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.
Coupe
$13,107
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Dodge Challenger line includes the 707-horsepower SRT Hellcat, the quickest, fastest, most powerful muscle car ever. ‘Nuf said?
Hatchback
$13,120
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
5.0
Consumer
83 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2016 Volkswagen Golf continues to be the economy hatchback that thinks it’s a German luxury-performance car.
Wagon
$13,531
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.7
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Volvo’s 2016 XC70 wraps safety, comfort and technology into a family-friendly wagon with SUV-like capabilities.
Hatchback
$18,287
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.9
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Volkswagen Golf continues to be the economy hatchback that thinks it’s a German luxury-performance car.
Coupe
Save
$18,753
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
New last year, the 2016 Lexus RC gets two new engines, sharpening its edge against rival sports coupes like the BMW 4 Series.
Convertible
Save
$19,743
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.8
Consumer
21 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.
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SUV
$6,227
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Buick Encore adds an upscale edge to a compact SUV big on style, substance and value.
Sedan
$7,801
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its significant update, the 2016 Nissan Altima midsize sedan remains competitive with stalwarts like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
Sedan
$8,816
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback offer all-wheel drive at a bargain price, plus efficiency, practicality and high resale value.
SUV
$8,822
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Kia Sportage is the stylish compact-crossover SUV that mixes athleticism with economy and affordability.
SUV
$9,540
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.2
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Hyundai’s 2016 Santa Fe is a stylish crossover SUV with impressive options, a powerful V6 engine and a price that worries the competition.
Convertible
$10,197
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.4
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Volkswagen Eos gets an extended lease on life, with a limited run of discounted models. But hurry. When they’re gone, they’re gone.
Sedan
$10,627
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Infiniti Q50 sports sedan roars onto the scene with new engines, a new high-performance model and new steering and safety systems.
Coupe
Save
$10,851
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
37 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Honda’s CR-Z: rocket-ship looks, sporty handling, good fuel economy, hybrid tech, racy and edgy, green and friendly. Nothing else like it.
Sedan
$11,224
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Chrysler 300 straddles the line between luxury-performance machine and functional family sedan, and it does so with enviable ease.
Wagon
$11,568
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Volvo V60 wagon is the latest in a long line of Volvo wagons that reinforce the brand’s commitment to luxury, safety and value.
Sedan
$11,816
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.4
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Cadillac ATS proves America can make a legitimate compact luxury-performance car. The new ATS-V variant adds track-ready prowess.
Hatchback
$11,886
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.0
Consumer
87 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz B-Class offers emissions-free driving, a luxury nameplate and a surprisingly affordable price tag.
Sedan
$12,285
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.4
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Although others have tried to copy it, there is no substituting the power, technology and handling afforded by the 2016 BMW 5 Series.
Sedan
$13,445
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Toyota Avalon offers big room and big features in a coupe-like sedan as luxurious as it is reliable.
Pickup
$13,800
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.2
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
GMC’s 2016 Sierra may be more upscale than comparable half-ton pickups from Toyota, Ford or Ram, but it’s no less capable.
Pickup
$16,702
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.2
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
GMC’s 2016 Sierra may be more upscale than comparable half-ton pickups from Toyota, Ford or Ram, but it’s no less capable.
SUV
Save
$16,840
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.9
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Revamped last year, the BMW X6 gets a few new features as it zooms its luxury-coupe-SUV sporty self into the 2016 model year.
Pickup
$19,494
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.2
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
GMC’s 2016 Sierra may be more upscale than comparable half-ton pickups from Toyota, Ford or Ram, but it’s no less capable.
Sedan
$19,670
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
315 Miles
Estimated EV Range
Continued updates that include a new, lower cost trim and improved performance packages are the latest additions for the 2016 Tesla Model S.
Pickup
$19,852
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 GMC Sierra HD pickup truck delivers the kind of muscle and might you won’t find in any foreign competitor.
Pickup
$21,043
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 GMC Sierra HD pickup truck delivers the kind of muscle and might you won’t find in any foreign competitor.
Pickup
$22,384
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 GMC Sierra HD pickup truck delivers the kind of muscle and might you won’t find in any foreign competitor.
Pickup
$23,507
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 GMC Sierra HD pickup truck delivers the kind of muscle and might you won’t find in any foreign competitor.
Pickup
$24,243
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 GMC Sierra HD pickup truck delivers the kind of muscle and might you won’t find in any foreign competitor.
Coupe
$26,191
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
5.0
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Cadillac ATS-V brings track-ready cred to the ATS lineup with performance that matches or beats luxury rivals like the BMW M3.
SUV
Save
$28,237
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.9
Consumer
16 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Revamped last year, the BMW X6 gets a few new features as it zooms its luxury-coupe-SUV sporty self into the 2016 model year.
Wagon
$8,064
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
40 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Ford C-Max Hybrid mixes style with substance to create an efficient green car that is also fun to drive.
Hatchback
$8,185
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Toyota Yaris is the little subcompact with European styling and a choice of 3- or 5-door models.
SUV
$8,817
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport compact crossover SUV combines upscale amenities and sleek looks in a functional and feature-rich package.
Sedan
$9,636
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.1
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Nissan says the 2016 Maxima is still a 4-door sports car, but in reality it’s a comfortable sporty sedan. And that’s no bad thing.
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- 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
- 2026 Jeep Cherokee
- 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
- 2026 Dodge Durango
- 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