Best Used Cars According to Consumer Reports for 2018

Nobody loves being cramped up in the subway on your way back home after a long tiring day at work or waiting for hours at the bus stop. Wouldna��t we always pick a nice comfy car ride back home? But buying a new car can be expensive and therea��s always skepticism when it comes to buying used cars.A� Even with so-called certified pre-owned cars, you just don’t know what you are getting.A� The best option is to choose a model and make that has a reliable track record, and CR is the best source of information on reliability.

Did you know the sales of used cars have increased significantly with over 38.5 million cars sold in 2017? Finding the right car can be tough especially when looking for a used car but thata��s no reason to hold back.

In this guide wea��ll cover not just the best-used cars to buy in 2018 according to Consumer Reports in various categories keeping in mind the budget but also tips to and tricks to make sure you dona��t get ripped off and make a choice thata��s comfortable and lasts you for years.

Best Subcompact Used Car by Consumer Reports

Honda Fit 4-door hatchback FWD CVT

The Honda Fit isna��t just a car for the budget buyers. Yes, the low price is appealing but this hatchback is a�?dressed to impressa��.

Best Features

• The interior of the Honda Fit is what steals the show. The large interior along with multi-configurable rear seats provides ample leg room and enough cargo space to fit the biggest of bags.
• The Honda Fit (CVT) has a mileage of a 33 mpg (the highest in its class) so why waste time standing in subways or waiting for buses while you can comfortably ride your way to work.
• Furthermore, the nimble handling along with the quick breaking, multiple airbags, and child lock make it the ideal family ride.
• And lastly, if youa��re in for some of the fancy frills and thrills the EX variant comes with a sunroof (time to take the ladies out) and the paddle shifters make driving the car a breeze while with the EX-L will keep you warm with its heated leather seats.

Drawbacks but not deal breakers

• Yup, the CVT is fuel efficient but variable transmission makes it noisy enough to give you a headache during long rides.
• Users have complained of uncomfortable seating with the EX Variant.

But all in all, the fuel efficiency and low price along with the interior comfort it offers value for money.

Specs

• Capacity: 4-5 Seater
• Engine: 1.5-litre 4 Cylinder
• City Mileage: 33 mpg
• Transmission: Automatic

Best Used Compact Car as per Consumer Reports

Toyota Corolla

Herea��s a fun fact. The Toyota Corolla is one of highest selling compact cars in the US and according to many experts, ita��s built to last (dona��t want to miss out on a car like that).

Best Features

• The interiors of the Corolla are the first thing youa��ll fall in love with. Ita��s spacious, has plenty of head and leg room and the cargo is big enough to even fit in a person (dona��t try that though)A�and includes all important safety features like airbags, lane assistant etc.
• The infotainment system is user-friendly and the perfect way to stay entertained during rush hours or long drives. The interior features also include automatic climate control, a moonroof, a 7-inch Entune touchscreen, satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation and push-button start
• Pinpoint steering and stable handling make it the perfect car for the rush hours as well as the evening rides with your kids and wife.
• The engine generates 132 hp (good enough for aA�drive around town) and works really well with the variable automatic transmission.
• The 28 mpg mileage is good considering most compact cars only offer about 25 mpg except the Pontiac Vibe mentioned below.

Drawbacks but not deal breakers

• Some of the plastic parts of the interior may break and thus need constant care while using.
• Acceleration is slow and handling can be better (an improvement you can get with the sports variant of the Corolla).
• The front-wheel-drive means you might just feel those bumps and jumps a little.

Specs

• Capacity: 5 Seater
• Engine: 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine
• Mileage: 32 mpg
• Transmission: Automatic

Pick 2: Pontiac Vibe (Alternative Option)

At a time when most Pontiaca��s were going obsolete the Vibe stood firm (yup, it is that good) and herea��s why ita��s a buy you wona��t regret.

Best Features

• One of the main selling points of the Pontiac Vibe was its large cargo space which with the rear seats folded goes toe to toe with that of an SUV
• 8 liter 4-cylinder engine offers a city mileage of about 30 mpg making the Vibe a fuel-efficient car (second only to the Honda Fit).
• The all-wheel drive of the Vibe also made it a hit amongst buyers as it isna��t a feature commonly found in compact cars.
• Apart from that, the excellent air cooling system, satellite radio, top-notch braking makes the ride fun, relaxing yet safe.

Drawbacks but not deal breakers

• On the downsides, the Vibe the interior seems cramped up due to lack of leg room.
• The engine gets noisy during long drives (just turn up the music during your weekend getaway)

Specs

• Capacity: 4 Seater
• Engine: 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine
• Mileage: 30 mpg
• Transmission: Manual

Best Sedan as per Consumer Reports

Honda Accord

For any car enthusiast (especially if youa��re into sedans) the Accord is a name hard not to come by and herea��s why our friends at Consumer Reports rate it so highly.

