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
Save
$8,075
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.6
Consumer
27 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.
Hatchback
$8,325
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.1
Consumer
27 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
$8,450
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.6
Consumer
38 MPG | 88 MPGe
Combined
The 2015 Ford Fusion makes all-wheel drive available to midrange SE models this year, while the rest of the lineup remains the same.
Pickup
$9,825
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Chevy Silverado full-size truck aims to stand apart from rivals like the Ford F-150 with clever utility and a quiet cabin.
Pickup
$10,250
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With a new look, new engines and more refinement, the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is set to revitalize the compact/midsize truck segment.
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Pickup
$11,650
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Chevy Silverado full-size truck aims to stand apart from rivals like the Ford F-150 with clever utility and a quiet cabin.
Hatchback
$12,650
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.6
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Available as a sedan or hatchback and with a variety of engines, the Ford Focus offers variety and practicality if not the lowest price.
Pickup
$14,100
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Chevy Silverado full-size truck aims to stand apart from rivals like the Ford F-150 with clever utility and a quiet cabin.
Pickup
$14,850
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With a new look, new engines and more refinement, the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is set to revitalize the compact/midsize truck segment.
Coupe
Save
$26,100
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.5
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
In the new RC, Lexus sheds inhibitions with daring design and solid performance to deftly take on rival sports coupes like the BMW 4 Series.
Sedan
$5,300
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.6
Consumer
34 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Nissan Sentra is the roomy compact big on comfort, style and technology with great gas mileage and an appealing price.
SUV
Save
$7,500
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Nissan Juke’s love-it-or-hate-it package brings fun and flash to the subcompact-SUV market, and more power with the Nismo RS.
Sedan
$8,875
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Chrysler 300 is a modern interpretation of large, rear-wheel-drive sedans of yore that offers power, comfort and value.
SUV
$9,175
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Not every SUV is designed to haul families, as attested by the stylish 2015 Nissan Murano, designed with two couples in mind.
Sedan
$9,200
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The revamped 2015 Subaru Legacy remains the best value among all-wheel-drive midsize sedans – and now a strong contender in its segment.
SUV
$9,225
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.8
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The new Jeep Renegade is a tantalizing way to access the iconic brand, thanks to its small-but-cool design, value and off-road ability.
SUV
$9,375
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its sharp styling, standard V6 engine and impressive features, the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe should have the competition worried.
Pickup
$11,900
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Rugged as the day is long but also more upscale than a base Ford or Dodge pickup, the 2015 GMC Sierra wears both hats equally well.
SUV
Save
$13,300
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.9
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
When it comes to 7-passenger SUVs, the 2015 Acura MDX dominates in the areas of luxury, dependability, fuel efficiency and safety.
Sedan
$14,150
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Big, roomy and with enough luxury features to show up a Lexus, the 2015 Toyota Avalon proves you don’t have to pay a lot to get a lot.
Pickup
$14,450
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Rugged as the day is long but also more upscale than a base Ford or Dodge pickup, the 2015 GMC Sierra wears both hats equally well.
Pickup
$14,900
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.2
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Rugged as the day is long but also more upscale than a base Ford or Dodge pickup, the 2015 GMC Sierra wears both hats equally well.
Sedan
$7,400
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Technology updates and better fuel economy keep the 2015 Nissan Altima a solid choice among tough competition in the midsize-sedan market.
SUV
$8,450
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
You can’t spell "Sportage" without "sport," and the 2015 Kia Sportage offers up a turbocharged engine and racy good looks.
SUV
$8,525
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Hyundai Tucson adds a hydrogen-powered fuel-cell model to limited markets in what’s likely its last model year before a redesign.
Hatchback
$8,900
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Toyota’s littlest model, the Yaris hatchback, gets a new look inside and out, plus a handful of other upgrades to its equipment lists.
Van/Minivan
$9,350
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.3
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Nissan NV200 is a city-friendly cargo van that hauls lots of stuff yet has the easy driving manners and efficiency of a sedan.
Sedan
$9,425
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.4
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Subaru completes its revamping of its Impreza compact-car lineup with the introduction of the 2015 Subaru Impreza WRX model to the family.
Sedan
$9,550
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
After introducing the Gran Turismo hatchback last year, BMW brings back the most storied model of all to the 3 Series: the 2015 BMW M3.
Sedan
$9,925
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Long regarded as the benchmark for midsize luxury sports sedans, the BMW 5 Series blends power and technology across a wide model range.
SUV
Save
$10,200
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its proven reliability history and strong resale, the 2015 Honda Pilot continues to be the midsize SUV for value-conscious families.
Coupe
Save
$11,150
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
From the 4-cylinder Audi A5 2.0T to the V8-powered S5 and RS 5 super coupes, the Audi A5 is a beautiful car to drive, or arrive in.
Hatchback
$11,400
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
50 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Toyota Prius C is the smallest of the Prius family, offering the best fuel economy in an inexpensive, compact and fun package.
Sedan
$12,000
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
270 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2015 Tesla Model S brings numerous running changes, as is typical for Tesla, plus a brand new all-wheel-drive performance model.
Sedan
Save
$15,900
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2015 Lexus ES sedan offers the quiet comfort you expect from a premium luxury brand, but without the high price of buying and owing one.