Home Cars 20 Used Cars That Maintain Excellent Value
Cars

20 Used Cars That Maintain Excellent Value

Cameron Eittreim October 3, 2019

Although buying a new car can be a tempting, fun experience, new cars also depreciate as soon as you drive off the lot. A used car or truck can be a much better financial value. Cars have come a long way in terms of reliability and craftsmanship in the last 20 years. Even brands that used to be deemed subpar are now building cars that can compete with luxury vehicles.

The used car market is a rapidly changing place, with hundreds of exceptional models falling in and out of favor. Take the Toyota FJ Cruiser, for example. The model has exploded in demand. Now you’re looking at spending new car prices just to get one. Because a new car is such a big investment, you want to be sure that you’re getting the most bang for your buck.

Whether it’s a backup camera or a Bluetooth radio, options can be what make or break the car. Then you have other features such as a powerful engine, and of course, reliability. You also want to choose a car that isn’t going to cost an arm and a leg to repair. So we decided to take a look at the best used automobiles that offer a combination of all those factors. Read on below as we take a look at the 20 best bang for your buck used cars on the road today via Forbes.

2017 Honda Fit Via Digital Trends
Honda Fit via Digital Trends

20. Honda Fit

Honda is a company that made its reputation selling cheap and affordable – but still very dependable – vehicles. As the Civic has grown in size and become more of an upmarket compact, they released the Fit and it became the more affordable option. The Fit offers a stellar blend of comfort and versatility.

The standard four-cylinder engine comes with an optional paddle-shifting transmission. The Fit also has the option of a roof rack as well as a navigation system. All of this combined makes for an exceptional little hatchback, and it still seats five people with ease.

2012 Toyota Prius Via Car And Driver
Toyota Prius via Car & Driver

19. Toyota Prius

Where do we start with the Prius? The car has lasted through a recession and an SUV boom while still managing to be a great value. The Prius offers a roomy interior and a large cargo area, making the car extremely livable. The four-cylinder engine is the same one that’s found in the Camry, offering ample power and fuel economy.

Prius owners can add a plethora of options to the model, from roof racks to cargo nets. Maintenance on the Prius is also vastly affordable, which makes the car a well-rounded offering for a family or a single driver.

2013 Honda Civic Via Motor Trend
Honda Civic EX via Motor Trend

18. Honda Civic EX

There should be no question about the Civic being a great value. The compact car has been around for decades as a staple of Japanese engineering. Today’s Civic is more luxurious than ever, with all kinds of features that you’d never expect to find on a car in this price bracket. All Civic models come with a standard backup camera as well as a camera in the passenger mirror.

The Civic also features Bluetooth connectivity with built-in Pandora functionality. So whether you are driving to school or work, the Civic offers an immense amount of value. Endless models with a variety of options can be found at almost all used car dealerships.

Nissan Cube Via Motor Trend
Nissan Cube via Motor Trend

17. Nissan Cube

When it comes to brands that have made a lot of changes, Nissan is at the forefront. The brand offers some of the most unique and fun-to-drive cars out there today. The Cube is a compact car that doesn’t look like anything else you’d find out on the road. The unique design is sure to stir up looks no matter where you go, and that’s what the company hoped for when designing it.

Innovative features like ambient interior lighting and a navigation system help the car to stand out from the crowd. The standard four-cylinder engine is peppy and offers exceptional gas mileage.

Toyota Tacoma Via Motor Trend
Toyota Tacoma via Motor Trend

16. Toyota Tacoma

The compact truck is one of the things that Toyota is famous for. But when it came time to replace the original Toyota truck with something better, the Tacoma fit the bill. The Tacoma is renowned for its reliability and exceptional features. Whether you want a single or quad cab, the Tacoma offers the room and power for those who don’t need a full-sized truck.

The Tacoma also holds its resale value exceptionally well. You can expect to pay a pretty penny for a used Tacoma even if its a decade old. Between features and functionality, the Tacoma is one of the best-used cars for the money.

Toyota Camry Hybrid Via Motor Trend
Toyota Camry Hybrid via Motor Trend

15. Toyota Camry Hybrid

Although the Prius is the car that gets all the credit for being a Toyota Hybrid, there’s another car that’s just as good of a value. The Camry Hybrid is the car for those who want a hybrid, but don’t want a Prius. The Camry Hybrid offers all of the unique upmarket features that you’d come to expect such as leather-appointed seating.

