\n
![](\"https:\/\/fortune.com\/img-assets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/GettyImages-1206045789-e1724859139949.jpg?w=2048\")
<\/p>\n [ad_1]
\n<\/p>\n
For the first time in its history, Consumer Reports is offering used car shoppers its picks on the best makes and models.<\/p>\n
The company, which has traditionally only offered top picks for new cars, said the decision to offer the new listing was in recognition of the historically high price of new cars and the fact that more and more people were focusing on pre-owned options these days.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey shouldn\u2019t have to sacrifice safety, reliability, or fuel economy to stay within their budget,\u201d said Alex Knizek, manager of automotive testing and insights for Consumer Reports<\/a>. \u201cThat\u2019s why we created these Used Car Top Picks and are expanding our used-car coverage and insights.\u201d<\/p>\n The magazine kept the picks under $20,000\u2014and noted that a great new car isn\u2019t necessarily a great used one, given factors like depreciation and long-term reliability. It also warned people to have the car inspected before purchasing, even if they went with a Consumer Reports<\/em> pick.<\/p>\n Lexus<\/a> and Toyota<\/a> topped the list, which looked at 26 different brands. Mazda came in third. Tesla<\/a>, Dodge, and Chrysler were ranked at the bottom.<\/p>\n \u201cBrands like Lexus and Toyota have a history of conservative redesigns, incrementally improving their entire product line, rather than introducing many all-new systems,\u201d says Steven Elek, Consumer Reports\u2019 program leader for auto data analytics. \u201cOur data consistently shows over time that new cars from those brands are reliable when new and they continue to be reliable as they age.\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how the picks shook out.<\/p>\n Best hybrid small sedan under $20K<\/strong> \u2013 2021 Toyota Corolla hybrid<\/p>\n Best small SUV under $20K<\/strong> \u2013 2021 KIA sportage<\/p>\n Best hybrid SUV under $20K<\/strong> \u2013 2018 Toyota RAV4 hybrid<\/p>\n Best three-row SUV under $20K<\/strong> \u2013 2020 Mazda CX-9<\/p>\n Best luxury SUV under $20K<\/strong> \u2013 2020 Buick Envision<\/p>\n Best pickup truck under $20K<\/strong> \u2013 2015 Toyota Tacoma<\/p>\n Best sports car under $20K<\/strong> \u2013 2019 Mazda Miata<\/p>\n Best small sedan under $15K<\/strong> \u2013 2019 Hyundai<\/a> Elantra<\/p>\n Bests small SUV under $15K<\/strong> \u2013 2018 Honda<\/a> HR-V<\/p>\n Best small sedan under $10K<\/strong> \u2013 2017 Chevrolet Cruze<\/p>\n<\/div>\nConsumer Reports best used car picks<\/h2>\n
Recommended reading:<\/strong>
In our new special issue, a Wall Street legend gets a radical makeover, a tale of crypto iniquity, misbehaving poultry royalty, and more.
Read the stories.<\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n