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What Are the Best Used Cars for $15,000?

best cars under 15K 2024 scaled jpg 2016 Toyota Camry | Cars.com illustration by Paul Dolan

It’s no secret that used-car prices have gone through the roof, which means you have to work harder these days to find a good buy on a safe, reliable used car. But affordable pre-owned cars still exist and can fit into your budget. To help you in your search, we poured over Cars.com’s listings to find a selection of solid vehicles for around $15,000. Tap the links below to see our picks if you’re on a $10,000 or $20,000 budget.

Related: What Are the Best Used Cars for $10,000?

Related: What Are the Best Used Cars for $20,000?

We included a variety of vehicles that accommodate different needs and tastes — be it a car, SUV or minivan. Vehicles older than the 2012 model year are excluded, as such examples are likely to have higher mileage and more mechanical problems. Some of our candidates offer sportier driving, more tech or a fancier interior, but all meet specific criteria to qualify for our list. First, Cars.com editors have judged them to be good vehicles for the years in question. They also all have respectable reliability scores in U.S. Vehicle Dependability studies by analytics company J.D. Power. Finally, none of the vehicles below have raised any red flags in crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

While used-car prices hit a new 32-month low in March, they remain well above the levels seen prior to the inventory shortage. Cars.com analyzed thousands of used-car listings as of March to identify vehicles that meet the criteria and have a median price range between $12,500 and $17,000. Median prices indicate that half of all examples are priced above the mark and half below — so you should be able to get one for around $15,000.

Unless noted otherwise, the listings below include all body styles and powertrains offered in those years. If you tap the link to each vehicle’s model years, details and reviews, you’ll see complete data on trim levels and features you might find while shopping.

Here are our safe and reliable used-car choices for around $15,000, listed by type. Of note, our listed EPA mileage comes after revisions the agency issued in early 2016 that may affect stated mileage as far back as 2011. As such, figures on certain older cars below may not align with the original window-sticker mileage.

Subcompact Car

2015-18 Toyota Prius c

best used cars for 15k 2024 exterior ed 06 jpg 2015 Toyota Prius c | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat hatchback
  • Median price: About $14,000-$17,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 46-50 mpg
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick (2015 for vehicles built after May 2015)

The Toyota Prius c won Cars.com’s 2016 Eco-Friendly Car of the Year for good reason: it offers ultra-frugal gas mileage in a budget-friendly hatchback. As the smallest member of the Prius family, the Prius c’s compact size makes it a great city runabout. While its 1.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain isn’t great up steep hills or on higher-speed freeways, the 2015 and 2016 models eke out an impressive 50 mpg combined. That rating dropped to 46 mpg for 2017, but additional standard safety equipment somewhat makes up for that. The Prius c made lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking systems standard for 2017, and a standard backup camera was added for 2018. Plus, if unusual colors are your thing, the Prius c offered several bright choices such as Tangerine Splash Pearl and Electric Lime Green.

Research Toyota Prius c model years, details and reviews.

Electric Car

2017-19 Chevrolet Bolt EV

best used cars for 15k 2024 exterior ed 02 jpg 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat all-electric hatchback
  • Median price: About $15,000-$16,500
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 119 mpg-equivalent, with 238 miles of all-electric range on a full charge
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick (with optional automatic emergency braking)

2017 was the debut model year for GM’s Bolt EV, a small hatchback with a colorful interior, quick acceleration, competent handling and brakes, and a substantial range on a full charge. The standard onboard charging capability is fine for home and city use, but you’ll want one with optional fast-charging capability if you plan on taking any road trips. Convenience features like heated seats were also optional, as was an automatic emergency braking system that helped the Bolt EV earn its IIHS top safety ratings. Chevrolet’s standard 10.2-inch touchscreen has excellent graphics, but some Cars.com editors found the front seats to be thin and underpadded.

Used Bolts of this vintage should also come with a new (or barely used, if it’s already been installed) battery thanks to a recent extensive recall; these replacement batteries come with an extended eight-year/100,000-mile warranty. Getting a Bolt EV with a brand-new battery and used-car depreciation becomes an even better deal if you qualify for the used EV tax credit, which could knock as much as $4,000 off of the Bolt’s price.

Research Chevrolet Bolt EV model years, details and reviews.