Another great thing about the Camry Hybrid is that the car has managed to hold onto its resale value. The result is a sedan that will retain its value and offer a comfortable ride for many years to come.

Hyundai Tucson Via Motor Trend
Hyundai Tucson via Motor Trend

14. Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai has been steadily improving its product line for a decade now. Tucson is one of the products that has helped propel Hyundai back into the mainstream. It offers a sporty compact design with a comparable interior to models from Honda and Toyota.

The Tucson also offers a peppy engine, which is important when it comes to choosing a compact SUV. You can still find a Hyundai Tucson for an affordable price, which is why the SUV is such a value.

Jetta TDI Via Motor Trend
Volkswagen Jetta Diesel via Motor Trend

13. Volkswagen Jetta Diesel TDI

The Jetta has always been a stellar choice for a used car, offering German driving characteristics with an upmarket interior. The Diesel TDI variation offers the smooth-running TDI engine and exceptional fuel economy.

Although the Jetta has had its fair share of reliability issues, the current crop is among the most reliable that Volkswagen has produced. On top of that, Volkswagen is renowned for its excellent safety ratings on many of its models. Due to that, this is an excellent used card for a family who needs to transport multiple children, making it an excellent used car buy.

Ford Focus Via Motor Trend
Ford Focus Titanium via Motor Trend

12. Ford Focus Titanium

The Focus has been a solid choice on the used car market for decades now. The Titanium trim package offers a sporty exterior and a slew of standard features. The Focus Titanium is among is the most reliable Focus models to hit the market.

With an EcoBoost four-cylinder engine and a CVT transmission, the Focus offers a stellar blend of sportiness and functionality. It’s held its value quite well over the years, making it a solid used car buy for anyone looking for an American compact.

Ford Transit Via Motor Trend
Ford Transit Connect XL via Motor Trend

11. Ford Transit Connect XL

Ford has long dominated the commercial van market with the behemoth Econoline. But the current crop of cargo vans is much more versatile and fuel-efficient. The Transit Connect XL is a van that can shuffle people and cargo around with ease.

The Transit Connect offers a reasonable blend of comfort and convenience that you won’t see in a cargo van very often. Due to its unique design, this van has drawn a solid following on the used car market.

Enclave Via Motor Trend
Buick Enclave via Motor Trend

10. Buick Enclave

Buick as a brand has come a far way in the past decade, going from obscurity to creating cars that people want to drive. The Enclave is a family car that offers a notable blend of the luxury and roominess that you’d come to expect.

There are very few full-size crossovers that compare to the Buick Enclave in terms of quality and refinement. The big and bold Enclave stands out as one of the most luxurious crossovers on the new and used car market. You can find one for a solid price. It may not be cheap, but the Enclave should last long and provide excellent value as a result.

Cadillac SRX Via Motor Trend
Cadillac SRX via Motor Trend

9. Cadillac SRX

Another excellent crossover to come out of Detroit is the SRX. The notable crossover is based on the popular CTS sedan. From the roomy interior to the powerful V6 engine, you’ll see a refined blend of characteristics that make for an exceptional car.

The Cadillac SRX blends everything that you expect in an upmarket crossover with a used car price many can afford. The SRX is everything that you want in a luxury crossover and none that you don’t. That’s a big reason why the SRX was a surprise hit for the brand. If you decide to purchase a used SRX, you should have a solid value on your hands.

GMC Acadia Via Motor Trend
GMC Acadia via Motor Trend

8. GMC Acadia

Crossover vehicles have become the norm in the automotive industry these days, and the GMC brand has adapted with the times. The Acadia has always been known for its huge interior and noteworthy power plant, in addition to its exceptional resale value.

Step into the Denali trim line and you are in for a large, high-end luxury crossover that will pilot you anywhere with authority. The Denali trim line is renowned for luxury and the overall size of the Acadia makes it comfortable to drive crossover. These cars are built to last the rigors of the road. If you find a used one in good shape for a great price, you should have an awesome value for years to come.

Toyota Corolla Via Motor Trend
Toyota Corolla via Motor Trend

7. Toyota Corolla

Long-standing as the most popular car in the country in terms of sales volume, the Corolla has long been a staple of quality and value. The bulletproof four-cylinder engine is known for its reliability, and the current crop of Corolla models incorporate more luxury features than ever.