Best FeaturesA�

• A standout feature of the Honda Accord is ita��s 30 mpg mileage (a fuel efficiency hard to find in other mid-sized cars) but thata��s not all.
• This teamed together with the 1.5 liter 4-cylinder engine churns out 192 HP resulting in smooth, relaxing yet fun drive. And if that wasna��t enough, the turbocharged 2.0-liter variant delivers 252 hp and accelerates within seconds.
• Yes, your ridea��s going to fun but ita��s got to be safe too and hence the Accord comes with collision warning, automatic emergency brakes, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.
• The spacious interior ensures ample legroom and headroom for even the tallest of people. The car also includes power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats (ita��s comfort at its best).
• Apart from that, the modified infotainment system is a much-needed upgrade (who doesna��t love good music while driving right?).

Drawbacks but not deal breakers

• The push button gear selection for the 2.0-liter engine can be tough to understand for first-time riders but with practice, youa��ll absolutely love it.
• While there isna��t much to fault about the Accord apart from that its high price (an issue that only exists until you ride one).

Specs

• Capacity: 5 Seater
• Engine: 1.5 liters 4 Cylinder Engine
• Mileage: 30 mpg
• Transmission: Automatic

Best Compact SUV as per Consumer Reports

Honda CR-V

With a compact SUV, you get to enjoy some of the luxuries of an SUV without having to pay a premium and the Honda CR-V is sure to steal your heart away.

Best Features

• Making this compact SUV stands out from the pack is the eye-popping interior. From heated seats and steering, power adjustable rear and front seats to the leather-wrapped seats and steering wheel, ita��s comfort hard to say no to. Also, ample leg room makes it a tall person’s preferred compact SUV.
• Apart from that, to keep you entertained the car includes USB ports, 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system, moonroof and thata��s just the start.
• The all-wheel-drive feature makes the ride smooth and relaxing even on the bumpiest of roads (a trip to the nearby hills is definitely on now).
• The 2.4-liter engine delivers 184 hp but if youa��re looking for even better acceleration wea��d recommend going with the 1.5-liter turbo engine capable of delivering about 190 hp.
• Lastly, to keep you and your family safe the car includes multiple airbags, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams and blind spot monitoring.

Drawback but not deal breakers

• While most complaints regarding the CR-V come from the non-engaging handling ita��s still stable and ensures a comfortable ride.
• The Latch System means putting on your seat belt can be frustrating at times but youa��ll get used to the new system with time.

SpecsA�

• Capacity: 5 Seater
• Engine: 1.5-liter turbocharged engine
• Mileage: 28 mpg
• Transmission: Automatic

Best Large/ Mid-SUV as per Consumer Reports

Lexus RX HybridA�

Nothing shouts luxury like an SUV and if coupled with the fuel efficiency of the Lexus RX Hybrid ita��s combinations worth paying the big bucks for. Herea��s what we love about this SUV.

Best Features

• The 31 mpg city mileage of the RX Hybrid making it the highest offered by any SUV (yeah, even we couldna��t stop smiling reading about it).
• The 3.5-litre V6 engine delivers about 308 hp and in tandem with the CVT transmission gets the car up and running within seconds. And if youa��re on the environment protection bandwagon the car also allows you to switch to an electric power source, perfect for the short rides.
• Further adding to the luxury and comfort are the reclining and foldable rear seats, heated rear and front seats and believe it or not even a heated steering wheel (ita��s going to be warm and cozy in winters).
• The luxurious interiors mean therea��s plenty of leg and headroom so you wona��t be cramped up at the back even if youa��re 6a��5″.
• Lastly, the forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning makes the drive safe and secure for you and your family at the back.

Drawbacks but no deal breakersA�

• While the 12.5-inch display of the infotainment system is awesome ita��s touch remote can be cumbersome to use while driving and will need some practicing.
• The LX Hybrid comes with a cargo space of 55.9 cubicA�feet and while ita��s more than what youa��ll occasionally need ita��s smaller than most SUV on the market.

Specs

• Capacity: 5 Seater
• Engine: 3.5 Litre V6
• Mileage: 31 mpg
• Transmission: Automatic

Best USED Pick-up Truck as per Consumer Reports

Honda Ridgeline

If youa��re looking to ride on some rough terrain nothing matches the comfort of a pickup truck. Soft in the interiors, beastly on the exterior.

So be it your favorite home in the woods or a ski resort during winters with the top of the line features of the Honda Ridgeline no place is to too far away.

Best Features

• While the Ridgeline carries over the uni construction from the previous year its improved exterior design makes it look more conventional than the rest.
• 3.5-liter V6 delivers 280 hp and a torque of 262 and in tandem with the 6-speed automatic transmission makes driving on and off roads easy and accelerates comparatively faster.
• The Ridgeline has one of the best mileage specs in its class and provides about 19 mpg within the city make it a highly fuel-efficient pickup truck.
• Also, ita��s the only pickup truck to come with an all-wheel drive and with the Traction Management system it can take on the muddiest of terrains.
• Therea��s plenty of storage spaces in the Ridgeline and folding up the rear seats further adds to it providing enough room for pretty much everything you need to go fishing with your family this weekend.

