What Are the Best Vehicles to Buy Right Now?

There’s a lot to consider when buying a used vehicle. Researching used cars to understand important factors such as long-term reliability, safety, and value retention can help consumers find the right car at the right price. To help navigate the used car buying process, iSeeCars analyzed over 12 million cars and narrowed down the Best Used Cars across all vehicle types.

The winners are cars that are the longest lasting, hold their value the best, and have the highest average safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

iSeeCars also determined the best cars at various pricing levels such as under $10k, $15k, $20k and $25k to help consumers find the best used cars within their budget.

Best Used Cars

Here are the iSeeCars Best Used Cars and runners up for each category:

Read the full Best Used Cars list across all vehicle categories.

Best Used Cars By Price

Here are the best used cars and SUVs by price:

Best Used Cars Under $10,000

Best Used Cars and SUVs Under $15,000

Best Used Cars and SUVs Under $20,000

Best Used Cars and SUVs Under $25,000

Best Used SUVs

The popularity of SUVs and crossovers continues to rise, and the number of SUV models hitting the marketplace grows each year. These are the best used non-luxury and luxury SUVs across all size categories:

Best Used Subcompact SUV: Mazda CX-3

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.2

• Reliability Score: 6.1

• Retained Value Score: 8.4

• Safety Score: 10.0

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $22,703

The Best Used Subcompact SUV is the Mazda CX-3. The Mazda CX-3 made its debut in the newly established subcompact SUV vehicle segment in 2016. The CX-3 offers the sporty driving dynamics and attractive styling characteristic of the Mazda brand and a long list of standard safety and infotainment features. The small but mighty CX-3 also earns the Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS, the Institute’s highest honor.

Best Used Subcompact SUV Runner-Up: Subaru Crosstrek

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.1

• Reliability Score: 5.6

• Retained Value Score: 8.7

• Safety Score: 10.0

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $23,524

The Subaru Crosstrek is the runner-up for the Best Used Subcompact SUV. The Crosstrek offers standard all-wheel drive, which is rare for the small SUV class. It has perfect safety scores and includes many driver assistance features.

For more vehicles in this category, refer to the iSeeCars list of Best Subcompact SUVs.

Best Used Luxury Subcompact SUV: BMW X1

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.6

• Reliability Score: 7.2

• Retained Value Score: 8.5

• Safety Score: 10.0

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $36,211

The Best Used Luxury Subcompact SUV is the BMW X1. The small crossover boasts impressive safety scores and above-average cargo capacity and fuel economy for the class. With BMW’s sharp driving dynamics, it is a worthy choice for drivers looking to enter the luxury SUV segment.

Best Used Luxury Subcompact SUV Runner-Up: Buick Encore

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.4

• Reliability Score: 7.2

• Retained Value Score: 8.1

• Safety Score: 10.0

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $23,875

The Buick Encore earns honorable mention as a top choice for a luxury subcompact SUV. The Encore is praised for its predicted reliability ratings as well as ample passenger and cargo space despite its subcompact designation.

For more vehicles in this category, refer to the iSeeCars list of Best Luxury Subcompact SUVs.

Best Used Small SUV: Jeep Wrangler

iSeeCars Quality Score: 9.2

• Reliability Score: 8.5

• Retained Value Score: 9.8

• Safety Score: Not Available

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $40,178

The Best Used Small SUV is the Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep Wrangler earns a high score for its proven durability and stellar value retention, both of which are boosted by its capability across all terrains. It also has above-average cargo capacity for the small SUV class.

Best Used Small SUV Runner-Up: Subaru Outback

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.8

• Reliability Score: 8.4

• Retained Value Score: 8.0

• Safety Score: 10.0

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $34,433

Despite its official designation as a crossover wagon, the Subaru Outback is often compared to compact SUVs, and earns the distinction as our runner up in the Best Used Small SUV category. The Subaru Outback has proven to be a long-lasting and safe vehicle with high value retention. It is praised for its car-like driving dynamics, standard all-wheel drive, and class-leading cargo space. The Outback also earns the Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS.

For more vehicles in this category, refer to the iSeeCars list of Best Small SUVs.

Best Used Luxury Compact SUV: Acura RDX

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.6

• Reliability Score: 8.2

• Retained Value Score: 7.7

• Safety Score: 10.0

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $40,094

The Best Used Luxury Small SUV is the Acura RDX, which is the luxury equivalent of the popular compact SUV, the Honda CR-V. Along with its stellar reliability rating and perfect safety score, the Acura RDX comes with a lower-than-average price tag and ownership costs.

Best Used Luxury Compact SUV Runner-Up: BMW X3

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.6

• Reliability Score: 8.2

• Retained Value Score: 7.6

• Safety Score: 10.0

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $44,654

The compact BMW X3 ranks second. The X3 comfortably seats five passengers and has above-average cargo space for the class, with 28.7 cubic feet of space. It has multiple engine options including a turbocharged four-cylinder and a twin-turbo six cylinder, and comes standard with many safety and infotainment features.

For more vehicles in this category, refer to the iSeeCars list of Best Luxury Compact SUVs.

Best Used Midsize SUV: Toyota Highlander

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.9

• Reliability Score: 8.5

• Retained Value Score: 8.2

• Safety Score: 10.0

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $41,762

The Toyota Highlander earns the honor of Best Used Midsize SUV for being a long-lasting SUV with high value retention that is also a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. A popular family hauler, it’s roomy and has an accessible third row of seating and ample cargo room. It also offers a suite of safety features to add to its solid reputation for reliability.

