Based on years of test data and thousands of survey responses, here are Consumer Reports’ best used cars under $15,000 picks they would recommend for their own friends and family members.
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The Benefits of Finding a Good Used Car
According to a recent Consumer Reports newsletter, “Used cars are always a good value because a prior owner has taken the depreciation hit, making their loss your gain. And even though the average value of used cars through the fall of 2023 was $26,803, there are plenty of vehicles on the market that are reliable and safe for half of that amount.”
To help consumers find a good used car, CR analysts recently dug through years of accumulated data and came with this list of vehicles that performed well when new; and, consistently demonstrated better than average reliability over the years in models ranging from 2014 to 2023.
Furthermore, with budget buyers in mind, CR analysts narrowed the list to those recommended models that can be had today between $10,000 and $15,000.
“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. Some were 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 when they were new,” stated CR automotive experts in today’s newsletter.
BEST USED CARS UNDER $15,000
That said, here is a summary of their recent listing of the best used cars for under $15,000 with reported mileage specs, price range, and model years with each recommended pick.
SMALL CARS
Ford C-Max 2016
Price Range: $9,100 - $11,775
Owner reported MPG: 41 mpg
Recommended model years: 2015-2016
Honda Fit 2017
Price Range: $12,050 - $15,600
Owner reported MPG: 36 mpg
Recommended model years: 2016-2018
Mazda 3 2016
Price Range: $9,950 - $13,525
Owner reported MPG: 32 mpg
Recommended model years: 2016-2017
Toyota Corolla 2015
Price Range: $10,000 - $12,175
Owner reported MPG: 32 mpg
Recommended model years:2014-2017
Toyota Prius 2015
Price Range: $12,675 - $14,025
Owner reported MPG: 45 mpg
Recommended model years:2014-2015
Toyota Prius V 2014
Price Range: $11,175
Owner reported MPG: 41 mpg
Recommended model years:2014-2015
MIDSIZED & LARGE CARS
Honda Accord 2016
Price Range: $12,925 - $16,825
Owner reported MPG: 30 mpg
Recommended model years:2015-2016 / Honda Accord Hybrid 2014-2015
Mazda 6 2017
Price Range: $11,700 - $16,025
Owner reported MPG: 30 mpg
Recommended model years:2015-2017
Toyota Avalon 2015
Price Range: $13,000-$14,925
Owner reported MPG: 25 mpg
Recommended model years:2014-2015
Toyota Camry 2016
Price Range: $13,075 - $16,050
Owner reported MPG: 28 mpg
Recommended model years: 2014-2016 / Toyota Camry Hybrid 2014-2015
LUXURY CARS
Acura TLX 2015
Price Range: $13,025 - $15,875
Owner reported MPG: 26 mpg
Recommended model years: 2015
Lexus ES 2014
Price Range: $13,675 - $13,775
Owner reported MPG: 25 mpg
Recommended model years: 2014
WAGONS & MINIVANS
Toyota Venza 2014
Price Range: $10,050 - $13,950
Owner reported MPG: 22 mpg
Recommended model years: 2014-2015
SMALL SUVS
BMW X3 2016
Price Range: $10,225 - $13,850
Owner reported MPG: 24 mpg
Recommended model years: 2016
Honda CR-V 2015
Price Range: $12,275 - $16,475
Owner reported MPG: 27 mpg
Recommended model years: 2014-2015
Mazda CX-5 2016
Price Range: $11,950 - $13,525
Owner reported MPG: 26 mpg
Recommended model years: 2016
Toyota RAV4 2015
Price Range: $13,250 - $15,700
Owner reported MPG: 25 mpg
Recommended model years: 2014-2015
For additional articles about some Consumer Reports budget saving car recommendations, here are a few for your consideration:
- Best Hybrid Cars Under $35,000 Consumer Reports Update for the New Year
- 10 Cheap Cars That CR Recommends Update
- Consumer Reports Best Fuel-Efficient Cars Under $35,000 to Buy Today
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 “Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair” website, the Zen Mechanic blog and on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.
COMING UP NEXT: Consumer Reports Best Car Tires of 2024
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