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New car prices are still prohibitively high for most car shoppers as prices continue to hover around the $48,000 to $50,000 (on average) mark. And if you want a new truck, you can expect to pay anywhere from $70,000 to $100,000.
Related article: Consumer Reports Reveals Their Top Pick Cars of 2025, Including Two Ford Pickup Trucks
But is paying inflated prices and going into debt necessary in order to own a suitable vehicle?
Not at all. CR automotive experts are helping shoppers find used-car options that can save tens of thousands of dollars while still allowing shoppers to own a safe vehicle with modern safety features and a proven track record of reliability.
Consumer Reports Offers a New Selection Category
Consumer Reports is well known for its informative new car reviews, in which it has highlighted exceptional cars, SUVs, and trucks gleaned through extensive testing and customer survey data.
However, their automotive analysts are applying similar selection rigor to used cars, SUVs, and truck models and have just released their updated "10 Used Car Picks" recommendations.
With the historically high price of new autos these days, more and more people are naturally looking to pre-owned market in search of a better bargain," says Alex Knizek, manager of automotive testing and insights for Consumer Reports. "But they shouldn't have to sacrifice safety, reliability, or fuel economy to stay within their budget. That's why we created these Used Car Top Picks and are expanding our used-car coverage and insights.
In their analysis, CR automotive experts consider the following factors:
- Great new cars don't always make great used cars, especially when factoring in depreciation and long-term reliability.
- To identify smart choices, used cars were selected from a generation perspective rather than a model-year perspective.
- The benefit of a generation perspective is that it consistently reveals the models that became more trouble-free over a generation's multiyear span; the last two years of a generation tend to be the best.
- Safety features in new models found in used models are another qualifying consideration.
- Car value is essential, as some models depreciate more than others, making them a bargain as a used vehicle compared to other used car models of the same age.
- Used car shoppers must remember that each car is unique, has its history, and must be inspected by a professional mechanic before buying.
The strategy we employ for selecting used cars emphasizes value within a price range, and it means that the highlighted models may not have been the highest-scoring models when tested new. Instead, they're often good cars that depreciated more than others, making them more attractive as used cars than they were when new.
THE BEST CAR TOP PICKS BY CONSUMER REPORTS
Sedan Under $10,000
Mazda 6 2016
Price Range: $8,125 - $11,125
Owner Reported MPG: 29 mpg
Sedan Under $15,000
Toyota Corolla 2018
Price Range: $12,275 - $14,875
Owner Reported MPG: 33 mpg
SUV Under $15,000
Honda CR-V 2016
Price Range: $12,050 - $16,250
Owner Reported MPG: 27 mpg
Hybrid Under $20,000
Toyota Camry Hybrid 2019
Price Range: $16,600 - $20,500
Owner Reported MPG: 45 mpg
Small SUV Under $20,000
Kia Sportage 2021
Price Range: $14,925 - $19,375
Owner Reported MPG: 25 mpg
Hybrid SUV Under $20,000
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2018
Price Range: $15,400 - $19,875
Owner Reported MPG: 32 mpg
3-Row SUV Under $20,000
Mazda CX-9 2020
Price Range: $16,425 - $22,750
Owner Reported MPG: 24 mpg
Luxury SUV Under $20,000
Lexus NX 2017
Price Range: $16,550 - $19,625
Owner Reported MPG: 25 mpg
Pickup Truck Under $20,000
Toyota Tacoma 2015
Price Range: $13,575 - $19,975
Owner Reported MPG: 19 mpg
Sports Car Under $20,000
Mazda MX-5 Miata 2019
Price Range: $13,675 - $19,500
Owner Reported MPG: 32 mpg
Related article: Consumer Reports' Reliable Used Sports Car Recommendations for Under $25,000
Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and works on restoring older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. He also reports on modern cars (including EVs) with a focus on DIY mechanics, buying and using tools, and other related topical automotive repair news. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites as well as on Facebook and his automotive blog "Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair" for useful daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.
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