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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2026 Honda Accord Hybrid
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Sedan
$14,300
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Nissan Versa is the least-expensive new car you can buy. Yet it still offers impressive safety features and good road manners.
SUV
$18,100
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Small and nimble, the 2024 Nissan Kicks does a great job of delivering solid fuel economy, decent interior space for its segment, and a wide array of advanced safety technologies.
SUV
$18,200
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Hyundai Venue is an affordable small SUV with the lowest ownership costs and the best warranty in its class.
Sedan
$18,350
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
34 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Kia Forte is the bargain among compact sedans, offering loads of room, impressive fuel economy, and solid resale value.
SUV
$20,600
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Chevy Trailblazer is a good value in subcompact SUVs because of its roomy interior and many standard features at an affordable price point.
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Pickup
$23,400
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a flexible small pickup that combines car-like driving dynamics with truck-like utility and a class-leading warranty.
Hatchback
Save
$26,500
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.7
Consumer
320 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The Polestar 2 electric vehicle offers understated luxury and a generous amount of standard equipment. For 2024 it gains in range, power, and equipment.
SUV
$26,500
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
Consumer
38 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV can go 38 miles on electricity alone, has a small third row of seats to provide room for seven, and includes all-wheel drive as standard.
SUV
$27,700
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Subaru Ascent is a 3-row midsize SUV with impressive road manners, standard AWD, and a family-friendly interior.
Sedan
$27,900
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.1
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Capable of filling the roles of family hauler and track-day performer, the 2024 Subaru WRX is a versatile compact sedan at an affordable price.
Hatchback
$16,350
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
5.0
Consumer
149 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2024 Fiat 500e is an all-new, all-electric subcompact car with a maximum range of 149 miles.
Sedan
$19,500
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.1
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Nissan Altima is a midsize sedan that comes with loads of advanced safety tech, solid fuel economy, and a comfy cabin at an affordable price.
SUV
$19,950
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.6
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Volkswagen Taos brings outsized cargo room and European driving manners to the subcompact SUV class.
Sedan
$20,000
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.3
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Mazda3 is one the best-looking, most fun-to-drive compact cars of all time.
SUV
$20,200
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The totally redesigned 2024 Chevrolet Trax is a stylish subcompact SUV with affordable pricing, modern technology, and more interior space than many others.
SUV
$21,800
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
5.0
Consumer
33 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale is an all-new subcompact luxury SUV that’s also a plug-in hybrid and comes with all-wheel drive as standard.
SUV
$27,200
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Nissan Pathfinder is among the more rugged entries in the 3-row midsize SUV segment, and boasts class-leading max towing capacity of 6,000 pounds.
SUV
$27,400
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
3.9
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The updated 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2-row midsize SUV boasts a roomy, high-tech interior, new turbo engine, and unique styling.
Coupe
$30,000
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Chevy Camaro continues to be a value-conscious choice in American muscle cars. It’s more affordable than the Mustang, and it offers up iconic styling, a robust range of engines, and some nice tech features for the money.
Sedan
$14,400
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.3
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The California-only Toyota Mirai is a comfortable and appealing midsize sedan that you fill up with hydrogen.
Sedan
$18,400
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.9
Consumer
34 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Nissan Sentra compact sedan is one of those cars that simply do the job without fuss or fanfare. The 2024 model year brings a handful of styling and hardware upgrades.
SUV
$20,200
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.6
Consumer
33 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The stylish Dodge Hornet delivers class-leading performance in subcompact SUVs, and the new plug-in hybrid R/T model electrifies the excitement.
SUV
Save
$20,300
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.8
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Ford Escape is a practical compact SUV with a spacious interior, efficient hybrid options, and the latest tech features.
SUV
$20,600
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.2
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan sets itself apart in the compact SUV segment with its available third row and European feel.
SUV
$21,400
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The well-rounded 2024 Chevrolet Equinox is a good value in compact SUVs, but it fails to stand out in its competitive class.
Sedan
$22,200
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Subaru Legacy is a roomy and proven midsize sedan, and the only one with all-wheel drive included as standard across the line.
SUV
$23,600
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.8
Consumer
N/A
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Ford Escape is a practical compact SUV with a spacious interior, efficient hybrid options, and the latest tech features.
Pickup
$23,600
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.5
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Nissan Frontier is a good midsize truck competing against some newer and more sophisticated rivals.
SUV
$25,100
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.3
Consumer
19 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler continues its legacy as a stellar off-roader while offering modern technology and a wide variety in its lineup.
SUV
$26,300
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.3
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse Limited 3-row midsize SUV is a familiar face in a crowd of newer contenders.
SUV
$27,300
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.7
Consumer
22 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe continues its legacy as an off-road all-star with an iconic design, the latest tech, and plug-in hybrid efficiency. It benefits from a variety of enhancements for 2024.
SUV
$28,600
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
3.9
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Volkswagen Atlas is one of the roomiest 3-row midsize SUVs on the market, and it’s been enhanced for 2024.
SUV
$29,000
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.3
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler continues its legacy as a stellar off-roader while offering modern technology and a wide variety in its lineup.
SUV
$29,500
Starting Price
4.0
Expert
4.2
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2024 Infiniti QX50 is a competent compact luxury SUV with a smooth ride, roomy cabin, and a decent amount of standard equipment.
SUV
$19,850
Starting Price
4.8
Expert
4.2
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Kia Seltos is our Subcompact SUV Best Buy for 2023. It’s a versatile and well-rounded subcompact SUV with a roomy interior, great safety features, and standard AWD on most trims.