Midsize Car

10 Best Used Cars Under $15,000

With inflation and supply issues driving up prices on new cars, used car prices are rising alongside demand, 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. 2013 Toyota Avalon

2013 Toyota Avalon in silver.

The 2013 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. See 2013 Toyota Avalon models for sale near you

2. 2015 Honda Accord

2015 Honda Accord Hybrid in blue.

The 2015 Honda Accord was available as a family sedan, a stylish coupe, or an efficient hybrid. 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. See 2015 Honda Accord models for sale near you

3. 2014 Toyota Camry

2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid in blue.

If the Avalon is simply too big for your needs, the 2014 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. There are several trim levels that range from practical to relatively luxurious. See 2014 Toyota Avalon models for sale near you

4. 2018 Honda Civic

2018 Honda Civic in white.

The newest car on the list is also one of the best all-rounders, with great efficiency, a spacious interior, a comfortable yet sporty ride, and sharp looks, the 2018 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. See 2018 Honda Civic models for sale near you

5. 2017 Toyota Corolla

2017 Toyota Corolla in white.

The 2017 Toyota Corolla is Toyota’s 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 in affordable value, with even the nearly-loaded XLE trim within reach of a $15,000 budget, bringing with it features like faux-leather seating, keyless start and entry, and a power driver’s seat. See 2017 Toyota Corolla models for sale near you

6. 2015 Subaru Legacy

2015 Subaru Legacy in silver.

The 2015 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 250-horsepower 2.0 XT. See 2015 Subaru Legacy models for sale near you

7. 2015 Toyota Prius

2015 Toyota Prius in red.

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 2015 Toyota Prius. This is a great choice if you want a good commuter car that gets terrific fuel economy — it’s rated for 48 mpg combined and a stellar 50 mpg around town. It also offers a lot of space for cargo. See 2015 Toyota Prius models for sale near you

8. 2016 Mazda CX-3

2016 Mazda CX-3 in red.

Sleek style and premium feel give the 2016 Mazda CX-3 an ambiance that belies its affordability. Capable of up to 35 mpg on the highway (or 32 mpg with the optional AWD system), the CX-3 is also dynamically engaging, allowing the enthusiast who needs an efficient SUV but wants a sports car to have their automotive cake and eat it, too. See 2016 Mazda CX-3 models for sale near you

9. 2017 Kia Soul

2017 Kia Soul in orange.

Boxy, funky, and packed with value, the 2017 Kia Soul fits our budget in even its top “!” trim (yes, it’s denoted by an exclamation mark, also called the “Exclaim” trim), meaning you’ll get a 201-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter engine good for 31 mpg on the highway, upgraded equipment, and, on some examples, a panoramic sunroof and Harman/Kardon audio. See 2017 Kia Soul models for sale near you

10. 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen

2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen in blue.

If you need the space of a compact SUV but you don’t want the bulk, meet the 2017 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, equipped with features like heated front seats, Fender audio, and a panoramic sunroof. See 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen models for sale near you

10 Best Used Cars Under $15,000

  1. 2013 Toyota Avalon
  2. 2015 Honda Accord
  3. 2014 Toyota Camry
  4. 2018 Honda Civic
  5. 2017 Toyota Corolla
  6. 2015 Subaru Legacy
  7. 2015 Toyota Prius
  8. 2016 Mazda CX-3
  9. 2017 Kia Soul
  10. 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen