Before you start browsing used car dealerships for a safe pre-owned car, it’s a good idea to find out what experts in the industry have to say. For example, Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safeway both have top picks for safe used cars. The key to a safe vehicle presents the least risk of injury in a collision.
Safe Used Cars Priced Between $10k and $20k
Both Consumer Reports and IIHS are well-known non-profits that test vehicles for safety and reliability. The following vehicles were chosen by both organizations as top picks for safety and affordability. This makes them good choices for families looking for a budget choice for a new driver or a family car.
Small Car Picks
Picks for safe and affordable small cars include the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius, Mazda 3, Toyota Prius Prime, and the Honda Civic. The least expensive choice is the 2017 or newer Corolla sedan and the 2019 Corolla hatchback for an average starting price of $10,600. At the higher end of the range is the Honda Civic from 2021 to the present, with an average starting price of $17,600. The Corolla and Civic, particularly, are well-known for stellar reliability over the years.
Midsize Car Picks
If a midsize car sounds more practical for your family, you can rest assured that there are several choices here too. The Toyota Camry, Toyota Avalon, Subaru Legacy, Honda Accord, and Hyundai Sonata are all safe midsize picks with an average starting price below $20k. The most affordable choice is the 2018 or newer Toyota Camry at $9,600, and it comes with an excellent reputation for reliability and safety. The 2017 or newer Toyota Avalon and 2019 Subaru Legacy are also affordable picks with an average price of around $14,400 and $14,700, respectively.
Small Crossover SUV Picks
Prices for safe and affordable small crossovers range between $13,800 for the 2020 or 2023 Chevrolet Equinox to as much as $19,900 for the 2022 or newer Mazda CX-30. In the middle of the range are options like the Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Lexus UX, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Subaru Forester.
Midsize SUV Picks
Most midsize SUVs in this list cost at least $15,000 on average. However, the 2017 Volvo XC60 is an exception, with an approximate starting price of $12,100. Some other choices include the Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Murano, GMC Terrain, Ford Edge, Lexus NX, Infiniti QX60, and the Mazda CX-9. Of these, the CX-9 for 2020 or 2022 has the highest starting price of $18,800.
Best Used Cars Under $10k
If your budget at used car dealerships is more in the range of $10k or less, not to worry, there are options here too. Almost all vehicles in this price range are over ten years old but have solid reputations. These include the Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda 3, Mazda X-5, Subaru Legacy or Outback, Toyota Camry, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Prius, and Toyota Prius V.
Ultimately, there is a wide range of models available with the ideal combination of safety, reliability, and affordability.
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