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We’ve scoured the country to find the top ten best used cars and trucks available. If you’re car shopping in 2021, we’ve got something for everyone.
Best Used Cars to Look for in 2021
There is a vast ocean of new cars on the market, but they all come with one major drawback, depreciation. That hit can cost anyone thousands of dollars the moment they sign the paperwork and drive off the dealership lot. Thankfully, there’s an exponentially larger ocean of well-maintained used vehicles that are nearly as fresh, but without the damage to your pocketbook. Our list today contains ten of the best-used car values in 2021 based on overall cost, reliability, depreciation, and popularity. There’s an EV, a pickup truck, a sports car, and multiple people movers that will get you where you need to be with a few of your friends or family easily.
Nissan Leaf
When it comes to the Nissan Leaf, it just does so many things well. We found a 2012 Nissan Leaf on Carsforsale.com and not only is it less than $5,600, but it has less than 30,000 miles. Many might be concerned about the battery in this EV, but the one we found has held up. The battery shows that it still has 75% of the original capacity and a replacement is getting cheaper every day for when that day comes. For a person who needs an economical city car that can easily get you to and from work, school, and activities, the Nissan Leaf is a killer option. It’s our oldest and cheapest option here, but it’s outstanding at what it’s built to do.
Toyota Camry
If having a gasoline motor is integral to your transport, then there’s simply no more popular vehicle than the Toyota Camry when it comes to inexpensive reliable conveyance. Pricing for the Camry is growing fast for the new car, but used Camrys can be found for far less. What’s great is that you don’t have to lose out on what is unquestionably the best-looking Camry ever and the most comfortable. If you’re buying a Camry, you typically want a car that will last a long while, and this one should do just that.
Ford F-150
As the best-selling truck in history, it should be easy to see why the Ford F-150 is a great choice overall. In addition, as a new model has just been released, prices are dropping even further for used models. Nevertheless, you can still get an incredibly well-appointed Ford between $5,000-$15,000 less than you’d pay for a new version of what is basically the same truck. Finally, it’s important to remember that well-optioned F-Series trucks hold their value quite well after their first big value drop.
Hyundai Palisade
It’s incredibly tough to choose between the Palisade and its Kia brother the Telluride, but we’re guessing that if you’re shopping this space that you want the most future-proof of the two and that’s the Hyundai. The technology inside is just a bit nicer, the interior is a bit more comfortable, and the look of the vehicle outside is more advanced as well too. The potent V6 engine is known to be reliable and is powerful enough to never leave you needing more.
Chrysler Pacifica
The same company that brought the minivan to market first is still building an excellent option in the Pacifica. Compared to its rivals, it’s far more engaging to drive, more easily converts from people hauler to cargo van, and features possibly the best technology too. Multiple driver aids come standard like lane departure assist and some versions can be found with an optional 360-degree camera.
Honda Ridgeline
While it might not be as well respected as the Ford F-150, the Ridgeline is perhaps one of the best-used car bargains on the market in 2021 when it comes to capable utility vehicles. No, it’s not going to haul or go off-road like most other full-size pickups, but it does everything else that those trucks do on the road better. It handles better and it still has available AWD for those in more perilous conditions. Safety features like adaptive cruise control only add to the value.
Ford Mustang
No retro-modern muscle car seems to have the following that the Ford Mustang does among hardcore sports car fans. We love the Challenger and how Dodge has managed to keep it alive despite being on an archaic chassis, but the Mustang is simply more modern and better around a track. There’s plenty of lightly used Ford Mustangs on Carsforsale.com with very few miles on the clock and can save you between $7,000-$10,000 when compared to a new Mustang. While there are more powerful performance bargains we’ll get to shortly, the Mustang plays on a much lower price platform that’s accessible to more people.
Cadillac ATS
The ATS has fallen out of favor for many as Cadillac has shifted its brand to new nomenclature and that’s a great thing for depreciation. For anyone searching for a luxury sedan, the ATS is a fantastic and far more reliable alternative to most European offerings. Rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive are both available and depending on what you want you can spring for the full-fat ATS-V that’s an exceptional performance car. Inside you’ll find some of the best quality materials any American car has ever had.
Chevrolet Corvette
We’re serious when we say that the Chevrolet Corvette is likely the best 2-door performance bargain on the planet. In addition, the C8 Corvette has clearly taken the brand into a brave new world with its mid-engine layout, so C7 examples are getting cheaper by the day. If going fast is what you care most about, there’s nothing on the market that can match it without costing considerably more and very likely being far less reliable.
Honda CR-V
Compact SUVs basically began with the Honda CR-V and it’s still a benchmark for most companies. These stout little vehicles are incredibly reliable, more comfortable than ever, and they hold their value well after an initial dip. Saving many thousands of dollars isn’t hard since trim levels like this AWD EX can be found for under $25,000. The turbocharged engine is an option we’d look for since it provides the best combination of MPG and fun behind the wheel. The styling update the car received in 2017 was fantastic and it even got a bit more height so that if soft-roading is your thing, it can handle it.
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