Best Used Cars Under $30,000: Smart Picks From Toyota, Mercedes, and More
Spare yourself from sticker shock with one of these top used car picks.
As with new vehicles, used cars are generally more affordable than more popular used SUVs. But which ones are worth the money? We're here to help take some of the guesswork out of your next sub-$30,000 car purchase with our research on the best used cars.
Culling data from several sources and thousands of vehicles, we filtered for quality, reliability, and safety to come up with a collection that includes many compact and some midsize offerings. Some hybrid and luxury choices are included, as well. All the vehicles on this list meet our standards for drivability and livability. Here are the best used cars under $30,000 that you should consider buying.
About MotorTrend's methodology: We consider many of the same factors in our new car rankings system. Any vehicle we recommend must have earned an IIHSTop Safety Pick award or NHTSAoverall five-star safety rating and have some used car inventory with under 80,000 miles (the upper limit on many automaker CPO programs). An above-average J.D. Powerquality and reliability rating is a plus.
2021–2022 Lexus IS – Luxury Compact Sedan
Pros: This small Lexus sedan delivers a good balance of refined ride and sporty handling. More powerful trims of the IS are decently quick, too, though performance testing numbers aren’t especially impressive. Every model picked up a standard infotainment touchscreen for 2021, and the V-8 IS500 made its debut for 2022.
Cons: Competitors offer more rear legroom and cargo volume. The Lexus’ exterior styling can be divisive, and generally the car lacks charm.
2021–2022 Lexus IS – Luxury Compact Sedan
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $26,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 21/31 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 435 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 7.0 seconds
2022–2023 Kia Stinger – Compact Fastback
Pros: Like earlier versions, the final two model years of this distinctive-looking four-door liftback come with sporty driving dynamics and lots of interior space. The larger 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane keeping become standard with the 2022 Stinger. Both the base turbo-four and upgrade V-6 powertrains pick up more output that year, too.
Cons: A disappointing amount of road noise filters into the cabin. Interior fit and finish could be nicer for this near-premium competitor. An overactive stability control system takes some of the fun out of driving RWD models hard.
2022–2023 Kia Stinger – Compact Fastback
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $25,500
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 22/32 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 398 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 5.7 seconds
2022 Genesis G70 – Luxury Compact Sedan
Pros: Strong four- and six-cylinder engines, an agile chassis, and an upscale cabin help make this small sedan one of the best used cars under $30,000. This year’s interior gains a larger standard 10.3-inch touchscreen with better resolution and new operating software. The G70 is consistently one of the segment’s top models, having won MotorTrend’s Car of the Year award for 2019.
Cons: The 2022 G70’s turbo-four is underpowered, and generally, rivals offer engines with better efficiency. Cargo capacity in the trunk is among the worst in class.
2022 Genesis G70 – Luxury Compact Sedan
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $22,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+
- Fuel Economy: 21/31 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 379 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 6.2 seconds
2021 Honda Insight – Compact Hybrid Sedan
Pros: Built on the Civic’s solid foundation, the Insight delivers an engaging but comfortable ride and a thoughtful interior with plenty of storage. Best of all, it achieves great fuel economy as a hybrid car.
Cons: At highway speeds and under load, engine noise is loud and coarse. The Insight LX base grade comes with a small 5.0-inch infotainment display, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not offered until the next trim level up.
2021 Honda Insight – Compact Hybrid Sedan
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $22,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 55/49 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 551 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 7.3 seconds
2022 Honda Accord – Midsize Sedan
Pros: This version of the typically top-ranking sedan features a spacious interior, big trunk, and intuitive tech. Vehicle handling is top notch, and any of the Accord’s three powertrains is a good choice.
Cons: Too much road noise permeates the cabin, especially at elevated speeds. At 8.0 inches across, the Accord’s infotainment touchscreen might seem a touch on the small side.
2022 Honda Accord – Midsize Sedan
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $19,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 30/38 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 488 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 7.2 seconds
2023 Honda Civic – Compact Car
Pros: Sedan or hatchback, great road manners are standard, this Civic delivering a cohesive ride and handling balance. The car’s safety and technology have become some of the best in class, as well. Exterior and interior styling has matured beautifully.