The Corolla offers a signature blend of comfort and convenience that’s hard to come by in other used cars. The Corolla brand has long been associated with quality and that’s why many new and used car buyers flock to it. It’s not hard to see that there are many models available, making Corolla a used car that offers excellent value as a result.

Silverado Via Motor Trend
Chevrolet Silverado via Motor Trend

6. Chevrolet Silverado

Hailed as the longest-lasting trucks on the road, the Silverado has a reputation that precedes itself. GM has long built its company around their trucks and the Silverado has been the pinnacle of this product line.

The Silverado offers a stellar resale value and a line of different body styles to choose from. If you’re looking for a truck that will last for years, the Silverado will give you serious bang for your buck. With many models and options to choose from, a Silverado is about as smart a choice as a used truck buyer could make.

IS250 Via Motor Trend
Lexus IS250 via Motor Trend

5. Lexus IS250

The Lexus brand has long been a staple of quality in the eyes of automotive consumers. The IS model line is the entry-level sedan that packs a punch. The IS250 offered one of the most potent V6 engines on the market, coupled with the luxurious interior appointments.

The IS250 has long been the staple of what an entry-level executive car should be, and the notable resale value isn’t bad either. If you want a fun-to-drive used sedan that’s worth the money, the IS250 is it. They’re known to lat quite long, allowing buyers to recoup their investment in spades on a used model. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to drive a Lexus around town.

Camaro Via General Motors
Chevrolet Camaro via General Motors

4. Chevrolet Camaro

The Camaro has long been the staple of fun and freedom. The legendary pony car went out of production in 2002 and returned in 2010 to much fanfare. With a Corvette-derived V8 engine and a roomy interior, the Camaro is just about everything that you’d want in a sports car. There are many different packages of the Camaro available.

There’s no doubt that the most popular of the Camaro packages is going to be the SS trim. The Camaro also holds its resale value extremely well. Due to those factors, the Camaro offers great value even though it’s regarded as a scorching sports car overall. You can find one of many examples at many different used car lots. If you decide to drive one off, you’ll be getting amazing value.

Ford Mustang GT Via Motor Trend
Ford Mustang via Motor Trend

3. Ford Mustang

Another popular used car is the Mustang, the original pony car. The Mustang spawned a revolution by offering full V8 power in a lightweight design. The current crop of Mustang models is more advanced than ever, even reintroducing the world to the 5.0 model. The Mustang is a used car that is generally not expensive but offers a serious bang for your buck.

You probably see several examples of used Mustangs being driven on the road in your city each and every day. There are many legitimate reasons for that. Of course they’re quite fun to drive and look great as well. But the value they maintain is also a big motivator. Step into the GT trim and you’ll feel one of the most impressive sports cars to grace the automotive world.

FJ Cruiser Via Motor Trend
Toyota FJ-Cruiser via Motor Trend

2. Toyota FJ-Cruiser

Who can argue with a piece of history? The FJ-Cruiser was a limited production SUV that came out during the 2008 economic downturn and never really managed to gain a foothold on the market. But now, the FJ-Cruiser has been exploding in popularity and the model seems to be gaining a loyal following.

You can expect to pay a pretty penny for one of these classic Toyota models as the market for full-fledged off-road vehicles has been expanding. While that may make it seem like the FJ-Cruiser isn’t exactly a great value, drivers have a ton of fun with this off-road example. Because of that, they still find them to be a great value due to the enjoyment they provide. With their resale value growing, it’s a smart investment as well.

4Runner Via Motor Trend
Toyota 4Runner via Motor Trend

1. Toyota 4Runner

The 4Runner has been around in one form or another since the 80s and the vehicle just keeps on getting better. With the 4Runner, you get a vehicle that will take you anywhere but is still comfortable to drive on the road. The current batch of 4Runner models is also available in a V8, which gives the SUV an immense amount of power.

The 4Runner is not only a popular option, but the vehicle is also a notable off-road performer that will look great in the garage. Used models are available everywhere, and most owners swear by this sports utility vehicle. If you want a great value in a used SUV, you need look no further than the 4Runner.

Do you have any stories about the used cars on this list? Let us know, and thanks for reading!

Advertisement
Please wait 5 sec.