Compact Cars

2014-17 Acura ILX

best used cars for 15k 2024 exterior ed 05 jpg 2016 Acura ILX | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat sedan
  • Median price: About $13,000-$17,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 25-29 mpg (gas-only); 38 mpg (hybrid)
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2016 with optional front crash prevention); Top Safety Pick (2017 with optional front crash prevention)

Acura is Honda’s luxury division, and if you want a premium alternative to the Civic, this is it. Based on the Civic’s bones, the ILX was an all-new entry model for Acura for the 2013 model year. But it’s not just a dressed-up Civic — it’s lower and heavier than its Honda sibling, with upgraded suspension bits and steering, too. The ILX is noticeably quieter than a Civic, and its interior is competitive with entry-level premium sedans of its day. Ride quality is good, and handling is competent.

For 2014 and 2015, the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine has a good balance of power and fuel efficiency; an upgraded 2.4-liter four-cylinder that came only with a manual transmission was optional. There was also a 1.5-liter hybrid powertrain mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission, but it was discontinued after 2014. The ILX went to a single drivetrain option for 2016 — the existing 2.4-liter mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission — and also added a sporty A-spec trim.

Research Acura ILX model years, details and reviews.

Research Acura ILX Hybrid model years, details and reviews.

2016-17 Chevrolet Volt

best used cars for 15k 2024 exterior ed 11 jpg 2016 Chevrolet Volt | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat plug-in hybrid hatchback
  • Median price: About $15,000-$16,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 106 mpg-e, with 42 mpg as a hybrid after 53 miles of all-electric range on a full battery charge
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2017 with optional front crash prevention)

The main appeal of the Volt PHEV is a useful all-electric range for daily driving and good fuel economy. The second-generation Volt unveiled for 2016 gained a longer electric-only range and dropped the previous generation’s need to use premium fuel. Its gas-electric hybrid drivetrain is powered by an 18.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and dual electric motors good for a combined 149 hp, along with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that acts primarily as a generator. For longer trips free of range anxiety, the Volt gets about 53 miles of all-electric range before the gas engine kicks in to keep the batteries charged until the next charging stop.

The second-gen Volt was also a significant upgrade over the Prius of its day, both in driving manners and interior quality. The Volt gained a more usable interior with dedicated knobs and switches for its most frequently used controls, as well as a standard backup camera. However, while it technically had a fifth seat in the back, we found it to be nearly unusable even for children.

Research Chevrolet Volt model years, details and reviews.

2014-15 Honda Civic

honda civic 2015 exterior front three quarter oem jpg 2015 Honda Civic | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat sedan or two-door, five-seat coupe
  • Median price: About $13,000-$14,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 25-34 mpg (gas-only); 44 mpg (hybrid); 31 mpg-e (natural gas)
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2014 sedan with optional forward collision warning); Top Safety Pick (2015 sedan, 2014-15 coupe)

The 2014-15 Honda Civic offered buyers plenty of choices, with both coupe and sedan body styles, manual and automatic transmissions, and even natural-gas-powered and hybrid versions in addition to the standard gasoline-fueled ones. We wouldn’t recommend the natural gas variant unless you have easy access to that harder-to-find fuel, however. We would recommend the manual-only Si trim if you’re looking for a bit more power and fun, but even the base trim offered a significant upgrade in ride and handling compared to the Toyota Corolla of its time. These Civics also offered plenty of standard features, including a USB port, backup camera and Bluetooth connectivity.

Research Honda Civic model years, details and reviews.

Research Honda Civic hybrid model years, details and reviews.

2015-17 Mazda3

mazda3 2017 exterior front three quarter oem jpg 2017 Mazda3 | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat sedan or hatchback
  • Median price: About $13,000-$15,500
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 28-33 mpg
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2015-16 with optional automatic emergency braking, 2017 with optional automatic emergency braking and specific headlights)

The Mazda3 was redesigned for 2014 with a sleek new look and upgraded interior, but it retained core values like good handling and driving fun. It offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter four-cylinder, with the more powerful 2.5-liter getting increased fuel efficiency. But the Mazda3 continued to have a tighter rear seat, firmer ride and less cargo room than a lot of rivals, so compact-car shoppers who value practicality over driving fun should look elsewhere. The 2017 model year brought styling, interior and media updates, but the Mazda3 still didn’t offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, which had become widely available by then. A low-speed front collision system with automatic braking was available for these years.

