Greatest Used Automobiles: Shopper Experiences’ High Picks for June 2025

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

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

Under no circumstances. A new replace on used automotive procuring demonstrates that Shopper Experiences automotive consultants are serving to buyers discover used-car choices that may save them as much as tens of 1000’s of {dollars} whereas nonetheless permitting buyers to personal a secure automobile with trendy security options and a confirmed observe file of reliability―all by making use of an analogous degree of rigor and selectively as they do with new automobile opinions.

Tariffs are Altering Automotive Procuring Right now

CR analysts notice that as a result of right now’s present buyers 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 as of late, increasingly more individuals are naturally trying to the pre-owned market looking for a greater cut price,” says Alex Knizek, affiliate director of auto take a look at growth at Shopper Experiences. “However they should not should sacrifice security, reliability, or gas financial 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 Experiences is well-known for its informative new automotive opinions, during which it has highlighted distinctive vehicles, SUVs, and vans gleaned by means of in depth testing and buyer survey information.

Of their evaluation of used autos CR automotive consultants think about the next elements:

1. Nice new vehicles do not at all times make nice used vehicles, particularly when factoring in depreciation and long-term reliability.
2. To establish sensible selections, used vehicles have been chosen from a technology perspective quite than a model-year perspective.
3. The advantage of a generational perspective is that it constantly reveals the fashions that turn out to be extra trouble-free over a technology’s multi-year span; the final two years of a technology are typically the most effective.
4. Security options in new fashions, which are sometimes 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 automotive fashions of the identical age.
6. Used automotive buyers ought to do not forget that every automotive is exclusive, has its historical past, and should be inspected by knowledgeable mechanic earlier than buy.

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

THE BEST USED CAR TOP PICKS BY CONSUMER REPORTS

Sedan Underneath $10,000

2016 Mazda 6 (Technology 2014-2011)

Worth Vary: $8,550 – $11,550

Proprietor Reported MPG: 29 mpg

Sedan Underneath $15,000

2019 Toyota Corolla (Technology 2014-2019)

Worth Vary: $13,325 – $16,600

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

SUV Underneath $15,000

2018 Mazda CX-5 (Technology 2017-2025)

Worth Vary: $12,850 – $16,025

Proprietor Reported MPG: 26 mpg

Hybrid Underneath $20,000

2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Technology 2018-2024)

Worth Vary: $16,400 – $20,800

Proprietor Reported MPG: 45 mpg

Small SUV Underneath $20,000

2021 Kia Sportage (Technology 2017-2022)

Worth Vary: $15,450 – $20,150

Proprietor Reported MPG: 25 mpg

Hybrid SUV Underneath $20,000

2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (Technology 2016-2018)

Worth Vary: $16,150 – $21,000

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

3-Row SUV Underneath $20,000

2018 Mazda CX-9 (Technology 2016-2023)

Worth Vary: $12,625 – $17,600

Proprietor Reported MPG: 23 mpg

Luxurious SUV Underneath $20,000

2017 Lexus NX (Technology 2015-2021)

Worth Vary: $17,500 – $20,300

Proprietor Reported MPG: 25 mpg

Pickup Truck Underneath $20,000

2015 Toyota Tacoma (Technology 2005-2015)

Worth Vary: $14,025 – $20,425

Proprietor Reported MPG: 19 mpg

Sports activities Automotive Underneath $20,000

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

Worth Vary: $15,525 – $21,725

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

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

Though you will have the beneficial pre-purchase inspection earlier than shopping for that used mannequin and the vendor’s assurance that all the pieces is on the up and up, there are 7 necessary 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 automotive 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 will uncover hidden points missed throughout the pre-purchase inspection and enable you handle them early earlier than they turn out to be expensive.
4. Change all fluids and filters―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 exchange the timing belt or chain―If the automotive has a timing belt or timing chain and there is not any proof it was modified just lately, changing it could actually stop catastrophic engine harm.
6. Test tires and brakes —Be sure they’re secure and never worn previous their limits.
7. Replace upkeep data and begin a log―Hold observe of what is been performed and when to keep on prime of future automotive upkeep.

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter primarily based in Cincinnati who at the moment researches and works on restoring older autos with engine modifications for improved efficiency. He additionally experiences on trendy vehicles (together with EVs) with a concentrate on 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 day by day information and subjects associated to new and used vehicles and vans.

Picture Supply: Deposit Pictures