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.
Top Rated Expert Ratings
$0 - $30,000
SUV
$16,858
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
2.5
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Hyundai Nexo is a compact SUV with a hydrogen-powered drivetrain, otherwise known as a fuel cell vehicle. It’s available solely in California.
SUV
$16,975
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.4
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Hyundai Venue is one of the best values in subcompact SUVs because of its low ownership costs, excellent warranty, and good fuel economy.
SUV
$17,009
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Nissan Kicks is a subcompact SUV ideally sized to cope with city driving, but with surprising cargo space
Sedan
$18,389
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
34 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The roomy 2023 Kia Forte compact sedan can be cheap to buy and run while adding a bit of driveway appeal with its styling.
Hatchback
Save
$22,617
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.5
Consumer
270 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2023 Polestar 2 electric vehicle has an understated luxury and a generous amount of standard equipment. Maximum range is 270 miles.
Sedan
$22,743
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Subaru WRX is engineered for the track but serves just as well as an everyday driver. Its standard all-wheel-drive system teams with a punchy turbocharged engine to deliver blazing acceleration and crisp cornering.
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Pickup
$23,028
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is equal parts functional pickup truck and comfortable SUV, with a small but very useful truck bed.
SUV
$24,596
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.7
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is a quirky and practical small SUV with standard all-wheel drive, great safety scores, and affordable pricing.
SUV
$27,468
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 BMW X2 is a stylish and fun-to-drive SUV, but it’s a tough sell compared to the more affordable and more practical BMW X1.
Sedan
$29,161
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
358 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The all-electric 2023 Tesla Model 3 is the company’s smallest and most affordable car, yet can still manage a range of more than 300 miles.
SUV
$29,163
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
2.0
Consumer
245 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQB all-electric small SUV is the only vehicle in its class to offer seating for seven. It’s also superb family transport.
SUV
$29,387
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.9
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 3-row Subaru Ascent gets a mid-cycle refresh for 2023 with revised styling and updated safety and infotainment tech features.
Sedan
$19,341
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Nissan Sentra is a stylish, fuel-efficient, and budget-friendly compact sedan with modern technology at an affordable price point.
Sedan
$19,428
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Nissan Altima midsize sedan comes with revised looks, new tech, and more standard safety features. It also offers all-wheel drive.
SUV
$20,426
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.5
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Volkswagen Taos subcompact SUV packs a lot of room, tech, and fun driving manners into a tidy package.
SUV
$20,854
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer subcompact SUV has the looks, cabin space, and equipment to spark interest from potential buyers.
SUV
$22,065
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.8
Consumer
258 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric is an affordable new electric vehicle with a range of 258 miles. And it’s a great subcompact SUV.
SUV
Save
$24,531
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.9
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The spacious 2023 GMC Terrain stakes out its own place in the compact SUV world, with a lineup that approaches luxury levels in top trims.
Sedan
$26,175
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
5.0
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Volkswagen Arteon is a stylish liftback sedan with a premium interior, a lively turbocharged engine, and tons of standard tech features.
Sedan
$26,241
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
In its final model year, the 2023 Chrysler 300 impresses as an old-school, full-size sedan with a roomy interior and two V8 options.
Coupe
$27,739
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Chevrolet Camaro is an all-American muscle car with iconic styling and exciting performance. It’s also surprisingly affordable.
SUV
$27,940
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.9
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is a family-friendly midsize 3-row SUV with a rugged look, roomy interior, and plenty of desirable features and technologies.
SUV
$29,358
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
28 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2023 Lincoln Corsair is among the small luxury SUV segment’s most comfortable entries, boasting one of its richest interiors.
Sedan
$20,233
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.2
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell sedan boasts a Lexus-like interior and is rated to travel up to 402 miles between (quick) fill-ups. It’s only sold new in California.
Hatchback
$20,647
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.3
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Mazda3 compact car offers choices of body styles, engines, and all-wheel drive. It’s one of the most enjoyable cars in its class.
SUV
Save
$20,949
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.0
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The refreshed 2023 Ford Escape is a well-rounded compact SUV with a flexible interior, modern tech features, and some variety under the hood, including two hybrid options.
SUV
$21,190
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.3
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The family-friendly 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan is a rare compact SUV offering three rows of seating to accommodate up to seven occupants.
SUV
$22,022
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox is a competent compact SUV. That’s faint praise, but it’s tough out there with so many superb rivals.
SUV
$23,151
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.3
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2023 Dodge Hornet is a small SUV with class-leading power. It drives as good as it looks.
Sedan
$23,385
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Subaru Legacy is the only midsize sedan with all-wheel drive as standard but keeps prices competitive against front-drive rivals.
SUV
$24,402
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.0
Consumer
37 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The refreshed 2023 Ford Escape is a well-rounded compact SUV with a flexible interior, modern tech features, and some variety under the hood, including two hybrid options.
Pickup
$25,145
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.7
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Nissan Frontier is a great value for drivers looking for a midsize truck with modern tech features and muscular capabilities.
SUV
$25,895
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.8
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport midsize SUV takes a leaf from the luxury design book for extra panache, while still being spacious.
SUV
$29,546
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.3
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse midsize 3-row SUV has space and an efficient 310-horsepower V6 on its side.
SUV
$29,844
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.1
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Infiniti QX50 is a well-rounded luxury SUV with a spacious interior, reasonable pricing, and an appealing complimentary maintenance plan.
SUV
$17,370
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.2
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With some newly standard safety tech and a stylish Nightfall model, the Kia Seltos subcompact SUV has become even more competitive for 2022.
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- 2026 Nissan Sentra
- 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
- 2026 Lexus ES
- 2026 Kia EV4
- 2026 Subaru Outback
- 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6
- 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback
- 2026 Nissan LEAF
- 2026 Hyundai Palisade
- 2027 Slate Truck
- 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA
- 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9
- 2026 Kia EV9
- 2027 Scout Traveler
- 2027 Scout Terra
- 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 9
- 2025 Audi S6 e-tron
- 2025 Hyundai NEXO
- 2025 Audi A6 e-tron
- 2025 Kia EV3
- 2026 AFEELA Sedan
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class EV
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- 2027 Rivian R3