Best Used Midsize SUV Runner-Up: Honda Pilot

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.7

• Reliability Score: 8.6

• Retained Value Score: 7.4

• Safety Score: 10.0

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $38,652

The Honda Pilot crossover ranks second in the midsize SUV category. The Honda Pilot is a spacious three-row crossover SUV for those seeking a family-friendly hauler without the bulkiness of a full-size SUV. It’s available in all-wheel-drive or front-wheel drive and is a popular minivan alternative due to its spacious seating for up to eight passengers.

For more vehicles in this category, refer to the iSeeCars list of Best Midsize SUVs.

Best Used Luxury Midsize SUV: Volvo XC90

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.9

• Reliability Score: 8.8

• Retained Value Score: 7.8

• Safety Score: 10.0

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $69,384

The Best Used Luxury Midsize SUV is the Volvo XC90. The three-row midsize SUV boasts a perfect safety score and is loaded with standard driver assistance features. Along with great long-term reliability and value-retention scores, the XC90 also earns the Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS. The XC90 offers class-leading cargo space, which makes the vehicle a prime choice for a luxury family vehicle.

Best Used Luxury Midsize SUV Runner-Up: Acura MDX

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.7

• Reliability Score: 9.3

• Retained Value Score: 7.0

• Safety Score: 10.0

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $44,272

The Acura MDX earns an honorable mention as the Best Luxury Midsize SUV for being a long-lasting and safe SUV with high value retention. Along with being the longest-lasting luxury midsize SUV, it has above-average fuel economy for its class and is among the more affordable vehicles in its class. The MDX was also named a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

For more vehicles in this category, refer to the iSeeCars list of Best Luxury Midsize SUVs.

Best Used Large SUV: Toyota Land Cruiser

iSeeCars Quality Score: 9.2

• Reliability Score: 9.8

• Retained Value Score: 8.5

• Safety Score: Not Available

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $91,976

The Toyota Land Cruiser is the Best Used Large SUV. Known for its longevity, the Land Cruiser is the longest-lasting car across all vehicle segments, and also has excellent value retention. The rugged three-row hauler provides above-average towing capacity for the class and is a capable off-roader.

Best Used Large SUV Runner-Up: Toyota Sequoia

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.7

• Reliability Score: 9.4

• Retained Value Score: 8.0

• Safety Score: Not Available

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $64,510

A second full-size Toyota, the Toyota Sequoia, earns its honors as the Best Used Large SUV runner-up. The Sequoia’s high score is attributed to its proven long-term reliability and excellent value retention.

For more vehicles in this category, refer to the iSeeCars list of Best Large SUVs.

Best Used Large Luxury SUV: Lexus LX 570

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.9

• Reliability Score: 8.8

• Retained Value Score: 8.9

• Safety Score: Not Available

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $90,631

The Best Large Luxury SUV winner is the Lexus LX 570, which is the luxury version of the Toyota Land Cruiser. The LX 570 has great long-term reliability and value retention scores, and it is among the most capable off-roaders in the luxury large SUV class.

Best Large Luxury SUV Runner-Up: Lincoln Navigator

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.8

• Reliability Score: 9.8

• Retained Value Score: 6.6

• Safety Score: 10.0

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $84,678

The Lincoln Navigator gets the runner-up spot as the Best Luxury Large SUV. Along with its long-term reliability, It offers an upscale cabin with abundant passenger and cargo space.

For more vehicles in this category, refer to the iSeeCars list of Best Luxury Large SUVs.

Best Used SUV with Three Rows: Toyota Land Cruiser

iSeeCars Quality Score: 9.2

• Reliability Score: 9.8

• Retained Value Score: 8.5

• Safety Score: Not Available

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $91,976

Along with being the Best Used Large SUV, the Toyota Land Cruiser is also the Best Used SUV with 3 Rows. The Land Cruiser is the longest-lasting car across all vehicle segments, and also has excellent value retention. The rugged three-row hauler offers above-average towing capacity for the class and is a capable off-roader.

Best Used Three-Row SUV Runner-Up: Toyota Highlander

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.9

• Reliability Score: 8.5

• Retained Value Score: 8.2

• Safety Score: 10.0

For consumers looking for three rows of seats, the Toyota Highlander is the Best Used Three-Row SUV runner-up thanks to its reliability, safety, and value retention. It also offers a more spacious third row than many of its competitors.

For more vehicles in this category, refer to the iSeeCars list of Best SUVs With 3 Rows.

Best Used Luxury SUV with 3 Rows: Volvo XC90

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.9

• Reliability Score: 8.8

• Retained Value Score: 7.8

• Safety Score: 10.0

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $69,384

The Best Used Luxury Midsize SUV, the Volvo XC90, also earns the title as the Best Luxury Three-Row SUV. The three-row midsize SUV boasts a perfect safety score and is loaded with standard driver assistance features. Along with great reliability and value-retention scores, the XC90 features class-leading cargo space, which makes the vehicle a prime choice for a luxury family vehicle.

Best Used Luxury SUV with 3 Rows Runner-Up: Lexus LX 570

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.9

• Reliability Score: 8.8

• Retained Value Score: 8.9

• Safety Score: Not Available

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $90,631

The Best Large Luxury SUV with 3 Rows runner-up is the Lexus LX 570. The LX 570 has impressive long-term reliability and value retention scores, and it is among the most capable off-roaders in the luxury large SUV class.

Best Used Crossover SUV: Toyota Highlander

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.9