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.
Van/Minivan
$26,229
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.2
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica minivan is really an extension of the family home with space, comfort, safety, tech, and a vacuum cleaner.
Sedan
$26,717
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.1
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Toyota Avalon full-size sedan is a roomy, comfy and well-equipped luxury car for people who don’t want to pay luxury car prices.
Pickup
$27,969
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.4
Consumer
26 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its variety of offerings, the 2022 Ram 1500 is an all-purpose pickup that blends great comfort and utility with an ability to work.
SUV
$28,129
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
87 MPGe
Combined Fuel Economy
While the new C40 Recharge may simply be a coupe version of the XC40 Recharge, it’s a significant step in Volvo’s electrification plans.
Van/Minivan
$28,567
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
4.0
Consumer
32 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The well-equipped 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid 7-seater minivan has great fuel economy. It’s actually a plug-in hybrid, rated at 82 MPGe.
SUV
$29,747
Starting Price
4.5
Expert
3.9
Consumer
24 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Acura RDX premium compact SUV/crossover has great reliability. It’s also engaging to drive and packed with standard equipment.
Sedan
$14,760
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.1
Consumer
36 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Drivers looking for a simple, affordable, and efficient commuter will appreciate the humble 2022 Hyundai Accent subcompact sedan.
Wagon
$15,550
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.5
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With a huge interior, good fuel economy, and nice tech features, the funky 2022 Kia Soul is a practical choice for a wide range of drivers.
Sedan
$16,982
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.1
Consumer
33 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Toyota Corolla is not just a compact sedan, but a pillar of the automotive establishment. It is a safe buy in many ways.
Sedan
$17,929
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
32 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The fine 2022 Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan is fresh, looks sharp, offers tons of tech, packs plenty of space, and doesn’t cost a fortune.
Sedan
$20,009
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
52 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is stylish, high-tech, and super fuel-efficient. This practical midsize sedan is capable of up to 54 highway mpg.
Sedan
$20,759
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.1
Consumer
52 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is an excellent and impressively fuel-efficient compact sedan capable of 52 mpg.
SUV
$20,824
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.7
Consumer
31 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Nissan Rogue improves on the 2021 model, which was all-new, with an innovative new engine and a reworked transmission.
SUV
$22,060
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
275 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 is a practical and compelling electric SUV with respectable range, advanced tech features, and a roomy interior.
Hatchback
$22,748
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.5
Consumer
56 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Toyota Prius is a highly efficient hybrid hatchback. Despite its higher price for a compact car, the Prius is an excellent value.
SUV
$23,904
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.3
Consumer
303 Miles
Estimated EV Range
The radical 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an all-new, all-electric vehicle. It’s roomy, has a max range of 303 miles, and charges really fast.
Pickup
$24,602
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Ford Ranger midsize pickup truck is strong, capable, relatively good on gas, and offers a nice choice of variants.
Coupe
$24,619
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.3
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With added horsepower and torque, plus refined styling and an improved interior, the BRZ has become an even better lightweight sports coupe.
SUV
$25,908
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.5
Consumer
21 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L 3-row midsize SUV is a fine family vehicle with good on-road manners, offering adept 4-wheel-drive systems.
SUV
$27,671
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.6
Consumer
39 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
If the RAV4 is too small and the Highlander too big, consider the Venza: It brings great fuel economy into the world of the midsize SUV.
Pickup
$27,704
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
23 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Ford Ranger midsize pickup truck is strong, capable, relatively good on gas, and offers a nice choice of variants.
Van/Minivan
$28,556
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.4
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The all-new 2022 Kia Carnival succeeds the Sedona MPV, bringing interior space, engine power and a warranty that are all class-leading.
SUV
Save
$28,668
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
3.5
Consumer
22 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Honda Pilot is a mainstay of the midsize 3-row SUV/crossover class. It does virtually everything right and seats up to eight.
SUV
$28,911
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
4.2
Consumer
25 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
With its upright windscreen, roomy interior, and great connectivity, the GLB shines as a practical runabout with excellent outward view.
Sedan
$29,144
Starting Price
4.4
Expert
5.0
Consumer
29 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is a true luxury car in a relatively affordable subcompact 4-door body, with a sloping roof.
Sedan
$13,784
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
3.8
Consumer
36 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
It has a modest list of standard features, but the 2022 Kia Rio is a humble, affordable, and fuel-efficient car with a great warranty.
Hatchback
$17,865
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.2
Consumer
59 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is a compact hatchback with exceptional fuel economy. Blue trim is capable of 60 mpg on the highway.
SUV
$18,466
Starting Price
4.3
Expert
4.6
Consumer
30 MPG
Combined Fuel Economy
Drivers looking for a good value on a small SUV should consider the Chevy Trailblazer. It’s roomy for its size and has nice tech features.
Hatchback
$20,382
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
$20,577
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.
SUV
$23,086
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.
SUV
$23,140
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.
Pickup
$24,142
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
$24,823
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
$25,065
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.
- Best Cars
- Best SUVs
- Best Trucks
- Best Minivans
- Best EVs
- Best Hybrids
- Best Midsize SUVs
- Best Electric SUVs
- Best Hybrid SUVs
- Best 3-row SUVs
- Best Luxury Midsize SUVs
- Best Fullsize SUVs
- Best 2-row SUVs
- Best Compact SUVs
- Best Luxury Compact SUVs
- Best Vans and Minivans
- Most Fuel Efficient SUVs
- Best Hybrid Vehicles
- Best Luxury Hybrid SUVs
- Best Electric Vehicles
- Best Midsize Trucks
- Best Luxury Fullsize SUVs
- Best Fullsize Trucks
- Best Compact Cars
- Best Midsize Cars
- Most Fuel Efficient Trucks
- Best Luxury Electric SUVs
- Best Luxury Midsize Cars
- 2026 Land Rover Defender 130
- 2026 Porsche Cayenne EV
- 2026 Land Rover Defender 90
- 2026 INFINITI QX65
- 2026 Polestar 4
- 2026 Land Rover Defender 110
- 2026 Chevrolet Corvette
- 2026 Audi Q3
- 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC
- 2026 Lexus RZ
- 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6 N
- 2026 Cadillac OPTIQ-V
- 2026 Subaru Solterra
- 2026 Ford Explorer
- 2026 Nissan Armada
- 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