Used car prices have been rising steadily for several years now, so finding a good used car for less than $15,000 can be a real challenge, especially in more populous parts of the country. If you’re willing to do a little research and perhaps travel for the best deal, there are still some remarkable values on the used car market, no matter if you’re looking for a sedan, a wagon, or an SUV.
Here are 10 of the best used cars you’ll find under $15,000.
1. 2016 Toyota Avalon
The 2016 Toyota Avalon might seem an unlikely list-topper, but considering its luxurious cabin, excellent comfort, abundant passenger space, and efficient hybrid powertrain, the Avalon is a remarkable value and not as overshopped as the Camry or Accord. Better still, our budget affords the very nicely equipped XLE Premium trim, or even the range-topping Limited.
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2. 2016 Honda Accord
The 2016 Honda Accord was available as a family sedan or a stylish coupe. Its attractive styling has stood the test of time, and its solid reliability and wide variety of configurations and trim levels make the Accord an appealing choice for many different types of drivers. Any trim, including the EX-L and top-spec Touring, should be available on our budget.
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3. 2016 Toyota Camry
If the Avalon is simply too big for your needs, the 2016 Toyota Camry is also a terrific choice. The Camry is a solid, well-built, reliable, comfortable midsize sedan that’s also available as a hybrid. Several trim levels are within reach of our budget, ranging from practical to relatively luxurious.
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4. 2017 Honda Civic
One of the best all-rounders on our list, with great efficiency, a spacious interior, a comfortable yet sporty ride, and sharp looks, the 2017 Honda Civic is an easy choice for just about anyone who doesn’t need the off-road ability of an SUV. On our budget, look for the leather-clad Civic EX-L in either hatchback or sedan form.
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5. 2018 Toyota Corolla
The 2018 Toyota Corolla is a foil to the Civic and a solid challenger in every respect, though it lacks the high-performance variants of the Honda. What it lacks in high-end performance, it makes up for in affordable value, with even the top-spec XSE trim within reach of a $15,000 budget. The XSE brings with it features like faux-leather seating, keyless start and entry, and a power driver’s seat.
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6. 2018 Subaru Legacy
The 2018 Subaru Legacy is a more rugged alternative to the Accord and Camry, with a spacious cabin, standard all-wheel drive (AWD) for great traction off-road or in bad weather, and 5.9 inches of ground clearance for traversing obstacles. Comfortable and practical as well as all-weather worthy, the Legacy for our budget is likely either the 2.5i Limited or the sporty 256-horsepower 3.6R Limited.
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7. 2017 Toyota Prius
There is clearly plenty of love on this list for used Honda and Toyota models. They are known for their quality, reliability, and fuel efficiency. Take all of that up one level, and you have the 2017 Toyota Prius. This is a great choice if you want a good commuter car that gets terrific fuel economy — it’s rated up to 56 mpg combined and a stellar 58 mpg around town. It also offers a lot of space for cargo.
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8. 2020 Hyundai Venue
The 2020 Hyundai Venue was an all-new model, bringing Hyundai’s reputation for affordability and its long-term warranty to the subcompact crossover SUV space. Along with its value, the Venue also packs lots of features and utility, with standard Apple CarPlay, solid fuel efficiency, and lots of interior space. Any trim, up to and including the top-spec Denim, should be within reach of our budget.
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9. 2020 Kia Soul
Boxy, funky, and packed with value, the 2020 Kia Soul fits our budget in even its top GT-Line Turbo trim, meaning you’ll get a 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter engine good for 32 mpg on the highway, upgraded equipment, and, on some examples, a panoramic sunroof and Harman Kardon audio.
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10. 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
If you need the space of a compact SUV but you don’t want the bulk, meet the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen. Yes, its name is long, but so is its roof, covering a spacious cabin and an expanded cargo area that rivals compact SUVs in volume. For our money, look for TSI SE models, which are equipped with features like heated front seats, Fender audio, and a panoramic sunroof.
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10 Best Used Cars Under $15,000
- 2016 Toyota Avalon
- 2016 Honda Accord
- 2016 Toyota Camry
- 2017 Honda Civic
- 2018 Toyota Corolla
- 2018 Subaru Legacy
- 2017 Toyota Prius
- 2020 Hyundai Venue
- 2020 Kia Soul
- 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
