12 Best New Cars for Less Than $30,000

Here Are the Top Vehicles Under $30K in U.S. News Rankings

The average cost for a new car has surged well past $30,000, but you can still find great vehicles priced well below that price. Based on our rankings of new cars, we’ve researched the top-scoring models with base prices under that mark.

They’re not all economy cars or sedans. The list also includes pickups, SUVs, and a minivan.

Finance a new $30,000 car for five years at 3 percent interest, and your payments would be about $540 per month. However, you don't even need to pay that much for an excellent car. Eight of the 12 cars on this list of cars cost less than $25,000. Of course, the prices listed are base prices, and adding high-tech options and luxury amenities can push many of them well beyond the $30K mark.

You can learn more about the highest-ranking cars that you can buy for less than $30,000 on the following slides.

This list is based on U.S. News scores, which are updated constantly as new expert reviews and data become available, so the scores listed here may be slightly different from the ones listed on our site.

• Read the 2017 Honda CR-V Full Review
• See 2017 Honda CR-V Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

2018 Honda Odyssey

$29,990 | U.S. News Score: 9.4/10 (Details Below)

The redesigned 2018 Honda Odyssey comes in at just under $30,000 for the base LX model. For that price you get a cavernous, family-friendly vehicle with spill-resistant cloth seats, push-button start, keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity, a pair of USB ports, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a multi-angle rearview camera.

There’s a 280-horsepower V6 under the Odyssey’s hood that sends power to the front wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission (10-speed on upper trim levels). It’s the top-rated vehicle in our rankings of minivans.

To get advanced safety systems, including automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control, you'll have to step up to the $33,860 EX trim level.

• Read the 2018 Honda Odyssey Full Review
• See 2018 Honda Odyssey Photos
• See Minivans Rankings

2017 Kia Soul

$16,100 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10 (Details Below)

Not only is the 2017 Kia Soul exceptionally roomy for both passengers and cargo, but it's also easy to buy. The base price for a Kia Soul is just $16,100, and unless you opt for the Soul EV electric vehicle, you can’t reach $30,000 even if you select every option.

The Soul earns a top spot in our rankings of compact cars, and it won both our 2017 Best Compact Car for the Money and Best Compact Car for Families awards. Helping it to achieve that success are a great predicted reliability score, excellent safety marks, and an interior that is as functional as it is spacious.

• Read the 2017 Kia Soul Full Review
• See 2017 Kia Soul Photos
• See Compact Cars Rankings

2017 Honda CR-V

$24,045 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10 (Details Below)

Honda redesigned the CR-V for 2017, giving it a new look and even more interior room than its roomy predecessor. It’s our top-ranked compact SUV and the winner of both our 2017 Best Compact SUV for Families and Best Compact SUV for the Money awards.

It has some of the top safety and predicted reliability ratings in the class.

The 2017 Honda CR-V has a base price of $24,045 for the LX model, but the $26,695 EX model is the one you want to buy. Not only do you get a more efficient turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but you get an array of advanced safety and driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

EX models also get a moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system, plus support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

• Read the 2017 Honda CR-V Full Review
• See 2017 Honda CR-V Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

2017 Mazda Miata

$24,915 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10 (Details Below)

There’s tons of fun to be found for less than $30,000, thanks to Mazda. The 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata holds a spot at the top of our rankings of sports cars and has the lowest base price of any car in the segment. Pricing starts at $24,915.

The base model of the Miata comes with a peppy 155-horsepower four-cylinder engine that’s a great match for the roadster’s lightweight, nimble platform. Buyers looking for a firmer suspension setup can opt for the $28,800 Miata Club trim level and still stay under the $30,000 mark.

Miatas come with a six-speed manual transmission, and the car has been called the best reason to learn how to drive a stick shift. A six-speed automatic is available, but the manual provides a more engaging driving experience and allows drivers to tap the full potential of the Miata's engine.

• Read the 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata Full Review
• See 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata Photos
• See Sports Cars Rankings

2017 Ford F-150

$27,110 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10 (Details Below)

The most popular vehicle sold in America is also one of the best, according to our rankings. The 2017 Ford F-150 pickup can be purchased for $27,110, though for that price you’ll be getting a very basic truck that’s best suited for work time, not playtime. The F-150 XL comes with manual windows and door locks, plus a basic radio.

You’ll need to step up to the $32,480 XLT to get more creature comforts, including remote keyless entry, power windows, power door locks, and a basic version of the Ford SYNC infotainment system.

In our rankings of full-size trucks, the F-150 holds the top spot. It was also the winner of our 2017 Best Full Size Truck for the Money award. 

• Read the 2017 Ford F-150 Full Review
• See 2017 Ford F-150 Photos
• See Full Size Pickup Trucks Rankings

2018 Chevrolet Malibu

21,680 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10 (Details Below)

The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu earned our 2017 Best Midsize Car for Families award, which is no easy feat in that hyper-competitive segment. The 2018 variant is essentially a carryover from the previous model year, and it’s also one of the top-rated vehicles in our rankings of midsize cars. Not to mention, it has one of the lowest starting sticker prices at $21,680.

With the low base price, you can check off a host of option boxes and still stay under $30,000. Even the base model gets push-button start and Chevy's Rear Seat Reminder, which prompts you to check the backseat before you get out, reducing the chance of accidentally leaving a child behind.  