Research Mazda3 model years, details and reviews.

2017-18 Toyota Corolla

toyota corolla eco 2017 oem scaled jpg 2017 Toyota Corolla | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat sedan or hatchback
  • Median price: About $15,500-$17,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 30-34 mpg
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2017 sedan); Top Safety Pick (2018 sedan)

Midway through its extant generation, the 2017 Corolla got a light update with a big new grille. More importantly, it also got an impressive infusion of standard safety and driver-assistance features, including a backup camera, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane departure steering assist, automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control. The top XLE trim level offers a media system with navigation and 7-inch touchscreen but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. What hadn’t changed was the nameplate’s strong reliability, as well as its roomy but downscale interior, economy-car driving feel and noisy engine. The Corolla also inherited a hatchback stablemate for 2017, dubbed the Corolla iM; it was previously sold as the Scion iM before Toyota retired the brand.

Research Toyota Corolla model years, details and reviews.

Research Toyota Corolla iM model years, details and reviews.

2013-15 Toyota Prius

toyota prius 2013 exterior front three quarter oem jpg 2013 Toyota Prius | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat hybrid or PHEV hatchback
  • Median price: About $12,500-$15,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 48 mpg (hybrid); 95 mpg-e with 50 mpg after 11 miles of all-electric range on a full charge (PHEV)
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick (2013); Top Safety Pick+ (2014-15 with optional automatic emergency braking starting with 2014s built after Toyota made changes in November 2013 to improve crashworthiness)

The Prius was refreshed for the 2012 model year with multimedia updates, including a newly added touchscreen for the base trim that came with a USB media port and Bluetooth capability. Higher trim levels got Toyota’s Entune system, which added navigation, satellite radio, voice control and an integrated backup camera (a useful provision, given the Prius’ limited rear visibility). This generation of the Prius maintained its primary virtues — exceptional gas mileage and a roomy cabin — as well as its ongoing flaws: a busy and noisy ride and a dated cabin compared to its rivals. The 2014 model year brought an optional forward collision warning system with automatic emergency braking that helped the hatchback earn top IIHS safety scores. Many examples in this vintage might still have some of the transferable battery warranty, which was eight years/100,000 miles or 10 years/150,000 miles in states that adopted California emissions standards.

Research Toyota Prius model years, details and reviews.

Research Toyota Prius Plug-In model years, details and reviews.

2015-16 Toyota Prius v

best used cars for 15k 2024 exterior ed 08 jpg 2016 Toyota Prius v | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat wagon
  • Median price: About $15,000-$17,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 41 mpg
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (both years with optional automatic emergency braking)

With its quirky styling and basic interior, the Prius v is clearly part of the Prius family. The more upright wagon adds the cargo space of a small SUV, but the trade-off is less impressive hybrid gas mileage. Occupant space is about the same, so if you don’t need the extra hauling capability, a regular Prius hatchback would be a better choice. Like the regular Prius, the Prius v has tepid power and can be a little noisy, and there’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto capability offered for these model years. Depending on mileage and location, used examples may have some battery warranty remaining (the original warranty was eight years/100,000 miles or 10 years/150,000 miles for states that followed California emissions standards).

Research Toyota Prius v model years, details and reviews.

Compact SUVs

2013-15 Acura RDX

acura rdx 2015 exterior front three quarter oem jpg 2015 Acura RDX | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat SUV
  • Median price: About $13,500-$15,500
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 22-23 mpg
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick (2013)

A 2013 redesign brought a transformation of the RDX from a sporty but quirky small SUV into a bigger, more comfortable V-6 luxury cruiser. The cabin is quiet and upscale, with very comfortable leather seating as standard equipment and adequate cargo space. The ride is smooth, and handling remains competent (if dulled) from the previous generation’s racetrack-ready capabilities. Bluetooth and a USB port were standard, and an 8-inch touchscreen was optional. The redone RDX continued with little change through 2015.

Research Acura RDX model years, details and reviews.

