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Choose these affordable autos for satisfying daily driving.
New cars sure have gotten expensive, haven’t they? Thanks to a gradual withering of the affordable compact and subcompact sedan segments that’s coincided with an explosion of pricier SUVs, the number of quality brand-new cars under $30,000 has become scant. Still, there are a number of solid choices currently on sale for those that want to get around in an ordinary car with a little verve.
While the picks below are based more on our personal preferences as opposed to their place within our Ultimate Car Rankings, these are all cars that we’d happily park in our own driveways. Read on for the MotorTrend take on some of the best new cars for less than $30,000 you can buy.
As the edgy-looking replacement for the Forte compact sedan, the 2025 Kia K4 differentiates itself through its hot styling, spacious interior, and available big-screen tech. The GT-Line Turbo, one of the sportier cars you can get for south of $30,000, features upgraded brakes all around and a multilink rear suspension. As a MotorTrend Car of the Year finalist, the Kia K4 impressed us with its overall affordability that came with few compromises.

Read the MotorTrend Expert Review of the 2025 Kia K4
The redesigned 2026 Nissan Sentra arrives as a rare value in an era of shrinkflation. Nissan focused on style and technology for the updated Sentra, save for a few minor mechanical and tuning enhancements. Fun isn’t the priority here, but the Sentra’s comfortable ride and quiet cabin make for a pleasant conveyance. You can get into a fully loaded Sentra SL for $29,235, which receives desirable features such as Nissan’s ProPilot Assist hands-free driving technology and an eight-speaker Bose audio system.

Read the MotorTrend Expert Review of the 2026 Nissan Sentra
Some of the other cars on this list are more fun to drive than the 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid, but the thrifty four-door sedan is a great option for those looking for fuel-efficient transportation. Toyota packs a lot of features into the midlevel SE model, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and keyless entry. You can even get a Corolla Hybrid equipped at the SE grade with all-wheel drive for just less than $30,000. The Corolla Hybrid is what we’d call “competence incarnate.”

Read the MotorTrend Expert Review of the 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Although the 2026 Mazda 3 has gone in a more premium direction than its predecessor, Mazda has continued to keep the price of its beloved top compact hatchback in an affordable place. An upscale interior and solid handling make this compact a great choice for those in the market for a new car that won’t break the bank. Strong safety ratings are another reason to go for the 2026 Mazda 3, as all models receive a 2025 Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS.
Even with the standard automatic gearbox, the Mazda 3 remains one of the most engaging compacts on the market. You can still get it with a manual transmission, but you have to shell out for the pricier 2.5 S Premium trim, which starts at $33,280.

Read the MotorTrend Expert Review of the 2026 Mazda 3
The 2026 Honda Civic Sport is the archetypical Honda. It rides well and features balanced, engaging handling, with a solid overall road feel and great build quality. While its tech options and overall power are somewhat lacking, the Civic is a well-considered and competently engineered car that offers great value in a world where few such machines exist for less than $30,000. As one of the best entry-level cars on sale, the Civic Sport, along with its higher end Civic Hybrid sibling, earned a spot as a Car of the Year finalist. Get the hatchback and enjoy near-SUV utility in a vehicle with a compact footprint.

Read the MotorTrend Expert Review of the 2026 Honda Civic Sport
Limboing just under our ice cap at $29,475, the 2026 Toyota Prius is a highly recommendable hybrid hatchback. This is undoubtedly the best-driving and most attractive Prius yet. Base models are the most efficient offerings in the Prius lineup. You may even decide to use the money you’ll eventually save at the pump to tiptoe over the $30,000 cap with a fancier trim level. The current generation Prius also happens to be our 2024 Car of the Year.

Read the MotorTrend Expert Review of the 2026 Toyota Prius
The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, essentially a remix of the recently discontinued model with several new updates, is on the precipice of a return to the market at a starting price of $29,990, which would make it the cheapest EV on sale in the U.S. So far, Chevy has only said that the 2027 Bolt EV will be a limited-run model, with another base version of the Bolt arriving soon after that Chevy says will come in at an even cheaper $28,995.
The original Bolt EV was a practical and energy-efficient runabout that earned our 2017 Car of the Year award, a compelling vehicle that arrived at a time when EVs were just entering the mainstream. The Bolt EV’s comeback will feature upgrades that should further modernize the hatchback for the current state of the market. For the full details on the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, read our First Look review right here.
Billy Rehbock’s passion for cars started with his dad’s Volkswagen Jetta GLX, his mom’s Cabriolet, and his own Hot Wheels collection. A USC graduate with a Master of Science in journalism, he’s an associate editor for the MotorTrend Buyer’s Guide and covers everything from sports cars to SUVs.
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