Budget-friendly cars under $30,000 are overshadowed by amenity-stuffed, luxury models, new data shows
Sweeping tariffs are making it harder to buy cheaper cars, industry experts warn. Inventories for cars under $30,000 have stagnated at around 13% over the past two years, as of the end of the first half of 2025, according to a report released on Friday by online auto marketplace Cars.com. While overall units for these budget-friendly cars have increased 3.6% year-over-year, inventory growth has lagged behind the 5.6% increase for all vehicles. Entry vehicle inventory has dwindled since the pande...