New Study Names Acura MDX Best Used Vehicle Under $20,000

The 2013 Acura MDX crossover/SUV has been named the best affordable used vehicle under $20K. Here's why.

The 2013 Acura MDX has just been named the best affordable used vehicle under $20K by iSeeCarscom. Researchers at iSeeCars.com analyzed over six million vehicles from model years 2011 and newer to determine the used vehicles that demonstrated the very best long-term reliability. In addition, the vehicles considered must also and have earned an average safety rating of at least 4 stars out of 5 in safety testing conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Not all buyers have the same budgets. For that reason, iSeeCars further examined which used vehicles are the smartest buys across multiple price points. In the under $20K category, the 2013 Acura MDX crossover rose to the top. “These vehicles are proven to last beyond 200,000 miles, which means they can last at least 15 years if they are driven at the average annual mileage,” said Phong Ly, CEO of iSeeCars.com. “So even a nine-year-old vehicle, if well-maintained, can still have many more years on the road.”

About the 2013 Acura MDX
The 2013 Acura MDX is a mid-sized, three-row crossover with seating for seven passengers. With 300 hp, this premium crossover is a popular choice for those who want many amenities and superior performance without paying more for a German-badged crossover. The MDX was rated 8.5/0 by U.S. News and World Report, and earns a 4.6/5 score from Kelly Blue Book. Check out Torque News' full review of the 2013 Acura MDX right here.

2013 Acura MDX Reliability
The 2013 Acura MDX earns a very respectable 4/5 stars from Consumer Reports. This score is not based on the opinions of editors at the publication, but rather owners. We also looked at CarComplaints.com to see if the 2013 Acura MDX had any owner-reported recurring problems. There were none to be found.

2013 Acura MDX Safety
Rather than NHTSA safety data, we looked at the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety's (IIHS) test reports for the 2013 Acura MDX and found it earned the Top Safety Pick award. The MDX scored Good on every crash test conducted. Blind Spot Detection was optional on the '13 MDX, something many shoppers enjoy using.

The MDX is a proven reliable and safe crossover that a shopper with a budget of $20K should seriously consider. Those with a slightly lower budget may be interested to know that the 2013 Honda CR-V was iSeeCars.com's pick for the best vehicle under $15K.

Do you own a used Acura MDX? Tell us in the comments below how your experience has been. Your report may help a used car shopper make a more informed decision. Click here for the full report from iSeeCars.com.

John Goreham is a life-long car nut and recovering engineer. John's focus areas are technology, safety, and green vehicles. In the 1990s, he was part of a team that built a solar-electric vehicle from scratch. His was the role of battery thermal control designer. For 20 years he applied his engineering and sales talents in the high tech world and published numerous articles in technical journals such as Chemical Processing Magazine. In 2008 he retired from that career and dedicated himself to chasing his dream of being an auto writer. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin.

Photo courtesy of Acura Media Archives. Chart courtesy of iSeeCars.com.