The model of the car, its outward appearance and features are essential contributing factors when a person decides to buy a car. But the most important consideration is the price of the car. So let us take a looks at the top 15 cars that cost under $30,000. What do they have to offer with particular reference to performance and fuel efficiency?
Here’s our list of the best value for money cars which cost under $30,000.
- Ford Ranger
- Mazda 3
- Honda Insight
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Toyota Prius AWD-e
- Dodge Journey
- Fiat 500X
- Ford Ecosport
- Ford Explorer
- Toyota RAV4
- Ford Escape Hybrid
- Subaru Legacy
- Subaru Forester
- Honda Civic
- Honda Accord
Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger is a midsize pickup with a 2.3L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine. The vehicle is well equipped with a good towing and hauling capacity. It has loads of safety features and a very powerful engine. The cabin is spacious with plenty of leg room in the second row as well. The best part is that the Ford Ranger is highly fuel efficient.
Ford Ranger Price: $24,000
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 8.2 Sec |
Top speed | 110 mph |
Mile range | 414 miles |
Fuel capacity | 18 U.S gal |
Class | Standard pickup truck |
Traction | RWD (rear wheel drive) |
Mazda 3

The Mazda 3 is a high performance compact car with a 2.0L I4 engine. It is also one of the safest cars on the road with a full rating for safety features. The Mazda 3 has a spritely engine and a very responsive steering and brakes. It has a swift acceleration and excellent fuel efficiency, which makes it a great choice for a family car.
Mazda 3 Price: $20,985
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 9.2 Sec |
Top speed | 132 mph |
Mile range | 406 miles |
Fuel capacity | 14 U.S gal |
Class | Compact car |
Traction | FWD (front-wheel drive) |
Honda Insight

The Honda Insight is a very efficient midsize sedan with comfortable upscale interiors, user-friendly infotainment, great safety features and exceptional gas mileage. It has a 1.5L I4 engine with an automatic variable ratio transmission. The car has an eager acceleration, but the engine does get a bit noisy on hard acceleration.
Honda Insight Price: $22,830
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 9.9 Sec |
Top speed | 114 mph |
Mile range | 583 miles |
Fuel capacity | 10.6 U.S gal |
Class | Mid-size car |
Traction | FWD (front-wheel drive) |
Chevrolet Silverado

The Chevrolet Silverado is a very popular full size pickup. You have a choice of engines between the 3L Duramax diesel engine, and the 5.3L or 6.2L V8 petrol engines. The cabin is extremely comfortable which is quite surprising for a truck. The Silverado offers a balanced handling and good towing capacity. It is a spacious vehicle with the capacity to seat up to 6 people. The diesel engine increases the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, making it a better bargain.
Chevrolet Silverado Price: $28,300
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 7.4 Sec |
Top speed | 130 mph |
Mile range | 200 miles |
Fuel capacity | 26 U.S gal |
Class | Standard pickup truck |
Traction | AWD (all-wheel drive) |
Toyota Prius AWD-e

The Toyota Prius is an AWD hybrid with a 1.8L I4 engine. It is extremely fuel efficient and has excellent styling for better aerodynamics and quicker acceleration. This mid-sized hatchback has a 5-speed manual transmission and a well-tuned powertrain. The car has a generous cabin space making it a great family car.
Toyota Prius AWD-e Price: $27,300
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 11.2 Sec |
Top speed | 114 mph |
Mile range | 300 miles |
Fuel capacity | 10.6 U.S gal |
Class | Mid-size car |
Traction | 4-wheel drive |
Dodge Journey

The Dodge Journey is a midsize SUV with a 3.6L V6 engine. It has a great infotainment system which is very easy to use. It is a comfortable ride and gives an average gas mileage. The car can seat 7 people but the extra seating imposes on the cargo space by limiting it. The highlight of the Journey is that it is very affordably priced for an SUV.
DODGE JOURNEY Price: $22,795
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 9.1 Sec |
Top speed | 119 mph |
Mile range | 401 miles |
Fuel capacity | 21.1 U.S gal |
Class | Small SUV |
Traction | AWD (all-wheel drive) |
Fiat 500X

The Fiat 500X is a subcompact SUV with a 1.3L I4 engine and a 9-speed automatic transmission. The car possesses the unmistakable Italian flair but can’t be regarded very high on the utility scale even though it is a standard all-wheel drive. The Fiat 500X has pretty good fuel efficiency, nice interiors and a deft handling.
FIAT 500X Price: $25,515
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 8.4 Sec |
Top speed | 121 mph |
Mile range | 336 miles |
Fuel capacity | 12.7 U.S gal |
Class | Compact SUV |
Traction | AWD (all-wheel drive) |
Ford Ecosport

