7 2025 Cars That Will Cost Less Than $30K

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Automotive prices and loan interest rates remain high, due in part to inflation. According to Federal Reserve data, the annual percentage rate for 60- and 72-month auto loans from commercial banks has remained above 8% throughout 2024.

Kelley Blue Book (KBB) data shows that the average new-car price in June was $48,644, only $307 lower than one year ago. High interest rates combined with high car prices can make it feel like a new car might be out of reach. The good news is that the KBB figure includes all types of vehicles, even pricier trucks and SUVs, so some 2025 car options might still fit your budget. 

Here’s a look at seven 2025 cars that will cost you less than $30,000.

Kia K4

• Starting MSRP: $22,000

According to Kia, the K4 is a compact car with spacious accommodations, including a midsize sedan’s cargo room and backseat legroom. Standard K4 features include a wide-screen digital display that supports Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11 advanced driver-assistance features, LED headlights and a 10-year, 100,000-mile limited warranty.

Toyota Corolla Hatchback

• Starting MSRP: $23,630

The Corolla Hatchback has a sporty design, including a sport drive mode with paddle shifters. It also comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes lane departure alerts with steering assistance, a pre-collision system that can detect pedestrians and more. All three Corolla Hatchback trims have a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price under $30,000.

Honda Civic

• Starting MSRP: $24,250

Three of the four 2025 Honda Civic trims have a starting MSRP under $30,000 and come standard with several Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technologies. Even the Civic Sport Hybrid starts at only $28,750 and its fuel-friendly, electronic controlled continuously variable transmission gets an estimated 50 miles per gallon around town and 47 miles per gallon on the highway.

Subaru Legacy

• Starting MSRP: $24,895

The Subaru Legacy is a four-door sedan and two of its five trims start at under $30,000. Some Legacy safety features include LED steering-responsive headlights, a rear-vision camera and EyeSight driver-assist technology — which, according to Subaru, “acts like an extra set of eyes on the road and, if need be, an extra foot on the brake.”

Chevrolet Malibu 

• Starting MSRP: $25,800

The 2025 Malibu RS, SE and LXE all have starting MSRPs under $30,000. All models include a rear-vision camera, 10 airbags and forward collision alerts. If you need affordable cargo space, the Malibu has 15.7 cubic feet.

Nissan Altima

• Starting MSRP: $26,000

Although some 2025 Altima trims have MSRPs over $30,000, the base trim costs less and comes with several handy tech features, including Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, keyless entry, a push-button ignition and remote engine start. It also comes with a number of driver-assist features, such as lane departure, driver attention, blind-spot and forward collision warnings and automatic high-beam headlights.

Toyota Camry

• Starting MSRP: $28,400

Like the Nissan Altima, only one Camry trim (the LE) has a starting MSRP under $30,000. However, the LE is a gas and electric hybrid that gets an estimated 50 to 53 miles per gallon. It also comes with dual-zone climate control, a multimedia touch screen and select Toyota Safety Sense features.

Keeping Your 2025 Car Costs in Check

It’s so easy to get caught up in the cool tech and safety features today’s new cars have that you might overlook some of the costs that can make car ownership more expensive.

Even though gas is cheaper now than a year ago (according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration), a car with better gas mileage will help you save no matter the gas prices. You should research the average repair and maintenance costs for any make and model you’re considering and contact your auto insurer to find out how much it would cost to insure those makes and models. 

You might be surprised by how much more one car might be to insure or maintain than another. If you do your homework before you begin shopping, you can make sure you choose a car that both you and your budget will love.

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