Best Used AWD Cars Under $25,000

Buying a used car can be a challenging process. You decide on a few different cars only to go back and forth, trying to research which ones are better in terms of pricing right now and also the future of your wallet. While crossovers and trucks are all the rage, you have decided you want a car with all-wheel drive. You don’t need to sit up high or have so much space. You want something sporty, reliable, good on gas, and easy to get in and out of. Alderman Automotive has compiled a list of a few cars that will fit most budgets and be good for any lifestyle.  

Tesla Model 3 

First and foremost, if you are potentially looking at getting into an electric vehicle, you absolutely cannot go wrong with a used Tesla Model 3. It’s been nearly a decade since it debuted, and now is a really great time to get a used one. They have proven to be reliable, safe, and have plenty of room inside. They are also easy to drive with great adaptive cruise control and a simple interior with a 15.4-inch LCD touchscreen that allows you to control every bit of the car and also play games while parked. The Model 3 has a pet mode that will keep the vehicle at a constant, comfortable temperature if you need to leave your dog, cat, bird, or any other animal in the car for a period of time while you run into the store. It also displays on the in-car screen that the pet is safe, and that pet mode has been enabled so people won’t get worried for your animal.  

The Model 3 has both rear- and all-wheel drive models, with a Long Range model that can go up to 310 miles on a single charge. The non-Long Range models are still excellent, with 260 miles or more of driving range. The fastest Performance model will get you from 0-60 mph in a screaming 3.5 seconds, while the standard models are still plenty fast at 5.1 seconds. A 2018-2024 Tesla Model 3 will run you anywhere from $13,000 up to our $25,000 barrier.  

BMW 3 and 4-Series 

The 2013-2022 BMW 3-Series sedan, 4-Series coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe offer some of the most luxury and performance money can buy. While the 3-Series was available as a diesel and a plug-in hybrid electric, we recommend sticking with the 320i, 328i, and 335i, which later became the 330i and 340i through a refresh. The 4-Series was originally the 428i and 435i, which was changed to 430i and 440i when the cars were given a refresh.  

With X-Drive all-wheel drive, the BMW 3 and 4 were both great performers, whether the roads were dry, wet, or filled with snow. The 335i/340i and 435i/440i had a turbocharged inline-6 that produced 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque that was available with either an 8-speed fast-shifting automatic transmission or a slick 6-speed manual. In testing, Car and Driver was able to get the car to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and even saw 37 mpg on their 75-mph highway test. The EPA estimated drivers would get up to 21 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.   

You can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on the options, color, transmission, and engine.  

Subaru Impreza 

Buying a 2012-2024 Subaru Impreza could be one of the best financial decisions you can make. While the car doesn’t feature a load of power and torque, it does have lots of good tech with a plethora of standard safety features. Every single model comes standard with all-wheel drive and has since its debut in 1997. Depending on the year you decide to purchase, the Impreza comes with either a 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter inline-4 engine and offers the choice of automatic or manual transmission.  

Because of its incredible value, it’s easy to recommend, especially since you can expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on year and mileage.  

Mazda 3  

Unlike the Impreza, the Mazda 3 is available either in front- or all-wheel drive. However, because it is a great value with all-wheel drive, we’ll focus on that car. Buyers looking to get into a Mazda 3 with all-wheel drive will want to look at the 2019-2024 model years. The best of all is the hatchback, which offers a very open cabin with an extra seven cubic feet of cargo space compared to the sedan. Plus, hatchbacks are just cooler.  

The standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that puts out 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque and can deliver up to 27 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. In 2021, Mazda debuted a new turbocharged 2.5-liter engine for the Mazda 3 that produced 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque and got from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. The turbo engine is still good on gas, with 23 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway.  

Expect to pay between $12,500 and $25,000.  

Nissan Altima

Last but certainly not least on the list is one of the most popular used cars, a Nissan Altima with optional all-wheel drive. The 2019 model year was the first time Nissan offered the Altima with all-wheel drive, so you’ll want to start there. In fact, that year, Car and Driver named the Altima as their Editors’ Choice for 2019 over the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.  

When equipped with all-wheel drive, the Altima came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. While that doesn’t seem like a lot, it is a reliable engine and vehicle overall. The EPA estimates for fuel mileage were 28 mpg in the city and a very high 39 mpg on the highway.  

Look to spend somewhere between $13,000 and $25,000 for a 2019-2024 model.  

Why Choose Alderman Automotive 

At Alderman Automotive, we work tirelessly to give you the best possible price and service on every used car we sell, and our finance department will work within your monthly payment needs. Whether you are looking for a high-end luxury car or SUV, or if your budget is something under $15,000, we have a whole host of vehicles best suited for your wants and needs. Our state-of-the-art service department and helpful staff will ensure that your vehicle is always in the best condition possible.   

We look forward to serving you soon.