You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a reliable new car.
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It’s easy to find a reliable vehicle when you’re willing to shell out $50,000 or more at the dealership. But what about when you have a smaller budget?
Don’t worry — there are still plenty of great, reliable cars out there that cost less than $30,000. As part of making smart money moves for car owners, we read reviews and test results from top organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and Edmunds to create a list of reliable options that won’t break the bank.
Starting MSRP: $29,000
Starting with a popular compact car that sells just under $30,000, the 2026 Toyota Camry offers a lot for the money. The IIHS listed last year’s model as a TOP SAFETY PICK+ and gave the Camry its highest rating (Good) in all crashworthiness categories. Since Toyota didn’t make any changes between 2025 and 2026, buyers can assume the newer version is just as safe.
After extensive testing, the experts at Edmunds gave the 2026 Camry an 8.1 out of 10 Great rating and called it the best midsize sedan of the year.
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Starting MSRP: $28,295
The IIHS put the 2025 Honda Accord on its TOP SAFETY PICK+ list, proving that this is a top buy regardless of your budget. The sedan got the highest possible rating in all crashworthiness categories.
If you turn to Edmunds, you’ll find even more good news about the 2025 Accord. Its expert testers say it’s the second-best midsize sedan of the year. They give it an 8.0 out of 10 Good score.
Starting MSRP: $27,390
The IIHS gives the 2025 Kia K5 mixed reviews, but it’s important to keep in mind that the manufacturer made some important updates to the 2026 model. When Edmunds tested the 2026 K5, its experts gave it a 7.9 out of 10 Good score. That’s reassuring.
Edmunds also calls the 2026 Kia K5 a great deal, saying that it offers a lot of features for the price. If you can pay a little more for the GT trim, you’ll get a turbocharged engine that makes the car much faster and more powerful.
Kia did issue a recall for its 2023, 2024, and 2025 K5 sedans because the window trim can detach. That’s not a serious issue, and there isn’t any sign that the 2026 model has a similar problem.
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The Subaru Crosstrek has a history of high safety ratings and reliability. The NHTSA put the 2024 version on its short list of models with 5-star safety ratings. The IIHS gives it top ratings in nearly every category (it fell a little short of expectations in updated tests for moderate overlap front and side crashworthiness).
Edmunds praises the 2025 Crosstrek for its all-wheel drive’s ability to handle inclement weather easily. Since AWD comes standard, every owner benefits. The Crosstek also gets noted for its good fuel economy, roomy interior, and off-road capabilities.
Starting MSRP: $25,940
The 2025 Buick Encore GX’s peppy acceleration, competent handling, and upscale interior prompt Edmunds to give the SUV a 7.9 out of 10 Good rating. Not surprisingly, you’ll need to spend more money to access the top-tier features, but the standard version is still an excellent buy.
The 2025 Encore GX gets the top rating for crashworthiness from the IIHS, which also notes that the small SUV comes with standard blind spot detection and standard lane departure warning and prevention for enhanced safety.
It’s an undeniably good option for the price point.
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Starting MSRP: $21,830
The 2025 Nissan Kicks is the least expensive vehicle on this list that gets a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA. Edmunds gives it a 7.7 out of 10 Good rating, noting that it has a lot of style and impressive technology for the price.
The IIHS got mixed test results in its lab, but still gives the 2025 Kicks its highest rating in most categories.
Starting MSRP: $20,490
Think that any small SUV that sells for less than $20,500 will offer an underwhelming experience? Kia wants to reset your expectations.
The IIHS gives the 2025 Kia Soul top ratings in every safety category except for one. The Soul’s child seat anchors get an Acceptable rating because they’re buried a bit deep in the seat, making them difficult to access. That’s a pretty minor complaint that will cost you a few minutes a day at worst.
Edmunds praises the 2025 Soul for its nimble handling and unexpected roominess, giving it a 7.9 out of 10 Good rating.
The 2025 Kia Soul doesn’t have any recalls, so you can feel confident with your purchase.
Yes, you can buy a great, reliable vehicle for less than $30,000. Still, it’s important to keep up with maintenance. Most importantly, get your oil and other fluids changed according to the schedule in your owner’s manual. If you take it to a mechanic, they will usually check all of the levels, the filters, and other components.
As long as you stay on top of vehicle maintenance, you should be able to avoid expensive repairs — and that can go a long way toward helping you lower financial stress.
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