Best Used Cars for $15,000 to $20,000 Recommended by Consumer Reports

Used car models analysts at Consumer Reports rate and recommend as the best choices that can be found between $15,000 and $20,000.

According to a recent Consumer Reports release of the best used cars and SUVs that can be had at an affordable price, there is no reason why a low price has to equate with low quality or a compromise in safety with a used vehicle that can be close to two decades old.

In fact, several models on the road today with well over 150,000 miles on them are a testament that some car models are actually both well-designed and well-built to make them the true road warriors that they are today.

Related article: The Tiny Toyota Car That Runs Forever

Related article: Best Used SUVs, Sedans, and Small Cars According to Consumer Reports Latest Complete Guide

In their latest analysis of used vehicles, CR analysts picked those models that not only performed well in over 50 evaluations when new, but also demonstrated average or better reliability according to the data they’ve mined from their bank of Annual Auto Surveys provided by CR members.

That said, here is a summary of their listing limited to only the small and mid-sized/large sedan models they recommended stating that:

“The models below (listed alphabetically by segment) are the ones we’d recommend to our friends and family. Each has standard electronic stability control, an important safety feature. Many are also available with active safety features such as forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind spot warning (BSW), and/or rear cross traffic warning (RCTW) as optional or standard equipment.”

BEST USED CARS FROM $15K to $20K

SMALL CARS

Honda Fit, 2017 to 2019

Recommended Model: Honda Fit 2017

Price Range:  $13,900 - $17,150

Owner Reported MPG:  35 mpg

Mazda3, 2017 to 2018

Recommended model: Mazda 3 2017

Price Range:  $13,400 - $16,600

Owner Reported MPG:  30 mpg

Nissan Leaf, 2018

Recommended model: Nissan Leaf 2018

Price Range:  $11,000 - $12,450

Owner Reported MPG:  N/A

Toyota Corolla, 2017 to 2019

Recommended model: Toyota Corolla 2017

Price Range:  $13,550 - $16,075

Owner Reported MPG:  31 mpg

Toyota Prius, 2014 to 2015

Recommended model: Toyota Prius 2015

Price Range:  $13,375 - $14,750

Owner Reported MPG:  46 mpg

Toyota Prius C, 2016

Recommended model: Toyota Prius C 2016

Price Range:  $14,100 - $14,475

Owner Reported MPG:  49 mpg

Toyota Prius V, 2014 to 2015

Recommended model: Toyota Prius V 2015

Price Range:  $15,475

Owner Reported MPG:  41 mpg

MIDSIZED AND LARGE CARS

Honda Accord, 2015 to 2017

Recommended model: Honda Accord 2015

Price Range:  $12,775 - $15,975

Owner Reported MPG:  29 mpg

Mazda6, 2017 to 2018

Recommended model: Mazda 6 2017

Price Range:  $13,775 - $18,000

Owner Reported MPG:  30 mpg

Subaru Legacy, 2016 to 2017

Recommended model: Subaru Legacy 2016

Price Range:  $12,225 - $16,725

Owner Reported MPG:  27 mpg

Toyota Avalon, 2014 to 2016

Recommended model: Toyota Avalon 2016

Price Range:  $15,500 - $18,875

Owner Reported MPG:  25 mpg

Toyota Camry, 2015 to 2017

Recommended model: Toyota Camry 2016

Price Range:  $13,825 - $17,075

Owner Reported MPG:  28 mpg

Be sure to check out other recent CR-related articles that cover:

• Popular Small SUVs to Avoid and What to Buy Instead Advises Consumer Reports
• 10 Cheap Cars That Consumer Reports Recommends
• Reliable New Cars and SUVs Under $30,000 Recommended by Consumer Reports

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

COMING UP NEXT: $5,600 Repair Bill for This Ford F-150 Owner’s Tail Lamps

Image source: Pixabay