The 14 Best Used Cars to Own That Will Last Way Longer Than a Brand New One
How long should the ideal car last? Five to ten years? Over twenty? No one has the correct answer to this question, just as no one knows which cars will last longer than others. However, based on experience and data, we can form a list of reliable cars known to get you through murky times. Properties studied regarding the longevity of cars include maintenance, fuel efficiency, make and model, technology, and the main driver’s characteristics. These are 14 of the best-used cars on the market today.
1. Toyota, Corolla
Boxy Toyota Corollas, with seamless driving conditions and heavy safety and reliability scores, please their drivers and passengers. Corolla owners claim that the Japanese car brand requires few mechanical fixes besides routine oil changes and upkeep. The car gets up to 32 miles in the city and 41 on the highway, with an expected life range of 300,000+ miles.
2. Honda, Civic
Like a Toyota Corolla, this boxy Honda iteration ranks high in customer safety reviews. Airbags and anti-lock breaks ease drivers’ worries and enhance their safety concerns. Though the car reaches up to 200,000+ and comforts drivers and passengers, some people quip about its appearance. This is the vehicle for you if you prefer a drivable vehicle over an outdated appearance.
3. Pontiac Vibe
On an internet thread posted eight months ago, a user claimed they would purchase a 2005 Pontiac Vibe over any brand-new Toyota today. Another Pontiac fan stated that the sole negative part of the Pontiac is the awkward, bulging radio. Drivers adore the mileage at 25 miles in the city and 31 miles on the highway. The car easily carries drivers over 300,000 miles. The vehicle has airbags, emergency settings, and child locks for maximum safety.
4. Toyota Avalon
Someone mentioned their adoration for their 1996 Toyota Avalon. Others report that their later models, 2018-2022 Avalons, pass their safety and reliability checks. Findings state that the full-size sedan provides drivers and passengers with comfort while keeping them safe. The now discontinued model featured safety measures like blind-spot detection and a crash warning system.
5. Toyota Prius
Here’s everyone’s favorite hybrid, the Toyota Prius. Do you know the car with a sloped front end and a clear window covering the posterior and trunk? A Prius owner stated they got in an accident in their beloved Prius. Despite hearing impeccable safety ratings for the hybrid car, they carried an inkling of doubt around until their car saved them in a collision. During the head-on collision, the opposing SUV flipped as the Prius remained steady on the ground. The owner mentioned that the accident resulted in a totaled Prius, although the driver and the other person sustained zero injuries.
6. Honda CR-V
My best friend and I both have used Honda CR-Vs. Mine spans back to 2008, and his car emerged six years later. We both adore our vehicles. Efficient mileage – he gets 23 in the city and 31 on the highway, and mine takes 20 per gallon in the city and 27 per gallon on the open road. Comfortable seats and top safety ratings keep us driving our CR-Vs with few issues. My 2008 CRV has over 200,000 and shows little signs of decreasing her love for driving.
7. Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta is one of the safest, most reliable, and most popular cars today. The reliability rating depends on the year, as some years’ models exceed others regarding safety and reliability. Popular used Jetta years are 2011, 2017, and 2020. The user-friendly cars keep driving dependently, with engines holding between 350 and 500 miles. Jettas, like Toyotas, can run for 300,000+ miles if properly cared for.
8. Ford Focus
If you’re looking for a dependable, cute vehicle, check out a Ford Focus. The compact car comes in various colors, each capable of driving up to or over 250,000 miles. The vehicle appears crammed into a bite-size package; however, the interior provides room for the drivers and passengers. Ford Focus’s fuel efficiency allows the engine to get 26 miles per gallon in the city and 36 miles per gallon on the highway. Numerous airbags and designated crumple zones keep the passengers inside a Ford Focus safe during harsh collisions.
9. Kia Spectra5
The Kia Spectra resembles the Mazda 5, fashioning that compacted minivan appearance. These cars get 23 miles to the gallon in the city and 30 miles to the gallon on the highway for a fuel-efficient dream. Each gas fill-up contributes between 300 and 420 miles before needing another trip to the gas station. Kia Spectra5s require routine touchups and light maintenance, though users report few issues with the sedans.
10. Honda Accord
I know multiple people who still drive their 20-year-old Honda Accords. The cars cruise past 200,000 miles with little issues or complaints from their drivers. Mileage varies between the car’s model years, but a 2007 Honda Accord gets 26 miles in the city and 24 on the highway vs. a 2009 Accord, which gets 22 in the city and 31 on the highway. Check the mileage before purchasing an Accord, as there will be an immense range. AutoNation writes that the Honda Accord replicates an updated, fancier version of a Honda Civic.
11. Jeep Cherokee
When you need a durable-bodied car to last through intense terrain and difficult seasons, a Jeep Cherokee has your back. The Jeep Cherokee receives consistently high safety ratings compared to other Jeep models. Cherokees operate well over 200,000+ miles, though fuel efficiency may sway potential purchases. A 2009 Cherokee gets 14 miles in the city and miles on the highway. A 2015 Cherokee gets 22 miles in the city and 29 miles on the open road.
12. Hyundai Sonata
In 2019, the Hyundai Sonata topped the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety list as a top safety pick among all other cars distributed on the market. Reasons for this ranking include enhanced safety features like crumple zones, seven airbags that lessen the impact of crashes, and seat belt mobility limiters. Emergency braking and movement detectors added to the Sonata’s safety features. The 2019 Sonata gets 28 miles in the city and 37 miles on the highway, and the 2022 model gets 28 miles in the city and 38 miles on the highway.
13. Nissan Versa
A family with a Nissan Versa says they bought their Versa for a valuable price, adding that the market price for used ones spans from $5,000 to $10,000. The owner applauded the car’s gas mileage–a 2012 Nissan Versa reaches 26 miles to the gallon in the city and 31 miles to the gallon on the highway–and its low car taxes.
14. Toyota Highlander
Toyota Highlanders are mid-size SUVs that can carry up to seven or eight passengers, depending on the model. Past safety ratings for Toyota Highlanders include a superior frontal crash rating on the 2021 model and a top safety pick for the 2019 model, supporting the car’s safe and reliable distinction. A 2021 Highlander receives 20 miles to the gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway. A 2019 model gets 30 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway. All models can breach 250,000+ miles during their lifespan.
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