Best Cars Under $30,000

Models whose entry trim lists below $30,000 — the broadest slice of the new-car market — ranked by fuel economy.

Best Cars Under $30,000, ranked
#ModelFromPrice rangeYears
1Toyota Prius$24,800 · 58 mpg$24,800–$37,7002015–2026
2Toyota CamryReliability 8.9 / 10$22,250 · 53 mpg$22,250–$36,7502015–2026
3Honda CR-VReliability 8.8 / 10$23,320 · 52 mpg$23,320–$50,0002015–2026
4Honda Accord$22,105 · 46 mpg$22,105–$40,4502015–2026
5Ford Escape$23,750 · 44 mpg$23,750–$41,9952015–2026
6Ford Fusion Hybrid$26,060 · 43 mpg$26,060–$38,2652015–2020
7Ford C-Max Hybrid$24,120 · 42 mpg$24,120–$27,2752015–2018
8Volkswagen GolfReliability 7.5 / 10$23,895 · 39 mpg$23,895–$44,6402020
9Toyota Corolla Cross$24,800 · 38 mpg$24,800–$34,1002022–2026
10Toyota RAV4$25,405 · 38 mpg$25,405–$41,7502015–2026
11Hyundai Sonata$21,150 · 38 mpg$21,150–$38,8002015–2026
12Kia SportageReliability 8.3 / 10$21,700 · 37 mpg$21,700–$27,7002015–2026
13Hyundai TucsonReliability 8.2 / 10$21,800 · 37 mpg$21,800–$29,9002015–2026
14Chrysler 200$21,995 · 36 mpg$21,995–$31,7852015–2017
15Audi A3$29,900 · 36 mpg$29,900–$44,2952015–2026
16Acura ILX$26,895 · 36 mpg$26,895–$36,0952015–2026
17Buick LaCrosse$29,570 · 36 mpg$29,570–$44,8702015–2019
18Chevrolet Malibu$21,625 · 36 mpg$21,625–$33,5002015–2025
19Buick Regal$27,065 · 36 mpg$27,065–$37,3852015–2017
20Toyota Sienna$29,845 · 36 mpg$29,845–$59,8052015–2026

Figures are the best quoted across each model's trims and years, taken from the Cars4Real catalog. Prices are original sticker prices, so used examples list for less.

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