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
Hatchback
$20,156
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
29 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid compact hatchback achieves the equivalent of 119 mpg and runs 29 miles solely on electricity.
Hatchback
$21,133
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.4
Consumer
35 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Toyota Corolla Hatchback is a practical jack-of-all-trades, but it’s not quite best-in-class. Consider cross-shopping with its rivals.
Pickup
$22,438
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A carryover of the 2021 Silverado, the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado Limited acts as a stopgap until the updated 2022 Silverado gets underway.
Pickup
$22,718
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The updated 2022 Chevrolet Silverado highlights include revised styling, a new off-road-oriented ZR2 model, and a new interior.
SUV
$23,678
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.4
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Subaru Forester compact crossover is a multiple KBB award-winner in the face of strong competition. It represents great value.
SUV
$24,376
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 BMW X1 is a class leader in subcompact luxury SUVs for its engaging driving dynamics and surprisingly spacious interior.
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SUV
$25,688
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.9
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Subaru Ascent is a rugged choice in family crossovers with respectable off-road capability that doesn’t compromise on-road comfort.
Coupe
$25,984
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.0
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With help from Gazoo Racing, Toyota has majorly updated its lightweight rear-drive 86 sports coupe for 2022 and added GR to its name.
SUV
$27,771
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
2.9
Consumer
26 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is one of a kind. This plug-in hybrid SUV is comfortable on-road and capable off-road with little compromise.
Pickup
$27,838
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A carryover of the 2021 Silverado, the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado Limited acts as a stopgap until the updated 2022 Silverado gets underway.
Sedan
Save
$28,010
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.9
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its new styling, improved infotainment, and better safety suite, the G70 proves that Genesis knows how to build a sports sedan.
Pickup
$28,293
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
A carryover of the 2021 Silverado, the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado Limited acts as a stopgap until the updated 2022 Silverado gets underway.
Pickup
$28,887
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
18 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The updated 2022 Chevrolet Silverado highlights include revised styling, a new off-road-oriented ZR2 model, and a new interior.
Pickup
$29,150
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
20 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The updated 2022 Chevrolet Silverado highlights include revised styling, a new off-road-oriented ZR2 model, and a new interior.
Pickup
$29,706
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.7
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Capable and versatile, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline blends the utility of a midsize pickup with the comfort of a refined SUV.
Sedan
$29,747
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.8
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Kia Stinger heads toward the rarefied air of German sport/luxury sedans with driver appeal. Yet it’s much more affordable.
Sedan
$14,233
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Nissan Versa subcompact sedan is one of the most affordable new cars, as well as one of the better choices in the class.
Sedan
$16,657
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.0
Consumer
35 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Kia Forte got a facelift for 2022, making an appealing compact sedan even better. It’s stylish, high-tech, and an excellent value.
Wagon
$19,731
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
49 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Kia Niro is a value-conscious choice for drivers looking for excellent fuel economy in a versatile crossover at an affordable price.
Wagon
Save
$19,910
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.5
Consumer
239 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2022 Kia Niro EV is an agreeable electric subcompact crossover, but its high MSRP makes it a questionable value proposition.
SUV
$20,583
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.9
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Equinox is Chevrolet’s best-selling SUV and it’s a value player in the 2-row/5-passenger compact crossover segment.
Pickup
$21,624
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With the new 2022 Santa Cruz, Hyundai has created a new niche — that of the compact crossover SUV with a handy little bed.
Wagon
$21,667
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
46 MPG | 105 MPGe
Combined
The 2022 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid small hatchback/SUV is a fine runabout with ultra-low emissions and similarly trivial fuel bills.
SUV
$22,566
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.7
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek is a special subcompact crossover/SUV. It has all-wheel drive as standard and offers a plug-in hybrid variant.
Sedan
Save
$22,930
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
28 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Acura ILX premium compact sedan is the cheapest new Acura and one of the most affordable luxury cars. Ownership costs are also low.
Pickup
$23,700
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 GMC Canyon is a capable, comfortable, and upscale choice in midsize pickup trucks, especially in the luxurious Denali trim.
Sedan
$23,968
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Subaru WRX is a 271-horsepower compact sedan built for thrills. This new generation sees many improvements and refinements.
Sedan
$24,266
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.7
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Chrysler 300 offers something most other large sedans can’t — a V8 engine. And all-wheel drive. But not both in the same car.
Hatchback
$24,991
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
3.5
Consumer
107 MPGe
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Polestar 2 all-electric midsize car dances between crossover and hatchback, luxury and mainstream. Maximum range is 270 miles.
SUV
$25,273
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
27 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 BMW X2 is a genre-bending subcompact crossover with a sloping roof, making a bigger deal of styling and poise than practicality.
Sedan
$25,794
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.6
Consumer
315 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The high-tech Tesla Model 3 is an outstanding EV for its long electric range, exciting performance, and minimalist take on luxury.
SUV
$27,077
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
2.0
Consumer
243 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The brand-new 2022 Mercedes-EQ EQB is an all-electric small luxury SUV. With seating for up to seven, it’s a family car with ingenious tech.
Pickup
$27,170
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 GMC Canyon is a capable, comfortable, and upscale choice in midsize pickup trucks, especially in the luxurious Denali trim.
SUV
$27,225
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its ample space and new safety features, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse becomes an even more appealing 3-row family SUV.
Sedan
Save
$28,357
Starting Price
4.2
Expert
4.3
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Whoever buys a 2022 Acura TLX will have a luxury compact sedan with a driver’s edge and a lot of standard equipment for a keen price.
Sedan
$17,681
Starting Price
4.1
Expert
4.0
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Taken on its own merits, the 2022 Nissan Sentra is a fine compact sedan. If only there wasn’t such stiff competition.
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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
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- 2025 Audi A6 e-tron
- 2025 Kia EV3
- 2026 AFEELA Sedan
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