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
Save
$7,675
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Kia Forte offers up sedan, coupe and hatchback models with sporty styling and high-end features throughout.
Sedan
Save
$7,725
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Kia Rio is the little subcompact that is big on features, style and value, plus great fuel economy and a really affordable price.
Coupe
$8,675
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Kia Forte offers up sedan, coupe and hatchback models with sporty styling and high-end features throughout.
SUV
$8,850
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.4
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Though showing its age, the 2016 Buick Enclave 3-row premium SUV still offers a lot of room and features at a price that undercuts rivals.
SUV
$8,875
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2016 Kia Sorento adds size, technology, luxury, and a new turbocharged engine to one of Kia’s best-selling vehicles.
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SUV
$8,950
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.1
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Nissan Rogue is the nimble compact SUV with stylish good looks, a technology-rich interior and an available 3rd-row seat.
Pickup
$11,100
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.4
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Great looks, three engine choices, big capabilities; the 2016 GMC Canyon redefines what had become a stale compact/midsize-pickup segment.
Pickup
$11,300
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado offers up refreshed styling, Apple CarPlay and expanded availability of the 8-speed automatic.
Pickup
$11,400
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Not only does the new diesel engine in the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado improve fuel economy and towing capacity, it’s also surprisingly refined.
Sedan
$12,000
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Toyota’s faithful Corolla sedan for 2016 delivers value and reliability, then tosses in style and comfort at no extra cost.
SUV
$12,100
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.0
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Infiniti QX60, a 7-passenger, 3-row luxury crossover SUV, stands out for its comfort, value and safety — and is sportier for 2016.
Pickup
$13,050
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado offers up refreshed styling, Apple CarPlay and expanded availability of the 8-speed automatic.
Sedan
$13,250
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.5
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
More power, a new transmission, and faster infotainment keep the 2016 Cadillac CTS Sedan on the cutting edge against its German rivals.
Pickup
$13,450
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Not only does the new diesel engine in the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado improve fuel economy and towing capacity, it’s also surprisingly refined.
Pickup
$14,300
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado offers up refreshed styling, Apple CarPlay and expanded availability of the 8-speed automatic.
Pickup
$14,750
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.4
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Great looks, three engine choices, big capabilities; the 2016 GMC Canyon redefines what had become a stale compact/midsize-pickup segment.
SUV
$14,800
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.7
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Porsche’s Macan may look like a hunkered-down sport-utility vehicle, but from behind the wheel it feels more 911 than Cayenne.
Pickup
$18,000
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado HD is the truck for Chevy lovers who need significantly more muscle than what the standard Silverado offers.
Sedan
$18,550
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.7
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
As luxury sedans go the 2016 Lexus ES comforts its owners in the way it drives and rides as well as its cost of ownership
Pickup
$19,100
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.6
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado HD is the truck for Chevy lovers who need significantly more muscle than what the standard Silverado offers.
Pickup
$21,200
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.6
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado HD is the truck for Chevy lovers who need significantly more muscle than what the standard Silverado offers.
Pickup
$21,800
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado HD is the truck for Chevy lovers who need significantly more muscle than what the standard Silverado offers.
Sedan
Save
$6,250
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.6
Consumer
76 Miles
Estimated EV Range
For 2016, the Ford Focus lineup includes an affordable sedan and hatchback, an electric model and two high-performance sports variants.
Van/Minivan
$7,175
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Nissan Quest has a lower starting price than rival minivans but offers less seating capacity and potentially polarizing styling.
Sedan
$7,475
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.9
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The sleek, powerful, modern and roomy 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has one mission: Make you forget last year’s model ever existed.
Sedan
$7,900
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Updated for 2016 with new style and tech, the Volkswagen Passat boasts excellent driving manners and exceptional roominess.
Sedan
$8,000
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.6
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Nissan Sentra gets a mid-cycle upgrade, improving the appearance, suspension, noise isolation and driver-assist technologies.
Sedan
$8,175
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Buick luxury and style come together in an affordable luxury compact to create the 2016 Buick Verano.
Sedan
$8,450
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Hyundai Elantra sedan remains a bargain leader, although the remade 5-door Elantra GT may just steal some of the sedan’s thunder.
Hatchback
$8,475
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Hyundai Elantra sedan remains a bargain leader, although the remade 5-door Elantra GT may just steal some of the sedan’s thunder.
Sedan
$8,525
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Volkswagen’s 2016 Jetta is the least expensive European sports sedan on the market. It’s also frugal, fun and family-friendly.
Hatchback
$8,850
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
5.0
Consumer
83 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2016 Volkswagen Golf continues to be the economy hatchback that thinks it’s a German luxury-performance car.
Sedan
Save
$8,900
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Ford Fusion sees only minor changes compared to last year, with a new appearance package available for the base model.
SUV
Save
$9,225
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
All-new for 2016, the Mazda CX-9 3-row SUV remains an athlete while gaining premium appeal to take on best-sellers like the Honda Pilot.
SUV
Save
$9,250
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
From its zippy manners to its polarizing looks, the Nissan Juke crossover SUV zigs where others zag. At around $21,000, it packs value, too.