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.
Van/Minivan
$5,702
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.4
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Taking a page from the Infiniti luxury playbook makes the 2015 Nissan Quest a comfortable, quiet and surprisingly luxurious minivan.
Sedan
$6,365
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.1
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Hyundai Elantra adds new option packages, but otherwise is the same cool and clever compact car family from last year.
Sedan
$6,731
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.6
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Priced within reach of the average buyer, but looking like an exotic prototype, the 2015 Kia Optima is no ordinary family sedan.
Hatchback
$6,750
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.1
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Hyundai Elantra adds new option packages, but otherwise is the same cool and clever compact car family from last year.
Sedan
$6,786
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.1
Consumer
38 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Priced within reach of the average buyer, but looking like an exotic prototype, the 2015 Kia Optima is no ordinary family sedan.
SUV
$6,805
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.9
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Once a rugged SUV, the latest Nissan Pathfinder has morphed into a comfortable 3-row crossover SUV offering great style and fuel economy.
Advertisement
Sedan
$7,021
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.5
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Ford Fusion makes all-wheel drive available to midrange SE models this year, while the rest of the lineup remains the same.
SUV
$8,549
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Kia Sorento is big on value, technology and comfort, offering a choice of 2- or 3-row seating and a very attractive price.
Sedan
$8,835
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Toyota Corolla competes with the best compact sedans without sacrificing affordability or dependability.
Sedan
$10,141
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.6
Consumer
38 MPG | 88 MPGe
Combined
The 2015 Ford Fusion makes all-wheel drive available to midrange SE models this year, while the rest of the lineup remains the same.
Pickup
$10,785
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With a new look, new engines and more refinement, the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is set to revitalize the compact/midsize truck segment.
Hatchback
$11,085
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.6
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Available as a sedan or hatchback and with a variety of engines, the Ford Focus offers variety and practicality if not the lowest price.
Pickup
$11,775
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Chevy Silverado full-size truck aims to stand apart from rivals like the Ford F-150 with clever utility and a quiet cabin.
Pickup
$12,084
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Chevy Silverado full-size truck aims to stand apart from rivals like the Ford F-150 with clever utility and a quiet cabin.
Pickup
$12,286
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Chevy Silverado full-size truck aims to stand apart from rivals like the Ford F-150 with clever utility and a quiet cabin.
Pickup
$14,691
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With a new look, new engines and more refinement, the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is set to revitalize the compact/midsize truck segment.
Coupe
$19,956
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.5
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
In the new RC, Lexus sheds inhibitions with daring design and solid performance to deftly take on rival sports coupes like the BMW 4 Series.
Sedan
$5,269
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.6
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Nissan Sentra is the roomy compact big on comfort, style and technology with great gas mileage and an appealing price.
SUV
Save
$5,892
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Nissan Juke’s love-it-or-hate-it package brings fun and flash to the subcompact-SUV market, and more power with the Nismo RS.
SUV
$8,095
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.9
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The new Jeep Renegade is a tantalizing way to access the iconic brand, thanks to its small-but-cool design, value and off-road ability.
SUV
$8,220
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its sharp styling, standard V6 engine and impressive features, the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe should have the competition worried.
Sedan
$8,295
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The revamped 2015 Subaru Legacy remains the best value among all-wheel-drive midsize sedans – and now a strong contender in its segment.
SUV
$8,885
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Not every SUV is designed to haul families, as attested by the stylish 2015 Nissan Murano, designed with two couples in mind.
Sedan
$8,995
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Chrysler 300 is a modern interpretation of large, rear-wheel-drive sedans of yore that offers power, comfort and value.
Sedan
$11,808
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Big, roomy and with enough luxury features to show up a Lexus, the 2015 Toyota Avalon proves you don’t have to pay a lot to get a lot.
SUV
$12,126
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
When it comes to 7-passenger SUVs, the 2015 Acura MDX dominates in the areas of luxury, dependability, fuel efficiency and safety.
Pickup
$12,126
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Rugged as the day is long but also more upscale than a base Ford or Dodge pickup, the 2015 GMC Sierra wears both hats equally well.
Pickup
$15,465
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Rugged as the day is long but also more upscale than a base Ford or Dodge pickup, the 2015 GMC Sierra wears both hats equally well.
Pickup
$19,418
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Rugged as the day is long but also more upscale than a base Ford or Dodge pickup, the 2015 GMC Sierra wears both hats equally well.
Sedan
$7,132
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Technology updates and better fuel economy keep the 2015 Nissan Altima a solid choice among tough competition in the midsize-sedan market.
SUV
$7,295
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Hyundai Tucson adds a hydrogen-powered fuel-cell model to limited markets in what’s likely its last model year before a redesign.
Wagon
$7,470
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Subaru completes its revamping of its Impreza compact-car lineup with the introduction of the 2015 Subaru Impreza WRX model to the family.
SUV
$7,764
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
You can’t spell "Sportage" without "sport," and the 2015 Kia Sportage offers up a turbocharged engine and racy good looks.
Hatchback
$7,820
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Toyota’s littlest model, the Yaris hatchback, gets a new look inside and out, plus a handful of other upgrades to its equipment lists.
Van/Minivan
$8,561
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.3
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Nissan NV200 is a city-friendly cargo van that hauls lots of stuff yet has the easy driving manners and efficiency of a sedan.
Sedan
$8,811
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
After introducing the Gran Turismo hatchback last year, BMW brings back the most storied model of all to the 3 Series: the 2015 BMW M3.
- Best Cars
- Best SUVs
- Best Trucks
- Best Minivans
- Best EVs
- Best Hybrids
- Best Midsize SUVs
- Best Electric SUVs
- Best Hybrid SUVs
- Best 3-row SUVs
- Best Luxury Midsize SUVs
- Best Fullsize SUVs
- Best 2-row SUVs
- Best Compact SUVs
- 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 Subaru Crosstrek
- 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
- 2026 Buick Envista
- 2026 Hyundai Kona
- 2026 Volvo EX30
- 2026 MAZDA CX-5
- 2026 Land Rover Defender 130
- 2026 Porsche Cayenne EV
- 2026 Land Rover Defender 90
- 2026 INFINITI QX65
- 2026 Land Rover Defender 110
- 2026 Chevrolet Corvette
- 2026 Audi Q3
- 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC
- 2026 Lexus RZ
- 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6 N
- 2026 Subaru Solterra
- 2026 Ford Explorer
- 2026 Nissan Armada
- 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
- 2026 Jeep Cherokee
- 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
- 2026 Dodge Durango
- 2026 Toyota RAV4