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Used Cars Recommended for Friends and Family
A recent Consumer Reports analysis of older used cars that dates as far back as 10 years ago was recently released by CR analysts who say that their current picks are “…the ones we’d recommend to our friends and family members,” ―all under $20,000!
Related article: Consumer Reports Best Used Cars, SUVs and Trucks for Less Than $5,000
Those models were chosen with a focus on their performance when they were new and their reliability as they aged based on data from their Annual Auto Surveys of CR members. The benefit to mining data from past annual surveys is that it provides used car shoppers with information on which models are proven dependable and could be a good buy provided their maintenance and care were well-managed.
“The models below (listed alphabetically by segment) are the ones we’d recommend to our friends and family. Each has standard electronic stability control, an important safety feature. Many are 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,” stated CR automotive analysts in the updated newsletter.
Related article: Mechanic Talks Candidly About the Best Used Car You Should Not Buy
Be forewarned, however, as older vehicles require some personal concessions when it comes to road noise and comfort. 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 cars.
That said, the summary includes the added benefit of discovering how reliable these choices have proven themselves to be overall in three areas critical to used car shopping: overall performance, engine reliability, and fuel economy.
“These vehicles performed well in our tests when new and consistently demonstrated multiple years of much-better-than-average reliability in our Annual Auto Surveys for the 2014 to 2023 model years,” stated CR analysts in their recent newsletter.
For a more detailed breakdown of each vehicle, please visit the CR website. Note that while access to some information requires a CR membership, the potential savings make it negligible in comparison when looking for the latest information to aid your car buying research.
USED CAR, SUV AND TRUCK RECOMMENDATIONS UNDER $20,000
SMALL CARS
Honda Fit 2020
Price Range: $15,650 - $19,050
Owner Reported MPG: 34 mpg
Mazda 3 2021
Price Range: $15,650 - $24,825
Owner Reported MPG: 28 mpg
Toyota Corolla, 2018 to 2020
Price Range: $13,425 - $16,150
Owner Reported MPG: 32 mpg
Toyota Corolla Hybrid, 2020 to 2021
CR Recommended Model: Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2021
Price Range: $17,100 - $21,950
Owner Reported MPG: 53 mpg
Toyota Prius, 2016 to 2018
CR Recommended Model: Toyota Prius 2018
Price Range: $16,775 - $20,450
Owner Reported MPG: 52 mpg
Toyota Prius Prime, 2017
CR Recommended Model: Toyota Prius Prime 2017
Price Range: $16,275 - $19,325
Owner Reported MPG: 80 mpg
Toyota Prius V, 2016 to 2017
CR Recommended Model: Toyota Prius V 2016
Price Range: $14,475
Owner Reported MPG: 42 mpg
Midsized and Large Cars
Honda Accord, 2017
Price Range: $14,825 - $19,150
Owner Reported MPG: 28 mpg
Toyota Avalon, 2016 to 2017
CR Recommended Model: Toyota Avalon 2017
Price Range: $16,075 - $17,700
Owner Reported MPG: 24 mpg
Toyota Avalon Hybrid, 2014 to 2016
CR Recommended Model: Toyota Avalon 2016
Price Range: $14,475 - $16,600
Owner Reported MPG: 25 mpg
Toyota Camry, 2017 to 2018
CR Recommended Model: Toyota Camry 2017
Price Range: $14,875 - $17,250
Owner Reported MPG: 28 mpg
Toyota Camry Hybrid, 2016 to 2017
CR Recommended Model: Toyota Camry 2017
Price Range: $14,875 - $17,250
Owner Reported MPG: 28 mpg
LUXURY CARS
Acura TLX, 2016
Price Range: $13,825 - $16,625
Owner Reported MPG: 25 mpg
Lexus ES, 2015 to 2016
CR Recommended Model: Lexus ES 2016
Price Range: $17,550
Owner Reported MPG: 24 mpg
Lexus ES Hybrid, 2014 to 2015
CR Recommended Model: Lexus ES 2015
Price Range: $15,125 - $15,400
Owner Reported MPG: 24 mpg
Lexus GS 2015
Price Range: $17,225 - $22,100
Owner Reported MPG: 21 mpg
SPORTS CARS and CONVERTIBLES
Mazda MX-5 Miata, 2016 to 2017
CR Recommended Model: Mazda MX-5 Miata 2016
Price Range: $14,150 - $16,875
Owner Reported MPG: 34 mpg
Wagons and Minivans
Toyota Sienna 2016
Price Range: $13,850 - $20,600
Owner Reported MPG: 21 mpg
SMALL SUVs
Acura RDX 2016
Price Range: $13,900 - $17,150
Owner Reported MPG: 23 mpg
Buick Envision 2017
Price Range: $12,700 - $16,650
Owner Reported MPG: 25 mpg
Honda CR-V 2016
Price Range: $13,200 - $18,400
Owner Reported MPG: 27 mpg
Honda HR-V, 2017 to 2019
CR Recommended Model: Honda HR-V 2017
Price Range: $13,000 - $16,300
Owner Reported MPG: 29 mpg
Kia Sportage 2020
Price Range: $14,825 - $20,925
Owner Reported MPG: 24 mpg
Lexus NX 2015
Price Range: $16,200 - $18,275
Owner Reported MPG: 25 mpg
Toyota RAV4, 2016 to 2018
CR Recommended Model: Toyota RAV4 2016
Price Range: $13,675 - $16,950
Owner Reported MPG: 25 mpg
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, 2016 to 2017
CR Recommended Model: Toyota RAV4 2016
Price Range: $13,675 - $16,950
Owner Reported MPG: 25 mpg
MIDSIZED SUVs
Lexus RX, 2014 to 2015
CR Recommended Model: Lexus RX 2014
Price Range: $14,550 - $16,675
Owner Reported MPG: 20 mpg
Mazda CX-9 2018
Price Range: $13,575 - $19,650
Owner Reported MPG: 23 mpg
Toyota Highlander, 2014 to 2016
CR Recommended Model: Toyota Highlander 2014
Price Range: $13,750 - $17,875
Owner Reported MPG: 21 mpg
PICKUP TRUCKS
Toyota Tacoma, 2014 to 2016
CR Recommended Model: Toyota Tacoma 2015
Price Range: $15,850 - $22,500
Owner Reported MPG: 20 mpg
Toyota Tundra 2014
Price Range: $14,300 - $24,400
Owner Reported MPG: 15 mpg
For additional articles related to used cars, here are three for your consideration:
- Cars Proven to Get to 200,000 Miles and Beyond
- The Used Car Dealership Lot You Should Never Buy a Classic Car From Warning
- Best High-Mileage Used Cars Recommended by Consumer Reports
Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.
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