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.
Hatchback
$8,744
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
$8,865
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.
Hatchback
$9,682
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
$9,976
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.
SUV
Save
$10,052
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.
Sedan
$10,106
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.
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Convertible
$10,418
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
$10,636
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
$11,028
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
$11,102
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.
Coupe
$12,883
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
$13,154
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.
Coupe
Save
$17,422
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.
Coupe
Save
$18,414
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.
Hatchback
$19,368
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.
Convertible
Save
$29,976
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.7
Consumer
20 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.
SUV
$5,640
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
$7,345
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.
SUV
$7,402
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.
Sedan
$8,232
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
$8,808
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.
Sedan
$9,787
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.
Convertible
$10,018
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.
Coupe
Save
$10,614
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
$11,024
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
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.
Sedan
$11,229
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
$11,557
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
$11,634
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
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.
Hatchback
$11,725
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
$13,111
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
4.1
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.
SUV
Save
$14,593
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
$17,017
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
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.
Sedan
$17,549
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
$19,494
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
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.
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