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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Sedan
$7,700
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.2
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata adds a new hybrid, new plug-in hybrid, plus upgraded suspension and other features across the board.
Sedan
$8,425
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The face is familiar, but the 2016 Kia Optima is all-new, with more refinement and features, and a markedly improved driving experience.
Sedan
$8,600
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
38 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The face is familiar, but the 2016 Kia Optima is all-new, with more refinement and features, and a markedly improved driving experience.
Sedan
$8,800
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
53 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt offers better fuel economy, more battery-powered range, and surprisingly good driving dynamics.
SUV
$9,825
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.3
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Subaru’s 2016 Crosstrek SUV takes all that’s good about the compact 5-door Impreza, then adds more ground clearance and sporty good looks.
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Sedan
$10,350
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
42 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata adds a new hybrid, new plug-in hybrid, plus upgraded suspension and other features across the board.
Pickup
$10,400
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.6
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Ram’s 2016 1500 pickup has all the equipment required to get big jobs done fast, plus a few options you won’t find with Chevy or Ford.
Van/Minivan
$10,900
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its spacious interior, easy manners and stellar reliability, the 2016 Toyota Sienna remains at the top of the class among minivans.
SUV
$11,150
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.3
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Audi’s Q5 SUV for 2016 is a multifaceted player, offering a variety of incarnations including performance-oriented, hybrid and diesel trims.
Sedan
$11,400
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
As the resident athlete of midsize sedans, the 2016 Mazda Mazda6 has spry handling, stylish looks and great fuel economy, too.
Sedan
Save
$11,500
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Audi A4 and S4 blend uncompromised luxury with year-round performance ability, yet the price of entry is surprisingly affordable.
SUV
$12,050
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.2
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Subaru Forester isn’t the newest SUV out there, but its reputation for safety and reliability makes it one of the most attractive.
Sedan
$12,300
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.7
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With styling, power and features on par with the best European luxury sedans, the 2016 Hyundai Genesis challenges the luxury status quo.
Sedan
$12,350
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
40 MPG | 99 MPGe
Combined
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata adds a new hybrid, new plug-in hybrid, plus upgraded suspension and other features across the board.
Sedan
$12,500
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
41 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
People seeking a reliable, roomy, safe, practical and efficient midsize sedan will want to consider the 2016 Toyota Camry.
Pickup
$13,150
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.6
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
Ram’s 2016 1500 pickup has all the equipment required to get big jobs done fast, plus a few options you won’t find with Chevy or Ford.
Wagon
$13,200
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
42 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Toyota Prius V is the rational choice for the rational buyer: enviro-friendly, efficient, roomy, reliable. Perfectly logical.
Hatchback
$13,400
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
52 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
America’s perennial hybrid bestseller, the 2016 Prius is all-new, with best-in-class EPA ratings, improved drivability, and snarky styling.
Hatchback
$15,000
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.8
Consumer
42 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Lexus CT 200h takes the hybrid fuel economy of a Toyota Prius, but adds Lexus levels of luxury, styling and driving dynamics.
Pickup
$15,250
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.6
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Ram’s 2016 1500 pickup has all the equipment required to get big jobs done fast, plus a few options you won’t find with Chevy or Ford.
SUV
$15,350
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Toyota RAV4 arrives with some new features, a sporty new trim and the first-ever RAV4 hybrid.
SUV
$15,850
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 GMC Yukon, all-new last year, continues as the undisputed top choice in power, luxury, style and capabilities among full-size SUVs.
Pickup
$16,400
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A rugged do-anything, go-anywhere kind of midsize-pickup truck, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma promises durability, capability and lots of fun.
Coupe
$16,600
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The new 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is smaller, lighter, more fuel-efficient and handles better than ever thanks to its Cadillac-sourced chassis.
SUV
$16,750
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.8
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Audi’s Q5 SUV for 2016 is a multifaceted player, offering a variety of incarnations including performance-oriented, hybrid and diesel trims.
SUV
$17,350
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.3
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Toyota’s 2016 Highlander crossover is one of the most well-rounded, stylish, flexible and reliable 8-passenger SUVs money can buy.
SUV
$17,750
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
14 Miles
Estimated EV Range
Porsche upgrades the Cayenne Turbo S model, and returns the Cayenne GTS to the 2016 Porsche Cayenne lineup this year with turbo V6 power.
Sedan
$17,900
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.7
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With the addition of two new models, the 2016 Lexus GS blossoms into a complete line of luxury-performance sedans with a broad price range.
SUV
$18,000
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 GMC Yukon, all-new last year, continues as the undisputed top choice in power, luxury, style and capabilities among full-size SUVs.
SUV
$19,300
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Lexus NX compact-luxury-crossover SUV carries over unchanged after its debut last year, offering turbocharged or hybrid power.
Sedan
Save
$20,400
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.9
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Audi A4 and S4 blend uncompromised luxury with year-round performance ability, yet the price of entry is surprisingly affordable.
Pickup
$23,900
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A rugged do-anything, go-anywhere kind of midsize-pickup truck, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma promises durability, capability and lots of fun.
Sedan
$5,775
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.0
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Whether as a sedan or hatchback, the 2016 Chevy Sonic is fun, frugal and a good value that competes well with rivals like the Ford Fiesta.
Hatchback
$5,850
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.8
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Nissan Versa Note is the compact hatchback that delivers economy, technology and a roomy interior, all at a very reasonable price.
Sedan
$6,650
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.9
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
All-new for 2016, the Chevy Cruze compact sedan is comfortable, quiet, boasts snazzy technology like in-car Wi-Fi and is a good value, too.