10 Best Used Cars for 2026 According to Consumer Reports
New car prices keep climbing, and tariff uncertainty isn’t helping. That’s pushing plenty of shoppers toward the pre-owned market, where a little research goes a long way. Consumer Reports recently released its 10 Used Car Top Picks for 2026, covering everything from budget sedans under $10,000 to sports cars and pickup trucks. Every vehicle on the list was chosen for strong road-test performance, above-average reliability, and solid crash-safety results.
- The list covers 10 categories including Under $10,000, Under $15,000, SUV Under $15,000, Hybrid Under $20,000, Small SUV Under $20,000, Hybrid SUV Under $20,000, 3-Row SUV Under $20,000, Luxury SUV Under $20,000, Pickup Truck Under $25,000, and Sports Car Under $20,000.
- Consumer Reports applies the same selection rigor to pre-owned models as it does with new vehicles, and rising costs plus tariff uncertainty make buying used cars an appealing way to save money.
- Recommended models have above-average reliability compared with other cars of the same model year, and the Used Car Top Picks carry multiple years of strong reliability scores.
Budget Sedans and Small Cars
If you’re working with a tight budget, the Mazda6 earns CR’s pick for the under-$10,000 category. With used prices ranging from $7,275 to $10,050 and owner-reported fuel economy of 29 mpg, this sedan impresses with its smooth four-cylinder powertrain, agile handling, and a well-finished cabin with supportive seats. The Mazda6 underwent a major refresh with the 2018 model, improving ride comfort and cabin noise isolation.
Shoppers browsing used cars under $15,000 get pointed toward the Toyota Corolla. Priced between $12,100 and $15,225 with 32 mpg owner-reported fuel economy, the Corolla earned praise for its roomy back seat, comfortable ride, simple controls, and strong reliability record. Toyota’s full safety suite became standard in 2017, so later model years are your best bet.
There’s also the Honda Fit for small-car fans. The third generation of the Fit made it quicker, safer, and even more fuel-efficient. It’s one of those cars where you’re pleasantly surprised by how much space is packed into such a small footprint.
SUVs, Hybrids, and Three-Row Family Haulers
The SUV categories carry some of the best picks for families on this list. Selling for $13,325 to $18,850 and returning 28 mpg owner-reported fuel economy, the Subaru Crosstrek earned high marks for its comfortable ride, capable handling, easy-to-use infotainment system, and good fuel efficiency.
For hybrid shoppers, the Corolla Hybrid and the RAV4 Hybrid both made the cut. With a price range of $15,125 to $18,375 and an owner-reported 51 mpg, the Corolla Hybrid gets top marks for efficiency, straightforward controls, standard smartphone integration, and strong safety equipment. Used RAV4 Hybrids run from $14,400 to $19,350 with 32 mpg owner-reported fuel economy, and the hybrid version has a smoother ride, quieter cabin, added power compared with the regular version, and strong reliability in later model years.
The strategy CR uses for selecting these cars emphasizes value within a price range, meaning the highlighted models may not have been the highest-scoring models when tested new. Instead, they’re often good cars that depreciated more steeply than others, making them more attractive on the pre-owned market than they were at full sticker price. That’s a pretty smart way to think about value.
Trucks and Sports Cars
Truck buyers will spot a familiar name as CR’s pickup category pick: the Toyota Tacoma. The 2015 Toyota Tacoma is known for its off-road ability and rugged reliability. Buyers have a choice of two engines: the 2.7-liter inline-4 with 164 horsepower and 183 lb-ft of torque, or a 4.0-liter V6 with 245 horses and 282 torque. The V6 had a towing capacity of 6,500 lbs when properly equipped. These trucks hold their value like few others, but they’re still a strong buy if you plan to keep one for years.
And then there’s the fun pick: the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The fourth-generation Miata brings precise steering, back-road handling that’ll put a grin on your face, great reliability, and good fuel economy. For 2019, it became even more appealing with a performance boost, as the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine was thoroughly updated, increasing output from 155 to 181 hp. Running $14,025 to $21,300 on the used market, the Miata earns 33 mpg owner-reported fuel economy.
How CR Picks Its Used Car Winners
CR focuses on the newest qualifying version because cars tend to improve over time based on reliability and equipment. Their reliability analyses consistently show that cars become more trouble-free over the multiyear span of a generation. Automakers improve their car-building capabilities with practice, making adjustments to the assembly process, and over time they learn from owner feedback and warranty claims where updates should be made to the vehicle.
To be recommended, used cars must have electronic stability control as standard equipment. Going further, Used Car Top Picks had good performance in IIHS crash tests when new and have automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection available.
Should You Buy Pre-Owned in 2026?
With new car prices averaging around $50,000, there’s a lot of good sense in shopping pre-owned right now. Models like the Mazda6 and Hyundai Tucson were solid choices when new, but now they’re relative bargains on the secondhand market. At the same price, rivals are often years older, and to buy a direct rival at the same model year and mileage, you’d have to pay thousands of dollars more.
Each used car is unique, with its own history. The best protection is to focus your shopping on CR Recommended models and then have the individual car you want inspected before buying. A pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic costs around $100 to $200 and can save you from a costly mistake. Do your homework, check the service records, and you’ll walk away with a car that fits both your lifestyle and your wallet.
