10 Best Brands to Buy Used

2018 Honda Accord Touring exteror front grille ・ Photo by Honda

In many ways, buying a used vehicle is more complicated than buying a new one. Reliability and maintenance costs are more important to consider, because you’re usually getting a vehicle with some miles on it. Smart buyers consider the brand’s reputation for long-term quality and the presence of a strong dealer network to provide support.

With used cars, quantity can be as important as quality. Yesterday’s best-selling new cars offer the best selection in used cars today. With plenty of inventory to choose from, buyers can select a low-mileage, well-maintained vehicle, and get the best price. This list of the 10 best brands for used cars focuses on the values that make a smart purchase: availability, reliability, and serviceability.

Toyota

The Toyota Camry mid-size sedan is the best-selling passenger car in America, and the smaller Toyota Corolla is also among the sales leaders. Toyota also leads in green vehicles with the hybrid Prius line. Toyota’s trucks and SUVs are extremely popular, including the Tundra full-size and Tacoma mid-size pickups in both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. Toyota’s SUVs include urban and family-oriented models like the RAV4, Highlander, and Sequoia, and tougher off-road models like the 4Runner and Land Cruiser.

Toyota’s reputation for quality and dependability is well established, and Toyota has a rigorous Certified Pre-Owned program that includes a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty on approved vehicles. Finally, Toyota offers one of the most extensive dealer networks of any brand. Wherever you live or travel to, there will be a Toyota expert nearby.

Photo by Toyota

Chevrolet

For decades, Chevrolet has offered one of the largest lines of passenger cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks of any automaker. Whether you’re looking for a subcompact like the Spark or Sonic, a compact like the Cruze, a mid-size like the Malibu, a green car like the Volt or Bolt, or a sports car like the Corvette or Camaro, Chevy has you covered. With a full lineup of SUVs ranging from the subcompact Trax up through the Equinox, Traverse, and the full-size Tahoe and Suburban, Chevrolet has vehicles to meet any set of needs. Chevrolet’s Colorado and Silverado pickup trucks are also market leaders.

Chevrolet products consistently receive top quality ratings. 2013-2015 Chevrolet cars, trucks and SUVs received “Most Dependable” awards from J.D. Power from 2016-2018. Chevy also has over 4,200 dealers nationwide, with support in every state in America.

Photo by General Motors

Fiat

Fiat makes our list based on price and quality reports. Far from the company’s old reputation for frequent repairs, the current Fiat offerings have been rated “Most Improved” by J.D. Power. Fiat products like the subcompact 500 hatchback and 500C convertible, the family-friendly 500L wagon, and the capable 500X SUV are also attractively priced on the pre-owned market.

On average, a used FIAT 500 hatchback at three to four years old sells for about $8,500, against a new price of $16,995. The 500X is just now old enough to be found in numbers on the used market, and even the sporty 124 Spider roadster is now available used.

Photo by FIAT

Honda

Honda is another of the world’s largest automakers, with a reputation for superior quality. The Civic has been among the best-selling compact cars in America for well over 40 years, while the mid-size Accord holds another top sales position. That means there are always plenty of Civics and Accords available on the pre-owned market, both at Honda dealerships and everywhere else.

SUV fans will appreciate Honda quality from the subcompact HR-V to the compact CR-V and mid-size Pilot. If you want the carrying capability of a pickup with the ride of an SUV, consider Honda’s mid-size Ridgeline crossover pickup. The Pilot and Civic received Autobytel Car of the Year awards in 2016. Those award-winning Hondas are now widely available on the used market.

Photo by Honda

Kia

In the last five years, Korean automaker Kia has shed its bargain economy image and has produced some truly excellent quality vehicles. Whether you’re looking for a tiny Kia Rio or the very functional Forte, Optima, Cadenza, or K900 sedans, there’s a Kia that’s right-sized for you. On the SUV side, you can choose from the popular FWD Soul or the capable Sportage and Sorento crossovers.

Kia products are still among the most affordable on the used market, and quality ratings for three-to-five-year-old vehicles are generally excellent. Kia received a J.D. Power award for the “Highest Ranked Mass Market Brand” in the company’s Initial Quality Study four times from 2015-2018, and was one of Kelley Blue Book’s “Most Awarded Brands” in 2017.

Photo by Kia

Ford

If you’re shopping for a pre-loved pickup truck, you’ll want to check out the Ford selection. With the Ford F-Series attaining the top sales spot for any vehicle in America every year for more than 40 years running, there are more used Ford trucks available than any other brand. Ford also offers a selection of cars that ranges from the tiny Fiesta to the sporty Mustang and the mid-size Fusion, which is also available as a hybrid.

Quality ratings have always been high, with Ford ranking fourth among all brands in J.D. Power’s 2017 initial quality ratings. That was significant because Ford beat industry quality giants like Toyota, Honda, and Mercedes-Benz.

Photo by Ford

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi has offered only a small lineup recently, but if you can find an Outlander or Outlander Sport crossover suv on the pre-owned market, it’s going to be affordable. In sedans and hatchbacks, consider a pre-owned Lancer or Mirage.

While Mitsubishi does not have the extensive dealer network of other brands, average transaction prices for used Mitsubishis that are three to five years old are extremely attractive. Mitsubishi Outlander SUVs from 2015 are trading between $12,000 and $16,000, while 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer sedans are offered in the same price range. The subcompact Mirage is even less expensive.

Photo by Mitsubishi

Nissan

Nissan is one of America’s most popular automakers, and the company has been in the lead of the crossover suv revolution. The Rogue compact crossover has been a sales leader for years, and the 2017 Rogue Sport is now becoming available on the used market. SUV buyers can also choose from the luxurious Murano, the sporty Juke subcompact, the capable mid-size Pathfinder, and the full-size Armada on the pre-owned market.

If you’re looking for a passenger car, Nissan has been in that market for decades, with options including the Versa, Sentra, Altima, and Maxima, plus the all-electric Leaf and the sporty 370Z. Don’t forget the full-size Titan and mid-size Frontier pickup trucks, either. The Altima, Maxima, and Frontier took top awards in this year’s J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey.

Photo by Nissan

Subaru

Subaru products hold their value very well, which is a mixed bag for the used vehicle market. On the one hand, prices are higher when buying a pre-owned Subaru, but prices also stay high when it’s time to pass that Subaru on. If you live anywhere that gets winter weather, consider buying a Subaru Impreza or Legacy all-wheel drive passenger car. A Crosstrek, Forester, or Outback SUV also makes sense. If performance is your goal, a pre-owned Impreza WRX or WRX STI will fit the bill.

Subaru has won many awards for quality, including being named “Best Brand” of 2018 by Kelley Blue Book. The Subaru Outback earned a five-star safety rating from NHTSA every year from 2013 to 2016.

Photo by Subaru

Mazda

Mazda is often overlooked among leading Japanese brands, but it should be considered an excellent choice for pre-owned buyers. Mazda offers a full line of crossovers from the subcompact CX-3 to the compact CX-5 and the mid-size CX-9. Passenger car buyers may choose from the compact Mazda3, mid-size Mazda6, or the MX-5 Miata sports car.

The EPA has certified Mazda as the automaker with the best average fuel economy for the last five years. Mazda is also known as a driver’s favorite brand because of its vehicles’ sporty handling. US News & World Report rated Mazda the best brand of 2017.

Photo by Mazda