Top 4 Used Cars to Consider
When buying a used car, the smartest bet is to buy one that is between 3 and 5 years old. That's when a majority of the depreciation has already occurred, and the vehicle can still be expected to last a long time.
This week, Consumer Reports revealed the top 4 used cars they recommend based on reliability, depreciation, and road test results. Their top rated used vehicle is the 2013 Toyota Prius, which retailed brand new at $30,000, but can now be purchased for between $15,825 and $18,650.
See below for the rest of their recommendations.
Top Rated Used Car Recommendations
| Vehicle | Price When New | Current Price Range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Toyota Prius | $30,005 | $15,825 | $18,650 |
| 2012 Toyota Camry | $30,015 | $20,675 | $22,450 |
| 2012 Honda Accord | $32,030 | $19,300 | $21,300 |
| 2011 Toyota RAV4 | $28,875 | $19,750 | $22,150 |
Other Used Car to Consider
Small Cars
2014 Hyundai Elantra Limited ($16,725-$17,925)
2012 Subaru Impreza ($16,125-$16,750)
Midsized Cars
2013 Kia Optima EX ($16,825-$18,375)
2012 Mazda6 s Grand Touring ($17,250-$19,150)
Luxury Cars
2012 Buick Regal GS ($20,925-$23,050)
2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid ($18,325-$20,825)
Sports Cars
2011 Chevrolet Camaro LT ($18,325-$20,100)
2011 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring ($18,350-$19,825)
Wagons & Minivans
2014 Mazda5 Grand Touring ($19,000-$21,500)
2013 Toyota Prius V ($18,275-$21,175)
Small SUVs
2013 Mazda CX-5 Touring AWD ($17,775-$21,150)
2011 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD ($20,650-$22,275)
Midsized SUV
2011 Nissan Murano SV AWD ($20,400-$23,500)
Pickup
2011 Nissan Frontier SV Crew Cab 4WD ($21,300-$23,725)
If you're shopping for a new or used car, I recommend you use TrueCar and CarsDirect to quickly see what kind of deals are being offered in your area.
Each week, I'll keep you up-to-date on the latest car deals and news that might affect your purchase. This includes...
- Best Rebates, Incentives, and Lease Deals
- Latest Car Buying Scams and Tricks
- The Best & Worst Time to Buy a Car
- Which Cars You Should Avoid
About The Author
Gregg Fidan is the founder of RealCarTips. After being ripped off on his first car purchase, he devoted several years to figuring out the best ways to avoid scams and negotiate
the best car deals. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject of car buying and taught thousands of car shoppers how to get the best deals.
Latest Weekly Car Buying Tips
June 2025
- Top 100 Cheapest Lease Deals Jun 19, 2025
- All SUV Lease Deals Compared June 2025 Jun 19, 2025
- Cars With the Largest Rebates Jun 19, 2025
- Price Comparison of Subcompact SUVs Jun 19, 2025
- Best Bang for Your Buck Lease Deals Jun 12, 2025
- Best Electric, Hybrid Lease Deals Jun 12, 2025
- Top 100 Cheapest New Cars Right Now Jun 12, 2025
- Real Prices of New Compact SUVs Jun 12, 2025
- Best 0% Finance Deals June 2025 Jun 05, 2025
- Biggest Discounts on New Cars June 2025 Jun 05, 2025
- New Cars with the Most Available Inventory Jun 05, 2025
- Real Prices of Midsize SUVs Jun 05, 2025
May 2025
- Best Car Deals by Category May 29, 2025
- Worst Cars to Lease Right Now May 29, 2025
- Real Prices of Large SUVs May 29, 2025
- Largest Hidden Dealer Rebates May 29, 2025
- Best Car Deals Around the Country May 22, 2025
- Real Prices of Pickup Trucks May 22, 2025
- Real Prices of Midsize Cars May 15, 2025
- Real Prices of Compact Cars May 01, 2025
- Which Cars Better to Lease or Buy May 01, 2025
- Cheapest Luxury Lease Deals May 01, 2025
