Best used cars to buy in 2024: From trucks and SUVs to EVs

Many car and truck buyers are increasingly being priced out of the new vehicle market as every month seems to set a new record for average transaction prices. What's more, interest rates are at levels that are higher than they were for many years, leading to higher monthly payments. The good news, though, is that financial relief can be found if you’re willing to look at a used but "new-to-you" vehicle that’s still in good condition and that should provide several years of trouble-free service.

We’re breaking down this list of the best used cars to buy in 2024 by price first, then by vehicle segment. We’ll offer a couple of solid suggestions in each category, along, when appropriate, with an alternative or two for those who dare to be a little different. Be aware that the used vehicle market is an ever-changing one, and that your location within the United States can have an impact on the price you pay and the availability of certain models. If you're willing to spend some time and do a little searching (our classifieds are a great place to start), you ought to be able to find the right vehicle for your family while fitting nicely within the constraints of your budget.

Best used cars under $10,000

Best used car under $10,000 overall pick: 2014-2020 Hyundai Elantra

These days, the pickin's are slim in the under-$10,000 used car bracket. Our top pick goes to the 2014-2020 Hyundai Elantra. It's a compact car, but there's room enough for a small family if they don't mind being close. The Hyundai's reliability record is solid, and since it's fairly new, it packs more safety technology than an older car. The 2014 Hyundai Elantra received some desirable updates, and a completely new model hit the U.S. market in 2017. At this price point, you'll likely find older models with more equipment or newer models without some high-tech options you may prefer to have. Take a look around and pick the one you like the best.

Best used car under $10,000 for more cargo: 2017-2019 Kia Soul

If you need something with a bit more room for cargo, the Kia Soul is a solid choice. Its funky design helps it stand out from the crowd, and though not quite as efficient as the Elantra, the Soul's range of four-cylinder engine options ought to prove fairly thrifty.

Most reliable used car under $10,000: Any Toyota Camry

If all else fails, it's hard to go wrong with the nicest Toyota Camry you can find. There's a reason Toyota's midsize sedan has sold so well for so many years. Its record for reliability is basically unmatched, it's been sold with both four- and six-cylinder engine options so buyers can tailor their choice for their needs and wants, and it has room inside for families.

Best used EV under $10,000: 2011-2017 Nissan Leaf

Yes, you can buy an electric car for less than $10,000. The Nissan Leaf was America's first mass-market EV, first hitting the scene for the 2011 model year. They sold in good enough numbers that they aren't hard to find for sale. The early Leaf hatchback didn't come with a particularly big battery — if you travel more than 70ish miles in a day, this probably isn't your top choice — but it's 73-84-mile range is enough for a good chunk of the population.

Best used SUV under $10,000: 2011-2020 Dodge Journey

You'll be hard pressed to find an SUV you like in this price range. The Dodge Journey never won any desirability awards when it was new, and it hasn't gotten any more likable with age. But it offers three rows of seats, optional all-wheel drive and a comparably low price, which are big wins for a lot of buyers. We'd suggest casting a wide net and being willing to drive a bit further than you'd like in order to find a Journey with a Pentastar V6 engine instead of the grossly underpowered four-cylinder.

Most common used SUV under $10,000: 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue

The best thing about the Nissan Rogue is that it sold really well for a very long time. That means there are a lot of them on the used market. The Rogue doesn't carry the resale value of rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and that means it's more attainable for buyers with limited funds to spend. The continuously variable transmission isn't very rewarding, and repair bills can be high if something goes wrong. On the positive side, the CVT does improve fuel efficiency.

Best used truck for under $10,000: 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota

The Dodge Dakota is a solid pickup truck that's bigger than rivals like the Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado. The final Dakota was built between 2005 and 2011, and later models are actually badged as Rams, not Dodges. Either way, it's the same truck. The standard 3.7-liter V6 won't win any drag races — the optional V8s offered more power, naturally — but a decent Dakota offers the ability to haul and tow for just about the lowest price point in America.

