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14 Best Fuel-Efficient Cars Under $30K That Are Totally Worth Buying

Unleash savings at the pump with these eco-friendly rides under $30K.

By Jenny Cohen

Edited by Chris Kissell

Updated April 17, 2025

The sticker price of a car isn't the only cost you should consider when budgeting for a new vehicle. Gas can also be a significant expense.

A gas guzzler can cost you a lot of cash over time, making it difficult to get ahead financially. On the other hand, a fuel-efficient car can cut gas costs significantly every year.

Here are some fuel-sipping cars under $30,000 that you might want to consider buying.

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Volkswagen Jetta

The Volkswagen Jetta offers a stylish car with German engineering without the expensive cost of more popular German car models.

The Jetta can get you an estimated 29 miles per gallon in the city and 39 on the highway.

Its starting manufacturer's suggested retail price for 2025 (MSRP) is $22,495, which is reasonable and can help lower your financial stress.

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Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is tough to beat if you're looking for a dependable car with a good reputation.

The Camry was one of the best-selling cars in 2022, and the 2025 model has a starting MSRP of $28,700. The comfortable-to-drive Camry also gets 53 miles per gallon in the city and 50 on the highway.

Subaru Legacy

Check out a Subaru Legacy if you want an affordable and safe car. The model was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

You get 27 miles per gallon in the city and 35 on the highway. The Legacy does come with all-wheel drive (AWD), which can cut into your fuel budget when it's activated.

The Subaru Legacy has a starting MSRP of $26,380.

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Ford Escape

SUVs don't always get great gas mileage, but there are exceptions you can pick for less than $30,000. The Ford Escape, for example, comes with an MSRP of $29,895.

The Escape Active model with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost gets 42 miles per gallon in the city and 36 on the highway.

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic was another of the best-selling cars in 2022. The 2025 sedan has an MSRP of $24,250.

The car gets 32 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on the highway. It's a great car if you need to save money when filling up your tank using one of the best gas credit cards.

Hyundai Elantra

The Hyundai Elantra is a sedan for budget-conscious drivers who want a car with both an affordable price tag and low fuel costs.

The car gets an estimated 32 miles per gallon in the city and 41 miles per gallon on the highway. Pick up an Elantra for an MSRP of $22,125.

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Kia Forte

The Kia Forte's 2024 MSRP of $19,990 makes it one of the cheaper vehicles you'll find on the market.

The Forte LX, the model's cheapest option, gets an estimated 30 miles per gallon in the city and 41 on the highway.

Editor's note: The Kia Forte in 2025 has been replaced by the Kia K4. MSRP $25,145.

Chevy Trailblazer

The Chevy Trailblazer is a great option if you want a small SUV that offers good visibility for the driver.

The Trailblazer gets an estimated 29 miles per gallon in the city or 33 on the highway and has a starting MSRP of $23,100.

Mitsubishi Mirage

The Mitsubishi Mirage is a compact hatchback that is a great option for those who want a low purchase price and to save on the cost of gas.

The Mirage has an MSRP of $16,695 for the 2024, making it one of the more affordable vehicles you will find. It also gets 36 miles per gallon in the city and 43 on the highway.

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Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius was one of the first cars in the market with a hybrid engine, giving it a unique place in the car industry when it comes to fuel efficiency at an affordable price.

The car is still affordable, with an MSRP of $28,350. It also gets a whopping 57 miles per gallon in the city and 56 on highways.

Mazda 3

All-wheel drive can be helpful in winter climates, and the Mazda 3 has it — as well as an MSRP of $24,150.

The Mazda 3 gives you an estimated 28 miles per gallon in the city or 37 on highways.

Nissan Versa

The subcompact Nissan Versa may not be big when it comes to size, but it can offer you large savings.

The Versa has a low MSRP of $17,190. It can get 32 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on highways.

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Mini Cooper

The stylish 2-door Mini Cooper will turn heads with its unique compact design and attractive price tag of $28,950.

You'll also save money on gas with this car, as it gets 28 miles per gallon in the city and 39 on the highway.

Honda Accord

The Honda Accord's MSRP of $28,295 makes it a smart money move for car owners. It also offers plenty of safety features and earned a Top Safety Pick Plus rating from the IIHS.

The Accord can get you 29 miles per gallon in the city or 37 on highways.

Bottom line

Purchasing a car is a big investment, but the cars on this list can help you cut fuel costs year after year.

Consider one of these cars if you're in the market for a new vehicle, and see if you can save money on car insurance to bring your costs down even more.

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