A complete guide to find what you need.
Looking for a used car, truck, or SUV in 2021? We've got some recommendations—145 of them, in fact. Read on to discover some great used car options, ranked by vehicle price and type.
Ranked by Price:
Ranked by Type:
- AWD Cars
- AWD SUVs
- Car-Seat-Friendly
- For Teens
- Manual Transmission
- Compact SUVs
- Crossover SUVs
- Electric Cars
- Hatchbacks
- High-MPG
- Hybrid Cars
- Hybrid and Electric SUVs
- Large SUVs
- Luxury Cars
- Luxury SUVs
- Midsize SUVs
- Minivans
- Muscle Cars
- Pickup Trucks
- Small Cars
- Small Trucks
- Midsize Sedans
- Sports Cars
- SUVs with 3 Rows
- SUVs with the Best Gas Mileage
If you're on a budget and need a new daily driver, there's plenty of choice available. Here are the five best-selling cars with an average price under $10,000, based on CarMax sales data from February 1, 2020, through July 31, 2020.1 Be aware that certain model years and upper trim configurations could bring the prices of some of these vehicles over the average price.
For this price point, you're bound to find a car with features that fit your lifestyle. You've got lots of choices here, but to get you started, here's a list of the five best used cars with average prices under $30,000, based on CarMax sales data from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020.1 Be aware that certain model years and upper trim configurations could bring the prices of some of these vehicles over the average price.
For this price point, you're bound to find a car with features that fit your lifestyle. You've got lots of choices here, but to get you started, here's a list of the five best used cars with average prices under $30,000, based on CarMax sales data from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020.1 Be aware that certain model years and upper trim configurations could bring the prices of some of these vehicles over the average price.
AWD Cars
Want to go off-road or just want added confidence in poor weather? Take a look at this list of cars that offer AWD (both standard and optional), based on CarMax sales data from April 1, 2020, through September 30, 2020, to start your search.
To read more about these five vehicles, check out our 10 Best AWD Cars article.
AWD SUVs
If you like a high-up driving position and available AWD, one of these SUVs could be right for you. Take a look at this list of SUVs that offer AWD, based on CarMax sales data from May 1, 2020, through October 31, 2020.
Got little ones to transport? Check out these five car-seat friendly best used cars. This list is based on CarMax sales data in September 2017 and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's list of 2016 vehicles with “acceptable" LATCH system ratings. Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Click here to look up a specific vehicle.
For Teens
Know a first-time driver looking for a first-time car? These five cars are great choices! The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety identified a best-choices list of “recommended used vehicles for teens starting under $20,000." From that list, we identified the five best-selling vehicles at CarMax in November 2017 with average prices less than $20,000.1 Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Click here to look up a specific vehicle.
There's just something about the raw driving experience a manual transmission car gives you. Whether you want to shift up and down through the gears on country lanes, or you just want to be fully in charge of your vehicle, you'll be able to find something in this list of cars that offer manual transmission, based on CarMax sales data from September 1, 2019, through February 29, 2020.
Compact SUVs
A small SUV makes a great choice if you're commuting from the countryside into the city. Here's our list of the best-selling compact SUVs, based on customer reviews, select vehicle specs, and RepairPal reliability ratings.2
Get the best of both worlds with a crossover. You get the small footprint of a car, with the ride height and rugged good looks of an SUV. Take a look at this list of the best crossover SUVs, based on CarMax sales data from November 1, 2019, through April 30, 2020.
Need something that fits your eco-conscious lifestyle? Here are our five best-selling electric cars, based on CarMax sales data from February 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020, to give you some inspiration.
Hatchbacks
Hatchbacks are easy to drive and small but with plenty of cargo space—great for a commuter car or daily driver. Take a look at this list of the five best-selling hatchbacks, based on CarMax sales data from November 1, 2019, through April 30, 2020, to start your search.
If high mpg is a priority for you, one of these cars could be a good choice. These are the best-selling high-mpg cars, based on CarMax sales data from November 1, 2019, through April 30, 2020, and EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov.3 Please note that EPA fuel-economy estimates vary depending on things like drivetrain, engine size, and transmission.
