10 of the Best Used Cars V6 Engines Under $10K

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe profile ・ Photo by Hyundai

Combining confident power and a fair amount of budget appeal, today’s gallery is an evaluation of 10 of the Best Used Cars with a V6 Engine Under $10,000. They hit the sweet spot for performance, with more power than four-cylinder cars, but offer better fuel economy than vehicles with a V8. They do make some technology sacrifices in the name of finances, so you likely won’t see many of the latest driver-assistance measures.

On the other hand, there are some Insurance Institute for Highway Safety  (IIHS) Top Safety picks along for the ride, and we’ve got cars from a variety of different segments. (Just remember that the used-car market can change quickly, so we can’t actually guarantee you’ll be able to find the following cars for less than $10,000 depending on your market and availability.)

2009 Honda Accord

When shopping for the best of used cars with a V6 engine under $10,000, the 2009 Honda Accord is an excellent place to start. The Accord sedan earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for the 2009 model year, and it’s also quite well-equipped in its V6 trims. Even the least-expensive models have a standard power moonroof.

As for the Accord’s 3.5-liter V6, that unit is good for 271 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. Which equates to an extra 94 horses and 93 pound-feet of torque versus the car’s standard four-cylinder engine. Yet thanks to variable cylinder management, which shuts off half the cylinders in some driving scenarios, V6 EPA ratings can be as high as 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway/22 mpg combined.

Photo by Honda

2012 Nissan Altima

Next up on our list of 10 of the Best Used Cars with a V6 Engine Under $10,000 is the 2012 Nissan Altima midsize sedan. Just like the Accord, and many similar rivals, the Altima happens to feature a standard four-cylinder engine, so when shopping for V6 power be sure to check under the hood.

In the Altima, you should see a 3.5-liter V6 that can produce 270 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque which results in ratings of 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined when you visit the gas station. Meanwhile, moving to the cabin, the V6 Altima provides standard goodies such as Bluetooth for hands-free calling, a six-speaker sound system, and a steering wheel with integrated audio controls.

Photo by Nissan

2011 Toyota Camry

The 2011 Toyota Camry is another popular choice appearing on this list and is an especially good option because 2011 saw a slight increase in the Camry’s V6 fuel economy. After a 1-mpg bump in its highway rating, the car’s overall EPA grades reached 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway/23 mpg combined.

The Camry’s 3.5-liter V6 also delivers a competitive level of output with 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. The 2011 Toyota Camry has strong reliability ratings as well, leading all midsize sedans in the 2014 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. (To be clear, the annual Vehicle Dependability Studies evaluate cars after three years of service.)

Photo by Toyota

2013 Chevrolet Impala

Our list of the best used cars with V6 engines that cost less than $10K also includes a number of full-size sedans, like the 2013 Chevrolet Impala. With its full-size dimensions, the Impala has plenty of room throughout its cabin along with a trunk capacity of 18.6 cubic feet. That’s 24 percent more than in the just-mentioned midsized 2011 Toyota Camry.

The 2013 Impala also features elevated standard content that includes Bluetooth connectivity, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls, and a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. An additional highlight is a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine. Backed by direct injection, it’s one of the most powerful motors here and despite output ratings of 300 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, the Impala can post an EPA line of 18/29/22.

Photo by Chevrolet

2013 Ford Taurus

The 2013 Ford Taurus also brings full-size proportions to our gallery of 10 of the Best Used Cars with a V6 Engine Under $10,000. In fact, the Taurus has 20.1 cubic feet of trunk space, which handily beats out both the midsize models on our list and our other full-size mainstream entry, the Chevy Impala.

In terms of the standard engine for the 2013 Taurus, Ford’s 3.5-liter V6 serves up 288 horsepower, 254 pound-feet of torque and offers EPA ratings of 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The Taurus also checks in with standard content such as a multi-function steering wheel, a capless fuel-filler system, six-way power-adjustable front seats, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, integrated blind-spot mirrors and LED taillights.

Photo by Ford

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

For a sportier approach to a used car with a V6 engine under $10,000, you can consider the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. It was engineered from the ground up for rear-wheel-drive performance, complete with a sport-tuned suspension and two athletic engine choices. Of course, the key powerplant for today’s gallery is the Genesis Coupe’s 3.8-liter all-aluminum V6. That unit makes 306 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, which is enough for 0-60 times of less than six seconds.

Adding a luxury appeal, the V6-powered Genesis Coupe shows off standard equipment such as leather seats, a multi-function steering wheel, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, and foglights. Just keep in mind that the Genesis Coupe also lives up to its enthusiast positioning with a standard six-speed manual transmission.

Photo by Hyundai

2012 Dodge Challenger

Modern-day muscle-car fans can also find vehicles worthy of a second look in this list of 10 of the Best Used cars with a V6 Engine Under $10,000. For example, even though it may surprise some folks, the 2012 Dodge Challenger has a 4/5 score from Consumer Reports for predicted reliability, and it leads both of its arch-rivals in the online Long-Term Quality Index. The Challenger also satisfies V6 shoppers with an award-winning 3.6-liter engine that delivers 305 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque.

For what it’s worth, the 2012 Challenger is also relatively practical. It leads its segments in rear-seat headroom and legroom, as well as in cargo space. Further filling up that cabin are high-end standard touches like an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Photo by Newspress USA

2012 Lincoln MKZ

The 2012 Lincoln MKZ makes our roster of 10 of the Best Used Cars with a V6 Engine Under $10,000. The MKZ qualifies in our list because behind its dramatic split-wing grille, the car features a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that supplies 263 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque. What really sets the MKZ apart from the crowd is that for $10,000 customers can enjoy standard 10-way power-adjustable front seats that are heated, cooled, and trimmed in fine Bridge of Weir leather.

Beyond that luxurious seating, the standard steering wheel is wrapped in leather and accented with real wood, while the MKZ exterior is set off by standard LED taillamps and heated, chrome-capped exterior mirrors with approach lighting.

Photo by Lincoln

2011 Buick Lucerne

Although the Buick Lucerne is no longer in production, it’s still definitely one of 10 of the Best Used Cars with a V6 Engine Under $10,000. Specifically, the 2011 Buick Lucerne offers quite a few important benefits for shoppers in the pre-owned marketplace. Just ask J.D. Power, which ranked the 2011 Lucerne as the No. 1 Large Car in the 2014 Vehicle Dependability Study (which analyzes the dependability of used cars after three years on the road.)

The 2011 Lucerne also can provide leather-appointed seats, a heated front row, and a heated and leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel for $10,000. Finally, to attract V6 fans, the Lucerne’s standard 3.9-liter engine leverages variable valve timing to make 227 horsepower and a particularly robust 237 pound-feet of torque.

Photo by Buick

2013 Mazda Mazda6

Rounding out our list of 10 of the Best Used Cars with a V6 Engine Under $10,000 is the 2013 Mazda Mazda6. Designed to bring a dash of excitement to the mainstream midsize-sedan segment, the Mazda6 combines a responsive suspension with one of two engines, however, it’s the 3.7-liter V6 that gets our attention and will get yours too.

After all, this engine can supply 272 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, for confident acceleration in nearly all driving scenarios. Also in the mix at our $10,000 price limit: Bose audio, heated front seats, a power moonroof, and even a blind-spot monitor.

Photo by Mazda