Best Used SUVs, Sedans, and Small Cars, According to Consumer Reports

Jon Linkov
·2 min read

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If you need new wheels but have to 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 percent from its sticker price. After three years, it’s worth about half.

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 CR road tests when they were new and had consistent above-average reliability for multiple years, according to our surveys of CR members. Even among the used cars we recommend, there can be stinkers because of a bad day at the factory or a neglectful owner who didn’t keep up with the required maintenance. Make sure to have the car you're considering thoroughly inspected by a certified mechanic before you sign on the dotted line.

If you’re a Consumer Reports member, the results below are available to you. If you're not a member, click below to join and access this full list of cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and wagons. As a CR member, you'll also get access to our exclusive ratings and reviews for every product we buy and test, including cars, grills, mobile phones, and flat-screen TVs.

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