Cons: Most Civic models aren’t very quick, and the best tech is reserved for the Touring top trim. The car’s cabin gets loud at highway speeds.
2023 Honda Civic – Compact Car
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $19,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 30–31/38–40 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 409–434 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 9.2 seconds
2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class – Luxury Compact Car
Pros: Available as a four-door sedan, two-door coupe, or two-door convertible, every version of the C-Class boasts a distinctly luxurious interior. New standard equipment across the lineup this year includes heated front seats. Most models balance great driving dynamics with solid fuel economy.
Cons: Ride quality on the sport suspension can feel a little stiff. Coupe and cabriolet variants offer seating for just four. Opting for the convertible means giving up some trunk space.
2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class – Luxury Compact Car
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $19,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 23/35 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 470 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 5.5 seconds*
*Same-generation 2019 model
2021–2023 Toyota Camry – Midsize Sedan
Pros: Efficient four-cylinder and hybrid powertrain choices are available, as well as a strong V-6. The Camry also benefits from superb safety ratings and plenty of standard driver assists with every trim. XSE models feature premium interiors that rival luxury cars.
Cons: The TRD variant is not as sporty as it looks. Generally, rivals offer better driver engagement and performance. Quarters can be tight for some rear passengers.
2021–2023 Toyota Camry – Midsize Sedan
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $16,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 28/39 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 506 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 7.6 seconds
2022 Nissan Altima – Midsize Sedan
Pros: Fuel economy is commendable across the 2022 Altima’s two powertrain and drivetrain configurations. The sedan’s cabin is also spacious, uncomplicated, and downright agreeable, with cushy front seats and an intuitive infotainment interface. Most versions launch competently, but only less powerful versions exhibit confident grip and braking performance.
Cons: Be aware that turbo models come with a poorly tuned CVT, AWD models can understeer at the limit, and SR trims with 19-inch wheels suffer from rough ride quality. Both the standard 7.0-inch and upgraded 8.0-inch touchscreens are on the small side, and neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto are available on the Altima S base trim.
2022 Nissan Altima – Midsize Sedan
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $14,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 28/29 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 518 miles
0–60 MPH Acceleration: 7.4 seconds*
*Same-generation 2019 model
2022 Toyota Corolla – Compact Car
Pros: Sedan or hatchback, gas or hybrid, every 2022 Corolla features a solid ride and plenty of standard safety tech. Most grades are efficient, too.
Cons: The Honda Civic sets a high bar. In comparison to its chief rival, the Corolla doesn’t perform as well dynamically, isn’t as refined, and doesn’t offer as much space. The Toyota is also not as upscale inside.
2022 Toyota Corolla – Compact Car
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $14,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 30/38 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 436 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 10.2 seconds
Best Used Cars Under $30,000: Both Mainstream and Luxury Sedans Top Our List
Popular models from Honda and Toyota are just some of our picks.
It seems we've turned the corner on peak car prices, and used car prices should remain stable for 2024. That's good news for those on the hunt or thinking of joining it soon—perhaps just as valuable as knowing where to look for your next vehicle. We've taken some of the guesswork out of that choice with our short list of the best used cars under $30,000.
The list features full-size, midsize, and compact vehicles, and several get great fuel economy. Keep reading to see which used cars under $30,000 we recommend.
About MotorTrend's methodology: We consider many of the same factors inour new car rankings system, starting with value.The experts at IntelliChoiceconduct extensive research to assess long-term value on 3- to 5-year-old vehicles, which means our picks start at the 2020 model year. IntelliChoice considers resale value, the cost of insurance, maintenance costs, fuel costs, and more. We prioritize models receiving a Good or Excellent IntelliChoice used car value rating. An above-averageJ.D. Powerquality and reliability rating is also a plus. Any vehicle we recommend must have earned anIIHSTop Safety Pick orNHTSAoverall five-star safety rating and have some used car inventory with under 80,000 miles (the upper limit on many automakerCPO programs).
Also read:
Best Used Cars Under $20,000: Attainable Style, Luxury, and Performance
2021-2022 Lexus ES: Luxury Midsize Sedan
Pros:The 2022 ES comes with updates that include a restyled front end, touch capability for both the standard 8.0-inch and available 12.3-inch infotainment screens, and driver assist feature enhancements. Either year delivers a premium Lexus experience through a spacious cabin, comfortable seats, and high-quality materials. It's got a big trunk, too.
