Best Used Cars In 2025 According To Consumer Reports

When searching for a used car, it is easy to get frustrated when deciding what type of car you want and finding relevant information about which cars will be the most reliable in your ownership. Thanks to Consumer Reports and its list of best used cars in 2025, buyers can get some straightforward answers when shopping for their next vehicle.  

One of the main reasons to buy a used car over a new one is the depreciation. As most people reading this will know, new vehicles depreciate quite a bit the minute they are driven off the dealer lot. A used car doesn’t have to contend with the same drop in value the minute you take ownership. Some model years of cars are also better than others, as CR highlights in their reporting of which cars are the best to buy.  

Mazda6 

Anyone who has looked at the 2014-2021 Mazda6 will not be surprised that it sits atop the list of the best used cars under $10,000. While the 2014 is a good model to buy, the refresh in 2016 saw the cabin get quieter with better materials overall. However, in 2018, the 6 received an update that saw it compete with German luxury sedans in terms of its style, comfort, cargo space, and fuel economy.   

The Mazda6 from 2014 to 2016 was available with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. All cars had a 2.5-liter inline-4 that produced 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. The new 2018 model received an upgrade of three extra ponies in the standard 2.5-liter while also offering a turbocharged 2.5 that delivered 227 horsepower with 87 octane or 250 horsepower with 93, plus 310 lb-ft of torque.  

In a comparison test by Car and Driver in 2016, the Mazda beat out the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry to take the victory thanks to its performance, good looks, and excellent fuel economy at 25 mpg combined throughout the test, which was two mpg better than any of the other cars.  

Every year of this generation, the Mazda6 saw it achieve the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ honors, with 2018 being the only year where it was a Top Safety Pick.  

Toyota Corolla 

For cars under $15,000, Consumer Reports says the 2014-2019 Toyota Corolla is the car to buy. A 1.8-liter inline-4 was the only engine offered, and it featured 132 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque, and used either a CVT or a 6-speed manual. The optional LE Eco received a tweak that got an extra eight horsepower but two fewer torque.  

No matter what, though, the Corolla was the gas mileage king in this era. The 2014 through 2019 saw the Corolla achieve 27-28 mpg in the city, depending on the transmission, and 35-36 mpg on the highway. The LE Eco was able to reach 30 city and 40 highway.  

The 2014 and 2018 Corolla models were an IIHS Top Safety Pick and a Top Safety Pick+ in 2017.  

Mazda CX-5 

For SUVs under $15,000, the 2017-2025 Mazda CX-5 will be your best bet. The 2017 model year saw an all-new CX-5 with the same 2.5-liter engine as the previously mentioned Mazda6, with 2019 bringing a refresh that added the same turbocharged 2.5-liter. But just because this is an SUV, don’t let it fool you. The CX-5 is nimble and agile without breaking a sweat. Some trim levels even had a Head-Up Display. 

The 2020 model year brought adaptive cruise control and auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection as standard safety features, and 2021 saw a brand-new infotainment system. Those who buy a 2022 or newer CX-5 will get all-wheel drive standard.   

Buyers love the Mazda CX-5 because it’s an SUV that is fun to drive, affordable, reliable, and very safe. In fact, the CX-5 was awarded the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ from 2017 up to 2022, and the 2023 and 2024 models received the Top Safety Pick honors.  

Toyota Camry Hybrid 

It shouldn’t come as a shock that the 2018-2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid is the best hybrid under $20,000, as Toyota is pretty much the hybrid gold standard. Toyota was one of the first mainstream hybrid automakers with the Prius, and the company hasn’t looked back since.  

What makes the Camry Hybrid special is the fact that it is a truly large sedan that gets a combined average fuel economy rating of 47 mpg, with drivers able to see as much as 610 miles of range between city and highway.  

Every year, except for 2024, the IIHS has ranked the Camry as one of its Top Safety Pick+ vehicles. In 2024, the Camry was a Top Safety Pick.  

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 

Surprise, surprise, another Toyota Hybrid. This time, the RAV4 Hybrid is listed as the best Hybrid SUV under $20,000. They are genuinely just that good, really. The 2016-2018 model years are the sweet spot, as 2016 was a mid-cycle refresh that Consumer Reports says made it better than ever before.  

The EPA rated the RAV4 Hybrid at 34 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. However, MotorTrend reported that those numbers were conservative. They talked about Real MPG being able to squeeze 34.3 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. That meant the RAV4 Hybrid had a combined rating of 36 miles per gallon.  

The IIHS awarded the 2016 and ‘17 models with their coveted Top Safety Pick+, while the 2018 model received their Top Safety Pick prize.  

Toyota Tacoma 

Is there anything like the 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma, or Taco for short? CR says for under $20 grand, there’s no better truck available. What more do you really need than quite possibly the most revered and reliable truck ever to be built? 

Buyers have a choice of two engines that powered the Taco: the 2.7-liter inline-4 that offered up 164 horsepower and 183 lb-ft of torque, or a 4.0-liter V6 with 245 horses and 282 torque. The 4-cylinder got a 6-speed auto while the V6 could be optioned with a 6-speed manual or automatic. The V6 also had a towing capacity of 6,500 lbs when properly equipped.  

Mazda MX-5 Miata 

You can’t talk about the best used cars and not put the Mazda Miata on the list. Consumer Reports says the best sports car to buy under $20,000 is the 2016-2014 Miata. The little roadster is not super fast or wildly flashy. It does not win drag races and has never been a featured car in any of the Fast and Furious movies, which is a good thing. Instead, what the Miata does right is driving dynamics and all-out fun. You can have some of the greatest drives of your life and never even break the speed limit. 

Before 2019, the Miata had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that put out 155 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. However, in 2019, Mazda finally caved and gave something some buyers had been wanting for a long time: muscle. The newer Miata now puts out 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque.  

There is a 6-speed automatic available…but why? The true transmission is the 6-speed manual.  

Why Choose Alderman Automotive  

Alderman Automotive has all the best summer prices for trucks and SUVs, which are great for long-distance travel. 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 your vehicle is always in the best condition possible.