Best car under 30k

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear.

The Honda Accord is a favorite in the midsize sedan segment, offering exceptional value, build quality, and safety with a spacious cabin and enjoyable driving experience. The Honda Accord is a 5-seater vehicle that comes in 6 trim levels. See owner reviews for Honda Accord. All reviews. The Honda Civic continues to lead the compact-car segment, delivering exceptional value and more driving enjoyment than basic low-cost transportation.

Best car under 30k

The reimagined Toyota Prius continues to be the go-to car for maximum fuel efficiency, but now it resembles a cool Star Wars prop instead of a rolling piece of stray Tupperware. It needs more rear seat and cargo space, though. The Toyota Prius is a 5-seater vehicle that comes in 3 trim levels. Recently redesigned with surprisingly stunning results, Toyota's original hybrid is again an aspirational car. Not a fast sports car or an adventurous off-roader, the Toyota Prius is nonetheless a car we want to drive again. For starters, it just looks better. Its sleek design sacrifices some interior room for sporty proportions that, with a long front end, low roof, and truncated rear quarters, looks more like something we'd expect from Mazda's house of zoom. The interior, too, feels more normal and not overly wrought with quirky tech design. Improved body rigidity and handling haven't transformed the Prius into a sports car overnight, but it's no longer a numb embarrassment when pushed through a quick corner, either. More important, the Prius remains a fuel-efficiency champ and an aspirational target for hypermilers. With 49 to 57 mpg, the Prius is both a tech triumph and king of the commute. Crossovers and SUVs are rapidly replacing sedans and hatchback-like sedans, leaving the Prius with few direct competitors. The Kia Niro hybrid, a small hatch with a bit more cargo space, comes close but falls a bit short in fuel economy. The Hyundai Elantra hybrid is about the same size as the Prius, costs less, and comes close in efficiency. See owner reviews for Toyota Prius.

Honda Accord Courtesy of Honda. It distinguishes itself with stronger performance and a bit more excitement and engagement than some rivals provide. The compact Kia offers a great warranty and plenty of standard features for an attractive price.

These top performers cost less than the average new car. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average car dealership has a day supply of vehicles , which is higher than they usually like to have. That means you have a very good chance of going to a car dealer and driving home that day in a car, minivan, SUV, or truck of your choice. But there are many excellent vehicles that sell for far less than that. All come with standard automatic emergency braking AEB. Some of these models have our Green Choice designation, which highlights the vehicles with the cleanest emissions. The best in the class is highlighted with a photo and profile.

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement. The good news is that even though they are less expensive, they are no less compelling than the more expensive makes and models. There's something for just about everybody, including those searching for their next family sedan , midsize pickup truck , or even a sports car. There are many, many great cars available in this price category, as you're about to see. For me, though, I need all-weather performance plus enough room for a couple of big dogs -- criteria that sadly rules out the now sedan-only WRX. I also need something that can tow a small trailer, carry a few kayaks on a roof rack and with enough active safety systems to make my life easier when cruising down the highway to the airport at 4 a.

Best car under 30k

The average new-car transaction price in the U. And most benefit from those same safety, performance, and economy advances. Here are 30 vehicles that prove it. While other droptops occasionally outsold it, few have been as enduringly endearing as the Miata, which claims more than , U. The people who engineered the new, seventh-generation Volkswagen GTI understand this. The car feels as if it were conceived by people kept up at night by the terror of imperfection. Every stalk, every knob, every cubic inch of interior space seems optimized and worried over. Get in the GTI and you will be tempted to focus on these details—the stitching on the steering wheel, the knurled rubber surfaces, the maximized cargo hold. But bend it into a corner, and all those parts meld into something fluid and cohesive as the car comes charging to life. The new GTI is more than the sum of its 30, parts, each of which is something unto itself.

Premium recipe charge hello fresh

A vehicle like the Volkswagen Golf GTI is much better in that respect, but it can't match the GR86 for sheer driving pleasure on a twisty road. It's comfortable and easy to operate, handling daily drives with little fuss. It's comfortable and easy to operate, handling daily drives with little fuss. A two-door coupe that's fun to drive and reasonably priced is rare these days, which is why the Subaru BRZ is such an appealing package. Another plus: The Soul comes with one of the best warranties in its class. The Hyundai Elantra is a 5-seater vehicle that comes in 6 trim levels. The Kia K5 debuted in as a replacement for the Optima , a midsize sedan with sharp styling and good overall value. Several active-safety features come standard, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, usually found on pricier cars. The Malibu's cabin isn't fancy, but it is comfortable, with supportive front seats and reasonable rear-seat legroom. See owner reviews for Subaru Impreza. Fortunately, the Forte's top-tier GT trim solves one of these issues with its horsepower turbo engine. The eighth-generation Sentra boasts shapely sheet metal, further refined for with a mild refresh that includes a sharper grille and headlights. Editor's note: prices are subject to change and may vary by location. For that, you want a competitor like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Hyundai Elantra was already a standout in the compact sedan segment for its features and value.

These are cars you'll be proud to own, will enjoy driving, and that we enthusiastically recommend to anyone looking for a good car and a good deal. This list of 15 affordable favorites includes spacious sedans and hot hatches, a sports car and sleek sports coupes, and even a station wagon. There's something here for everyone, and they can all be had for less than 30 grand, including destination charge.

One thing that hasn't changed is the limited rear-seat room and small trunk, minor drawbacks to an otherwise excellent sport coupe. Trending in New cars. See owner reviews for Mitsubishi Mirage. The Hyundai Elantra is a 5-seater vehicle that comes in 6 trim levels. A vehicle like the Volkswagen Golf GTI is much better in that respect, but it can't match the GR86 for sheer driving pleasure on a twisty road. These affordable vehicles can help you stress less about money by not saddling you with an enormous car payment each month. Positives Class-leading fuel efficiency Sleek design Optional all-wheel drive Considerations Tight rear seat Slightly less cargo space than nearest rival Combined Mileage: 49 - 57 mpg. The compact Kia offers a great warranty and plenty of standard features for an attractive price. See owner reviews for Subaru Impreza. Just remember to factor in all expenses — including car insurance rates , gas, and average repair costs — before settling on your next car. The Soul is also more refined on the highway than you might guess. Despite the lack of a hybrid alternative, the K5 remains our favorite in the class.