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.
SUV
$25,056
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
38 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is a spacious compact SUV that turns fuel efficiency up a notch and comes with all-wheel drive as standard.
SUV
$26,244
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
33 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid compact SUV blends power with fuel efficiency. The roomy and high-quality cabin sweetens the deal.
Coupe
$27,173
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.3
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Subaru BRZ compact coupe is a real sports car with rear-wheel drive and a suspension that inspires enthusiastic driving.
SUV
$28,163
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.5
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is a 3-row SUV that strikes a rare balance of off-road capability and on-road comfort.
SUV
$29,130
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.3
Consumer
42 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
More than just the most affordable Lexus, every 2023 Lexus UX subcompact luxury SUV combines hybrid efficiency, all-wheel drive, and the automaker’s famed reliability and resale value.
Sedan
$15,947
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
36 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Kia Rio subcompact sedan or hatchback is for someone who needs a new car that’s cheap to buy and run, and has a great warranty.
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Hatchback
$22,633
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.4
Consumer
35 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Toyota Corolla Hatchback is a safe, efficient, and practical compact car. It gets updated tech features and refreshed styling for 2023.
SUV
$23,026
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.7
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Nissan Rogue compact SUV has several outstanding aspects adding up to a compelling overall package.
SUV
$23,915
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.4
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Subaru Forester is the sensible-shoes choice among compact SUVs. Yet it can also do adventure and luxury.
SUV
Save
$24,305
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
1.8
Consumer
228 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The all-new 2023 Toyota bZ4X is an all-electric compact SUV with a range of up to 252 miles and plenty of occupant space.
Pickup
$25,758
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a full-size pickup with variants going from no-frills to high class, with off-road ability in between.
SUV
$25,800
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.3
Consumer
228 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The all-new 2023 Subaru Solterra all-electric SUV has a maximum range of 228 miles and a lot of standard equipment, including AWD.
SUV
$26,667
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
2.9
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee delivers on-road refinement and off-road capability without compromise, but it’s a little expensive.
Coupe
$27,466
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.0
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Toyota GR86 small coupe exists for the pure joy of driving, with rear-wheel drive and a manual transmission as standard.
Sedan
$27,855
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.9
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Genesis G70 luxury compact sedan has all the style, poise, and tech to compete with anything in its class.
SUV
$28,891
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
2.9
Consumer
22 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid is a highly capable, quite luxurious midsize SUV that can travel up to 25 miles on electricity alone.
Sedan
$14,658
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2023 Nissan Versa subcompact sedan is one of the most affordable new cars on the market and one of the better choices in its class.
SUV
$15,934
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
SUV
$16,226
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
$16,963
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.
Sedan
$17,722
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.
Pickup
$22,914
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.
Hatchback
Save
$23,415
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.6
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.
SUV
$24,392
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.
Sedan
$25,712
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.
SUV
$26,769
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.
SUV
$28,994
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
$29,169
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
38 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The all-new 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is an efficient plug-in hybrid SUV with 3-row seating, all-wheel drive, and modern tech features.
SUV
$29,185
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
$29,589
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.
Sedan
$18,762
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
$19,228
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
$19,547
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
$20,226
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
$21,447
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
$22,991
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.
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- 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
- 2026 Jeep Cherokee
- 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
- 2026 Dodge Durango
- 2026 Toyota RAV4
- 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid
- 2026 Dodge Charger
- 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona
- 2026 Toyota Camry
- 2026 Toyota bZ
- 2026 Toyota C-HR
- 2026 Audi A6
- 2026 Jeep Recon
- 2026 BMW 3 Series
- 2026 AFEELA 1
- 2026 Acura RSX
- 2026 Volvo ES90
- 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2026 Nissan Sentra
- 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
- 2026 Lexus ES
- 2026 Kia EV4
- 2026 Subaru Outback
- 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6