Finest Used Automobiles and Our High Picks for March 2025, says Shopper Experiences

New automotive costs are nonetheless prohibitively excessive for many automotive customers as costs proceed to hover across the $48,000 to $50,000 (on common) mark. And in order for you a brand new truck, you’ll be able to anticipate to pay anyplace from $70,000 to $100,000.

Associated article: Shopper Experiences Reveals Their High Decide Automobiles of 2025, Together with Two Ford Pickup Vans

However is paying inflated costs and going into debt essential as a way to personal an acceptable car?

In no way. CR automotive specialists are serving to customers discover used-car choices that may save tens of hundreds of {dollars} whereas nonetheless permitting customers to personal a protected car with fashionable security options and a confirmed observe file of reliability.

Shopper Experiences Gives a New Choice Class

Shopper Experiences is well-known for its informative new automotive evaluations, by which it has highlighted distinctive automobiles, SUVs, and vans gleaned by intensive testing and buyer survey knowledge.

Nonetheless, their automotive analysts are making use of related choice rigor to used automobiles, SUVs, and truck fashions and have simply launched their up to date “10 Used Automobile Picks” suggestions.

With the traditionally excessive value of latest autos as of late, increasingly individuals are naturally trying to pre-owned market looking for a greater cut price,” says Alex Knizek, supervisor of automotive testing and insights for Shopper Experiences. “However they should not must sacrifice security, reliability, or gas financial system to remain inside their funds. That is why we created these Used Automobile High Picks and are increasing our used-car protection and insights.

Of their evaluation, CR automotive specialists take into account the next components:

1. Nice new automobiles do not at all times make nice used automobiles, particularly when factoring in depreciation and long-term reliability.
2. To establish good decisions, used automobiles have been chosen from a technology perspective slightly than a model-year perspective.
3. The good thing about a technology perspective is that it persistently reveals the fashions that grew to become extra trouble-free over a technology’s multiyear span; the final two years of a technology are typically the most effective.
4. Security options in new fashions present in used fashions are one other qualifying consideration.
5. Automobile worth is important, as some fashions depreciate greater than others, making them a cut price as a used car in comparison with different used automotive fashions of the identical age.
6. Used automotive customers should do not forget that every automotive is exclusive, has its historical past, and have to be inspected by an expert mechanic earlier than shopping for.

The technique we make use of for choosing used automobiles emphasizes worth inside a value vary, and it signifies that the highlighted fashions might not have been the highest-scoring fashions when examined new. As a substitute, they’re typically good automobiles that depreciated greater than others, making them extra enticing as used automobiles than they have been when new.

THE BEST CAR TOP PICKS BY CONSUMER REPORTS

Sedan Below $10,000

Mazda 6 2016

Worth Vary: $8,125 – $11,125

Proprietor Reported MPG: 29 mpg

Sedan Below $15,000

Toyota Corolla 2018

Worth Vary: $12,275 – $14,875

Proprietor Reported MPG: 33 mpg

SUV Below $15,000

Honda CR-V 2016

Worth Vary: $12,050 – $16,250

Proprietor Reported MPG: 27 mpg

Hybrid Below $20,000

Toyota Camry Hybrid 2019

Worth Vary: $16,600 – $20,500

Proprietor Reported MPG: 45 mpg

Small SUV Below $20,000

Kia Sportage 2021

Worth Vary: $14,925 – $19,375

Proprietor Reported MPG: 25 mpg

Hybrid SUV Below $20,000

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2018

Worth Vary: $15,400 – $19,875

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

3-Row SUV Below $20,000

Mazda CX-9 2020

Worth Vary: $16,425 – $22,750

Proprietor Reported MPG: 24 mpg

Luxurious SUV Below $20,000

Lexus NX 2017

Worth Vary: $16,550 – $19,625

Proprietor Reported MPG: 25 mpg

Pickup Truck Below $20,000

Toyota Tacoma 2015

Worth Vary: $13,575 – $19,975

Proprietor Reported MPG: 19 mpg

Sports activities Automobile Below $20,000

Mazda MX-5 Miata 2019

Worth Vary: $13,675 – $19,500

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

Associated article: Shopper Experiences’ Dependable Used Sports activities Automobile Suggestions for Below $25,000

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based mostly in Cincinnati who presently researches and works on restoring older autos with engine modifications for improved efficiency. He additionally reviews on fashionable automobiles (together with EVs) with a deal with DIY mechanics, shopping for and utilizing instruments, and different associated topical automotive restore information. Observe Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites in addition to on Fb and his automotive weblog “Zen and the Artwork of DIY Automobile Restore” for helpful day by day information and subjects associated to new and used automobiles and vans.

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