These Car Models Are The Ones We Recommend To Our Friends And Family —Consumer Reports' Best Used Cars Under $20,000 Updated

If your search for a good used car with significant depreciation over the past 3-5 years has been fruitless, now may be the right time to look a little further back for models that are even lower in price but still provide desirable amenities and safety features.

Where to look? Only as far away as you are from your keyboard or smartphone, with this recent update by Consumer Reports, which analyzes older used cars within the past 10 years.

Discovering the Best Used Cars Under $20,000

According to automotive analysts at Consumer Reports, their new updated listing is based on two factors:

1. How well did the models perform in their tests when they were new?
2. The results of their Annual Auto Surveys of CR members who report annually on the reliability of their vehicles.

"To help you better focus your search, we analyzed years of test data and hundreds of thousands of survey responses to find the best used cars that cost between $15,000 and $20,000," states the CR update.

Data analysis from past annual surveys provides used car shoppers with needed information on which models have proven to be dependable and could be a good buy―provided, of course, their maintenance and care were all well-managed. This is why it is always recommended to have a pre-purchase inspection before signing that dotted line.

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

The only other factor to take into consideration is that you will have to make some concessions when it comes to road noise and comfort, typical with older cars―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 models.

In fact, you may want to consider some of the models as good second cars that can be used more as daily drivers, with your other car best used as a long-distance commuter or family road trip ride.

That said, here is CR's listing of the best used cars for under $20,000 that you can buy right now.

Related article: Used Compact Cars with the Best Fuel Economy Says Consumer Reports

BEST USED CARS FOR LESS THAN $20,000

1. SMALL CARS

Family-Recommended Model: Audi A4 2019 / Price Range: $16,400 - $21,125

Other highly rated models listed in order of their reliability ratings:

• Subaru Impreza, 2022

• Toyota Corolla, 2021

• Honda Fit, 2020

• Honda Insight, 2019

• Toyota Prius, 2019

• Toyota Prius Prime, 2018

• Toyota Prius V, 2017

2. MIDSIZED CARS

Family-Recommended Model: Toyota Camry Hybrid 2018 / Price Range: $15,825 - $19,050

Other highly rated models listed in order of their reliability ratings:

• Toyota Avalon Hybrid, 2018

• Toyota Camry, 2018

• Toyota Avalon, 2018

• Honda Accord, 2017

• Honda Accord Hybrid, 2017

3. SMALL SUVS

Family-Recommended Model: Lexus NX 2017 / Price Range: $17,250 - $19,775

Other highly rated models listed in order of their reliability ratings:

• Kia Sportage, 2021

• Hyundai Tucson, 2021

• Subaru Crosstrek, 2020

• Honda HR-V, 2020

• Nissan Rogue, 2020

• Mazda CX-30, 2020

• Buick Envision, 2019

• Chevrolet Equinox, 2019

• GMC Terrain, 2019

• Mazda CX-5, 2019

• Volvo XC40, 2019

• Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, 2018

• Toyota RAV4, 2018

• Volvo XC60, 2018

4. MIDSIZED SUVS

Family-Recommended Model: Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2016 / Price Range: $14,900 - $20,275

Other highly rated models listed in order of their reliability ratings:

• Mazda CX-9, 2020

• Cadillac XT5, 2019

• Toyota Highlander, 2017

• Lexus RX Hybrid, 2015

• Lexus RX, 2015

• Toyota 4Runner, 2014

But Don't Forget Those New Tires That You Will Need!

Rarely does a used car come with new tires let alone ones that have not exceeded their expiration. So, with that in mind, when shopping around for that used model good deal, be sure to check out the prices listed from Consumer Reports with these tire recommendations:

• Best All-Season Tires for Winter Driving for Car Owners Not Wanting Snow Tires
• Best Winter/Snow Tires Rated and Recommended by Consumer Reports
• Top Pick Tires: The Best Car, SUV, and Truck Tires Updated

For additional recent Consumer Reports-related articles for smart and informed car shopping, here are three informative ones for your consideration:

• 16 Car Brands Beat Toyota, Reveals Latest Consumer Reports' News
• "The Difference To Maintain A Car On Average Between Some Brands Can Be Thousands Over A 10-Year Time Frame," Warns Consumer Reports.
• "We've Learned This Lesson The Hard Way―We've Discovered Minor Damage On New Cars We've Purchased," says Consumer Reports

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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