Most Reliable Cars Under $30,000 in 2025

We've put together a list of the most reliable new cars under $30,000.

2025 Nissan Altima

$27,000 | Reliability Score: 85/10

The Nissan Altima is a comfortable and well-equipped midsize sedan. Acceleration from its four-cylinder engine is tepid, but the tradeoff is excellent fuel economy. Power is routed to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission. This powertrain is backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty. Here

All but the top-tier SL trim start at under $30,000. This includes the S, SV, and SR. The S trim comes with an intuitive infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SV adds alloy wheels and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The SR features a sport-tuned suspension and paddle shifter.

Most Reliable Cars Under $30,000 in 2025
We've put together a list of the most reliable new cars under $30,000.

2025 Buick Encore GX

$26,000 | Reliability Score: 85/100

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The Buick Encore GX is a small crossover that has a spacious cabin with plenty of standard features. It has a sharply styled cabin with plenty of screen space, but there are some low-rent cabin materials. Despite this, it comes with synthetic leather upholstery as standard equipment.

The Preferred and Sport Touring trims both start at under $30,000. Each trim has its own engine, neither of which is particularly energetic. All models are backed by a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and come standard with wireless smartphone integration, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.

2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer

$23,100 | Reliability Score: 86/100

The Chevrolet Trailblazer provides a commendable amount of passenger space for a subcompact SUV. It also offers up to 54.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Two adults can comfortably sit in the rear seats while providing 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind them.
Given the Trailblazer’s low starting price, you can move up to the range-topping RS trim and spend less than $30,000. It starts at $27,700 and comes with an upgraded engine, 19-inch alloy wheels, partially synthetic leather upholstery, and a heated steering wheel. The Trailblazer comes with a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

2024 Ford Maverick Here

$23,920 | Reliability Score: 85/100

The Maverick's unibody design gives it an advantage in handling relative to many of its rivals in the compact pickup class. Though its driving dynamics fall short of being engaging, it's easy to maneuver and provides a smooth ride in most situations.
Base models deliver energetic acceleration, and the optional hybrid powertrain returns excellent gas mileage. The powertrain has a five-year/60,000-mile warranty, and the hybrid components are protected by eight-year/100,000-mile coverage. Three of this truck's five trims start at under $30,000, and all models have standard features like forward collision warning and automatic high-beam headlights.

2025 Kia Soul

$20,290 | Reliability Score: 86/100

The Kia Soul is a funky, offbeat small crossover that’s big on functionality. The boxy layout makes for a spacious cabin with up to 62.1 cubic feet of cargo space. It also provides plenty of passenger space in both rows of seating. It has a four-cylinder engine that’s backed by Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Despite its low base price, the Soul comes with a generous list of standard features, including an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a long list of driver-assistance features. Due to its low pricing, you can get higher trims such as the EX for under 30 grand, which adds heated front seats and a sunroof, or the GT-Line, which adds synthetic leather upholstery.

2025 Hyundai Venue

$20,100| Reliability Score: 86/100

The Hyundai Venue is a subcompact SUV that makes good use of its small space. It has 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. This makes it more akin to a high-riding hatchback, especially since it only comes with front-wheel drive.

The Venue comes standard with a four-cylinder engine and a CVT, backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. The Venue has a low starting price, so you can even get it in the range-topping Limited trim and still come well under the $30,000 mark. The Limited comes with heated front seats and wireless device charging.

2025 Kia Seltos

$24,590 | Reliability Score: 87/100

The Kia Seltos is a small SUV that is big on value and versatility. It comes standard with all-wheel drive, and though its four-cylinder engine could use more power, it impresses with its pleasant handling. You can also get the X-Line for around $29,000. It comes with an upgraded engine and also has AWD. All models have a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.

The Seltos comes standard with multiple USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a long list of standard driver-assistance features. The S and X-Line trims add push-button start, automatic climate control, remote start, roof rails, and LED ambient cabin lighting.

2024 Kia Forte

$19,990 | Reliability Score: 87/100

The Kia Forte is a spacious and well-equipped compact sedan. Like the other Kia models on this list, its powertrain is backed by a terrific 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The range-topping GT trim starts at $24,690, and it comes with an upgraded engine. The GT is even available with a manual transmission.
In addition to its more powerful engine, the GT trim comes with a sport-tuned suspension, unique styling touches, and wireless device charging. No matter what trim you select, the Forte comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a helpful list of standard driver-assistance features.

2025 Nissan Versa

$17,190 | Reliability Score: 87/10

The Nissan Versa is a subcompact car that provides solid value for the price. It has decent build quality, a spacious interior and trunk and plenty of standard features. Any trim will come well below the $30,000 mark, as it is one of the least expensive new cars on the market today.
The Versa comes with a four-cylinder engine, and the powertrain does okay in the city but lacks vigor on the highway. It is routed to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission. This powertrain is backed by a five-year/60,000-mile warranty. The Versa is particularly nimble and is great for getting around town.

2025 Ford Bronco Sport

$29,995 | Reliability Score: 88/100

The Ford Bronco Sport is one of the few compact SUVs to deliver legit off-road capability. Its tall cabin provides plenty of headroom across two rows of seating. The Bronco Sport comes equipped with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. It receives a number of updates for the 2025 model year, including fresh styling and an updated infotainment system.
Only the base Big Bend trim slides under the $30,000 mark. It comes with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine. Power is routed to standard four-wheel drive. This setup is backed by a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Big Bend comes with six USB ports, push-button start, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid

$28,855 | Reliability Score: 88/100

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is a best-of-all-worlds approach to a sedan. It has a spacious interior with seating for five people and plenty of standard features. The infotainment system feels dated, but it is dependable and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Camry Hybrid comes equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that works with an electric motor to provide capable acceleration. Power is routed to the front wheels through a CVT. Hybrid components are backed by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty, and the battery is backed by a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty. Only the base LE trim falls under the $30,000 mark.

2024 GMC Terrain

$28,700 | Reliability Score: 88/100

The GMC Terrain is a versatile and spacious small SUV, but it ranks near the bottom of the segment due to its subpar cabin materials, high price and disappointing acceleration. That engine is backed by a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
If you’re trying to stay at the sub-$30,000 price point, the only option in the trim lineup is the base SLE. It features four USB ports, push-button start, a Wi-Fi hot spot, single-zone climate control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. It also comes equipped with an intuitive touch-screen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox

$28,600 | Reliability Score: 88/100

The Chevy Equinox has been completely redesigned for the 2025 model year, ushering in a more aggressively styled compact SUV. Though it does not have the cargo capacity of some rivals, it has a sharply styled interior with refined materials, which is a departure from its predecessor.
The base LT with front-wheel drive is the only trim that falls below the $30,000 mark. It comes with a turbo-four backed by a five-year/60,000-mile warranty. The LT also comes with active noise cancellation, a digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch touch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

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