2015 Honda CR-V

01 honda cr v 2015 exterior  profile  silver  urban jpg 2015 Honda CR-V | Cars.com photo by Evan Sears
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat SUV
  • Median price: About $16,500
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 28-29 mpg
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (with optional automatic emergency braking)

These CR-Vs earned a reputation as a carpool SUV, but with good reason. The wide door openings and a low step-in height and cargo floor make it handy for juggling kids and car seats. With an interior laden with family-friendly features and a large cargo area, the CR-V is a good choice for a small family. The 2015 model year saw a mid-generation freshening with styling updates, a new four-cylinder with more torque, and a CVT that replaced the former conventional automatic. The combination delivers good gas mileage for an SUV, and the CR-V’s suspension is tuned for comfort, not spirited driving. The front seats are comfortable, but the rear seat is a bit stiff, and interior materials are more utilitarian than upscale. All trim levels have Bluetooth and a backup camera, and top trim levels add adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.

Research Honda CR-V model years, details and reviews.

2014-16 Mazda CX-5

mazda cx 5 2016 exterior front three quarter oem jpg 2016 Mazda CX-5 | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat SUV
  • Median price: About $13,000-$16,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 26-29 mpg
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2014-16 with optional automatic emergency braking starting with 2014s built after Mazda made changes in October 2013 to improve crashworthiness)

The Mazda CX-5 was an all-new compact SUV for the 2013 model year. The 2014 CX-5 addressed a major criticism that the debut model was woefully underpowered with the option of a bigger 2.5-liter four-cylinder (the CX-5 otherwise gets a 2.0-liter four-cylinder); it made a big difference without sacrificing fuel economy. Beyond that, the CX-5 was stylish and a little smaller than some other compact SUVs of its day, with an adequate rear seat and cargo area in its well-appointed interior. As with other Mazdas, the CX-5 distinguishes itself with better handling — and a firmer ride — than most of the competition, not to mention a multimedia system that trails many rivals for overall usability. A low-speed automatic emergency braking system became an option for 2014 and figures into the SUV’s IIHS safety ratings.

Research Mazda CX-5 model years, details and reviews.

2015-18 Nissan Rogue

nissan rogue 2015 exterior front three quarter oem 1 jpg 2015 Nissan Rogue | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five- or seven-seat SUV
  • Median price: About $13,500-$17,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 24-34 mpg
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2017 with optional forward collision warning and specific headlights); Top Safety Pick (2015, 2016 with optional forward collision warning, 2018 with specific headlights)

There’s a good reason why the Rogue is such a popular choice: It has ample space for both passengers and cargo, a comfortable ride and a nice interior at a reasonable price point. The Rogue added an available third row with its 2014 redesign, but it’s really only usable for small children. Nissan kept adding popular options from there: A 360-degree camera system was offered starting with the 2014 model year, the 2016 model had optional forward emergency braking, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and an available expanded driver-assist suite were added for 2018.

For 2017, a hybrid model was also available, but it sold in small numbers and is relatively rare on the used market. While the Rogue’s ride is generally quiet, the CVT can be noisy at times. (Note that we’re talking about the Rogue here, not the subcompact Rogue Sport or Rogue Select, which was a previous-generation Rogue that was sold at the same time as this generation.)

Research Nissan Rogue model years, details and reviews.

Research Nissan Rogue Hybrid model years, details and reviews.

Mid-Size Cars

2015-17 Buick Regal

buick regal 2017 exterior side oem jpg 2017 Buick Regal | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat sedan
  • Median price: About $13,000-$16,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 22-28 mpg

The Regal got a lightly refreshed exterior and interior for 2014 that enhanced its appeal as a more premium mid-size choice. However, it remained smaller outside and tighter inside (particularly in the backseat) than more family-oriented rivals. The redesign also brought a new 259-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as standard equipment. Additionally, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain was offered on eAssist variants, although this option became fleet-only later. You could even get a manual transmission through the 2015 model year on the GS trim. This generation also offered a blind spot warning system, adaptive cruise control, and a forward collision warning system with or without automatic emergency braking as options. OnStar and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot were standard, and the 2016 model added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.

Research Buick Regal model years, details and reviews.

