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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Coupe
Save
$13,100
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
37 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Honda’s CR-Z: rocket-ship looks, sporty handling, good fuel economy, hybrid tech, racy and edgy, green and friendly. Nothing else like it.
Sedan
$15,000
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.
SUV
Save
$15,050
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
$16,450
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.2
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.
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.
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Pickup
$20,400
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.
Sedan
Save
$21,000
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.
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
$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.
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
$28,000
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.
Van/Minivan
$9,250
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.
Hatchback
$9,325
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.
Wagon
$9,650
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.
Wagon
$10,050
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.
SUV
$10,400
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.
Sedan
$10,900
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
$11,000
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.
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.
Sedan
$12,850
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Acura’s RLX luxury sedan for 2016 adds more technology and better handling but holds the line on price, making a great sedan even better.
SUV
$13,000
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.
Pickup
$13,150
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.4
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
Nissan’s Titan XD fits between full-size and heavy-duty trucks, with the ride comfort of a half-ton and some of the capability of a 3/4-ton.
SUV
$13,300
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.
Sedan
$14,750
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Infiniti Q70 luxury sedan has a good mix of verve, value and amenities, but gets lost in the crowd of more sophisticated rivals.
Sedan
$15,900
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.8
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Acura’s RLX luxury sedan for 2016 adds more technology and better handling but holds the line on price, making a great sedan even better.
SUV
$16,400
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.7
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Cadillac Escalade takes all that’s good about GM’s full-size SUV platform and then loads it with power, luxury and attitude.
Sedan
$16,450
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Big, impressive luxury sedans don’t come from Detroit any longer, but the Germans still build them and the Audi A8 ranks as one of the best.
SUV
$20,800
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.7
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2016 Cadillac Escalade takes all that’s good about GM’s full-size SUV platform and then loads it with power, luxury and attitude.
SUV
$22,000
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.7
Consumer
14 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Families that need big space and big power look to the 2016 Toyota Sequoia for its strength, safety and stellar reputation.
Sedan
$27,100
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
5.0
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Big, impressive luxury sedans don’t come from Detroit any longer, but the Germans still build them and the Audi A8 ranks as one of the best.
SUV
Save
$13,700
Starting Price
4.9
Expert
4.1
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Among compact sport utility vehicles, the new 2015 Honda CR-V ranks tops in looks, fuel economy, safety, features, and value for the money.
Hatchback
Save
$11,550
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.4
Consumer
36 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Roomy, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive, the all-new 2015 Honda Fit offers plenty of personality at an affordable price.
SUV
Save
$11,300
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.6
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Mazda CX-5 is a fun-to-drive alternative to established compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape.