You might not believe it, but you can buy some great used cars for less than $20,000 these days. You’ll not only find excellent affordable gasoline-powered cars, but you’ll also find hybrids and electric cars too. Whether you’re looking for a long-haul commuter, a daily task rabbit, or something that does it all, there’s a car on this list for you.
Here are 10 of the best used cars you’ll find on a $20,000 budget.
1. 2018 Chevrolet Bolt
Kicking off our list is the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt, a sub-$20,000 electric hatchback that gets 238 miles on a charge from its 60-kWh battery pack. The Bolt’s electric motors provide lots of torque for zippy acceleration around town. In addition, the spacious hatchback body style is practical for people and cargo.
More: If you’re thinking of a used EV, here are 10 good, affordable models to look for
2. 2018 Ford Fusion
The 2018 Ford
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Fusion is an excellent sedan, even in base form, but on our $20,000 budget, we’re not looking for base models — we’re looking for the midrange Titanium trim with the hybrid drivetrain, rated for 42 mpg combined. The Titanium trim brings luxuries like leather seating, upgraded stereo, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Read: Ever-higher interest rates are squeezing subprime buyers out of the car market
3. 2017 Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a perennial front-runner in the compact sedan and hatchback classes, and the 2017 Honda
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Civic is a great example of the badge. Available in both sedan and hatch forms on our budget, with both available in higher-end EX-T or EX-L trims bringing a punchier turbocharged engine, remote start, and more.
4. 2020 Hyundai Elantra
A polished all-arounder, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra is efficient, practical, handsome, and comfortable — as well as very affordable and one of the newest vehicles on our list. Look for the midrange Elantra SEL on our budget, with blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert, a 7-inch touchscreen display, alloy wheels, and more.
Also read: What is a buy here, pay here car dealer? Here’s what to know about this last resort for buying a car.
5. 2019 Kia Optima
If you’d like something a bit larger than the Civic or Elantra, the 2019 Kia
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Optima is a great option, with lots of safety tech, plenty of features for the money, and an understated style. Standard advanced safety features on the 2019 Optima include lane-change assist, forward collision avoidance assist, parking distance warning, and more. Look for Optima LX or S models on our budget, equipped with the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder rated for 33 mpg highway.
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6. 2017 Mazda6
Being on a budget and needing a practical car doesn’t mean you have to give up on fun –the 2017 Mazda6 is proof. Comfortable and well-equipped as a daily driver, the Mazda6
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also offers pulse-quickening driver engagement and even a manual transmission option. For our money, the top-tier Mazda6 Grand Touring is within reach, with Bose audio, adaptive cruise control, paddle shifters, perforated leather seats, and more.
7. 2019 Nissan Leaf
Our second sub-$20,000 EV, the 2019 Nissan
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Leaf, is available in two versions: The 150-mile-range Leaf and the 226-mile-range Leaf Plus. Savvy shoppers may find the Plus model is just within reach, but the standard Leaf is more likely to fall within our budget range. Either way, you’ll get a practical hatchback layout and lots of standard equipment, with features like Bose audio, heated front seats, and LED headlights available on higher-trim models.
8. 2019 Subaru Impreza
The 2019 Subaru Impreza is the only offering on our list to include standard all-wheel drive. That makes it the go-to choice for sedan or hatchback fans (it’s available in either form) who face severe winter weather or need to venture farther down unpaved roads. Look for models fitted with Subaru’s
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EyeSight driver assist suite for maximum safety.
Also read: ‘A used-car factory shutdown’: How the used-car market could get worse for buyers and what could reverse that pattern
9. 2016 Toyota Prius
Famous for its mix of daily practicality and earth-friendly efficiency, the 2016 Toyota
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Prius is a top choice for those seeking green transportation that ticks all the boxes for comfortable transport. The Prius Eco model achieves up to 58 mpg around town, but even the base 2016 Prius is good for 54 mpg in the city.
10. 2020 Volkswagen Jetta
The 2020 Volkswagen
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Jetta brings a dash of European flair to the compact sedan segment — although the Jetta is nearly as large as a typical midsize sedan — while remaining a strong value. Composed driving manners that prioritize comfort complement the robust base equipment set. The Jetta 1.4T S model hits a value sweet spot on our budget and gets 40 mpg highway driving.
This story originally ran on Autotrader.com.
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