New Report: 10 Used Car Models That Are the Best Buys

The study reveals a wide variety of cars to drive off the lot.

By PJ Gach

Edited by Kristi Pahr

Updated Dec. 17, 2024

New car prices skyrocketed a few years ago, and though they have come down incrementally, interest rates are at historic highs. Inflation and high rates have made it hard to cut car costs and even more so to buy a brand-new car. So where should savvy consumers look for their next ride?

The used car market. Many used vehicles are in great condition, inside and out, and quite a few vehicles hold onto their value and will provide you with years of trouble-free driving.

If the idea of researching pre-owned cars gives you a migraine, you’re in luck — Iseecars.com recently conducted a massive survey to figure out the best five-year-old used cars on the market. Here are their picks for the ten best five-year-old cars.

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How the research was conducted

Vehicles were evaluated by age and purchase price per 10,000 miles of remaining lifespan. Only cars with at least 100,000 miles of remaining life were included.

The top ten includes vehicles from Chevrolet, Honda, and Buick, with Ford, Dodge, and Toyota models conspicuously absent though certain models did make appearances farther down the list.

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Chevrolet Trax

Price per 10K Miles: $1,442
Average Price: $17,274
Remaining Lifespan (Miles): 119,833
Remaining Lifespan: 64.9%

The Chevrolet Trax is an SUV known for its roomy interior and fuel efficiency. It has a towing capacity of 1,263 pounds, reliable handling, and a modern in-dash infotainment system.

Honda Fit

Price per 10K Miles: $1,473
Average Price: $19,049
Average Lifespan (Miles): 123,319
Remaining Lifespan: 67.7%

The Honda Fit is a roomy subcompact hatchback with front-wheel drive. It has an infotainment system that’s comparable to those found in high-end luxury cars, with an onboard navigation system, USB ports, and Bluetooth capability. The Fit’s software is compatible with both Apple and Android products.

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Honda Insight

Price per 10K Miles: $1,485
Average Price: $22,109
Average Lifespan (Miles): 148,885
Remaining Lifespan:68.8%

The Honda Insight is a hybrid compact sedan with zippy acceleration and a comfortable cabin with plenty of storage and fold-down rear seats. It has a touchscreen infotainment system and is compatible with Android and iOS devices.

Buick Encore

Price per 10K Miles: $1,492
Average Price: $18,632
Average Lifespan (Miles): 124,853
Remaining Lifespan: 67.6%

This small SUV has a spacious cabin, upgraded interior, a smooth ride. It’s a reliable choice with an intuitive infotainment system and available turbocharged engine in some models.

Mitsubishi Outlander

Price per 10K Miles: $1,498
Average Price: $17,188
Remaining Lifespan (Miles): 114,789
Remaining Lifespan: 62.9%

This sturdy SUV offers a plug-in hybrid with third seating not usually seen in SUVs of this size. It is reliable and has been known to last for at least 15 years. It boasts a roomy cargo area and is one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs on the market.

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Honda Accord

Price per 10K Miles: $1,542
Average Price: $24,074
Remaining Lifespan (Miles): 156,146
Remaining Lifespan: 69.1%

This sleek midsize sedan has long been one of America’s favorite cars. In 1989, it was the best-selling car in the US, a title it held until 1991, and by 2020, an estimated 18 million had been sold. It’s fuel efficient, designed well, and built to last — many Accords boast over 300,000 miles.

Honda CR-V

Price per 10K Miles: $1,588
Average Price: $25,434
Remaining Lifespan (Miles): 160,207
Remaining Lifespan: 70.8%

This compact SUV boasts a lot of power for its size. Available in both front and all-wheel models, CRVs are known for their responsiveness, reliable performance, and fuel economy. Some models have a standard wireless charging pad, and the entertainment system is compatible with both Android and IOS systems.

Honda Ridgeline

Price per 10K Miles: $1,647
Average Price: $30,026
Remaining Lifespan (Miles): 182,288
Remaining Lifespan: 71.2%

The Ridgeline is a midsize pickup truck known for its reliability. The interior is plush and has tri-zone automatic climate control, smartphone integration, and no-nonsense fuel economy.

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Toyota Avalon

Price per 10K Miles: $$1,694
Average Price: $29,118
Remaining Lifespan (Miles): 171,839
Remaining Lifespan: 73%

The nicely designed full-size sedan has a roomy, luxurious interior with easy-to-use controls. It offers a smooth ride and has a fuel-saving start/stop mode that automatically shuts off the engine when the car is idling. There are gas and hybrid models available.

Jeep Renegade

Price per 10K Miles: $1,716
Average Price: $20,026
Remaining Lifespan (Miles): 116,728
Remaining Lifespan: 65.6%

The sporty, subcompact SUV is loaded with safety features and is available in two- and four-wheel drive. It handles well in tight turns and offers ample headroom for a subcompact, but the backseat legroom might be a squeeze for an adult. The dashboard is thoughtfully laid out and interfaces with both Android and iOS devices.

The top 10 five-year-old cars to purchase

Rank	Model	Price per 10 Miles	Average Price	Remaining Lifespan (Miles)	Remaining Lifespan (%)
1.	Chevrolet Trax	$1,442	$17,274	119,833	64.9%
2.	Honda Fit	$1,473	$19,049	129,319	67.7%
3.	Honda Insight	$1,485	$22,109	148,885	68.8%
4.	Buick Encore	$1,492	$18,632	124,852	67.6%
5.	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport	$1,498	$17,188	114,789	62.9%
6.	Honda Accord	$1,542	$24,074	156,146	69.1%
7.	Honda CR-V	$1,588	$25,434	160,207	70.8%
8.	Honda Ridgeline	$1,647	$30,026	182,288	71.2%
9.	Toyota Avalon	$1,694	$29,118	171,839	73.0%
10.	Jeep Renegade	$1,716	$20,026	116,728	65.6%

Bottom line

Between inflation and high interest rates, if a new car is off the table, it’s a good idea to look at used cars. Late model used vehicles from Chevrolet, Honda, Jeep, Mitsubishi, and Buick all offer a reasonable sticker price and reliability that you can count on for years to come.

When you expand your buying options, you can find a good deal on a car or SUV that still has plenty of life left in it and keep more money in your wallet.

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