Going used car shopping in 2020? This guide will help.
What are the best used car and best SUVs when you’re looking to buy in 2020? We’ve got some recommendations.
Ranked by Price:
Ranked by Type:
- AWD
- AWD SUVs
- Car-Seat-Friendly
- For Teens
- Manual Transmission
- Compact SUVs
- Crossover SUVs
- Electric Cars
- Hatchbacks
- High-MPG
- Hybrid
- Hybrid SUVs
- Luxury
- Large SUVs
- Luxury SUVs
- Midsize SUVs
- Minivan
- Muscle Cars
- Pickup Trucks
- Small Cars
- Small Trucks
- Midsize Sedans
- Sports Cars
- SUVs with 3 Rows
- SUVs with the Best Gas Mileage
Under $10,0001
Are you a budget-conscious student or first-time buyer feeling excited about getting a new-to-you car? Check out this list of the best cars with average prices under $10,000, based on CarMax sales and pricing data from May 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019.1 Be aware that select trim configurations and model years may bring the prices of some of these vehicles over $10,000.
Under $15,0001
Don't want to break the bank for your next purchase? These five vehicles all had average prices at CarMax under $15,000, based on CarMax sales and pricing data between March 1, 2019 – August 31, 2019.1 Be aware that upper-trim configurations and certain model years may bring the prices of some of these vehicles over $15,000:
Under $30,0001
Got a little more money to spend? Take a look at these cars with average prices under $30,000, based on CarMax sales and pricing data from November 1, 2018 through April 30, 2019.1 Be aware that certain model years and trim configurations may bring the prices of some of these vehicles over $30,000:
AWD Cars
All-weather driving is what all-wheel-drive cars do best, giving you the confidence to tackle all road conditions. Check out this list based on CarMax sales data from May 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019:
AWD SUVs
Looking for a bit more space and a great driving experience both on- and off-road? Here are five of our top AWD SUVs, based on CarMax sales from March 1, 2019 – August 31, 2019:
To read more about these five vehicles, check out our 10 Best AWD Cars article.
Car-Seat Friendly
Got little ones to transport around with you? 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 (IIHS) 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(IIHS) 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 that with average prices less than $20,000.1 Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Click here to look up a specific vehicle.
Manual Transmission
There's nothing quite like the feeling of driving a stick-shift! Here are five of our best-selling manual transmission cars, based on available features and sales at CarMax from March 1, 2019 – August 31, 2019:
Compact SUVs
Want an SUV that's small on the outside but big on the inside? Here's our list of the best-selling compact SUVs, based on CarMax data from May 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019:
Crossover SUVs
These vehicles really offer the best of both worlds. The maneuverability of a car with the space and utility of an SUV. This list of crossover SUVs is based on CarMax sales from May 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019.
Electric Cars
The future is electric and the future is now. Here's our five best-selling electric cars, gathered from CarMax sales data from May 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019:
Hatchbacks
Storage of a sedan, body of a compact? That's the classic hatchback formula. Check out these five best-selling used hatchbacks, based on CarMax vehicle and sales data between May 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019:
High-MPG Cars
Want to spend less time at the pump? Here are five vehicles with good fuel-economy figures, based on CarMax sales from May 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019, and EPA-estimates from fueleconomy.gov:2
- Tie: 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid 2WD 2.0L 4 C Automatic & 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid 2WD 2.0L 4 C Automatic
- 2016 Honda Civic 2WD 1.5L 4 C Automatic
- Tie: 2018 Nissan Versa 2WD 1.6L 4 C Automatic & 2017 Nissan Versa 2WD 1.6lL4 C Automatic
Our Best High-MPG Cars article can help you get more familiar with these vehicles.
Hybrid Cars
Hybrids combine conventional power with an electric motor to great effect. Here are five of the best-selling hybrids, based on CarMax sales from May 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019:
For more best used cars that are hybrids, check out our Best Hybrid Cars article.
