Shopper Experiences’ Finest Used Automobile Suggestions for July 2025

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

Will you need to accept used fashions with fewer security options and questionable reliability?

By no means. A brand new replace on used automotive procuring demonstrates that Shopper Experiences automotive specialists 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 protected automobile with fashionable security options and a confirmed observe document of reliability―all by making use of an analogous stage of rigor and selectively as they do of their new automobile critiques.

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 impression on customers, shopping for a used automobile could make good financial sense for many households.

“With the traditionally excessive worth of latest autos today, increasingly more persons are naturally seeking to the pre-owned market searching for a greater discount,” says Alex Knizek, affiliate director of auto check growth at Shopper Experiences. “However they should not should sacrifice security, reliability, or gas economic system to remain inside their finances. That is why we now current Used Automobile High Picks and have expanded our used-car protection and insights.”

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

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

1. Nice new automobiles do not at all times make nice used automobiles, particularly when factoring in depreciation and long-term reliability.
2. To establish good decisions, used automobiles had been chosen from a technology perspective slightly than a model-year perspective.
3. The advantage of a technology perspective is that it persistently reveals the fashions that turned extra trouble-free over a technology’s multiyear span; the final two years of a technology are typically one of the best.
4. Security options in new fashions present in used fashions are one other qualifying consideration.
5. Automobile worth is important, as some fashions depreciate greater than others, making them a discount as a used automobile in comparison with different used automotive fashions of the identical age.
6. Used automotive consumers should keep in mind that every automotive is exclusive, has its historical past, and have to be inspected by an expert mechanic earlier than shopping for.

“The technique we make use of for choosing used automobiles emphasizes worth inside a worth vary, and it signifies that the highlighted fashions might not have been the highest-scoring fashions when examined new. As a substitute, they’re typically good automobiles that depreciated greater than others, making them extra engaging as used automobiles than they had 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 Automobile Than Its Value… It is What Occurs After

Though you’ll have the beneficial pre-purchase inspection earlier than shopping for that used mannequin and the vendor’s assurance that every little thing is on the up and up, there are vital issues that have to 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 in the course of the pre-purchase inspection and make it easier to deal with them early earlier than they develop into pricey.
4. Change all fluids and filters — together with engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, air filters, and cabin filters. Do not assume they had been modified or modified appropriately.
5. Test or change the timing belt or chain — if the automotive has a timing belt or timing chain and there is no proof it was just lately modified, changing it may possibly stop catastrophic engine injury.
6. Test tires and brakes — be sure that they’re protected and never worn past their limits.
7. Replace upkeep information and begin a log — to maintain observe of what is been executed and when, staying on prime of future automotive upkeep.

For added latest Shopper Experiences suggestions, listed below are just a few in your consideration:

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 fashionable 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 Automobile Restore” for helpful each day information and subjects associated to new and used automobiles and vehicles.

Picture Supply: Deposit Pictures