Best used truck for towing under $10,000: 2008-2012 Nissan Titan

If you need more towing power, your best bet may be an older Nissan Titan. It's likely that any full-size pickup truck you'll find for less than $10,000 will have higher miles or dents (or both), so be prepared for a truck that's not going to win any beauty contests. But as long as it can still do trucky things and runs well, that's what really matters.

Best used cars under $15,000

Best used car under $15,000: 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt

As far as we're concerned, the Chevy Volt is one of America's top used-car bargains. The first-gen model has fallen into the $10,000-$15,000 bracket, and for that sum, you're not likely to find anything more efficient — as long as it was plugged in the night before, the first 25 to 35 miles will be on electricity alone — stylish and comfortable for daily driving duties. Note that the Volt seats four passengers, not five, but does have a hatchback for greater cargo versatility.

Best used car if you don't have access to a plug: 2016-2017 Honda Civic

If you don't want to worry about plugging in and want a good, solid, reliable daily driver, the Honda Civic is our top pick. It's more fun to drive than a similar Toyota Corolla (which should also prove a very reliable choice), and the 10th-generation model that debuted for the 2016 model year is a surprisingly comfortable and roomy option. If you can find one, the hatchback that debuted in 2017 with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is our favorite.

Best used car under $15,000 that's also a sports car: Any Mazda Miata

You knew you were going to find a Mazda Miata on this list, right? The quintessential little Japanese sports car is a great used buy for those who don't need room for more then themselves and one significant other. It's a joy to drive, reasonably efficient and doesn't cost an arm and a leg to buy. Buy one and we're sure you'll love it.

Best used car under $15,000 that's both fun and mostly practical: 2014-2017 Mini Cooper

The Mini Cooper used to be one of the least-reliable vehicles in America. Most of those reliability foibles were worked out over the years, and the 2014-2017 edition has proven pretty durable. The Cooper isn't as quick around a track as the aforementioned Miata, but it's awfully fun to drive around town. And unlike the Mazda, the Mini has a (small) back seat and a hatchback.

Best used SUV under $15,000: Any Mazda CX-5

SUV used to mean body-on-frame construction and a rugged four-wheel-drive system. These days, the sport utility segment covers everything from barely lifted hatchbacks to monsters that wear Hummer badges. If you're looking for an efficient, reliable and fun-to-drive crossover, the Mazda CX-5 is our top pick. If you find a Honda CR-V in a similar price bracket, that's also a solid choice for the money. The Toyota RAV4 should also be reliable, though probably not as fun to drive as the other options.

Best used SUV under $15,000 with three rows: 2000-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe

If you need a (much) larger utility vehicle, consider an older Chevy Tahoe. It should have one of GM's solid small-block V8 engines under its hood, which should equate to comparably simple maintenance and a wide selection of local mechanics who should be familiar with fixing them when something does break. Check the interior for squeaks and rattles, because GM wasn't known for screwing together the best interiors in this time frame.

Best used truck under $15,000: Any Toyota Tacoma (but check for rust)

The Toyota Tacoma is known for lots of things: reliability and durability being just two of them. High resale value is another, as well as so-so comfort. In the end, a used Tacoma is a solid choice for around $15,000, and likely to offer more years of trouble-free service than anything else in this price range. Expect to see some higher-mileage examples on the market, so be on the lookout for a Tacoma with regular maintenance records.

Best used full-size truck under $15,000: 2013 or newer Ram 1500

If you need a bigger truck, listings for the Ram 1500 would be a good place to start at the $15,000 price point. Ford and GM options enjoy higher resale value on the used market, but the Ram is just as capable and arguably more stylish and comfortable. Our suggestion is to look for a 2013 or newer Ram, and to choose the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and eight-speed automatic combo over the 4.7-liter V8 and six-speed auto. While it's tempting to opt for the V8, our own testing and that of other outlets tells us the V6 is a refined powerplant with solid durability, and the newer eight-speed transmission is a much better choice than the less reliable six-speed.

Best used cars under $20,000