Best Used Cars and SUVs Under $15,000 -The Models Below Are The Ones We'd Recommend to Our Friends and Family

According to a recent Consumer Reports newsletter: "Used cars are always a good value because a prior owner has taken the depreciation hit, making their loss your gain. Even though the value of the average used car through the spring of 2025 was $26,240, there are plenty of reliable and safe vehicles on the market for half of that amount."

To help consumers find a good used car, CR analysts recently reviewed years of accumulated data and compiled this list of vehicles that performed well when new and consistently demonstrated better-than-average reliability over the years in models ranging from 2010 to 2019.

Furthermore, with budget buyers in mind, CR analysts narrowed the list to those recommended models that can be had today between $10,000 and $15,000.

"The models below are the ones we'd recommend to our friends and family. Each has standard electronic stability control, an important safety feature. Some were also available with active safety features such as forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind spot warning (BSW), and/or rear cross-traffic warning (RCTW) as optional or standard equipment when they were new," stated CR automotive experts in today's newsletter.

BEST USED CARS UNDER $15,000

That said, here is a summary of their recent listing of the best used cars for under $15,000:

SMALL CARS

Ford

2017 C-MAX: $7,600 - $10,650

Honda

2019 Honda Fit: $12,400–$16,125

2018 Honda Fit: $10,775–$14,875

2017 Honda Fit: $10,850–$13,475

Subaru

2018 Impreza: $9,600–$14,600

2017 Impreza: $9,825–$13,200

2016 Impreza: $8,075–$11,875

Toyota

2018 Corolla: $11,875–$14,475

2017 Corolla: $10,625–$13,200

2016 Corolla: $9,475–$11,850

2015 Corolla: $8,900–$10,200

2016 Prius: $13,475

2015 Prius: $10,875–$11,925

2014 Prius: $9,475–$10,900

2016 Prius V: $12,925

2015 Prius V: $11,775

2014 Prius V: $9,675

 

MIDSIZED CARS

Buick

2017 LaCrosse: $8,150–$15,000

2016 LaCrosse: $6,450–$13,850

Honda 

2016 Accord: $11,900–$16,000

2014 Accord: $9,025–$11,150

2015 Accord Hybrid: $10,100–$12,525

2014 Accord Hybrid: $9,025–$11,150

Mazda

2017 Mazda6: $9,725–$13,575

2016 Mazda6: $8,400–$11,375

Nissan Altima 2018: $9,625–$12,500

Subaru Legacy 2018: $12,050–$17,025

Toyota

2016 Avalon: $13,150–$15,825

2015 Avalon: $11,800–$13,575

2014 Avalon: $10,800–$12,225

2013 Avalon: $9,825–$10,725

2016 Hybrid: $13,150–$15,825

2015 Hybrid: $11,800–$13,575

2014 Hybrid: 10,800–$12,225

2013 Hybrid: $9,8255–$10,725

2016 Camry: $12,500–$14,950

2015 Camry: $10,200–$12,025

2014 Camry: $8,625–$11,275

2016 Camry Hybrid: $12,500–$14,950

2015 Camry Hybrid: $10,200–$12,025

2014 Camry Hybrid: $8,625–$11,275

 

SPORTS CARS

Mazda MX-5 Miata 2016: $11,275–$14,500

 

SMALL SUVs

Acura

2016 Acura RDX: $12,275–$13,775

2015 Acura RDX: $10,425–$11,850

2014 Acura RDX: $9,825–$10,800

2013 Acura RDX: $9,225–$9,625

BMW X3 2016: $10,3450-$13,000

Buick Envision 2017: $10,675–$15,125

Honda 

2016 CR-V: $12,675–$16,675

2015 CR-V: $10,575–$13,425

2013 CR-V: $8,650–$11,875

Honda HR-V 2018: $12,850–$15,900

Mazda 

2018 CX-5: $12,400–$15,975

2017 CX-5: $12,000–$15,050

2016 CX-5: $10,200–$12,450

Toyota 

2015 RAV4: $11,225–$12,900

2014 RAV4: $10,425–$11,975

 

MIDSIZED SUVs

Acura

2015 MDX: $12,050–$13,375

2014 MDX: $10,700–$12,175

Lexus

2014 RX: $13,650–$15,150

2013 RX: $12,300–$14,000

2012 RX: $10,925–$12,000

2011 RX: $9,250–$10,925

Lexus RX Hybrid 2013: $12,300-$13,350

Nissan Murano 2016: $8,300–$12,350

Toyota 

2014 Highlander: $12,425–$16,000

2013 Highlander: $10,125–$12,800

2012 Highlander: $9,200–$11,450

2011 Highlander: $8,575–$10,675

2015 Venza: 10,225–$13,700

2014 Venza: $9,250–$12,675

Toyota 4Runner 2010: $12,700–$15,650

For additional articles about some Consumer Reports budget-saving car recommendations, here are a few for your consideration:

1. Most Fuel-Efficient Used Compact SUVs Recommended Today
2. Compact SUVs from $25,000 to $35,000 With Standard Active Safety Systems You Will Want
3. Best Used Cars and SUVs for Less Than $5,000 With This Essential Safety Feature You Can't Live Without

COMING UP NEXT: "Many Buyers are Hesitant to Purchase a Minivan Because It Screams "Soccer Mom," But Consumer Reports Notes That SUVs of Today Are Designed with Increased Cargo Space

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and restores 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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