Here’s a summary of the latest guide from Consumer Reports on the best used SUVs, sedans, small cars, and trucks that you will want to take a look at for car buying budgets ranging from under $10,000 up to $40,000.
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A Bonanza Listing of a Wide Range of Recommended Used Vehicles
A recent Consumer Reports analysis of older used cars that date as far back as 10 years ago up to 2022 was recently released for shoppers looking for an affordable and dependable good car deal.
“We’ve created this guide to help you find the small cars, sedans, and SUVs that are most likely to fulfill your needs without breaking down and soaking you with repair bills,” stated CR analysts.
From their analysis, CR analysts created this latest list of both older and newer model used cars with a focus on their performance and their reliability as they aged based on data from their Annual Auto Surveys of CR members.
Related article: Mechanic Talks Candidly About the Best Used Car You Should Not Buy
Be forewarned however, with some of the older models listed you will have to make some 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. However, some of the more recent models listed should still provide the riding experience you are looking for.
That said, here is CR’s listing of the best used SUVs, sedans and small cars ranging in price from just under $10,000 up to $40,000 that you can buy right now. For a more detailed breakdown on 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.
UNDER $10,000 PRICE TAG
Small Cars
Recommended models: the 2013 and 2015 Nissan leaf
Other good choices include:
• 2013 Lia Soul
• 2014 Hyundai Elantra
Midsized Cars
Recommended models: 2013 Subaru Legacy
Midsized SUV
Recommended models: 2014 Nissan Murano
$10,000-$15,000 PRICE TAG
Small Cars
Recommended models: 2013-2015 Toyota Prius and the 2014-2016 Ford C-Max
Other good choices include:
• 2013, 2016 Honda Fit
• 2014-2016 Mazda3
• 2016 Nissan Leaf
• 2013-2016 Toyota Corolla
• 2013 Toyota Prius
• 2013 Toyota Prius V
Midsized and Large Cars
Recommended models: 2013-2014Honda Accord and the 2013-2014Toyota Camry Hybrid
Other good choices include:
• 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid
• 2014-2016 Mazda6
• 2015 Subaru Legacy
• 2013 Toyota Avalon
• 2013-2014 Toyota Camry
Luxury Cars
Recommended model: 2014-2015 Lincoln MKZ
Another Good Choice: 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Wagons and Minivans
Recommended model: 2013-2014 Toyota Venza
Another Good Choice: 2013-2014 Toyota Sienna
Small SUVs
Recommended models: 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 and the 2013 Toyota RAV4
Other good choices include:
• 2012 Honda CR-V
• 2013 Acura RDX
Pickup Trucks
Recommended model: 2013Toyota Tacoma
$15,000-$20,000 PRICE TAG
Small Cars
Recommended model: 2014-2016 Toyota Prius V
Other good choices include:
• 2017-19 Honda Fit
• 2017-2018 Mazda3
• 2018 Nissan Leaf
• 2017-2019 Toyota Corolla
• 2014-2015 Toyota Prius
• 2016 Toyota Prius C
Midsized and Large Cars
Recommended model: 2017-2018 Mazda6
Other good choices include:
• 2015-2017 Honda Accord
• 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid
• 2016-2017 Subaru Legacy
• 2014-2016 Toyota Avalon
• 2013-2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
• 2015-2017 Toyota Camry
• 2015-2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Luxury Cars
Recommended model: 2015-2016 Acura TLX and 2013-2015 Lexus ES
Other good choices include:
• 2016-2017 BMW 3 Series
• 2013-2015 Lexus ES Hybrid
• 2013 Lexus GS
• 2017 Lincoln MKZ
• 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Sports Cars/Convertibles
Recommended models: 2014 Audi A5 and 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Wagons and Minivans
Recommended model: 2015-2016 Toyota Sienna
Another Good Choice: 2015 Toyota Venza
Small SUVs
Recommended models: 2016 Audi Q3 and 2017-2018 Honda HR-V
Other good choices include:
• 2014 Acura RDX
• 2017 Buick Envision
• 2015-2016 Honda CR-V
• 2017 Mazda CX-5
• 2014-2016 Toyota RAV4
Midsized and Large SUVs
Recommended model: 2013-2015 Toyota Highlander
Other good choices include:
• 2013-2014 Lexus RX
• 2016-2017 Nissan Murano
• 2013 Toyota Highlander
Pickup Trucks
Recommended model: 2014-2015 Toyota Tacoma
Another Good Choice: 2013-2014 Toyota Tundra
$20,000-$25,000 Price Tag
Small Cars
Recommended model: 2020 Mazda3 and 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Other good choices include:
