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.
Sponsored
2026 Honda Passport
Car Match Quiz
Let Kelley Blue Book match your personality to your automotive soulmate. It's fast and fun!
Sedan
$5,550
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
$8,100
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
$11,000
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.
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
$7,650
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.
Advertisement
Coupe
Save
$9,225
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
$9,750
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
$14,150
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.
Convertible
Save
$14,700
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
$23,800
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
$6,475
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
$8,650
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.
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
Save
$11,400
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.
Convertible
$13,900
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.8
Consumer
25 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
$14,050
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.
Sedan
Save
$17,450
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
Save
$4,750
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
$4,950
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.
SUV
$6,375
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
$6,550
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.
Sedan
Save
$6,600
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.
Sedan
$7,025
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
In sedan or hatchback form, the sporty yet sophisticated Mazda3 doesn’t look, feel, or drive like an economy car.
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.
SUV
Save
$8,000
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.0
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With high-style and luxurious accommodations for seven, the Infiniti JX seeks to end the Acura MDX’s reign as the go-to luxury 3-row SUV.
SUV
Save
$8,575
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.3
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Audi’s family-size, three-row entry offers all the design and tech goodness that distinguishes the entire lineup.
Hatchback
$9,850
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
50 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Toyota Prius is the world’s most popular hybrid and the poster child for high-mileage vehicles.
Hatchback
$10,000
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
5.0
Consumer
50 MPG | 95 MPGe
Combined
The Toyota Prius is the world’s most popular hybrid and the poster child for high-mileage vehicles.
Van/Minivan
$10,900
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.4
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Comfortable, powerful and relatively fuel-efficient, the Toyota Sienna stands out as the only minivan to offer all-wheel-drive.
Coupe
Save
$11,300
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With engaging handling and an accesible price tag the rear-drive Scion FR-S exists to reignite our collective passion for driving.
Coupe
Save
$11,450
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Subaru BRZ is a compact rear-wheel-drive sports car that delivers high-performance thrills and an engaging drive.
Coupe
$12,850
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.8
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
In coupe, convertible or "4-door coupe" form, the 6 Series lineup offers an enticing mix of comfort, style and presence.