,111
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.7
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
As luxury sedans go the 2016 Lexus ES comforts its owners in the way it drives and rides as well as its cost of ownership
Pickup
$20,269
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.6
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado HD is the truck for Chevy lovers who need significantly more muscle than what the standard Silverado offers.
Pickup
$20,560
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.6
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado HD is the truck for Chevy lovers who need significantly more muscle than what the standard Silverado offers.
Pickup
$22,227
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado HD is the truck for Chevy lovers who need significantly more muscle than what the standard Silverado offers.
Pickup
$24,586
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado HD is the truck for Chevy lovers who need significantly more muscle than what the standard Silverado offers.
Sedan
Save
$5,520
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.6
Consumer
76 Miles
Estimated EV Range
For 2016, the Ford Focus lineup includes an affordable sedan and hatchback, an electric model and two high-performance sports variants.
Sedan
$6,327
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.6
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Nissan Sentra gets a mid-cycle upgrade, improving the appearance, suspension, noise isolation and driver-assist technologies.
Sedan
$6,679
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Volkswagen’s 2016 Jetta is the least expensive European sports sedan on the market. It’s also frugal, fun and family-friendly.
Sedan
$6,725
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Hyundai Elantra sedan remains a bargain leader, although the remade 5-door Elantra GT may just steal some of the sedan’s thunder.
Hatchback
$7,076
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Hyundai Elantra sedan remains a bargain leader, although the remade 5-door Elantra GT may just steal some of the sedan’s thunder.
SUV
Save
$7,280
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
From its zippy manners to its polarizing looks, the Nissan Juke crossover SUV zigs where others zag. At around $21,000, it packs value, too.
Van/Minivan
$7,684
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Nissan Quest has a lower starting price than rival minivans but offers less seating capacity and potentially polarizing styling.
Sedan
$7,947
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Updated for 2016 with new style and tech, the Volkswagen Passat boasts excellent driving manners and exceptional roominess.
Sedan
$8,010
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Buick luxury and style come together in an affordable luxury compact to create the 2016 Buick Verano.
Sedan
Save
$8,079
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Ford Fusion sees only minor changes compared to last year, with a new appearance package available for the base model.
SUV
Save
$8,281
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Volvo XC60 SUV travels along virtually unchanged, offering family-oriented safety features, with Volvo’s characteristic style.
SUV
Save
$8,290
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Lincoln MKC is the compact-luxury SUV with big American styling and European-inspired moves.
Sedan
$8,440
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.9
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The sleek, powerful, modern and roomy 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has one mission: Make you forget last year’s model ever existed.
SUV
$8,774
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.9
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Jeep Renegade may be the smallest vehicle to wear the iconic Jeep name, but it’s big on personality, value and capability.
Hatchback
$9,148
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Volkswagen Golf continues to be the economy hatchback that thinks it’s a German luxury-performance car.
Sedan
$9,313
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Subaru Legacy has all the features midsize-sedan shoppers crave, plus the added benefit of standard all-wheel drive.
Sedan
$10,086
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
20 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2016 Ford Fusion sees only minor changes compared to last year, with a new appearance package available for the base model.
Convertible
$10,298
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Buick’s first droptop in 25 years, the new Cascada is a stylish, solid and well-appointed 2+2 compact with surprisingly sporty character.
Hatchback
$10,417
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.7
Consumer
50 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Toyota Prius C delivers class-leading fuel economy in an inexpensive 5-door hybrid that is both cute and functional.
SUV
Save
$10,519
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
All-new for 2016, the Mazda CX-9 3-row SUV remains an athlete while gaining premium appeal to take on best-sellers like the Honda Pilot.
SUV
$10,684
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Nissan’s 2016 Murano is the stylish SUV for fashion-conscious adults: outside, an art-center exterior; inside, a sleek private lounge.
Hatchback
$10,796
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Volkswagen Golf continues to be the economy hatchback that thinks it’s a German luxury-performance car.
Coupe
$12,177
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.7
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Whether you choose the 4-cylinder Audi A5 2.0T or the S5 and its supercharged V6 engine, the Audi A5 and S5 are beautiful cars to drive.
Coupe
$12,531
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.7
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Whether a coupe, convertible or versatile 4-door Gran Coupe, the 2016 BMW 4 Series boasts excellent manners and a variety of powertrains.
- Best Cars
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- Best Luxury Midsize SUVs
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- Best Luxury Compact SUVs
- Best Vans and Minivans
- Most Fuel Efficient SUVs
- Best Hybrid Vehicles
- Best Luxury Hybrid SUVs
- Best Electric Vehicles
- Best Midsize Trucks
- Best Luxury Fullsize SUVs
- Best Fullsize Trucks
- Best Compact Cars
- Best Midsize Cars
- Most Fuel Efficient Trucks
- Best Luxury Electric SUVs
- Best Luxury Midsize Cars
- 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
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- 2026 Toyota RAV4
- 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid
- 2026 Dodge Charger
- 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona
- 2026 Toyota Camry
- 2026 Toyota bZ
- 2026 Toyota C-HR
- 2026 Audi A6
- 2026 Jeep Recon
- 2026 BMW 3 Series
- 2026 AFEELA 1
- 2026 Acura RSX
- 2026 Volvo ES90
- 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2026 Nissan Sentra
- 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
- 2026 Lexus ES
- 2026 Kia EV4
- 2026 Subaru Outback
- 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6