Client Reviews’ Greatest Used Automotive Suggestions for July 2025

Is paying artificially 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?

In no way. A brand new replace on used automotive procuring demonstrates that Client Reviews 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 secure car with fashionable security options and a confirmed monitor document of reliability―all by making use of an identical stage of rigor and selectively as they do of their new car critiques.

Tariffs are Inflation on the Horizon

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

“With the traditionally excessive worth of recent autos today, an increasing number of persons are naturally trying to the pre-owned market in quest of a greater discount,” says Alex Knizek, affiliate director of auto check growth at Client Reviews. “However they should not need to sacrifice security, reliability, or gasoline 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.”

Client Reviews is well-known for its informative new automotive critiques, wherein it has highlighted distinctive automobiles, SUVs, and vehicles gleaned by means of in depth testing and buyer survey knowledge.

Of their evaluation of used automobiles CR automotive specialists take into account 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 good selections, used automobiles have been chosen from a technology perspective slightly than a model-year perspective.
3. The good thing about a technology perspective is that it persistently reveals the fashions that grew to become extra trouble-free over a technology’s multiyear span; the final two years of a technology are typically the perfect.
4. Security options in new fashions present in used fashions are one other qualifying consideration.
5. Automotive worth is important, as some fashions depreciate greater than others, making them a discount as a used car 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 implies that the highlighted fashions could not have been the highest-scoring fashions when examined new. As an alternative, they’re typically good automobiles that depreciated greater than others, making them extra engaging as used automobiles than they have been when new,” states the replace.

THE BEST CAR TOP PICKS BY CONSUMER REPORTS

SEDAN UNDER $10,000

2016 Mazda 6 (Era 2014-2011)

Worth Vary: $8,550 – $11,325

Proprietor Reported MPG: 29 mpg

SEDAN UNDER $15,000

2019 Toyota Corolla (Era 2014-2019)

Worth Vary: $12,925 – $16,230

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

SUV UNDER $15,000

2018 Mazda CX-5 (Era 2017-2025)

Worth Vary: $12,025 – $16,450

Proprietor Reported MPG: 26 mpg

HYBRID UNDER $20,000

2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Era 2018-2024)

Worth Vary: $16,875 – $21,450

Proprietor Reported MPG: 45 mpg

SMALL SUV UNDER $20,000

2021 Kia Sportage (Era 2017-2022)

Worth Vary: $14,925 – $19,475

Proprietor Reported MPG: 25 mpg

HYBRID SUV UNDER $20,000

2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (Era 2016-2018)

Worth Vary: $15,800 – $20,650

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

3-ROW SUV UNDER $20,000

2018 Mazda CX-9 (Era 2016-2023)

Worth Vary: $12,175 – $17,300

Proprietor Reported MPG: 23 mpg

LUXURY SUV UNDER $20,000

2017 Lexus NX (Era 2015-2021)

Worth Vary: $17,500 – $20,300

Proprietor Reported MPG: 25 mpg

PICKUP TRUCK UNDER $20,000

2015 Toyota Tacoma (Era 2005-2015)

Worth Vary: $13,675 – $20,025

Proprietor Reported MPG: 19 mpg

SPORTS CAR UNDER $20,000

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

Worth Vary: $15,350 – $21,475

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

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

Though you’ll have the really helpful 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 necessary 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 could uncover hidden points missed in the course of the pre-purchase inspection and assist you tackle 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 have been modified or modified appropriately.
5. Verify or exchange the timing belt or chain — if the automotive has a timing belt or timing chain and there isn’t any proof it was lately modified, changing it will possibly forestall catastrophic engine injury.
6. Verify tires and brakes — make certain they’re secure and never worn past their limits.
7. Replace upkeep data and begin a log — to maintain monitor of what is been executed and when, staying on high of future automotive upkeep.

For added current Client Reviews suggestions, listed below are a couple of on your consideration:

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter primarily based in Cincinnati who at present researches and works on restoring older automobiles with engine modifications for improved efficiency. He additionally studies on fashionable automobiles (together with EVs) with a deal with DIY mechanics, shopping for and utilizing instruments, and different associated topical automotive restore information. Comply with 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 matters associated to new and used automobiles and vehicles.

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