Move up to the LS trim ($23,225), and among other things you'll get a 7-inch infotainment screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

• Read the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Full Review
• See 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Photos
• See Midsize Cars Rankings

2017 Chevrolet Impala

Price $27,500 | U.S. News Score: 9.0/10 (Details Below)

The 2017 Chevrolet Impala is in the top-tier of our large car rankings; its high-ranking competitors come with price tags well over $30,000. The Impala’s base price is $27,500, but it’s no stripped-down model – it features a healthy amount of advanced technology.

All Impalas come with a 4G LTE data connection that supports an onboard Wi-Fi hot spot, plus satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity. If you move up to the LT trim level ($29,565), you’ll get support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an 8-inch touch screen.

The engine in the base Impala is a fuel-sipping four-cylinder. You can opt for a much more powerful V6 for an additional $1,095.

• Read the 2017 Chevrolet Impala Full Review
• See 2017 Chevrolet Impala Photos
• See Large Cars Rankings

2017 Honda Ridgeline

$29,475 | U.S. News Score: 9.1/10 (Details Below)

Honda’s pickup comes in just under the wire at $29,475. However, for that price you get a strong V6 engine with efficiency that equals most competitors’ four-cylinder base engines. The 2017 Honda Ridgeline is decidedly more car-like than any rival, inside and out, though it isn't quite as capable when towing.

The Ridgeline holds the top spot in U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of compact pickup trucks and was a finalist for our 2017 Best Compact Truck for the Money award. It earns outstanding safety ratings, including a coveted Top Safety Pick+ score from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Base models include push-button start, a rearview camera, a seven-speaker infotainment system with a 5-inch display screen, and Bluetooth connectivity.

• Read the 2017 Honda Ridgeline Full Review
• See 2017 Honda Ridgeline Photos
• See Compact Pickup Trucks Rankings

2017 Chevrolet Colorado

$20,000 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10 (Details Below)

The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado has one of the lowest base prices in the class, but that doesn’t prevent it from earning one of the highest places in our rankings of compact pickup trucks. The least expensive model features an extended cab with seating for two and a four-cylinder engine.

You can, however, stay under $30,000 and get a quiet well-equipped Colorado Crew Cab with a more powerful V6 engine.

The Colorado is our 2017 Best Compact Truck for the Money award winner. If you enjoy your creature comforts, you should consider opting for the LT trim level (starting at $26,625), which features an upgraded interior, an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system, support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot, and a 4G LTE data connection.

• Read the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado Full Review
• See 2017 Chevrolet Colorado Photos
• See Compact Pickup Trucks Rankings

2017 Honda Civic

$18,740 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10 (Details Below)

You can buy most of the models in the ever-expanding 2017 Honda Civic lineup for less than $30,000. It's not only one of the top-rated vehicles in our rankings of compact cars; it was also a finalist for our 2017 Best Compact Car for Families award.

The Civic is available in sedan, coupe, and hatchback models. Coming soon to dealers are sporty Civic Si sedans and coupes and the high-performance Civic Type R hatchback. While the high-performance models naturally give up a few mpg in trade for a dynamic driving experience, the rest of the Civic lineup earns great fuel economy estimates. Only small cars with hybrid powertrains beat the efficiency of mainstream Civics.

If advanced safety equipment is a key buying consideration for you, the Civic offers the Honda Sensing suite of advanced electronic safety aids and driver assistance features on most trim levels of the car, including the base LX trim level of the sedan. Only the 2017 Toyota Corolla does better by including the technology as a standard feature on all models.

• Read the 2017 Honda Civic Full Review
• See 2017 Honda Civic Photos
• See Compact Cars Rankings

2017 Hyundai Sonata

$21,950 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10 (Details Below)

The 2017 Hyundai Sonata is a bit of a sleeper in the midsize sedan market. It’s overshadowed by the Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu, but it earns a similar position near the top of our rankings of midsize cars. It’s the only one to include a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Pricing for the Sonata starts at $21,950, helping it to earn our 2017 Best Midsize Car for the Money award. It was also a finalist for our 2017 Best Midsize Car for Families honors. Most trim levels in the Sonata lineup will keep you below $30,000, but you won’t be able to add any advanced safety technology to any Sonata that costs below $30,000, due to the way the option packages build on one another.

Even the base Sonata SE model features a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

• Read the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Full Review
• See 2017 Hyundai Sonata Photos
• See Midsize Cars Rankings

2017 Honda Accord

$22,455 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10 (Details Below)

The 2017 Honda Accord isn’t the least expensive model in the midsize sedan segment, but it’s one of the best. Prices start at $22,455, and unless you opt for the V6-equipped Touring model, all Accord trim levels are priced under $30,000. A 185-horsepower four-cylinder engine is standard.

In our rankings of midsize cars, the Accord earns one of the top spots. While the Accord doesn’t stand head and shoulders over its competitors in any one area, it’s like a decathlon athlete that’s competent in nearly every aspect that buyers look at.

You can add a suite of advanced safety features and driver assistance technology to any trim level of the car for $1,000. The Honda Sensing package includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and more.

• Read the 2017 Honda Accord Full Review
• See 2017 Honda Accord Photos
• See Midsize Cars Rankings

More Buying Tools From U.S. News & World Report

On the previous slides, we've listed the top vehicles in our rankings that are also priced below $30,000. If none of them strikes your fancy, we've evaluated hundreds more in our new car rankings. You can compare models side-by-side to find one that’s a perfect fit for your garage.

Even after you’ve found the vehicle you want, your homework isn’t over. The next task is to get a great deal on that great car, and we have some tools to help you do just that. Our new car financing incentives and lease deals pages can save your wallet some pain. Our Best Price Program connects you with local dealers with the best prices, saving buyers an average of $3,279 off MSRP.