Despite the dramatic price fluctuations over the past few years, used cars are still a great way to save money on your next car purchase. However, the sweet feeling of getting a bargain on a used car can quickly turn sour when things start to break down and expensive maintenance bills start to pile up. Consumer Reports (CR) recently compiled a list best used cars models, polling its members to determine which cars have the highest reliability and other propertiesand some of the higher-rated models may surprise you.
Winners in the categories include:
- Cars under $10,000: Chevrolet Cruze 2017
- Cars under $15,000: Hyundai Elantra 2019
- SUVs under $15,000: Honda HR-V 2018
- Hybrids Under $20,000: Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2021
- Small SUVs under $20,000: Kia Sportage 2021
- Hybrids Under $20,000: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2018
- Three-Row SUVs Under $20,000: Mazda CX-9 2020
- Luxury SUVs under $20,000: Buick Vision 2020
- Pickup Trucks Under $20,000: Toyota Tacoma 2015
- Sports Cars Under $20,000: 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata
It’s amazing to see cars like this. Chevrolet Cruze top of their classBut CR created its rankings by evaluating a range of criteria beyond basics like reliability. The publication evaluated ride quality, acceleration, fuel economy, and advanced driver assistance systems, noting that Cruze car has a smooth ride and spacious interior. At the same time, other models are highly rated for reliability and technological equipment.
CR also ranked the best brands to buy used cars from, using reliability ratings to create the list. Lexus and Toyota took the top two spots, with their scores beating Mazda into third place by a significant margin. The publication cited Toyota and Lexus’s slow, deliberate vehicle updates as a major factor in their reliability. Interestingly, some brands’ new-car scores differed significantly from number used. Mercedes-Benz ranked 29th for new car reliability, but used car scores pushed it up to 10th place.
