Saving & Spending Home & Auto

9 Best Hatchbacks Under $30K That Are Totally Worth Buying

Revolutionize your commute with these budget-friendly hatchbacks that pack a punch.

By Jenny Cohen

Edited by Chris Kissell

Updated Dec. 17, 2024

If you’re shopping for a car, don’t overlook a hatchback. A hatchback usually has four doors but includes a tailgate — instead of a trunk — that comes up in the back.

That tailgate can give you some extra interior room to make it more comfortable for passengers or provide more space to store things.

If you're trying to get ahead financially, check out some of these hatchback options under $30,000.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

How to become a member today:

Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Subaru Impreza

The Subaru Impreza features standard all-wheel drive that can give you plenty of control in any weather condition. The hatchback also gets 27 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Impreza comes with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $22,995. Do you want to increase your savings? See if you can save on car insurance by shopping around for an affordable policy.

Who really has the cheapest auto insurance in your area? Check your zip code here.

Mitsubishi Mirage

Like other hatchbacks on this list, the Mitsubishi Mirage seats five passengers comfortably, thanks to the extra space afforded by the hatchback design.

However, its compact design may leave less space in the back than in other hatchbacks. So, account for that reality if storage capacity is an issue.

The Mirage will easily fit within your $30,000 budget, thanks to its MSRP of $16,695.

Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is one of the top-selling cars in the U.S. The model has a stylish design and offers plenty of safety features.

In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the car a Top Safety Pick. The Corolla hatchback has an MSRP of $23,355.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.¹ <p>Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 46% before fees, or 25% including our fees, over 12 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.</p>

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

Mazda CX-3

The hatchback version of the Mazda 3 is another vehicle noted for being safe. It picked up a Top Safety Pick Plus rating from the IIHS.

You can add one to your garage with an MSRP of $21,965.

Kia Niro

The Kia Niro is a hybrid that will get you great gas mileage thanks to its estimated 53 miles per gallon in the city and 54 miles per gallon on the highway.

You can pick one up at your local Kia dealer for an MSRP of $26,840.

Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf is an all-electric option that offers the extra interior space that comes with a hatchback design.

Expect a Leaf to have an MSRP of $28,140, which may put it closer to the top of your budget if you need something under $30,000.

Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially

Honda Civic Hatchback

The hatchback version of the Honda Civic comes with a sporty look on the outside and a turbocharged engine under the hood.

Pick up a Honda Civic hatchback for an MSRP of $24,950.

Chevrolet Bolt

Another all-electric hatchback option is the Chevrolet Bolt, with an estimated electric range of 259 miles per charge.

Check out your local Chevy dealership for a Bolt with an MSRP of $26,500.

Mini Hardtop 4-Door

The Mini Hardtop 4-Door has a British-inspired design with a circular screen on your dash instead of a typical square or rectangle.

The MSRP for the Hardtop 4-Door is $26,800, a reasonable price that can help you keep more money in the bank when you buy your next car.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!² <p>See website for details.</p>

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Bottom line

Hatchbacks can be a great option for drivers, especially if you want a little more interior room while still staying within your budget.

So, if you are trying to save money, purchasing one of the affordable cars on this list could be a smart money move.

More from FinanceBuzz:

Save On Your Auto Insurance

You could save up to $600 with some companies
Compare dozens of providers in under 5 minutes
Fast, free and easy way to shop for insurance
Quickly find the perfect rate for you

Get a quote now