- 2017 Chevrolet Volt (2WD 1.4L)
- 2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid (2WD 2.0L)
- 2017 Honda Civic (2WD 1.5L)
- 2018 Nissan Versa (2WD 1.6L)
- Tie: 2019 Kia Forte (2WD 2.0L) & 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze (2WD 1.4L)
Our Best High-MPG Cars article can help you get more familiar with these vehicles.
Hybrid Cars
A hybrid car combines a gas engine with an electric motor, designed to provide instant torque acceleration and the ability to go longer between fuel stops. Take a look at this list of the five best-selling hybrid cars based on CarMax sales data from February 1, 2020, through July 31, 2020.
If you'd like to find out more about used hybrids, check out our Best Hybrid Cars article.
Hybrid SUVs
If hybrid power is appealing and you're after more space for passengers and their things, take a look at this list of the best-selling hybrid SUVs, based on CarMax sales data from February 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020.
Large SUVs
Looking for lots of space for road trips, DIY projects, or adventures with your favorite people? A large SUV could suit you. Take a look at the best-selling large SUVs based on CarMax sales data from May 1, 2020, through October 31, 2020.
Luxury Cars
Luxury cars feature high-end equipment and a plush interior. Want to know more? Start with these best-selling luxury cars, based on CarMax sales data from April 1, 2020, through September 30, 2020.
Luxury SUVs
If a well-appointed interior, luxurious good looks, and plenty of room are at the top of your list, take a look at these best-selling luxury SUVs, based on CarMax sales data from April 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020.
Midsize SUVs
Not too big, not too small. A midsize SUV is a great choice if you need to balance space and size. Here are five of the best, based on customer reviews, select vehicle specs, and RepairPal reliability ratings.2
Minivans
The ultimate people mover, minivans are versatile and comfortable. Here are the best-selling models based on customer reviews, select vehicle specs, and RepairPal reliability ratings.2
Muscle Cars
Iconic shapes, roaring engines, and plenty of creature comforts are typical of modern muscle cars. Take a look at this list of the best-selling models based on CarMax sales data from November 1, 2019, through April 30, 2020.
Pickup trucks are great for the worksite, camping trips, or carrying DIY materials. Take a look at this list of the best-selling pickup trucks based on customer reviews, select vehicle specs, and RepairPal reliability ratings.2
Small Cars
Need city-friendly maneuverability on top of all the usual technology and features? A small car might be right for you. Take a look at this list of the best-selling models, based on CarMax sales data from May 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020.
Small Trucks
All that great truck utility but in a city-friendly package. Take a look at this list of the best-selling small trucks based on CarMax sales data from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020.
You have a wealth of choice when it comes to the supremely versatile midsize sedan. Start your search with this list of the best-selling models, based on CarMax sales data from April 1, 2020, through September 30, 2020.
Sports Cars
Need a car that's designed to give you a thrilling drive and put a smile on your face? It might be time to buy a sports car. Start with this list of the best-selling models based on CarMax sales data from November 1, 2019, through April 30, 2020.
Whether you've got a large family, you regularly go on vacation with friends, or you just like to use the carpool lane, a three-row SUV provides plenty of space for passengers and their things. Take a look at these best-selling models—based on CarMax sales data from May 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020—to get your search started.
If you're looking for a fuel-sipping SUV, start your search with this list of the best-selling models, based on CarMax sales data from November 1, 2019, through April 30, 2020—and city and highway EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov.3 Please note that EPA fuel-economy estimates vary depending on things like drivetrain, engine size, and transmission.
Have a used car you're looking to sell? We've partnered with car-review experts, Edmunds, to help when you're buying or selling a car. Check out our Sell My Car tool to see your offer online.
Ready to find your next used car, truck, or SUV? CarMax can help you find the one that's right for you. Get started right here.
1Based on prices on carmax.com from November 1, 2019, through April 30, 2020, and September 1, 2019, through February 29, 2020. Actual prices may vary based on your selected model year, features, and trim packages. Prices do not include taxes, tags, titles, and any applicable fees.
2RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2010-2019 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features. Learn more at www.carmax.com/repairpal-reliability.
3Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new. Fuel economy may vary for reasons like driving conditions and vehicle history. Unless specified, figures are for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. See fueleconomy.gov.
Unless otherwise noted, information related to these featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.