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
$28,900
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
$9,350
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
$9,625
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.
Hatchback
$10,000
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
$10,500
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.
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Sedan
$11,050
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.2
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.
Van/Minivan
$11,250
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.
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
$12,300
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.
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
$12,950
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.
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.
Sedan
$14,700
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.
Sedan
$14,700
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
$16,550
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
28 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
$18,500
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
$19,950
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
$20,500
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
$13,050
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
$10,800
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.
Van/Minivan
$10,250
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.2
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Honda Odyssey minivan offers good room for eight passengers, great cargo space, an easy driving experience, plus good fuel economy.
Sedan
$10,800
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.4
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Honda Accord continues to be the benchmark for midsize sedans while offering something for everyone, such as hybrid and coupe variants.
SUV
Save
$12,150
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.
Sedan
$12,300
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
4.7
Consumer
47 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Honda Accord continues to be the benchmark for midsize sedans while offering something for everyone, such as hybrid and coupe variants.
SUV
$14,300
Starting Price
4.7
Expert
3.8
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2015 version of the segment-dominating Chevrolet Tahoe SUV is even better than it needs to be.
Sedan
$8,625
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.2
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Feature heavy, reasonably priced, and refined, the 2015 Hyundai Sonata takes a different route in the crowded midsize-sedan segment.
Sedan
Save
$9,350
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.5
Consumer
35 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Having fine-tuned its popular compact model, the 2015 Honda Civic carries over largely unchanged, save for a new SE trim.
Sedan
$9,400
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.5
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Stylish, efficient and fun, the 2015 Mazda3 sedan and hatchback are excellent competitors among compact cars that pack surprising value.
SUV
$10,100
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.2
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Subaru Forester boasts efficiency, laudable safety features and one thing none of its compact SUV rivals have: standard all-wheel drive.
Sedan
$10,300
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.6
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Thanks to its recent revamp, the Chevy Impala is again a standout full-size sedan. For 2015, it gains the ability to run on natural gas.
Pickup
$10,550
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Ford F-150, America’s best-seller for the last 37 years, is all-new for 2015. It’s more capable, more efficient, and quicker than ever.
Sedan
$12,750
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The perennial best-seller gets even more appealing for 2015, with stylish new sheet metal, interior upgrades and better driving dynamics.
Pickup
$12,900
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Ford F-150, America’s best-seller for the last 37 years, is all-new for 2015. It’s more capable, more efficient, and quicker than ever.
Van/Minivan
$13,300
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Generously accommodating, delightfully easy to use, and famously reliable, the 2015 Toyota Sienna is about as minivan as minivans come.