The Ford Ecosport is a subcompact SUV with a 2.0L I4 Turbo engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The car has agile handling and is easy to maneuver. It has a large cargo space and an attractive infotainment system. The cabin is spacious and very comfortable. The Ecosport is popular for its fuel efficiency and affordable pricing.
Ford Ecosport Price: $19,995
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 9.7 Sec |
Top speed | 114 mph |
Mile range | 340 miles |
Fuel capacity | 13.6 U.S gal |
Class | Small SUV |
Traction | AWD (all-wheel drive) |
Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is a midsize SUV equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer has numerous standard safety features, which makes it ideal for a family car. This crossover SUV offers 3 rows of seating for 6-7 people and has a large cabin giving everyone plenty of room. The cargo capacity is quite large too.
Ford Explorer Price: $30,365
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 6.1 Sec |
Top speed | 148 mph |
Mile range | 336 miles |
Fuel capacity | 18.6 U.S gal |
Class | Standard SUV |
Traction | AWD (all-wheel drive) |
Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is a very stable compact SUV. It has a 2.0L A25A-FKSI4 engine and an 8speed automatic transmission. The interiors are quite fancy and high tech with a great infotainment system including satellite radio. The cabin is spacious and roomy providing a pleasant ride. The highlight is the high fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
Toyota RAV4 Price: $25,550
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 7.8 Sec |
Top speed | 130 mph |
Mile range | 435 miles |
Fuel capacity | 14.5 U.S gal |
Class | Compact Crossover SUV |
Body style | 5-door SUV |
Traction | FWD (front-wheel drive) |
Ford Escape Hybrid

The Ford Escape Hybrid delivers a refined performance with its 3.0L Duratec 30 V6 engine and 4speed automatic transmissions. It is a smooth and enjoyable ride with excellent fuel efficiency. The cabin is large and roomy and has plenty of convenient features. It is a great choice for a family vehicle.
Ford Escape Hybrid Price: $30,570
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 9.1 Sec |
Top speed | 119 mph |
Mile range | 393 miles |
Fuel capacity | 15.1 U.S gal |
Class | Compact off-road / SUV |
Body style | Sport-utility wagon |
Traction | FWD (front-wheel drive) |
Subaru Legacy

The Subaru Legacy is a midsize car with a 2.0L H4 engine and a 5 speed manual transmission.
The Legacy has a high end very spacious cabin, cutting edge technology and intuitive infotainment. The car has good fuel efficiency, an excellent acceleration and is priced quite affordably.
Subaru Legacy Price: $22,545
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 10 Sec |
Top speed | 78 mph |
Mile range | 200 miles |
Fuel capacity | 10.6 U.S gal |
Class | Micro car |
Body style | Micro car |
Traction | 4WD (four-wheel drive, 4×4) |
Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is an ideal family car with a 2.5L H4 engine and an AV 7speed automatic transmission. The SUV is very smooth to drive and is equipped with easy to use technological features and nice infotainment. The cabin is comfortable and roomy. The Forester is equipped with great safety features and is very fuel efficient too.
Subaru Forester Price: $29,295
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 7.5 Sec |
Top speed | 136 mph |
Mile range | 481 miles |
Fuel capacity | 16.6 U.S gal |
Class | Compact crossover SUV |
Body style | 5-door small SUV |
Traction | All-wheel drive |
Honda Civic

The Honda Civic has a sleek well aligned body and delivers a dynamic performance with its
1.6L I4 engine. The car has high quality upscale interiors and a comfortably spacious cabin. The Civic is equipped with loads of safety features, making it a very safe car. It is also very fuel efficient and affordably priced.
Honda Civic Price: $20,250
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 9.1 Sec |
Top speed | 114 mph |
Mile range | 358 miles |
Fuel capacity | 13.2 U.S gal |
Class | Compact |
Body style | Hatchback |
Traction | FWD (front-wheel drive) |
Honda Accord

The Honda Accord has been named as the safest car of the year. This midsize spritely car comes with a 2.2L I4 engine. The car performs well and has a robust engine delivering a 252 horsepower. Along with a quick acceleration the car gives a good mileage. It is a perfect family car with quality interiors and decent infotainment features.
Honda Accord Price: $26,180
Specifications:
Acceleration 0-60 mph | 7.7 Sec |
Top speed | 142 mph |
Mile range | 442 miles |
Fuel capacity | 14.8 U.S gal |
Class | Mid-size / large family car |
Body style | Sedan |
Traction | FWD (front-wheel drive) |