Best Used Cars and SUVs Under $20,000

Used Cars Recommended for Friends and Family

A recent Consumer Reports analysis of older used cars that dates as far back as 10 years ago was recently released by CR analysts who say that their current picks are “…the ones we’d recommend to our friends and family members,” ―all under $20,000!

Related article: Consumer Reports Best Used Cars, SUVs and Trucks for Less Than $5,000

Those models were chosen with a focus on their performance when they were new and their reliability as they aged based on data from their Annual Auto Surveys of CR members. The benefit to mining data from past annual surveys is that it provides used car shoppers with information on which models are proven dependable and could be a good buy provided their maintenance and care were well-managed.

“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,” stated CR automotive analysts in the updated newsletter.

Related article: Mechanic Talks Candidly About the Best Used Car You Should Not Buy

Be forewarned, however, as older vehicles require some personal concessions when it comes to road noise and comfort. Especially for trips that are longer than a few hours, let alone a road trip that can become more arduous than fun in these old cars.

That said, the summary includes the added benefit of discovering how reliable these choices have proven themselves to be overall in three areas critical to used car shopping: overall performance, engine reliability, and fuel economy.

“These vehicles performed well in our tests when new and consistently demonstrated multiple years of much-better-than-average reliability in our Annual Auto Surveys for the 2014 to 2023 model years,” stated CR analysts in their recent newsletter.

For a more detailed breakdown of each vehicle, please visit the CR website. Note that while access to some information requires a CR membership, the potential savings make it negligible in comparison when looking for the latest information to aid your car buying research.

USED CAR, SUV AND TRUCK RECOMMENDATIONS UNDER $20,000

SMALL CARS

Honda Fit 2020

Price Range:  $15,650 - $19,050

Owner Reported MPG:  34 mpg

Mazda 3 2021

Price Range:  $15,650 - $24,825

Owner Reported MPG:  28 mpg

Toyota Corolla, 2018 to 2020

Price Range:  $13,425 - $16,150

Owner Reported MPG:  32 mpg

Toyota Corolla Hybrid, 2020 to 2021

CR Recommended Model: Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2021

Price Range:  $17,100 - $21,950

Owner Reported MPG:  53 mpg

Toyota Prius, 2016 to 2018

CR Recommended Model: Toyota Prius 2018

Price Range:  $16,775 - $20,450

Owner Reported MPG:  52 mpg

Toyota Prius Prime, 2017

CR Recommended Model: Toyota Prius Prime 2017

Price Range:  $16,275 - $19,325

Owner Reported MPG:  80 mpg

Toyota Prius V, 2016 to 2017

CR Recommended Model: Toyota Prius V 2016

Price Range:  $14,475

Owner Reported MPG:  42 mpg

Midsized and Large Cars

Honda Accord, 2017

Price Range:  $14,825 - $19,150

Owner Reported MPG:  28 mpg

Toyota Avalon, 2016 to 2017

CR Recommended Model: Toyota Avalon 2017

Price Range:  $16,075 - $17,700

Owner Reported MPG:  24 mpg

Toyota Avalon Hybrid, 2014 to 2016

CR Recommended Model: Toyota Avalon 2016

Price Range:  $14,475 - $16,600

Owner Reported MPG:  25 mpg

Toyota Camry, 2017 to 2018

CR Recommended Model: Toyota Camry 2017

Price Range:  $14,875 - $17,250

Owner Reported MPG:  28 mpg

Toyota Camry Hybrid, 2016 to 2017

CR Recommended Model: Toyota Camry 2017

Price Range:  $14,875 - $17,250

Owner Reported MPG:  28 mpg

LUXURY CARS

Acura TLX, 2016

Price Range:  $13,825 - $16,625

Owner Reported MPG:  25 mpg

Lexus ES, 2015 to 2016

CR Recommended Model: Lexus ES 2016

Price Range:  $17,550

Owner Reported MPG:  24 mpg

Lexus ES Hybrid, 2014 to 2015

CR Recommended Model: Lexus ES 2015

Price Range:  $15,125 - $15,400

Owner Reported MPG:  24 mpg

Lexus GS 2015

Price Range:  $17,225 - $22,100

Owner Reported MPG:  21 mpg

SPORTS CARS and CONVERTIBLES

Mazda MX-5 Miata, 2016 to 2017

CR Recommended Model: Mazda MX-5 Miata 2016

Price Range:  $14,150 - $16,875

Owner Reported MPG:  34 mpg

Wagons and Minivans

Toyota Sienna 2016

Price Range:  $13,850 - $20,600

Owner Reported MPG:  21 mpg

SMALL SUVs

Acura RDX 2016

Price Range:  $13,900 - $17,150

Owner Reported MPG:  23 mpg

Buick Envision 2017

Price Range:  $12,700 - $16,650

Owner Reported MPG:  25 mpg

Honda CR-V 2016

Price Range:  $13,200 - $18,400

Owner Reported MPG:  27 mpg

Honda HR-V, 2017 to 2019

CR Recommended Model: Honda HR-V 2017

Price Range:  $13,000 - $16,300

Owner Reported MPG:  29 mpg

Kia Sportage 2020

Price Range:  $14,825 - $20,925

Owner Reported MPG:  24 mpg

Lexus NX 2015

Price Range:  $16,200 - $18,275

Owner Reported MPG:  25 mpg

Toyota RAV4, 2016 to 2018

CR Recommended Model: Toyota RAV4 2016

Price Range:  $13,675 - $16,950

Owner Reported MPG:  25 mpg

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, 2016 to 2017

CR Recommended Model: Toyota RAV4 2016

Price Range:  $13,675 - $16,950

Owner Reported MPG:  25 mpg

MIDSIZED SUVs

Lexus RX, 2014 to 2015

CR Recommended Model: Lexus RX 2014

Price Range:  $14,550 - $16,675

Owner Reported MPG:  20 mpg

Mazda CX-9 2018

Price Range:  $13,575 - $19,650

Owner Reported MPG:  23 mpg

Toyota Highlander, 2014 to 2016

CR Recommended Model: Toyota Highlander 2014

Price Range:  $13,750 - $17,875

Owner Reported MPG:  21 mpg

PICKUP TRUCKS

Toyota Tacoma, 2014 to 2016

CR Recommended Model: Toyota Tacoma 2015

Price Range:  $15,850 - $22,500

Owner Reported MPG:  20 mpg

Toyota Tundra 2014

Price Range:  $14,300 - $24,400

Owner Reported MPG:  15 mpg

For additional articles related to used cars, here are three for your consideration:

• Cars Proven to Get to 200,000 Miles and Beyond
• The Used Car Dealership Lot You Should Never Buy a Classic Car From Warning
• Best High-Mileage Used Cars 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  and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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