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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Hatchback
$17,700
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.9
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Volkswagen’s varied 2017 Golf lineup includes the TSI hatchback, an all-electric e-Golf plus the high-performance GTI and R trims.
Pickup
$19,800
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
Chevrolet’s Silverado HD for 2017 gets an improved diesel engine with more power for towing and hauling.
Pickup
$21,300
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
Chevrolet’s Silverado HD for 2017 gets an improved diesel engine with more power for towing and hauling.
Pickup
$23,200
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
Chevrolet’s Silverado HD for 2017 gets an improved diesel engine with more power for towing and hauling.
Pickup
$23,900
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
Chevrolet’s Silverado HD for 2017 gets an improved diesel engine with more power for towing and hauling.
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Pickup
$24,700
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
Chevrolet’s Silverado HD for 2017 gets an improved diesel engine with more power for towing and hauling.
Coupe
Save
$25,800
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2017 Lexus RC sports coupe brings impressive street cred to a brand known more for its luxury and quality than performance aspirations.
Sedan
$28,800
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.9
Consumer
16 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2017 Chevrolet SS is an enthusiast’s dream thanks to its potent V8 engine, rear-drive layout, sport suspension and manual transmission.
Sedan
$7,850
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.6
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2017 Nissan Sentra continues to put Nissan’s sporty spin on the compact sedan, and adds a new turbocharged model to back it up.
Wagon
Save
$7,900
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Volvo V60 proves that beyond functionality, a wagon can be safe, sexy and powerful. Cross Country models add toughness to those traits.
Sedan
$9,000
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.4
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With diesel and hybrid variants out, the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta is limited in offerings but still touts spry handling and good efficiency.
SUV
Save
$9,000
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.2
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2017 Nissan Juke may have more competition in the subcompact-crossover-SUV segment, but only a few are as distinctive or fun to drive.
Sedan
$9,150
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.9
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
All-new last year, the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu needs only modest upgrades for this top-tier midsize sedan to stay competitive.
SUV
Save
$9,450
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Still roomy, comfortable and versatile, Ford’s 2017 Escape boasts even sharper style, new EcoBoost engines and more advanced tech touches.
Hatchback
$9,500
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.0
Consumer
87 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The emissions-free 2017 Mercedes-Benz B250e electric vehicle offers a luxury nameplate and surprising performance at an affordable price.
Sedan
$9,675
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The roomy and high-tech Volkswagen Passat got a thorough refresh last year, and Volkswagen continues with a handful of upgrades for 2017.
Sedan
$11,000
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.9
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2017 Kia Cadenza is a full-size premium sedan that’s comfortable, quiet, high-tech and looks great, a winning combination.
Convertible
$11,300
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Buick’s Cascada for 2017 offers room for four in a sporty and stylish convertible brimming with Buick’s best features.
SUV
$11,350
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.2
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe is a competitively priced, 3-row family SUV so well equipped one might mistake it for a more luxurious make.
Sedan
$11,550
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.4
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
There’s a new 2017 Subaru Legacy Sport model, supplementing an already strong lineup of midsize sedans offering standard all-wheel drive.
Sedan
$11,550
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The full-size 2017 Chrysler 300 is an American luxury-performance sedan with plenty of attitude and big horsepower to back up its swagger.
SUV
Save
$11,700
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2017 Lincoln MKC combines luxury, looks and performance in a compact-crossover SUV worthy of the Lincoln name.
SUV
$11,700
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.8
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Jeep’s Renegade for 2017 proves the company can make an attractive, competitive compact-crossover SUV without sacrificing off-road ability.
SUV
$11,700
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Nissan’s 2017 Murano pushes the envelope for midsize-SUV styling both inside and out while retaining its sporty handling and powerful V6.
Sedan
$12,150
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.8
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Alfa Romeo’s Giulia is the Italian alternative to the traditional German sports sedan.
SUV
Save
$12,900
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2017 Mazda CX-9 is a 3-row midsize SUV with the heart of a sports sedan. Though slightly pricier than rivals, it boasts premium flair.
SUV
$14,700
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.2
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The angular all-new 2-row Cadillac XT5 crossover SUV is more fuel-efficient, more powerful and more luxurious than the SRX it replaces.
Pickup
$14,700
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2017 GMC Sierra half-ton pickup can be basic or lavish, but either way it is every bit as capable as rivals from Toyota, Ford and Ram.
Sedan
Save
$15,800
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new Volvo S90 sedan is filled with innovative safety features and as it dives into one of the most challenging luxury segments.
Sedan
$16,250
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Apparently, the 2017 Toyota Avalon wasn’t good enough, so Toyota decided to make it even safer this year with standard Safety Sense-P.
Coupe
$16,750
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Audi’s 2017 A5 and S5 coupe and cabriolet offer a thrilling driving experience wrapped in a seductive design that never seems to grow old.
Sedan
$16,850
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.8
Consumer
40 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Apparently, the 2017 Toyota Avalon wasn’t good enough, so Toyota decided to make it even safer this year with standard Safety Sense-P.
Coupe
$16,850
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2017 Dodge Challenger blends classic muscle-car flavor with modern safety and performance like all-wheel drive and up to 707 horsepower.
Sedan
$17,600
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
315 Miles
Estimated EV Range
A new look, greater range improve the 2017 Tesla Model S, the world’s fastest and most popular all-electric high-performance luxury sedan.
Pickup
$18,750
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2017 GMC Sierra half-ton pickup can be basic or lavish, but either way it is every bit as capable as rivals from Toyota, Ford and Ram.