So you want a new car, SUV or truck, but can’t afford one. So buy a used one. But which are the best for value, quality and reliability, including off-road? That’s a question car shopping and research site CarGurus.com answers with its first Best Used Car Awards.
As with new car awards, the top-rated used cars are based on projections of long-term value, including maintenance and repair costs, along with driver satisfaction based on reviews by both owners and automotive experts, including journalists.
The winners may surprise you, since perennial best-sellers like BMW 3 Series, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord don’t make the cut, and there’s nothing from GM, VW, Mercedes-Benz or Lexus on the best used cars list, either.
And ecoXplorer is surprised that there is no best buy category for hybrid/plug-in hybrid, such as the best-selling Toyota Prius, or for a pure electric, such as the BMW i3. Maybe next year.
The 2017 CarGurus Best Used Car Awards recipients are:
Luxury Sedan
1st Place: 2013-2016 Lincoln MKZ
2nd Place: 2012-2016 Audi A3
3rd Place: 2011-2016 Volvo S60
Compact Sedan/Hatchback
1st Place: 2013-2016 Dodge Dart
2nd Place: 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra
3rd Place: 2012-2016 Subaru Impreza
Midsize Sedan
1st Place: 2011-2017 Dodge Charger
2nd Place: 2013-2016 Ford Fusion
3rd Place: 2010-2014 Chrysler 200
Small Crossover/SUV
1st Place: 2007-2016 Jeep Wrangler
2nd Place: 2013-2016 Subaru XV Crosstrek
3rd Place: 2012-2016 Honda CR-V
Midsize Crossover/SUV
1st Place: 2010-2016 Toyota 4Runner
2nd Place: 2007-2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
3rd Place: 2008-2016 Toyota Venza
Full-size Crossover/SUV
1st Place: 2013-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
2nd Place: 2007-2016 Ford Expedition
3rd Place: 2011-2016 Dodge Durango
Full-size Truck
1st Place: 2011-2017 Ram 1500
2nd Place: 2009-2014 Ford F-150
3rd Place: 2007-2016 Toyota Tundra
Methodology: Nominees were evaluated on criteria including CarGurus users’ reviews, professional test drive reviews, and projected 12-year depreciation. The model with the highest overall score was determined to be the winner for each category.
About CarGurus: Founded in 2006 by Langley Steinert, co-founder of TripAdvisor, the site uses technology and market data analysis to help shoppers search more than five million car listings and quickly identify great deals from top-rated dealers in their local area. Today, the site serves 23 million unique monthly users and more than 21,000 car dealerships. CarGurus also has sites in the U.K. and Canada.
What do you think? We value your comments and love hearing from you.