• 2019-2020 Nissan Leaf
• 2020-2021 Toyota Corolla
• 2016-2018 Toyota Prius
• 2017 Toyota Prius Prime
• 2017 Toyota Prius V
Midsized and Large Cars
Recommended model: 2015-2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
Other good choices include:
• 2017-2018 Honda Accord Hybrid
• 2019 Subaru Legacy
• 2017-2018 Toyota Avalon
• 2018-2019 Toyota Camry
• 2017-2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Luxury Cars
• 2015-2016 Acura TLX
• 2018 BMW 3 Series
• 2016 Lexus ES
• 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid
• 2015 Lexus GS
• 2018 Lincoln MKZ
• 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Sports Cars/Convertibles
Recommended models: 2019-2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Wagons and Minivans
Recommended model: 2017-2018 Toyota Sienna
Small SUVs
Recommended models: 2018-2020 Subaru Crosstrek
Other good choices include:
• 2016-2018 Acura RDX
• 2018 Audi Q3
• 2019 Buick Envision
• 2017, 2019 Honda CR-V
• 2019-2020 Honda HR-V
• 2015-2016 Lexus NX
• 2018-2020 Mazda CX-5
• 2017-2018 Toyota RAV4
• 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Midsized and Large SUVs
Recommended model: 2013 Lexus RX Hybrid and 2013-2015 Toyota 4Runner
Other good choices include:
• 2015 Lexus RX
• 2018-2019 Nissan Murano
• 2016-2017 Toyota Highlander
Pickup Trucks
Recommended model: 2016-2017 Toyota Tacoma
and 2015 Toyota Tundra
$25,000-$30,000 Price Tag
Small Cars
Recommended model: 2019-2021 Toyota Prius
Other good choices include:
• 2022 Toyota Corolla
• 2021-2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
• 2018-2019 Toyota Prius Prime
Midsized and Large Cars
Recommended model: 2020 Toyota Camry
Other good choices include:
• 2020-2021 Honda Accord
• 2019 Honda Accord Hybrid
• 2021 Subaru Legacy
• 2019 Toyota Avalon
• 2017-2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
• 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Luxury Cars
Recommended model: 2017-2018 Lexus ES and 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Other good choices include:
• 2019 Acura TLX
• 2017 Lexus ES Hybrid
• 2016 Lexus GS
• 2020 Lincoln MKZ
Small SUVs
Recommended models: 2020-2021 Honda CR-V, 2017-2018 Lexus NX, and 2017-2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Other good choices include:
• 2020 Buick Envision
• 2021-2022 Honda HR-V
• 2019 Lincoln MKC
• 2022 Mazda CX-5
• 2021-2022 Subaru Crosstrek
• 2019 Toyota RAV4
Midsized and Large SUVs
Recommended model: 2015 Lexus GX
Other good choices include:
2019 Honda Passport
2016 Lexus RX
2015 Lexus RX Hybrid
2021 Nissan Murano
2016-2017 Toyota 4Runner
2018-2019 Toyota Highlander
2015-2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Pickup Trucks
Recommended model: 2017-2018 Toyota Tundra
Another Good Choice: 2019-2021 Toyota Tacoma
$30,000-$40,000 Price Tag
Small Cars
Recommended model: 2020-2022 Toyota Prius Prime
Another Good Choice: 2022 Toyota Prius
Midsized and Large Cars
Recommended model: 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon
Other good choices include:
• 2020-2021 Honda Accord Hybrid
• 2019-2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
• 2022 Toyota Camry
• 2021-2022 Toyota Camry
Luxury Cars
Recommended model: 2020-2021 BMW 3 Series
Other good choices include:
• 2019-2020 Lexus ES
• 2019 Lexus ES Hybrid
• 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Sports Cars/Convertibles
Recommended models: 2019, 2021 Audi A5
Wagons and Minivans
Recommended models: 2020 Toyota Sienna and 2021 Toyota Venza
Small SUVs
Recommended modes: 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair
Other good choices include:
• 2019 Acura RDX
• 2020 Audi Q3
• 2021 Buick Envision
• 2019-2021 Lexus NX
• 2019-2020 Lexus NX Hybrid
• 2022 Toyota RAV4
• 2019, 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Midsized and Large SUVs
Recommended models: 2020-2022 Honda Passport and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander
Other good choices include:
2016-2017 Lexus GX
2017-2019 Lexus RX
2016-2017 Lexus RX Hybrid
2018-2019, 2021 Toyota 4Runner
2020-2022 Toyota Highlander
2018-2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Pickup Trucks
Recommended model: 2022 Toyota Tacoma and 2019-2021 Toyota Tundra
Timothy Boyer is a Torque News 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 new and used vehicle news.
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