The Best New Cars You Can Buy for Less Than $30,000

Let’s face it, cars have never been cheap; for most of us in the U.S., they’re the second-most expensive item we purchase, after a home. Even by the standards of the personal transportation market, though, these days feel painful. The average new car price these days hovers around $48,000 — at a time when the median pre-tax household income is about $75,000.

That doesn’t mean the demand for affordable new vehicles isn’t out there, however. If anything, that demand is growing. A recent Cars.com analysis found that nearly half of car shoppers plan on spending less than $30,000 on their next vehicle purchase … even though only 12 percent of new cars qualify as that low in price.

This, however, is a place where we at Gear Patrol can offer a dash of guidance. As journalists who drive, test and otherwise encounter a majority of new models that go on sale in America every year, we have plenty of knowledge of which trucks, sedans, SUVs and so forth are good bargains, which are worth a splurge and which are worth avoiding.

So, to help all of us out there find an affordable ride without going to the used car lot, we’ve pulled together a list of the top new hatchbacks, sedans, crossovers and pickup trucks you can go home with after spending less than 30 grand — destination fee included. For a little value-add, we’re even going so far as to specify the ideal trim level and options you should spend your hard-earned cash on, picking the ones that add the most to your car; all prices specified are with any packages mentioned in each listing.

Without further ado, here, then, are the 10 best new cars you can buy in 2024 for less than $30,000.

2024 VW Jetta Sport: $23,810

VW

Did you know you can buy a brand-new, suprisingly roomy Volkswagen Jetta with a six-speed manual, a limited-slip differential, an impressive 184 lb-ft of torque and an all-glass digital instrument panel for a shockingly low price? Honestly, the Jetta Sport might be the best value proposition in today’s new car market. Almost makes up for them axing the stick shift out of the GTI and Golf R.

202 Kia Soul EX: $25,615

Kia

Much as Chevy does with the Trax, Kia markets the Soul as an SUV … but much like the Trax, it’s obviously a hatchback. But it’s a capacious, convenient one at that — and one that you can have with all the features, including the optional EX Designer Package that brings 18-inch wheels and unique interior trim, for less than $26K.

Read our review of the Kia Soul.

_{Pictured: Kia Soul GT-Line}

2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS: $26,685

Will Sabel Courtney

Speaking of the Trax: After driving the all-new model last year, we named it one of the best cheap cars Detroit has ever made — and it’s also one of the cheapest cars on this list. Even fully loaded, in RS trim with the optional Driver Confidence Package and Sunroof Package, it’s incredibly affordable. One thing you can’t get at any price is all-wheel-drive, but it’s such a good all-around package, you won’t mind.

Read our review of the Chevrolet Trax here.

2024 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport: $27,445

Honda

The Honda Civic has long been one of the best affordable cars on sale in America, and that remains as true as ever today. Here in 2024, the best bet is the hatchback body style, which offers more flexibility in cargo carrying than the sedan but gives up nothing in visual appeal.

The other reason we pick the hatch is that it’s the sole (non-performance trim) Civic where you can still find a six-speed manual, in the Sport trim; that would be our pick, but if you want / prefer / need an automatic, the CVT-only EX-L that packs more features also comes in under $30K.

Read our review of the Honda Civic here.

2024 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S Select Sport: $27,875

mp-curtet.1

Mazda’s CX-30 may no longer be the freshest crossover in the brand’s showroom, but it still looks damn good — much like the closely related Mazda 3 hatch. Unlike the Mazda 3, you can buy it for under $30K with all-wheel-drive.

Read our review of the Mazda CX-30.

_{Pictured: Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus}

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium: $28,985

Will Sabel Courtney

Subaru’s new-and-improved Crosstrek is the best subcompact crossover you can buy right now, and it’s also available for under $30K — if only by choosing the Premium trim and forgoing the larger engine found in the Crosstrek Wilderness, Limited and Sport. Just be sure to also add the creatively named Optional Package, which brings blind spot and cross traffic warnings, heated seats and mirrors and a wiper de-icer, a power driver’s seat and a power moonroof.

Read our review of the Subaru Crosstrek here.

_{Pictured: Subaru Crosstrek Limited}

2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV 1LT: $28,985

Chevrolet

Chevrolet’s Bolt may be a bit long in the tooth, but it’s still a solid affordable EV, with room for four adults, more than 250 miles of range — and a reasonable price. We’d be sure to option it with the Driver Confidence Package, which brings blind spot and rear cross traffic alerts and rear parking assist, and the Comfort & Convenience Package that brings heated front seat and steering wheel.

Two important caveats apply here — one good, one bad. The good: the Bolt is also eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit that now comes at the point of sale, so your actual out-the-door price will probably be $21,485 — which would make it the cheapest car on the list, albeit on a technicality. The bad: the Bolt is leaving production, so inventory is going quick.

Read our review of the Chevrolet Bolt EV here.

2024 Subaru Impreza RS: $29,005

Will Sabel Courtney

The new-for-’24 Impreza impresses in general, coming laden with an arsenal of safety and convenience features — and, of course, all-wheel-drive. The RS is the pick of the litter, though, thanks to its significantly more powerful engine (the one you can’t get in the similarly priced Crosstrek Premium, for what it’s worth) … as well as being fully loaded at a very reasonable price.

2024 Toyota Prius LE: $29,540

Tyler Duffy

The Prius has long been affordable and fuel-efficient, but now it’s also handsome — and even bordering on fun to drive. The only one that falls within our price cap is the base model Prius LE, but that still provides you with everything you need in a daily driver. And hey, that’s the Prius with the best gas mileage, to boot.

Read our review of the Toyota Prius here.

_{Pictured: Toyota Prius Prime}

2024 Ford Maverick XL AWD: $29,670

Tyler Duffy

When the Maverick launched, it did so with that rare feature: a price starting under $20,000, at least on paper where they leave out the destination fee. Times have changed; 2021’s basic $20K Maverick XL hybrid now starts $5,000 higher — a 25-percent climb.

Still, it’s the most affordable way to score a new pickup truck in America, and it still has plenty going for it. Opt for the base XL trim and the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four; not only is it now the standard engine, it’s also the only way to get all-wheel-drive. And since it’s a truck, you’ll want the optional 4K Tow Package that beefs up the auxiliaries for towing duty and the Ford CoPilot360 Package that brings blind spot and cross-traffic warnings.

Read our review of the Ford Maverick.

_{Pictured: Ford Maverick Tremor}

Honorable Mention — 2024 Mini Cooper S Hardtop 2-Door: $30,095

Mini

Okay, so the Mini Cooper S 2-door earns an honorable mention here because it’s ever-so-slightly over the limit — less than a Franklin, in fact. And to get it that way, you have to spec it with zero options. But that still gets you all the inherent Mini charm and fun, as well as — blessedly — a six-speed stick.

The Future Cars We’re Most Excited to Drive:

Scout

• 2025 Toyota 4Runner
• 2028 Jeep Wrangler EV
• 2026 Scout Motors Pickup/SUV
• 2025 Volvo ES90
• 2026 Subaru Outback
• 2025 Dodge Charger Electric

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