These Models Should Suit All Budgets
If you need new wheels but need stick to a budget, buying a used car can be a way to get the biggest bang for your buck. After a year, a new car, on average, depreciates 27% from its sticker price. After three years, it’s worth about half of what the original sticker price.
Some of the best used vehicles under $25,000 can supply an incredible range of upscale features for well under what you’d pay for the average new vehicle today. With the average new vehicle transaction cost topping $34,000 at the end of 2016, opting for a premium pre-owned car can save you thousands of dollars. Yet you can still enjoy supple leather seating, real wood trim, and sophisticated technologies, in many cases paired with equally premium powertrains. True, older choices may not have all the latest driver-assistance measures, but think of it this way: For the price of a brand-new, well-equipped compact car from a mainstream automaker, you could be behind the wheel of one of the following vehicles.
Picking out a good used car from a sea of bad ones can be tricky. You want a vehicle that’s reliable, affordable, and equipped with modern safety features. 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. The vehicles listed below performed well in consumer reports road tests when they were new and had consistent above-average reliability for multiple years, according to our surveys of consumer reports members.
1. Toyota Prius: If you are looking for a compact car the Toyota Prius is a great option. The Prius is a full hybrid electric automobile developed and manufactured by Toyota since 1997. Initially offered as a 4-door sedan, it has been produced only as a 5-door fastback hatchback since 2003.
2. Toyota Avalon: in the fill size sedan category, the Toyota Avalon is an excellent option. It is Toyota's largest front wheel drive sedan and serves as its flagship vehicle in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, China and the Middle East. With the task of serving as Toyota’s flagship sedan, while also appealing to its long-established customer base, the 2021 Avalon straddles the line between staid and exciting with a broad range of trims.
3. Toyota Camry: The Toyota Camry is a midsize family sedan that slots between Toyota's smaller Corolla and the larger, more luxurious Avalon. This latest Camry generation came out for the 2018 model year. In many ways, it's the safe choice in this class, and many shoppers are drawn to Toyota's reputation for reliability.
4. Lexus LS: If you are looking for an affordable luxury used vehicle, look no further than the Lexus LS. The fifth-generation LS strays from its historic place as the embodiment of stress-free comfortable motoring by piling on complicated controls, a less cushy ride and compromised seating. This redesigned flagship brings lots of tech and more dynamic styling.
5. Mazda MX-5 Miata: The Mazda Miata is a terrific Sports car. This two-seat convertible is a blast to drive on winding roads, thanks to its playful steering and well-tuned suspension. Its four-cylinder engine loves to rev and eagerly scoots the lightweight Miata up to speed, without compromising on gas mileage. The Miata’s interior is stylish and well-built, and it offers a host of tech and safety features. This Mazda does not cost too much, either.
6. Volvo XC70: The XC70 blurs the line between utility and luxury, with a dash of all-weather confidence and an outdoorsy image. Powertrain choices start with a 240-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four with an eight-speed automatic driving the front wheels. If you want all-wheel drive, there is a turbo five-cylinder that makes 250 hp; it pairs with a six-speed automatic. Ground clearance is a useful 8.3 inches. Tech and safety options include a driver support system that helps avoid collisions with pedestrians.
7. Chrysler Pacifica: As accomplished as three-row SUVs might be, when it comes to hauling a big family and its stuff, minivans continue to rule supreme. One of our favorites is the Chrysler Pacifica, helped by strong overall performance, a long list of standard and optional features, newly available all-wheel drive and pleasing style inside and out.
8. Mazda CX- 5: When it comes to compact crossovers, it's easy to see why the Mazda CX-5 wins the SUV equivalent of Best-in-Show. Not only does it boast beautifully sculpted bodywork, its interior is just as interesting to the eyes. Of course, Mazda has shown us that its attention to detail is more than skin-deep, with thoughtful ergonomics and engaging driving dynamics.
9. Toyota Highlander: are the modern-day equivalent of the old-school family station wagon, and the Toyota Highlander dutifully gets the job done—and then some. Buyers can choose from the standard V-6 engine or go with the fuel-sipping hybrid option; both powertrains are available with all-wheel drive. Inside, there are three rows of seats—although the rearmost perches are sized for kids or young adults.
10. Toyota Tundra: Toyota Tundra ranks near the back of the full-size pickup truck class. The Tundra has strong engine performance, a roomy cabin, and a high predicted reliability rating. However, it’s held back by its mediocre safety scores, stiff ride quality, and cheap cabin materials.
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