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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Pickup
$13,800
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.
SUV
Save
$14,550
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.4
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Toyota RAV4 carries on virtually unchanged from last year as a sporty, fun to drive, practical and affordable small SUV.
SUV
$14,650
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.3
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Toyota Highlander serves up room, features, 8-passenger seating, a hybrid model, and a strong resale value to fans new and old.
Sedan
Save
$5,775
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.8
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Few changes are in store for the 2015 Ford Fiesta, with an all-new version of the popular subcompact scheduled to hit the road soon.
Hatchback
$6,100
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The spunky and spry 2015 Chevrolet Sonic proves subcompact cars don’t always have to be boring and basic.
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Van/Minivan
Save
$7,575
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.2
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Totally redesigned, this is the third generation of Kia’s all-around family wagon. Do not call it a minivan.
SUV
$9,400
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.3
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Subaru Crosstrek XV SUV gets Subaru’s EyeSight suite of active safety features and a new base model to round out the lineup.
SUV
$9,550
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.3
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets more refined thanks to additions to the Summit trim, and the SRT gets more powerful.
Sedan
$10,450
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.5
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Mazda Mazda6 is a sleek sedan whose flare seems in complete contradiction to its $22K starting price and class-leading 40 mpg.
Sedan
$10,900
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.7
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Hyundai Genesis is a midsize luxury sedan that legitimately competes with Lexus, BMW, Mercedes and Audi at a lower starting price.
Pickup
$11,500
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.6
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Think a full-size, torque-happy pickup truck can’t deliver power and fuel economy in one package? The 2015 Ram 1500 says otherwise.
Pickup
$11,550
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.6
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Think a full-size, torque-happy pickup truck can’t deliver power and fuel economy in one package? The 2015 Ram 1500 says otherwise.
SUV
$13,900
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2015 GMC Yukon and longer Yukon XL feel modern, high-tech, and will likely continue dominating the full-size SUV segment.
Pickup
$14,300
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.6
Consumer
15 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Think a full-size, torque-happy pickup truck can’t deliver power and fuel economy in one package? The 2015 Ram 1500 says otherwise.
SUV
Save
$15,500
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2015 GMC Yukon and longer Yukon XL feel modern, high-tech, and will likely continue dominating the full-size SUV segment.
Pickup
$17,100
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.7
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Of all the compact pickups for 2015, none can match the Toyota Tacoma’s combination of value, dependability, resale, quality and popularity.
Pickup
$20,200
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.7
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Of all the compact pickups for 2015, none can match the Toyota Tacoma’s combination of value, dependability, resale, quality and popularity.
Hatchback
Save
$5,150
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Available as a sedan or hatchback, the 2015 Kia Rio has style, value and practicality, if not the best fuel economy among subcompacts.
Coupe
$6,150
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Kia Forte is a full line of sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks, all with a sporty demeanor and luxury-like features throughout.
Hatchback
Save
$6,425
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Kia Forte is a full line of sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks, all with a sporty demeanor and luxury-like features throughout.
Sedan
Save
$6,800
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Kia Forte is a full line of sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks, all with a sporty demeanor and luxury-like features throughout.
Wagon
Save
$7,025
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.7
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Kia Soul stands out for all the right reasons with style, practicality and value. New to the lineup is an all-electric version.
SUV
$8,225
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.1
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Fresh off a revamp, the 2015 Nissan Rogue has a premium feel and laudable fuel economy but only modest performance among compact SUVs.
Wagon
Save
$8,575
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.9
Consumer
93 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2015 Kia Soul stands out for all the right reasons with style, practicality and value. New to the lineup is an all-electric version.
SUV
$10,200
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Subaru Outback crossover SUV is a little bigger, a lot nicer looking, and even better at tackling dirt and paved roads.
Pickup
$10,700
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its new look, new engines and refinement, the 2015 GMC Canyon is set to revitalize the compact/midsize truck segment.
SUV
$12,350
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The biggest Chevy SUV is all new, and ready to take on the suburbs with fresh styling, a great interior and more flexible seats.
Pickup
$13,500
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its new look, new engines and refinement, the 2015 GMC Canyon is set to revitalize the compact/midsize truck segment.
Van/Minivan
$5,975
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.5
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Taking a page from the Infiniti luxury playbook makes the 2015 Nissan Quest a comfortable, quiet and surprisingly luxurious minivan.
Sedan
Save
$6,000
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.6
Consumer
76 Miles
Estimated EV Range
Available as a sedan or hatchback and with a variety of engines, the Ford Focus offers variety and practicality if not the lowest price.
Sedan
$6,225
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.1
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Hyundai Elantra adds new option packages, but otherwise is the same cool and clever compact car family from last year.
Sedan
$7,550
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.1
Consumer
38 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Priced within reach of the average buyer, but looking like an exotic prototype, the 2015 Kia Optima is no ordinary family sedan.
SUV
Save
$7,750
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Kia Sorento is big on value, technology and comfort, offering a choice of 2- or 3-row seating and a very attractive price.
Sedan
Save
$7,775
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Ford Fusion makes all-wheel drive available to midrange SE models this year, while the rest of the lineup remains the same.
SUV
$8,000
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.9
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Once a rugged SUV, the latest Nissan Pathfinder has morphed into a comfortable 3-row crossover SUV offering great style and fuel economy.