Praswin Prakashan / Unsplash
Buying a used car means weighing price against the risk of inheriting someone else's problems. Dependable options exist across nearly every category, but reliability varies sharply by make, model, and year. The difference between a smart buy and a costly mistake often comes down to which specific model years held up in long-term testing.
Consumer Reports draws on its own road test results and long-term member reliability surveys to evaluate used cars across categories from sedans to trucks. The 10 picks below represent the best available options for June 2026.
1 / 10
Credit: Mazda
Used examples of the 2016 Mazda6 are priced from $7,650 to $10,075, making it one of the most affordable picks on this list. The four-cylinder powertrain is smooth, and Consumer Reports recorded fuel economy of 32 mpg overall in road tests. CR found the interior to be nicely finished with comfortable seats, though back-row passengers get less space than in most rivals. Safety options include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.
2 / 10
Credit: Honda
Prices for a 2020 Honda $HMC Fit range from $10,750 to $15,425 on the used market. Consumer Reports praises this generation of the Fit for being quicker, safer, and more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, with 33 mpg overall and modern connectivity. CR notes the rear seat folds flat and low or flips up to create a deep storage well, giving the car remarkable space efficiency for its size. Honda Sensing, which includes automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning, became available starting with 2018 models.
3 / 10
Credit: Chevrolet
A used 2019 Chevrolet Equinox is priced from $9,975 to $14,125, putting it among the more accessible compact SUVs on this list. Consumer Reports found it delivers accomplished road manners, generous interior room, and high-tech safety features, though the standard 1.5-liter engine falls short on both performance and fuel economy. The optional 2.0-liter, 252-hp engine pairs with a nine-speed automatic and is CR's preferred choice. Both the 7- and 8-inch MyLink infotainment systems include Android Auto and Apple $AAPL CarPlay compatibility.
4 / 10
Credit: Toyota
The 2022 Toyota $TM Corolla Hybrid is priced from $15,750 to $21,100 used. Consumer Reports recorded 48 mpg overall in fuel economy testing, a figure that makes this sedan stand out in its class. CR says the hybrid system delivers unhurried acceleration, the CVT adds to cabin noise under load, and the switchgear is straightforward. Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are standard, and blind spot warning became available starting with 2021 models.
5 / 10
Credit: Subaru
Used 2021 Subaru Crosstrek models are priced from $16,150 to $20,475. Consumer Reports gave this generation a road test score of 88, its highest among the 10 picks on this list. CR describes the ride comfort as impressive and the handling as competent and enjoyable, with the 2.0-liter CVT combination returning 29 mpg overall. The 2021 model year brought a new Sport variant and an upgraded 2.5-liter engine reserved for upper-level trims.
6 / 10
Credit: Toyota
On the used market, a 2018 Toyota $TM RAV4 Hybrid is priced from $14,700 to $19,975. Consumer Reports says the hybrid powertrain added nearly 20 horsepower over the standard engine and delivered eight more mpg in testing. CR's member survey data show that owner-reported dependability rose steadily through the 2017 and 2018 model years, reaching the highest tier. Those final two years of this generation are the ones CR recommends prioritizing.
7 / 10
Credit: Toyota
A 2018 Toyota $TM Highlander is available on the used market for $15,875 to $22,525. Consumer Reports rates it as a practical, family-oriented three-row hauler with a strong reliability record and polished on-road behavior. Most versions carry a 3.5-liter V6 paired with a six-speed automatic, returning 20 mpg overall, and the hybrid version returns 25 mpg. CR says 2017 was the pivotal year when forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control became standard, though the third-row seat remains suited only for children.
8 / 10
Credit: Lexus
Budget $17,925 to $21,450 for a used 2018 Lexus NX. Consumer Reports tested the 235-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic and found it returns 24 mpg overall. CR says the NX has a sporty demeanor and a cabin fitted with premium stitching and trappings, though the compact interior feels snug and the small windows exaggerate that effect. CR recommends the 2018 model year specifically, since that version made automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning part of the standard package.
9 / 10
Credit: Honda
At $19,925 to $24,250 on the used market, the 2020 Honda $HMC Ridgeline lands among the higher-priced picks on this list. Consumer Reports awarded this truck a road test score of 85 and calls it the most sensible, refined, and livable option in its class. CR highlights the V6's strong acceleration and fuel economy advantage over most trucks, and praises the fold-or-swing tailgate and the lockable underbed storage bin. The 2020 update added a nine-speed automatic, standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, and standard Android Auto and Apple $AAPL CarPlay.
10 / 10
Credit: Mazda
Shoppers will find 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata roadsters priced from $14,700 to $21,625 on the used market. Consumer Reports points to the steering accuracy, back-road agility, solid dependability record, and 33 mpg overall as what sets this generation apart. CR says the 2019 update brought a significant performance boost, with the 2.0-liter engine upgraded from 155 to 181 hp. The manual cloth top raises and lowers easily from within the cabin, and a retractable hardtop version is also available.