2017 Ford Fusion

best used cars for 15k 2024 exterior ed 04 jpg 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat sedan
  • Median price: About $13,000-$16,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 20-27 mpg (gas-only); 42 mpg (hybrid); 97 mpg-e with 42 mpg after 22 miles of all-electric range on a full charge (PHEV)
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick

This generation of the Fusion, redesigned for 2013, offered a foursome of four-cylinder engines, three of them turbocharged, as well as an improved gas-electric Fusion Hybrid and plug-in Fusion Energi. A new Sport trim, added for the 2017 model year, brought a 325-hp, twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6 to the powertrain party. The Fusion came with standard FWD, with AWD offered on top trim levels. Among non-hybrid models, the mileage king was a new-for-2014 turbo 1.5-liter engine. Despite some hard-to-use controls and a lack of trunk space in the Energi, the Fusion was more fun to drive than most of the competition and classier in terms of looks and interior design — as long as you avoid the base S model, which came with a notably cheaper-looking interior. A refresh for the 2017 Fusion brought a better multimedia system, increased storage in the redesigned center console and updated safety tech.

Research Ford Fusion model years, details and reviews.

Research Ford Fusion Hybrid model years, details and reviews.

Research Ford Fusion Energi model years, details and reviews.

2013-15 Honda Accord

honda accord 2013 action exterior front three quarter oem jpg 2013 Honda Accord | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat sedan or two-door, five-seat coupe
  • Median price: About $13,000-$15,500
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 21-30 mpg (gas-only); 47 mpg (hybrid); 115 mpg-e with 46 mpg after 13 miles of all-electric range on a full charge (PHEV)
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2013-14 with optional forward collision warning); Top Safety Pick (2015)

Along with Toyota’s Camry, the Accord is one of the go-to choices in mid-size sedans for a pleasant, smooth and quiet family car. It was redesigned for the 2013 model year, with a sportier coupe sold alongside the sedan. The Accord offered four-cylinder, V-6 and hybrid powertrains (as well as a PHEV for 2014). The four-cylinder is a good choice — adequate and efficient without sacrificing trunk space for the hybrid’s batteries. However, the Accord Hybrid at the right price could be a good pick for commuter duty. The new generation got a more refined interior with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port for even the base model’s media system.

Research Honda Accord model years, details and reviews.

Research Honda Accord Hybrid model years, details and reviews.

Research Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid model years, details and reviews.

2015-17 Mazda6

mazda6 2017 exterior side profile oem jpg 2017 Mazda6 | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat sedan
  • Median price: About $13,500-$16,500
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 28-32 mpg
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2015-16 with optional automatic emergency braking, 2017 with optional automatic emergency braking and specific headlights)

Sometimes overlooked among mid-size sedans, the Mazda6 is the fun-to-drive choice for these years — not to mention one of the more stylish ones after its 2014 redesign. The new generation also brought Mazda’s SkyActiv powertrain technology with significantly improved fuel efficiency for the four-cylinder, while the prior generation’s V-6 option was dropped. In higher trim levels, the Mazda6’s interior has a more premium, driver-centric design than most in the class, though noise can intrude. Low-speed automatic emergency braking was available on higher variants and figures into the sedan’s IIHS safety ratings. The 2016 Mazda6 got some mild styling tweaks, a revised dashboard, availability of higher-speed automatic braking and a new media system with center console controller.

Research Mazda6 model years, details and reviews.

2014-17 Toyota Camry

toyota camry 2016 exterior action front oem jpg 2016 Toyota Camry | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat sedan
  • Median price: About $13,500-$17,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 24-28 mpg (gas only), 38-40 mpg (hybrid)
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick (2014 built after Toyota made changes in December 2013 to improve crashworthiness); Top Safety Pick+ (2015-16 with optional automatic emergency braking, 2017 with optional automatic emergency braking and specific headlights)

The Camry is a safe, reliable mid-size family sedan that’s good at most things and thrilling at none. The 2014 model’s roots date to a redesign for the 2012 model year, while the 2015 model brought more aggressive exterior styling. But a 2015-17 Camry feels and drives about the same as before; it’s also about the same on the inside — comfortable but a little low-rent — with media tech that’s a step behind others of its era. V-6 and hybrid versions are available, but the standard four-cylinder is the sweet spot for fuel-efficiency and price.

Research Toyota Camry model years, details and reviews.

Research Toyota Camry Hybrid model years, details and reviews.

2017 Volkswagen Passat

best used cars for 15k 2024 exterior ed 01 jpg 2017 Volkswagen Passat R-Line | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat sedan
  • Median price: About $14,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 23-27 mpg
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick

The Passat is a great but often overlooked choice for a mid-size car with a comfortable, spacious interior full of quality materials, a smooth ride and confident handling. A turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine was standard, with a 3.6-liter V-6 available on the highest SEL Premium trim. The 2017 model year carried over many of the improvements from the Passat’s 2016 mid-cycle refresh, including extra safety features, infotainment upgrades and better gas mileage. The 2017 model also added forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking as standard equipment, and all but the base S trim came with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth and a USB port.