Cons:The hybrid models get the lineup's best fuel economy but also hold their value better (which is why it's not on this sub-$30,000 list). No variant is sporty—not even the F Sport—and generally the ride could use refinement. If personality is a criterion, you might want to look elsewhere.
2021-2022 Lexus ES: Luxury Midsize Sedan
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $26,000
- IntelliChoice Value Rating: Good to Excellent
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA 5 Stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 22/32 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 413 miles
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: 8.2 seconds
2022 Genesis G70: Luxury Compact Sedan
Pros:Genesis exterior design is a language all its own, and the G70 is especially distinctive. Its luxuriously designed and well-appointed cabin is bathed in high-quality materials, and 2022 is the first year for the lineup's standard 10.3-inch touchscreen. The G70 is a driver's car, as well, with the power and athleticism of European rivals. A refined ride adds to its appeal.
Cons:Neither powertrain is all that efficient. With the turbo-four base engine, the G70 feels a little underpowered. Plus, its trunk is on the small side.
2022 Genesis G70: Luxury Compact Sedan
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $25,000
- IntelliChoice Value Rating: Good
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+
- Fuel Economy: 21/31 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 379 miles
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: 4.6 seconds
2022 Toyota Avalon: Full-Size Sedan
Pros:The Avalon delights with plenty of passenger and trunk space and a premium, near-luxury interior. Most models boast a comfort-oriented ride, but the Touring trim's adaptive suspension adds a welcome level of sportiness to the full-size sedan. With the available V-6, the Avalon is also quick in a straight line.
Cons:The 2022 model is the Avalon's swan song, and AWD models were discontinued a year prior. Luxury is undermined by a noisy cabin. Its front grille seems needlessly huge.
2022 Toyota Avalon: Full-Size Sedan
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $24,000
- IntelliChoice Value Rating: Good
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick, NHTSA 5 Stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 22/31 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 395 miles
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: 6.0 seconds*
*Same generation 2019 model
2020 Volvo S60: Luxury Compact Sedan
Pros:We love how even the S60 base model is rich with feature content, boasting a panoramic roof, rain-sensing wipers, LED headlights, and a digital instrument cluster. The Swedish four-door offers charming exterior styling and a soft, well-controlled ride. Inside, there's plenty of space and great outward visibility.
Cons:It's neither sporty nor quick unless you get it with the unpredictably behaving T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain. Some basic controls are buried in the touchscreen interface. It comes with only a few standard active driver assist features, which seems unusual for a vehicle from an automaker that prides itself on setting the bar in safety.
2020 Volvo S60: Luxury Compact Sedan
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $22,000
- IntelliChoice Value Rating: Excellent
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick, NHTSA 5 Stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 23/34 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 392 miles
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: 6.8 seconds (est)
2022 Honda Accord: Midsize Sedan
Pros: The 2022 Accord topped our midsize sedan rankings mostly for the same reasons the current one does. It's engaging to drive, with better dynamics than most of its peers. It delivers some of the most rear-seat and cargo space in its segment. We're also fans of its well-equipped cabin and intuitive technology.
Cons:Unfortunately, those tech features don't include a decently sized central touchscreen, which is only 8.0 inches in the 2022 Accord. Road noise in the cabin spoils an otherwise refined ride.
2022 Honda Accord: Midsize Sedan
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $21,000
- IntelliChoice Value Rating: Good
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA 5 Stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 30/38 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 488 miles
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: 7.2 seconds*
*Same generation 2021 model
2020 Mazda 3: Compact Car
Pros:It looks more expensive than it is. The 3's cabin features premium soft-touch materials and solid-feeling switchgear. We like its driver ergonomics and sharp digital displays, as well. The 2020 Mazda 3 gained standard driver assist features on the base trim.
Cons:The entry-level trim still doesn't come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the central display isn't a touchscreen. Excess road noise, not enough rear legroom, and the hatchback's blind spots are other strikes. We wish the 3 was as agile as previous generations.
