Finest Used Automobiles: Shopper Reviews’ Prime Picks for June 2025

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

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

By no means. A new replace on used automobile purchasing demonstrates that Shopper Reviews automotive consultants are serving to buyers discover used-car choices that may save them as much as tens of hundreds of {dollars} whereas nonetheless permitting buyers to personal a protected car with trendy security options and a confirmed observe report of reliability―all by making use of the same stage of rigor and selectively as they do with new car evaluations.

Tariffs are Altering Automotive Purchasing Right now

CR analysts word that as a result of right this moment’s present buyers are involved about looming inflation and the uncertainty of tariffs and their impression on customers, shopping for a used car could make good financial sense for many households.

“With the traditionally excessive value of latest autos today, increasingly more persons are naturally trying to the pre-owned market looking for a greater discount,” says Alex Knizek, affiliate director of auto take a look at growth at Shopper Reviews. “However they should not need to sacrifice security, reliability, or gasoline economic system to remain inside their finances. That is why we now current Used Automotive Prime 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 vans gleaned by means of in depth testing and buyer survey information.

Of their evaluation of used automobiles CR automotive consultants think about the next components:

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 sensible decisions, used automobiles had been chosen from a technology perspective relatively than a model-year perspective.
3. The good thing about a generational perspective is that it constantly reveals the fashions that develop into extra trouble-free over a technology’s multi-year span; the final two years of a technology are usually the very best.
4. Security options in new fashions, which are sometimes present in used fashions, are one other qualifying consideration.
5. Automotive worth is crucial, as some fashions depreciate greater than others, making them a discount as a used car in comparison with different used automobile fashions of the identical age.
6. Used automobile buyers ought to do not forget that every automobile is exclusive, has its historical past, and have to be inspected by knowledgeable mechanic earlier than buy.

“The technique we make use of for choosing used automobiles 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 usually 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 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 might have the really useful pre-purchase inspection earlier than shopping for that used mannequin and the vendor’s assurance that every part is on the up and up, there are 7 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 to have acceptable and inexpensive 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 develop into pricey.
4. Change all fluids and filters―Engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, air filters, and cabin filters. Do not assume they had been modified or modified appropriately.
5. Examine or exchange the timing belt or chain―If the automobile has a timing belt or timing chain and there is no proof it was modified lately, changing it could actually stop catastrophic engine injury.
6. Examine tires and brakes —Ensure they’re protected and never worn previous their limits.
7. Replace upkeep data and begin a log―Maintain observe of what is been accomplished and when to keep on high of future automobile upkeep.

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based mostly in Cincinnati who presently researches and works on restoring older automobiles with engine modifications for improved efficiency. He additionally reviews on trendy automobiles (together with EVs) with a give attention to 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 automobiles and vans.

Picture Supply: Deposit Images