10 Best New Cars for 2016 Under 30k

2016 Chevrolet Volt family ・ Photo by General Motors

It's been a great year for new cars, no matter what your budget might be. In fact, when looking at new cars for 2016 under $30k, the list of appealing models is a lot longer than you might think, giving you ample choice on a daily driver without asking you to break the bank in the process. Whether you're seeking an entry-level commuter, a practical SUV, a forward-thinking hybrid, or a sporty-looking toy, there's plenty to like about the current crop of affordable automobiles. Let's take a quick look at the 10 best new for 2016 cars under $30k.

1) 2016 Chevrolet Volt

The 2016 Chevrolet Volt has been redesigned to not only offer expanded electric range (53 miles) and an improved and more efficient gas-powered range extender (42 mpg when it's running), but also a lighter platform that looks and feels more modern than the model it replaces. Forget even the fact that the Chevrolet Volt offers an excellent 106 MPGe - this is one compact hatchback that sheds its alternative fuel status and competes hard against traditional gas-only cars in its class. With a purchase price that can dip to $25,670 after federal tax rebates, the Volt also stands out as one of the more affordable 2016 cars under $30k.

Photo by General Motors

2) 2016 Acura ILX

The 2016 Acura ILX has made a number of changes for the current model year, not the least of which being the decision to dramatically scale down the number of options available on the order sheet. From this moment forward, the $27,900 Acura ILX premium sedan is exclusively offered with its 201-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox. By eliminating the base motor from the equation, Acura has ensured that the compact car leaves the factory with more spring in its step than the year before - all without sacrificing fuel mileage (the ILX is rated at 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway).

Photo by Acura

3) 2016 Toyota RAV4

The 2016 Toyota RAV4 doesn't make any sweeping changes to the compact SUV's successful people-moving formula, but it does add a degree of refinement by way of its latest refresh (especially noticeable inside the vehicle's cabin). Those seeking a sportier ride can also now opt for the RAV4 SE, which offers a more focused suspension tune to go with somewhat more aggressive exterior styling. Across the board, the Toyota sport utility remains as practical as ever with its enormous cargo room, five-passenger seating, available all-wheel drive, and frugal 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower four-cylinder engine. You'll pay $24,350 to get behind the wheel of a base RAV4.

4) 2016 Honda Accord

The 2016 Honda Accord continues the good fight in the mid-size family sedan segment where its shadow has long loomed large over the competition. In addition to tweaked looks for the four-door Accord, Honda has also gifted the model with a revised transmission for the base model (a continuously variable unit), a stiffer suspension system, and the availability of the Android Auto/Apple CarPlay infotainment interfaces. Under the hood, for $22,205 you'll find a familiar 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine which returns 27 mpg in stop and go driving and 37 mpg on the highway.

Photo by Honda

5) 2016 Chevrolet Camaro

The Chevrolet Camaro chases its recently-redesigned Ford Mustang foe with an all-new look and platform. The Camaro's $25,700 MSRP fits perfectly under our 2016 cars under $30k price cap, and its lightweight Alpha platform helps it achieve new heights of performance even when you're not paying big bucks for the V-8 version of the car. The base Chevrolet Camaro can be had with either a 275-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a 335-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6, each of which offers the option of a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel mileage for the turbo is listed at a respectable 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.

6) 2016 Hyundai Tucson

Seeking a small hauler that does its best to bundle value and performance in an attractive, inexpensive package? The 2016 Hyundai Tucson gives you exactly what you are looking for, especially if you sneak in at the entry level and snag the $23,595 SE edition of the compact SUV. This version of the Tucson offers 164 horsepower from a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and 23 mpg around town and 31 mpg on the highway. It also comes with a suitably large cargo area, a quiet cabin, and a strong level of standard equipment. All-wheel drive is available with the Tucson SE if you're willing to spend a little extra cash.

7) 2016 smart fortwo

The 2016 smart fortwo is no longer an automotive punch line, as the pint-size hatchback has stepped up to the big leagues. Not in terms of size, of course - the Smart Fortwo is the tiniest member of our 2016 cars under $30k list by an appreciable margin - but the subcompact now drives like something you'd actually enjoy piloting on your morning commute. Priced at $15,400, the fortwo gains a new engine (89 horsepower, 0.9-liter three-cylinder turbo), a pair of fresh transmissions (five-speed manual, six-speed dual-clutch automatic), and sleeker styling inside and out. The best part? The smart's fuel economy stays strong at 33 mpg in city driving and 39 mpg on the highway.

Photo by smart

8) 2016 Kia Optima

The 2016 Kia Optima carries the style-forward flame left behind by its Hyundai Sonata platform-mate when it went through its own redesign the year before. Bigger and stiffer than the model it replaces, the Kia Optima now offers an enormous rear seat and the ability to stuff it full of luxuries that wouldn't feel out of place on a much more expensive automobile. If you keep things simple, you can still snag an Optima for only $21,990, which is a quite a deal for a mid-size family sedan. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that comes with he base model is good for 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, and it returns fuel economy figures of 25 mpg around town and 37 mpg during highway cruising.

9) 2016 Scion iA

The 2016 Scion iA is a bit of a ringer, as the automaker has called in support from Mazda and re-badged that brand's Mazda2 sedan in order to fill the entry-level four-door hole in its lineup. It's a boon to Scion fans, since the iA's chassis offers an unexpected level of fun for not much money (a testament to its Mazda roots). As with all Scions, the iA's no-haggle, option-free price of $17,595 makes all equipment standard, including a backup camera, a push-button starter, and Bluetooth connectivity. A 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine pushes out 106 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque for the Scion iA, and fuel economy for the base six-speed manual model shows as 31 mpg city and a whopping 41 mpg highway (a six-speed automatic is also available with the car).

Photo by Scion

10) 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid joins its gas-only counterpart in showrooms after the latter's 2015 redesign. The Sonata Hybrid wears the same modest duds as the standard Sonata, albeit with a few Hybrid-oriented trim flourishes, but the real story is the car's electrically-assisted drivetrain. For $26,000, you get a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder mill that teams up with a single electric motor to produce a total of 193 horsepower, and thanks to direct fuel injection, a bigger battery, and better system management, the new Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is much more pleasant to drive in all situations. Fuel efficiency is impressive, too, with the mid-size sedan posting 39 mpg city and 43 mpg highway.