Research Volkswagen Passat model years, details and reviews.

2016-17 Volvo S60

best used cars for 15k 2024 exterior ed 03 jpg 2016 Volvo S60 Cross Country | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat sedan
  • Median price: About $14,500-$17,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 21-30 mpg
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2016, 2017 with specific headlights)

The S60 is on the small side for a mid-size sedan, but it has a stylish premium look and upscale interior. The sedan offered a buffet of choices in trim levels and options, as well as four-, five- or six-cylinder engines and either front- or all-wheel drive. A lengthened S60 Inscription variant with more rear legroom and an off-road-oriented S60 Cross Country were also available starting with the 2016 model. These cars are also among the first to have standard low-speed automatic emergency braking, too.

Research Volvo S60 model years, details and reviews.

Research Volvo S60 Cross Country model years, details and reviews.

Research Volvo S60 Inscription model years, details and reviews.

Mid-Size SUVs

2012-13 Lexus RX

lexus rx350 2013 exterior front angle scaled jpg 2013 Lexus RX | Cars.com photo by Evan Sears
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat SUV
  • Median price: About $15,000-$17,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 20-21 mpg (gas-only); 28-29 mpg (hybrid)
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick (both years)

The Lexus RX is an SUV for grown-ups: impressively quiet, smooth-riding and unflappable. The cabin offers leather and real wood trim (though you could get cloth seats in base models, too). The powertrains — a gas-only V-6 in the RX 350 and a gas-electric V-6 hybrid in the RX 450h — go about their business without drama, which also describes the RX’s competent but less-than-sporty handling. The seats are comfortable; the sliding backseat is roomy; and Lexus offered a wide range of optional amenities. Lexus’ multimedia system was fine for its time, but some will find the console-mounted joystick controller cumbersome. Shoppers looking for racier styling can hunt down the sportier-looking F Sport version.

Research Lexus RX 350 model years, details and reviews.

Research Lexus RX 450h model years, details and reviews.

2015-16 Nissan Murano

best used cars for 15k 2024 exterior ed 09 jpg 2016 Nissan Murano | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat SUV
  • Median price: About $15,000-$16,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 24 mpg (gas-only); 27-29 mpg (hybrid)
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (both years with optional automatic emergency braking)

Love it or hate it, the Murano’s swoopy styling turns heads, and it envelops a comfortable interior with a near-luxury look and feel. The Murano is a quiet, smooth-riding, spacious mid-size SUV for shoppers who don’t need a third row. It’s not exactly exciting to drive, but it’s an excellent cruiser with plenty of power from its standard V-6 — a factor that helped it top four rivals in a 2016 Cars.com comparison test. Controls are nicely arranged, and an 8-inch touchscreen is available on upper trim levels. Rear visibility falls victim to the SUV’s styling, but a backup camera is standard and the upper two trim levels came with a 360-degree camera system. A four-cylinder hybrid version was added for the 2016 model year, but the gas mileage gain wasn’t huge.

Research Nissan Murano model years, details and reviews.

Research Nissan Murano Hybrid model years, details and reviews.

2012-15 Toyota Venza

toyota venza 2012 exterior side profile oem jpg 2012 Toyota Venza | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat SUV
  • Median price: About $13,000-$17,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 21-23 mpg
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick (2012-13)

Toyota resurrected the Venza nameplate as a hybrid-only SUV for the 2021 model year, but the original Venza — a high-riding revival of the former Camry wagon — was powered by a 181-hp, 2.7-liter four-cylinder or a 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. The 2012-15 Venza is a comfortable, well-behaved SUV with a nicer interior than the Camry of its time (not exactly a high bar). With a more carlike design that deviates from most mid-size SUVs, the Venza may turn off shoppers who want traditional upright SUV styling. The Venza can be a little noisy on the highway, with a ride on the firm side without a lot of payoff in handling. AWD was an option, as was the V-6 that gets nearly the same mileage as the base four-cylinder. A backup camera was standard for 2015.

Research Toyota Venza model years, details and reviews.