2020 Mazda 3: Compact Car
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $17,500
- IntelliChoice Value Rating: Good
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA 5 Stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 26/35 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 396 miles
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: 7.0 seconds
2021 Honda Civic: Compact Car
Pros: The Civic is a class leader for its engaging driving experience, commendable fuel economy, excellent interior packaging, and generous standard feature content. Although 2020 was the last model year of the two-door coupe body style, sedan and hatchback models remained available through the car's 10th generation.
Cons:Civic LX base models aren't offered with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay but do come with a puny 5.0-inch infotainment display. The 10th-generation's arguably over-styled exterior design isn't for everyone.
2021 Honda Civic: Compact Car
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $16,000
- IntelliChoice Value Rating: Good
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick, NHTSA 5 Stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 30-31/38-40 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 409-422 miles
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: 7.1 seconds
2020 Subaru Impreza: Compact Car
Pros:As with others here, the 2020 Impreza is offered in sedan and hatchback (also considered "wagon") models. Both boast a spacious interior, solid build quality, and excellent outward views. Ride and handling are less sporty and more comfortable and stable.
Cons:Its 152-hp 2.0-liter non-turbo flat-four is barely up to the task. The ride in Sport models is stiffer and noisier, and no 2020 Impreza makes much of a visual impression. Imprezas with the manual transmission miss out on driver assist features.
2020 Subaru Impreza: Compact Car
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $15,500
- IntelliChoice Value Rating: Good
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick, NHTSA 5 Stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 28/36 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 409 miles
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: 9.0 seconds*
*Same generation 2017 model
2020 and 2022 Toyota Corolla: Compact Car
Pros:Sedan or hatchback, this generation of the Corolla is one of the best-looking to date. It delivers a solid ride and returns good fuel economy. Standard Toyota Safety Sense brings automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, automatic high-beams, and adaptive cruise control.
Cons:The base powertrain lacks grunt and refinement. Cabin materials feel cheap, too. That said, the Corolla's biggest problem might be the Honda Civic, which does everything just a little better than the Toyota compact.
2020 and 2022 Toyota Corolla: Compact Car
Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $14,000
- IntelliChoice Value Rating: Good to Excellent
- Safety Ratings: 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick, 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA 5 Stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 30-32/38-41 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 436-462 miles
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: 7.8 seconds
Best Used Cars Under $30,000
- 2020 and 2022 Toyota Corolla
- 2020 Volvo S60
My dad was a do-it-yourselfer, which is where my interest in cars began. To save money, he used to service his own vehicles, and I often got sent to the garage to hold a flashlight or fetch a tool for him while he was on his back under a car. Those formative experiences activated and fostered a curiosity in Japanese automobiles because that’s all my Mexican immigrant folks owned then. For as far back as I can remember, my family always had Hondas and Toyotas. There was a Mazda and a Subaru in there, too, a Datsun as well. My dad loved their fuel efficiency and build quality, so that’s how he spent and still chooses to spend his vehicle budget. Then, like a lot of young men in Southern California, fast modified cars entered the picture in my late teens and early 20s. Back then my best bud and I occasionally got into inadvisable high-speed shenanigans in his Honda. Coincidentally, that same dear friend got me my first job in publishing, where I wrote and copy edited for action sports lifestyle magazines. It was my first “real job” post college, and it gave me the experience to move just a couple years later to Auto Sound & Security magazine, my first gig in the car enthusiast space. From there, I was extremely fortunate to land staff positions at some highly regarded tuner media brands: Honda Tuning, UrbanRacer.com, and Super Street. I see myself as a Honda guy, and that’s mostly what I’ve owned, though not that many—I’ve had one each Civic, Accord, and, currently, an Acura RSX Type S. I also had a fourth-gen Toyota pickup when I met my wife, with its bulletproof single-cam 22R inline-four, way before the brand started calling its trucks Tacoma and Tundra. I’m seriously in lust with the motorsport of drifting, partly because it reminds me of my boarding and BMX days, partly because it’s uncorked vehicle performance, and partly because it has Japanese roots. I’ve never been much of a car modifier, but my DC5 is lowered, has a few bolt-ons, and the ECU is re-flashed. I love being behind the wheel of most vehicles, whether that’s road tripping or circuit flogging, although a lifetime exposed to traffic in the greater L.A. area has dulled that passion some. And unlike my dear ol’ dad, I am not a DIYer, because frankly I break everything I touch.
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