Drawbacks but not deal breakers

• Towing capacity of the truck is just 5000 pounds far lesser than most trucks of the same price range.
• The higher bed means loading cargo can often become a headache.

SpecsA�

• Capacity: 5 Seater
• Engine: 3.5 liters V6 Engine
• Mileage: 20 mpg
• Transmission: Automatic

Best Used Cars as Per Consumer Reports Comparison Chart

BRAND	MODEL	TYPE	Mileage
Honda	Fit	Sub Compact Car	33 mpg
Toyota	Corolla	Compact Car	32 mpg
Honda	Accord	Sedan	30 mpg
Honda	CR-V	Compact SUV	28 mpg
Lexus	RX Hybrid	Large/ Mid-SUV	31 mpg
Honda	Ridgeline	Pick-up Truck	20 mpg

The Ultimate Used Car Buying Guide

Before you dash off and hit that buy button here are a few things to keep in mind when buying a used car.

Know your budget

The first and foremost step to buying anything is to know your budget. Yup, you can always get a loan (often a bad idea) but make sure you do not end paying an amount higher than 15-20% of your salary.

Keeping in mind used cars require higher maintenance and in most cases even replacement of certain parts like tires, seat covers etc. plus youa��ll have to pay for insurance, fuel etc. (the overhead expenses that need to be part of your budget).

Make a listing

If you dona��t have a favorite wea��d suggest you make a list of the best cars youa��ve come across according to your budget and needs (have at least 4-5 options). Yup, you can opt for the top sellers like Lexus RX Hybrid or the Toyota Corolla but they will cost you significantly higher.

Making the list ensures you get value for money and if you come across a car thata��s less than 5 years old and is Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) well,A� ita��s your best bet. These cars have longer warranties and it is also a sign of the manufacturers trust in its car.

Get its history checkedA�(DO NOT skip this step)

If youa��re buying the car from someone you trust, a friend or a cousin then great you can skip this part since wea��re sure youa��ve been in the car before and have a good idea about its history but if not, this is one of the most important steps.

Getting the vehicle history isna��t Sherlocka��s job, you can get it done yourself. Carfax and AutoCheck are two of the biggest and most reliable sources and provide you vital info on the car such as whether the odometer has been tampered with or not and so on.

To get this info all you need is the vehiclea��s VIN number or the license plate number.

Test Drive it

So you picked the best-used car as per your budget, contacted the dealer, had its history checked out, the next step (and equally important to the previous step) is to take it out for a ride (make or break time as we call it).

During your test drive ensure the car has enough head and leg room in both the rear and front seats. Also, ensure that all the indicators are working and if the check engine light is on ita��s an issue that needs sorting out.

Apart from that, ensure there are no leakages and that the treading on the tires hasna��t yet worn out. Test out the air conditioners, the headlights, and the turn indicators as well. Last but not the least, there should be no squeaking when you brake and the car should stop quickly enough.

Once you complete the test drive just pop the hood to ensure there are no leaks, steam etc. (you dona��t have toA�be an expert to know that). If need be do take a trusted mechanic or expert with you to have the car tested.

How to negotiate the perfect deal?

So youa��re sold, you love the car but hold on to that excitement a little longer because youa��re yet to negotiate a good price and that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. In the end, nobody loves overpaying right? So here are few tips to get the best possible deal.

Like we mentioned before, know your budget in advance and when the talks begin quote a little less than that. Do your research beforehand and know the market price and second-hand price of the model and if the asked price seems fair, voila, youa��ve struck a good deal.

Complete the formalities

Okay, so youa��ve negotiated the best possible deal but the car isna��t yours just yet. Therea��s paperwork that needs to be completed.

When buying from an individual

In this case, you need to get the title and registration transferred to your name. Get in touch with the local authorities and find out about the formalities and the fees involved in the transfer and most importantly get your hands on those insurance paper.

When buying from a dealer

If youa��re buying from a dealer do check out their contract terms and conditions since many of them might charge you for smog certificate, sales tax,A�and license fees. Also, avoid the extended warranties and instead opt for a car with CPO and again make sure you’ve signed the insurance papers.

How to spot a problem with a used car?

• The exterior of the car shouldna��t have any dents, scratches or rust.
• Masking tape marks under the window seal or fender edges are a sign of a paint job done previously which could indicate that the car was involved in an accident.
• Rev up the engine once you start the car and check it out for any knocking sound.
• If therea��s any black greasy residue in the tailpipe ita��s an indication that the engine is burning oil.
• The interiors of the car shouldna��t be wet, smelly or contain mold growth as it indicates a water-related problem.
• Also, the nut and bolts of the car shouldna��t be rusted.