2012 and 2013 Buick Verano
The 2012 and 2013 Buick Verano are ranked two of the Best Used Upscale Small Cars Under $20K.
The 2013 Verano has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. It boasts a 9.7 safety rating – and the 2012 a perfect 10 – based on Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NTHSA) crash test scores.
Both have high predicted reliability ratings. The quiet Verano cabin is equipped with the fine materials expected in an upscale car. Fuel economy is estimated at 21 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway.
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid combines strong safety scores, fantastic fuel economy, and solid predicted reliability.
This No. 1 Used Midsize Car Under $15K enjoys a whopping 41 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway, which will go a long way at the gas pump. There's also good backseat room in this midsize car. The trunk is a little smaller due to the hybrid’s battery pack. The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid checks off all the boxes, making this an all-around excellent pick.
2010 Honda CR-V
The 2010 Honda CR-V is the No. 1 Used Compact SUV Under $15K.
This five-passenger compact SUV delivers on cargo space, build quality, interior comfort, fuel efficiency, safety, and reliability. The 2010 Honda CR-V offers a 180-horsepower four-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission.
The front-wheel drive model delivers 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, and the all-wheel drive model gets slightly fewer miles per gallon. This SUV has impressive cargo space – up to 72.9 cubic feet. The Honda CR-V’s cost of ownership is low, meaning that it won’t drain your wallet. If you’re looking for a confident choice for a used car, look no further.
2010 Toyota Venza
Put the 2010 Toyota Venza on the list. The midsize SUV, which ranks No. 2 for Best Used Midsize SUVs under $20K, has a lot going for it.
Standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, a USB port, Bluetooth, power locks and windows, and a power driver’s seat. Drivers will enjoy 19 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway with front-wheel drive and 18 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway with all-wheel drive.
The Venza boasts high safety and top reliability scores. The one “negative” reviewers noted is the Venza is not thrilling to drive – which is exactly what parents may want in a car for a young driver.
2012 GMC Terrain
The 2012 GMC Terrain, the No. 1-ranked Used Compact SUV $15K to $20K, is a handsome compact SUV with lots of standard features and high safety and reliability ratings.
The 2012 GMC Terrain comes with a rearview camera, which is often optional with competitors in its class. Other features include Bluetooth, a 7-inch touch-screen audio system, a USB port, and satellite radio.
This compact SUV is available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Expect 22 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway with the four-cylinder engine and 17 mpg city and 24 highway with the V6 engine.
2009 and 2017 Honda Fit
The Honda Fit straddles used and new car categories. Consider the 2009 Honda Fit, which earns high scores for safety, reliability, and cost of ownership. The 2009 Fit ranks No. 1 for Used Hatchbacks under $10K.
The Fit has a spacious, comfortable cabin, a cargo-enhancing “Magic” seat, and gets 28 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway with the automatic transmission. The Fit offers a smooth ride with sharp steering and handling and is well-equipped with a soft-touch interior and a long list of standard features.
Looking for something newer? The 2017 Honda Fit, our No. 1-ranked subcompact car, starts at $15,990. Solid safety scores make the Fit a good choice, either as a new or used car.
2016 Kia Soul
The 2016 Kia Soul is worth a look for price and more. The Soul is Ranked No. 1 in hatchbacks, No. 2 in small cars, and No. 2 in compact cars.
The Kia Soul’s low entry price of $15,900 makes it an attractive choice for new-car buyers. The Soul shines in safety, cargo space, and reliability. Performance is not top of the list, but the Soul will get you around town with its standard 130 horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, or the larger, optional164-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Expect 24 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway with the base engine and the six-speed automatic transmission.
2016 Honda Civic
The 2016 Honda Civic has a perfect safety score and is ranked No. 1 for best compact cars.
The Civic LX trim starts at $18,640 and comes with a 158-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It includes a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a USB port, a four-speaker stereo, Pandora Internet radio compatibility, and automatic climate control. The automatic transmission raises the price about $800. Predicted reliability for the Civic is above average.
The Civic receives positive reviews for a quiet, smooth ride and sporty handling. It is the winner of our 2016 Best Compact Car for the Money award and is a sensible pick for buyers in the $20,000 price range.
2016 Ford Focus
The 2016 Ford Focus, ranked No. 6 in our compact car rankings, offers a mix of low price, a nicely appointed interior, lots of standard tech, and high safety scores.
The compact delivers average fuel efficiency for its class at 26 mpg in the city and 40 on the highway but is less-than-average in terms of predicted reliability. Beyond a standard rearview camera, parents will find Ford’s MyKey a highly desirable safety feature. MyKey allows you to set speed and volume limits and monitor miles driven. Base price is $16,775 for the S sedan, $18,175 for the SE sedan, and $19,765 for the SE hatchback.
2016 Scion iA
The 2016 Scion iA, ranked No. 3 in best subcompact cars, is a sensible choice for price, safety, and fuel economy.
The four-door sedan starts under $15,700 for a model with a six-speed manual transmission. The Scion iA has a 106-horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive. Critics praise the Scion iA for its excellent fuel economy, at an EPA-estimated 33 mpg in the city and 42 on the highway with the automatic transmission.
Standard features include a rearview camera, push-button start, a six-speaker audio system with a 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, and a USB port. Safety hits the target at a perfect 10, while predicted reliability is average.
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Top New and Used Cars for Your Late Teens and Early 20s
Shopping for a teen or college-aged driver’s first car can be an anxious experience. Parents want the safety equivalent of rolling their kid in layers of heavy-duty bubble wrap. Overall cost, including maintenance and fuel economy, are also factors.
Here’s a list of new and used cars to send young drivers confidently, yet responsibly, out into the great, big world. Click through the following slides to see the best cars for young drivers.