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.
Pickup
$25,165
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Nissan Frontier is a good midsize truck competing against some newer and more sophisticated rivals.
SUV
$19,655
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.2
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Kia Seltos is our Subcompact SUV Best Buy for 2023. It’s a versatile and well-rounded subcompact SUV with a roomy interior, great safety features, and standard AWD on most trims.
Sedan
$24,353
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.6
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2023 Honda Accord appears set to repeat history by taking the top spot in the midsize sedan class.
Convertible
$25,510
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.7
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the little sports car with the capacity for big fun. It has a perfect blend of handling, power, and affordability.
Convertible
$26,771
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.7
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the little sports car with the capacity for big fun. It has a perfect blend of handling, power, and affordability.
SUV
$27,396
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.8
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The totally redesigned Honda CR-V is our Compact SUV Best Buy for 2023. It sports fresh designs and tech while retaining the qualities that made the previous five generations best-sellers and class leaders. It’s good in so many ways, now at even higher levels. And it’s enjoyable to drive.
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Hatchback
$27,912
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.1
Consumer
52 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Toyota Prius hybrid enters a new generation with even better fuel economy, fresh tech, and remarkable style. All-wheel drive remains available and the new drivetrain delivers significantly more power.
Sedan
$28,924
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.6
Consumer
44 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid is the more efficient — and more powerful — version of our highest-rated midsize sedan, and the segment’s Best Buy Award winner.
SUV
$29,711
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
3.9
Consumer
40 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The redesigned Honda CR-V is our Compact SUV Best Buy for 2023. It’s strong in every area that matters and should be at the top of any buyer’s must-see list. The CR-V Hybrid is especially attractive, delivering more power and even better fuel economy.
SUV
$29,770
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.1
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Kia Telluride is our 3-Row Midsize SUV Best Buy of 2023. It earned the same title last year (and the two years before that) but then got even better for 2023 with a variety of meaningful enhancements.
Hatchback
$22,052
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.8
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Honda Civic is our Compact Car Best Buy for 2023. It’s feature-rich, comfortable, looks good, drives well and is built on an established track record of resale value and reliability.
SUV
$22,079
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Hyundai Sante Fe is our 2-Row Midsize SUV Best Buy for 2023. It’s feature-rich, a great value, and looks good inside and out.
SUV
$22,209
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Honda HR-V marks a new generation of this subcompact SUV, and it’s shaping up to continue the impressive ways of its predecessor.
SUV
$24,011
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.9
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The affordable and well-equipped Kia Sorento is a great choice if you’re looking for a lot of bang for the buck in a midsize 3-row SUV.
SUV
$24,602
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.3
Consumer
303 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is our Electric Vehicle Best Buy of 2023. An excellent all-electric compact SUV capable of running for up to 303 miles on a single battery charge, it also has plenty of tech, lots of standard equipment, and great warranties — making EV ownership an attractive proposition.
SUV
$25,037
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.3
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Spacious and well-equipped, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid 2-row midsize SUV amps up both fuel efficiency and power levels over its combustion-only counterpart.
SUV
$25,968
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.3
Consumer
31 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid midsize SUV can travel up to 31 miles on electricity alone, adding to the many excellent qualities of the Santa Fe lineup in general.
SUV
$27,253
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.9
Consumer
37 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The safe and fuel-efficient 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid delivers interior comfort and modern technology in a stylish midsize 3-row SUV.
Sedan
$18,146
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
Consumer
54 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid compact sedan is spacious, well-equipped for the money, safe, and extremely fuel-efficient.
Hatchback
$18,900
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.6
Consumer
259 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The all-electric 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV subcompact car can run for 259 miles on a single charge. It’s the most affordable EV on the market.
Sedan
$19,142
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
Consumer
37 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Hyundai Elantra is proof that the compact sedan class is vibrant and evolving. Yet it still delivers what most buyers want.
Hatchback
$21,215
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.6
Consumer
247 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The Chevrolet Bolt EUV is our Best EV Under $35,000 for 2023. With a starting price of $27,800 and impressive range of 247 miles, the Bolt EUV is a practical and cost-effective way to go electric.
SUV
$22,530
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.8
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
In five generations, Kia’s Sportage has gone from a humble little workhorse to a roomy and refined crossover SUV loaded with modern tech.
Sedan
$22,826
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.0
Consumer
361 Miles
Estimated EV Range
Making its debut for 2023, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a high-style electric sedan with solid range figures and ultra-fast charging.
SUV
$23,412
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport is a compact SUV with a similar kind of rugged charm as its bigger Bronco sibling at a more affordable price.
SUV
$24,516
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.8
Consumer
43 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid is an all-new compact crossover with a fuel-efficient hybrid setup. Pricing starts at $27,290.
Sedan
$24,543
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.9
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Toyota Camry midsize sedan is a survivor. It keeps improving while retaining all the qualities for which it is renowned.
SUV
$24,880
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.0
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Subaru Outback looks set to continue its impressive run as a best-seller, with revised looks and enhanced safety features.
SUV
$25,400
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
312 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E is an all-electric compact SUV with great tech and a maximum range of 312 miles.
Pickup
$25,456
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.5
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado midsize truck has been completely redesigned for this model year. It drives better, tows well, looks sharper, and comes with class-leading tech.
Pickup
$25,765
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Toyota Tacoma is our Midsize Truck Best Buy of 2023. It’s tough, well-built, retains its value better than any rival, and it’s a rock star off-road.
Sedan
$25,766
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
5.0
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Audi A3 is a really good luxury subcompact sedan. The 2023 S3 is even better. And the RS 3 is remarkable.
Sedan
$27,504
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.9
Consumer
52 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient version of this renowned midsize sedan, achieving 53 mpg on the highway.
SUV
$27,641
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 is a roomy and reliable compact SUV with many standard safety features and good fuel economy. For a lot of buyers, this formula has proven hard to beat.
SUV
$27,737
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.1
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Hyundai Palisade is a top choice in midsize 3-row SUVs. This family SUV has a roomy interior, great safety scores, and premium features.
SUV
$28,924
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
3.8
Consumer
34 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is our Best PHEV of 2023. On a full charge it can travel up to 34 miles on electricity alone, then operates like a traditional hybrid, delivering impressive combined fuel economy of 35 mpg. All-wheel drive is standard, along with many driver assistance features and plenty of cabin space.