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
$8,350
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.
Hatchback
$8,500
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.
SUV
$9,325
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.
Wagon
$9,800
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
$9,825
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.4
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.
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Sedan
$10,200
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.
Convertible
$10,200
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.
SUV
$10,300
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
$10,300
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.
Sedan
$11,000
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
26 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
$11,700
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.
Pickup
$11,750
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.
Sedan
$14,400
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.
Sedan
$16,600
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.
SUV
Save
$16,700
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
$17,450
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.
Pickup
$17,550
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.
Pickup
$21,200
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 GMC Sierra HD pickup truck delivers the kind of muscle and might you won’t find in any foreign competitor.
Pickup
$21,400
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 GMC Sierra HD pickup truck delivers the kind of muscle and might you won’t find in any foreign competitor.
Pickup
$22,200
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 GMC Sierra HD pickup truck delivers the kind of muscle and might you won’t find in any foreign competitor.
Pickup
$24,100
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 GMC Sierra HD pickup truck delivers the kind of muscle and might you won’t find in any foreign competitor.
Pickup
$24,900
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 GMC Sierra HD pickup truck delivers the kind of muscle and might you won’t find in any foreign competitor.
Sedan
Save
$25,300
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
5.0
Consumer
16 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.
SUV
Save
$25,800
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.9
Consumer
16 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.
Coupe
$27,300
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
5.0
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Cadillac ATS-V brings track-ready cred to the ATS lineup with performance that matches or beats luxury rivals like the BMW M3.
Wagon
$9,125
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
38 MPG | 88 MPGe
Combined
The 2016 Ford C-Max Hybrid mixes style with substance to create an efficient green car that is also fun to drive.
Wagon
$9,425
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
40 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Ford C-Max Hybrid mixes style with substance to create an efficient green car that is also fun to drive.
Hatchback
$9,425
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Toyota Yaris is the little subcompact with European styling and a choice of 3- or 5-door models.
SUV
$9,725
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport compact crossover SUV combines upscale amenities and sleek looks in a functional and feature-rich package.
Van/Minivan
$9,950
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.3
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Nissan NV200 is a small cargo van that can carry lots of stuff at a low price. It is not as powerful as rivals, but is efficient.
SUV
$11,000
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Ford Expedition seats up to eight and can tow heavy loads. But this boxy SUV can be cumbersome to drive and gets pricey with options.
Sedan
$11,100
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.1
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Nissan says the 2016 Maxima is still a 4-door sports car, but in reality it’s a comfortable sporty sedan. And that’s no bad thing.
SUV
$11,600
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
16 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Ford Expedition seats up to eight and can tow heavy loads. But this boxy SUV can be cumbersome to drive and gets pricey with options.
SUV
$11,800
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The revamped 2016 Infiniti QX50 small-luxury SUV now has a roomier cabin but retains its sporty handling and alluring price.
SUV
$12,800
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.7
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Infiniti QX70 delivers sophisticated good looks in a package that is both sporty and luxurious.