Best Cars Under $30,000 in 2023

Price: $24,250

The new rally-bred GR Corolla may be well out of reach for people looking to spend less than $30,000, but the normal Corolla hatch falls well under that price line. There's no AWD or turbocharger, but an available stick shift and a lightweight chassis means there's no shortage of fun to be had.

Watch our full review

Price: $29,895

The Civic Si is one of the last bastions of truly affordable fun. It's one of the cheapest performance-oriented vehicles on this list, packing a 201-hp turbocharged engine and an excellent six-speed manual transmission. The interior is lovely, and the whole car drives wonderfully.

Read our first drive review

Price: $28,795

The Bolt EUV is a slightly taller version of the normal Bolt, an all-electric hatch. It's more versatile and usable as a family car, and still gets 247 miles on a single charge.

Check out our full first drive

Price: $27,895

Listen, it's super-easy to option a Mini Cooper S well past $30K, but exercise restraint, and you shall be rewarded—with more power, the tossable nature you're accustomed to, and at long last, an interior that puts usability ahead of retro-cuteness. Oh, the retro lives on, to be sure, but the new Cooper S is a bit more serious in its mission to deliver a viable GTI alternative. It's fast and fun, but take note—the real secret handshake may not be the S at all. The base three-cylinder turbo Cooper is a snorty, joyful thing, and it's cheaper still.

Read our track test of the JCW GP

Price: $28,545

The Prius might be an enthusiast car in the traditional sense, but it's hard to argue its usefulness as an everyday commuter. It's especially interesting now with new, futuristic looks and a 57 mpg estimate for under $30,000.

Check out our first drive

Price: $27,795

Is the turbo inline-four Camaro as powerful as the V-8? Nope. Should you care? Nope! It's smooth, amply powerful at 275 horsepower, sounds good, and looks great thanks to the recent redesign. If you go for the four-pot, you'll also have enough money leftover to spring for the performance exhaust while still staying under $30,000. In the end, the base Camaro is proof that you don't need eight cylinders to feel bitchin'.

Read our review right here

Price: $28,390

You need a big, spacious family car, but you want something that doesn't feel like you're flying the white flag of surrender? The Honda Accord is your answer. It's understatedly handsome and cavernous inside, so you can throw in the child seats and enjoy your favorite back roads with them. Chances are, you'll still have the car when they're old enough to drive.

Here's everything we know about the new version

Price: $29,495

Out of the box, the Toyota GR86 is a track weapon. And on track, you can't hear the zombie mob calling for more power—with the extra 0.4 liters of displacement added for 2023, we're not sure it needs it. What it does need is a better exhaust note, but the perfect placement and action of the pedals, wheel, and shifter put a lot of the petty gripes into perspective. It's exactly what we've been asking for since the 240SX went away. So haters gonna hate, but we'll keep enjoying it on the track.

Here's how it compares against the Miata

Price: $29,615

If you'd rather have a Subaru badge on your boxer-engine two-door, the BRZ is another great choice. It shares almost everything with the 86, save for the front and rear fascias.

Read our winter review

Price: $25,335

At a starting price of under $26,000, the Mazda 3 is one of the cheaper cars on this list. A stiff chassis and perfect suspension setup make for a car that punches way above its weight in on-road poise.

We love how it drives

Price: $29,215

For years, the Mazda Miata has been the go-to sports car for enthusiasts on a budget. Its balance, handling, and simplicity make it a blast to drive right out of the box, but it also makes a great starting point if you want to build your own heavily modified track car.

Here's our guide to every generation of Miata

Price: $24,170

With the prices of full-size pickup trucks going up and up, it's tough to find a utilitarian vehicle on a budget. The Ford Maverick breaks through with standard hybrid power and enough capability to be an all-around workhorse for most people.

Check out our review of the Maverick Tremor

Price: $28,925

As far as cheap crossovers go, the Mazda CX-50 is among the most enjoyable. It's genuinely fun to drive—not something you say often about high-riding cars priced under $30,000. It also looks good inside and out, with lots of useful standard features.

Check out our full road test of the CX-50