Full-Size SUVs

2012-13 Toyota Highlander

toyota highlander 2012 exterior front three quarter oem jpg 2012 Toyota Highlander | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, seven-seat SUV
  • Median price: About $14,000-$17,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 19-22 mpg (gas-only); 28 mpg (hybrid)
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick (both years)

The Highlander’s reputation for reliability and high demand for SUVs has kept used prices up even for older model years. The 2012-13 Highlander is a smooth-riding SUV with a family-friendly, if cheap-feeling, interior. The second-row bench seat slides to allow passengers to compromise with those in the third row for legroom; it also has a novel, removable middle section that converts the bench to captain’s chairs with a pass-through. A backup camera came on all but the base trim. Four-cylinder and V-6 gasoline engines were offered; a V-6 hybrid version was also available, but it could be harder to find. In its final year before a redesign, the 2013 Highlander didn’t see many changes aside from a new Plus trim that slotted above the base model.

Research Toyota Highlander model years, details and reviews.

Research Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years, details and reviews.

Full-Size Cars

2014-15 Buick LaCrosse

buick lacrosse 2014 exterior front three quarter oem jpg 2014 Buick LaCrosse | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat sedan
  • Median price: About $13,500-$14,500
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 20-21 mpg (gas only); 28 mpg (hybrid)

The LaCrosse falls somewhere between the mid-size and full-size classes, but it offers the kind of comfortable, quiet ride we’ve come to expect from Buick. Its V-6 version offered more trunk space than some of its larger rivals at the time, as well as AWD. Buick also offered a four-cylinder mild-hybrid drivetrain on its FWD-only eAssist cars, but the battery took up a sizable amount of trunk space. The 2014 model year saw styling tweaks and interior upgrades, and the 2015 LaCrosse gained a standard backup camera.

Research Buick LaCrosse model years, details and reviews.

2015-16 Kia Cadenza

best used cars for 15k 2024 exterior ed 10 jpg 2016 Kia Cadenza | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat sedan
  • Median price: About $13,000-$14,500
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 22 mpg

The Cadenza is a luxe sedan that flies under the radar thanks to its Kia badge, offering a quiet, spacious interior, tons of standard features and a premium feel throughout. It’s powered by a 293-hp, 3.3-liter V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and while no one will mistake this for a sports sedan, it offers adequate, smooth power for daily driving. The 2015 Cadenza saw minimal changes from its 2014 debut, including tweaks to its front-end styling and newly available rear cross-traffic alert.

Research Kia Cadenza model years, details and reviews.

2013-15 Toyota Avalon

toyota avalon 2013 exterior front three quarter oem jpg 2013 Toyota Avalon | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, five-seat sedan
  • Median price: About $15,000-$17,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 24-25 mpg (gas-only); 40 mpg (hybrid)
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick (2013, 2015)

Redesigned for 2013, the Avalon is a bigger (and nicer) alternative to the V-6 Camry that makes a good family road-tripper — though it trades the prior generation’s boatlike softness for somewhat firmer suspension tuning. The backseat has adult-size comfort, and the trunk is huge. Even the base trim has a lot of features, though it would be worth looking for one with the upgraded 7-inch navigation touchscreen. Those looking for maximum frugality out of a big sedan should look for the Avalon Hybrid, which features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and dual electric motor combo that ekes out 40 mpg combined. A backup camera was added as standard equipment for 2014.

Research Toyota Avalon model years, details and reviews.

Research Toyota Avalon Hybrid model years, details and reviews.

Minivan

2014-15 Honda Odyssey

best used cars for 15k 2024 exterior ed 07 jpg 2015 Honda Odyssey | Manufacturer image
  • Type: Four-door, seven- or eight-seat minivan
  • Median price: About $14,000-$16,000
  • EPA combined fuel economy: 22 mpg
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2014 with optional front crash protection); Top Safety Pick (2015)

You can’t beat the practicality of a minivan when it comes to hauling the whole family, and it’s hard to beat the Honda Odyssey for value. The 2014-15 Odyssey includes eight seats as standard on all but its base LX trim and can fit up to three child-safety seats in the second row. All Odysseys are powered by a 240-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2014 Odyssey also introduced updated front and rear styling and a handy built-in vacuum system on the top Touring Elite trim.

Research Honda Odyssey model years, details and reviews.

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