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.
Car Match Quiz
Let Kelley Blue Book match your personality to your automotive soulmate. It's fast and fun!
Wagon
$9,625
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Sportiness deftly mixes with luxury in the 2014 CTS, which boasts an all-new Sedan plus carryover Coupe, Wagon and hot CTS-V models.
Pickup
$13,300
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2014 Ford F-150 is powerful, flexible and affordable, which is why it remains the best-selling full-size pickup truck in America.
Sedan
Save
$13,400
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.8
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Audi A7 for 2014 is a 5-door fastback with a visually inspiring interior and lots of muscle under the hood.
SUV
$13,550
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.4
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Quick acceleration, lively handling and pure driving pleasure make the Cayenne at least as much sports car as it is sport-utility vehicle.
Coupe
$14,950
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.8
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
It’s a coupe and a 4-door sedan. It’s a performance legend and the car of your dreams. It’s the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 and CLS63 AMG.
Advertisement
Sedan
Save
$25,600
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
5.0
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Audi A7 for 2014 is a 5-door fastback with a visually inspiring interior and lots of muscle under the hood.
Van/Minivan
$6,650
Starting Price
4.6
Expert
4.2
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Our favorite example of the minivan genre, the Odyssey offers an inspired combination of packaging, performance, reliability and safety.
Sedan
$5,950
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.1
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Reborn for 2013, the Altima’s newfound styling, amenities and efficiency give it A-list status among the crowded cast of midsize sedans.
Sedan
$7,875
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Chrysler 300 for 2013 is in the Detroit tradition of building big, rear-drive, V8-powered sedans that deliver power, comfort and style.
Sedan
$11,150
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.5
Consumer
40 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 4th-generation Toyota Avalon is unquestionably the sportiest and most visually appealing model in the history of the nameplate.
Sedan
$7,375
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 5 Series lineup keeps growing, but the basic recipe remain the same: athletic style and performance mixed with cutting-edge amenities.
Van/Minivan
$7,375
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.3
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
An all-new model in the U.S. market, the compact NV200 is an affordable alternative to larger, thirstier and more expensive cargo vans.
Sedan
$7,675
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Maybe the industry’s most benchmarked vehicle, the 3 Series and its many variants offer driving dyamics unmatched in the segment.
Coupe
Save
$9,150
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.7
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Audi’s seductive A5/S5/RS 5 coupe and convertible collection are wrapped in sheetmetal that looks as if it were carved by Greek gods.
SUV
Save
$9,575
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The sharp-handling Mazda CX-5 injects the small SUV category with a much-needed boost of adrenaline.
Sedan
Save
$14,250
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.7
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The revamped 2013 Lexus ES presents a sofa-soft ride in a tranquil setting, and is available for the first time as a hybrid.
Coupe
Save
$15,000
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.8
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Audi’s seductive A5/S5/RS 5 coupe and convertible collection are wrapped in sheetmetal that looks as if it were carved by Greek gods.
Sedan
Save
$24,000
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
5.0
Consumer
16 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 5 Series lineup keeps growing, but the basic recipe remain the same: athletic style and performance mixed with cutting-edge amenities.
SUV
$5,700
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.9
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
In 2013 the Pathfinder shed its rugged image to become a more car-like crossover SUV that pleases with room for 7 and laudable fuel economy.
SUV
Save
$6,450
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.9
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With smart style, flexible, feature-rich cabins and room for eight, the GMC Acadia and upline Acadia Denali are slick, capable charmers.
Pickup
$8,500
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2013 Ford F-150 pickup is the best-selling full-size truck by spanning the spectrum from workhorse to off-roader to limousine.
Coupe
$9,225
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.4
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Redesigned for 2013, the Accord Coupe/Sedan set the standard in the mid-size realm. Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid 4-doors arrive for MY2014.
Pickup
$9,800
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2013 Ford F-150 pickup is the best-selling full-size truck by spanning the spectrum from workhorse to off-roader to limousine.
Sedan
Save
$11,150
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.8
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Audi’s A7/S7 pairing combines the practicality of a sedan with emotive, coupe-like styling for a unique, head-turning identity.
Pickup
$11,300
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.5
Consumer
17 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2013 Ford F-150 pickup is the best-selling full-size truck by spanning the spectrum from workhorse to off-roader to limousine.
Sedan
$13,750
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
265 Miles
Estimated EV Range
Innovative and distinctly styled, the pure performance and robust battery reserves of the Tesla Model S hint at a bright electric future.
Convertible
$13,850
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.8
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The iconic MX-5 is a 24-year mainstay of the Mazda lineup and the only compact, modestly priced 2-seat roadster available in the U.S.
Sedan
Save
$16,750
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.9
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Audi’s A7/S7 pairing combines the practicality of a sedan with emotive, coupe-like styling for a unique, head-turning identity.
Hatchback
$4,575
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
In sedan or hatchback form, the sporty yet sophisticated Mazda3 doesn’t look, feel, or drive like an economy car.
Hatchback
Save
$4,825
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.4
Consumer
84 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The Leaf is a 5-passenger all-electric vehicle that will never drink a drop of gas. Though futuristic, it drives much like a normal car.
Sedan
$5,050
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
34 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Veering from its semi-premium history, VW’s bigger and cheaper mid-size sedan is now aimed straight at the heart of American shoppers.
Sedan
Save
$6,825
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The midsize Ford Fusion matches dazzling style and loads of features with cool technology that includes gas, hybrid and plug-in powertains.
SUV
$7,000
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.1
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Traverse is a comfortable alternative to truck-based SUVs, offering better handling, a roomy interior and better fuel-efficiency.
Sedan
$7,025
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
38 MPG | 88 MPGe
Combined
The midsize Ford Fusion matches dazzling style and loads of features with cool technology that includes gas, hybrid and plug-in powertains.
Coupe
Save
$7,700
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Updated for 2013, the compact Civic looks, feels and drives even better, while gas, hybrid and CNG powertrain choices add to its appeal.