Shopper Reviews’ Greatest Used Automotive Suggestions for July 2025

Is paying artificially inflated costs and going into debt essential to personal an acceptable automobile?

Will it’s a must to accept used fashions with fewer security options and questionable reliability?

By no means. A brand new replace on used automobile buying demonstrates that Shopper Reviews automotive consultants are serving to consumers discover used-car choices that may save them as much as tens of 1000’s of {dollars} whereas nonetheless permitting consumers to personal a secure automobile with trendy security options and a confirmed observe document of reliability―all by making use of an identical degree of rigor and selectively as they do of their new automobile evaluations.

Tariffs are Inflation on the Horizon

CR analysts be aware that as a result of at the moment’s present consumers are involved about looming inflation and the uncertainty of tariffs and their affect on customers, shopping for a used automobile could make good financial sense for many households.

“With the traditionally excessive value of latest autos lately, increasingly more individuals are naturally trying to the pre-owned market seeking a greater cut price,” says Alex Knizek, affiliate director of auto check growth at Shopper Reviews. “However they should not should sacrifice security, reliability, or gasoline economic system to remain inside their finances. That is why we now current Used Automotive High Picks and have expanded our used-car protection and insights.”

Shopper Reviews is well-known for its informative new automobile evaluations, wherein it has highlighted distinctive automobiles, SUVs, and vehicles gleaned by means of intensive testing and buyer survey information.

Of their evaluation of used automobiles CR automotive consultants take into account the next elements:

1. Nice new automobiles do not all the time make nice used automobiles, particularly when factoring in depreciation and long-term reliability.
2. To establish good selections, used automobiles have been chosen from a era perspective somewhat than a model-year perspective.
3. The advantage of a era perspective is that it constantly reveals the fashions that turned extra trouble-free over a era’s multiyear span; the final two years of a era are typically the most effective.
4. Security options in new fashions present in used fashions are one other qualifying consideration.
5. Automotive worth is important, as some fashions depreciate greater than others, making them a cut price as a used automobile in comparison with different used automobile fashions of the identical age.
6. Used automobile consumers should keep in mind that every automobile is exclusive, has its historical past, and have to be inspected by knowledgeable 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 could not have been the highest-scoring fashions when examined new. As an alternative, they’re usually good automobiles that depreciated greater than others, making them extra engaging as used automobiles than they have been when new,” states the replace.

THE BEST CAR TOP PICKS BY CONSUMER REPORTS

SEDAN UNDER $10,000

2016 Mazda 6 (Era 2014-2011)

Value Vary: $8,550 – $11,325

Proprietor Reported MPG: 29 mpg

SEDAN UNDER $15,000

2019 Toyota Corolla (Era 2014-2019)

Value Vary: $12,925 – $16,230

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

SUV UNDER $15,000

2018 Mazda CX-5 (Era 2017-2025)

Value Vary: $12,025 – $16,450

Proprietor Reported MPG: 26 mpg

HYBRID UNDER $20,000

2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Era 2018-2024)

Value Vary: $16,875 – $21,450

Proprietor Reported MPG: 45 mpg

SMALL SUV UNDER $20,000

2021 Kia Sportage (Era 2017-2022)

Value Vary: $14,925 – $19,475

Proprietor Reported MPG: 25 mpg

HYBRID SUV UNDER $20,000

2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (Era 2016-2018)

Value Vary: $15,800 – $20,650

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

3-ROW SUV UNDER $20,000

2018 Mazda CX-9 (Era 2016-2023)

Value Vary: $12,175 – $17,300

Proprietor Reported MPG: 23 mpg

LUXURY SUV UNDER $20,000

2017 Lexus NX (Era 2015-2021)

Value Vary: $17,500 – $20,300

Proprietor Reported MPG: 25 mpg

PICKUP TRUCK UNDER $20,000

2015 Toyota Tacoma (Era 2005-2015)

Value Vary: $13,675 – $20,025

Proprietor Reported MPG: 19 mpg

SPORTS CAR UNDER $20,000

2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata (Era 2016-2024)

Value Vary: $15,350 – $21,475

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

There’s Extra to Shopping for a Used Automotive Than Its Value… It is What Occurs After

Though you will have the advisable pre-purchase inspection earlier than shopping for that used mannequin and the vendor’s assurance that all the things is on the up and up, there are vital issues that should be taken care of afterward on this order:

1. Switch the title and registration — go to your native DMV instantly to make sure the automobile is legally in your title. Watch out for curbstoning scams.
2. Get insurance coverage protection — be sure you have acceptable and reasonably priced insurance coverage protection in place earlier than you drive a lot additional.
3. Get a full mechanical inspection — this could uncover hidden points missed in the course of the pre-purchase inspection and allow you to tackle them early earlier than they grow to be expensive.
4. Change all fluids and filters — together with engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, air filters, and cabin filters. Do not assume they have been modified or modified accurately.
5. Test or change the timing belt or chain — if the automobile has a timing belt or timing chain and there is no proof it was just lately modified, changing it may forestall catastrophic engine injury.
6. Test tires and brakes — be sure that they’re secure and never worn past their limits.
7. Replace upkeep data and begin a log — to maintain observe of what is been performed and when, staying on high of future automobile upkeep.

For extra current Shopper Reviews suggestions, listed here are just a few to your consideration:

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based mostly in Cincinnati who at present researches and works on restoring older automobiles with engine modifications for improved efficiency. He additionally studies on trendy 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 Automotive Restore” for helpful every day information and subjects associated to new and used automobiles and vehicles.

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