By looking at how cars performed in our tests when new and reviewing detailed reliability data, CR can point car shoppers to models that promise the best overall ownership experience. But it’s important to note that great new cars don’t always make great used cars, especially when factoring depreciation and long-term reliability.
We pick a single model year that meets the targeted price category and then list the generation that single year came from. (Generation refers to the years that a single design was offered.) Our selections are for the newest model year that makes the cut, based on the median used-car price for that year.
We focus on the newest qualifying version because cars tend to improve over time based on reliability and equipment. Our reliability analyses consistently reveal that cars become more trouble-free over the multiyear span of a generation.
There are reasons for the improvement. Automakers get better at building cars with practice as they make numerous changes to improve the assembly process. And over time, they learn from owner feedback and warranty claims where updates should be made to the vehicle. Because it takes time to identify opportunities and then develop solutions, these gains are typically seen in the last years of a generation’s run. In other words, the last two years of a generation tend to be the best. Plus, automakers add more features over time, often improving convenience and safety, and sometimes comfort and fuel economy, through the years.
Each featured car has standard electronic stability control, a proven safety feature. And each performed well in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests when new and has key advanced safety features available, including automatic emergency braking and blind spot warning.
The strategy we employ for selecting used cars emphasizes value within a price range, and it means that the highlighted models may not have been the highest-scoring models when tested new. Instead, they’re often good cars that depreciated more than others, making them more attractive as used cars than they were when new. This is exemplified by the Kia Sportage, Mazda6, and Mazda CX-9. All three were solid choices when new, but now they’re relative bargains as used cars. At the same price, rivals are often years older—potentially from a previous generation. In other words, to buy a direct rival at the same model year and mileage, you would have to pay thousands of dollars more.
Making our car recommendations based on the most recent qualifying year within a given price range maximizes the useful life the cars may have because newer cars tend to have fewer miles on the odometer. In addition, the generation perspective allows us to give shoppers a wide target. If you can’t find the exact model year highlighted below, explore the generation. You’ll find much the same quality (and at a lower price!) by considering older versions of the same car. You might even find a particularly good deal on a newer model.
Click through to the car model pages for deep insights into trouble spots, which can vary from year to year. You’ll also find detailed road tests, owner satisfaction ratings, pricing details, and much more.
Remember: Each used car is unique, with its own history. The best protection is to focus your shopping on CR Recommended used cars and then have the individual car you want inspected before buying.