Hybrid & Electric SUVs
Looking for a hybrid that's able to carry five or more passengers? Our sales data from May 1, 2019 – October 31, 2019 shows these to be our top-selling hybrid SUVs.
Large SUVs
Sometimes, bigger is better—especially when you're looking for a rugged and versatile SUV. Take a look at this list of the best large SUVs, based on CarMax sales data from May 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019:
Luxury Cars
Style, comfort, and a well-appointed interior? Welcome to the world of luxury cars. Look for standard equipment such as high-end sound systems, leather seats, and driver-assist features. Check out these used luxury vehicles based on CarMax vehicle and sales data from November 1, 2018 – April 30, 2019:
Luxury SUVs
Here are five of our best-selling used luxury SUVs, based on CarMax vehicle sales data on all cars sold with prices over $30,000 from November 1, 2018 through April 30, 2019. Look out for high-end features, a variety of available powertrains, and plenty of space to boot:
Midsize SUVs
Three-row seating and plenty of luggage capacity are just two things most midsize SUVs offer. Based on CarMax sales data from May 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019, here is our list of the best-selling midsize SUVs:
Minivans
Nothing moves people and cargo with room to spare like a minivan. According to sales data from May 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019, here's our best-selling models:
Muscle Cars
Striking looks and lots of horsepower are just two reasons why muscle cars are so desirable. Here's our list of the best muscle cars, based on CarMax sales data from May 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019:
Pickup Trucks
Which iconic pickup brand should you go for? Here's our list of the best pickup trucks, based on CarMax sales data from May 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019. All provide utility, style and a wide range of available configurations and features:
Small Cars
Need a fun and funky small car to handle the daily commute and city driving? Our list of the best-selling small cars is based on CarMax sales collected from May 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019:
Small Trucks
Need the utility of a pickup truck in a slightly smaller package? There's plenty of small trucks out there for you. To help you find the best small truck for you, check out our list of the best small trucks on CarMax sales data from May 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019:
Midsize Sedans
Roomy interior, plenty of luggage space, and performance all in one? The midsize sedan can do it all. Start your search with this list of the best midsize sedans based on sales at CarMax from November 1, 2018 through April 30, 2019:
Sports Cars
Ready for the drive of your life? These best sports cars (based on CarMax sales data from June 1, 2018 through November 30, 2018) offer something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a muscle car, something with AWD, or a practical hatchback, this list is a great place to start:
SUVs with 3 Rows
Specifically require three rows from your SUV? Based on CarMax sales data between May 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019, these are our top five best picks for three-row SUVs:
SUVs with the Best Gas Mileage
A big SUV doesn't have to be a gas-guzzler. Take a look at our list of the SUVs with the best mpg, based on CarMax sales data from May 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019 and using city and highway fuel-economy data from fueleconomy.gov.1 Please note EPA fuel-economy estimates vary depending on things like drivetrain, engine size, and transmission:
- Tie: 2016 Buick Encore 2WD 1.4L 4 C Automatic & 2017 Buick Encore 2WD 1.4L 4 C Automatic
- Tie: 2018 Nissan Rogue 2WD 2.5L 4 C Automatic & 2017 Nissan Rogue 2WD 2.5L 4 C Automatic
- Tie: 2016 Nissan Rogue 2WD 2.5L 4 C Automatic & 2018 Chevrolet Equinox 2WD 1.5L 4 C Automatic & 2016 Honda CR-V 2WD 2.4L 4 C Automatic
Ready to shop? We love helping shoppers find the best used cars and trucks that are right for them — not just for right now, but for right on down the road in the years to come. Get started right here.
1Actual prices may vary based on your selected features and trim packages. Prices do not include taxes, tags, titles, and any applicable fees.
2Fuel economy figures vary depending on factors like model year, specific trim level, transmission type, engine size, and drive-train. See fueleconomy.gov for details.
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.