The 8 Best Used Cars Under $20,000 (2024)
Source: Pixabay
In case you haven’t been paying attention, prices for new cars are skyrocketing. For many shoppers, it’s most sensible to look into the used car market for their next vehicle. As we emerge from the pandemic, used car prices have started to stabilize – this wasn’t the case during the pandemic when used cars were more expensive than new ones.
Aside from lower prices, buyers can avoid the initial depreciation that comes with new cars by buying a used model several years older. Remember that you may have to compromise on some cutting-edge features and technology. But with a $20,000 budget, budget-conscious consumers should be able to find a vehicle that can keep pace with newer models.
With that said, there’s no shortage of used cars you can buy for less than $20,000. At this price point, the sweet spots are with sedans and hatchbacks without resorting to really old models. Let’s check out some of the best used cars under $20,000.
NOT JUST FOR CAR SHOPPING
The CoPilot app isn’t just for buying a car - our new CoPilot for Owning tool will help you keep track of recalls and gives you advice on which scheduled maintenance tasks are most important.
1. 2018 Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has a long history as a trendy compact car in the U.S. for many good reasons. Whether you’re a sporty or practical driver, the 2018 Honda Civic offers one of the best driving experiences in its class – thanks to its excellent driving dynamics, refined engine options, comfortable ride, and agile handling. It boasts a roomy interior as well. The 2018 Honda Civic earned our top honors as one of the best used cars under $20,000.
A used 2018 Civic can be yours for about $16k to $18,995, depending on the trim and mileage. Check out a listing example of a used 2018 Honda Civic, and you’ll find many low-mileage units for under $20,000.
2. 2018 Nissan Leaf
If you’re ready to go all-electric but on a budget, the 2018 Nissan Leaf should be a solid option. As you might expect, it’s not the most glamorous electric car on the market. However, the price tag is more than worth it for its city-friendly driving range, reasonably large cargo area, and smooth ride. If you’re mainly driving in the city, its 150-mile electric range should be more than enough for your city-jaunting needs.
A used 2018 Nissan Leaf may cost you between $16,395-$18,995.
THE BEST TWO-SEATER CARS
If you’re in the market for a speedy two-seater, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of the best two-seater cars on the market today.
3. 2021 Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata offers a tremendous value proposition since you’re getting a lot of car for a relatively low price range. For under $20,000, you can buy a newer 2021 Sonata with plenty of standard modern features and safety technology. Furthermore, the Sonata stands out for its exaggerated but functional styling. It’s certainly an eye-catching family sedan through and through. The interior is stylish and somehow upmarket as well. Although the Sonata won’t make your hair stand to its end with its performance, it has excellent fuel economy.
For a used 2021 Sonata under $20,000, you’ll have to settle with the base SE trim.
4. 2019 Toyota Corolla
It’s hard to talk about the best used cars under $20,000 without mentioning the Toyota Corolla. Like many Toyota vehicles, the 2019 Corolla boasts high reliability ratings and top-notch fuel economy. It offers a combined 30 mpg, which is one of the most efficient in its class. Furthermore, the 2019 Corolla has plenty of passenger space, a cargo room, and a host of standard safety features. It’s hard to go wrong with a Corolla.
When shopping for a used 2019 Toyota Corolla, prepare to pay around $16,999-$19,000 for a low-mileage unit.
5. 2020 Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta checks many of the right boxes for a compact sedan. The Jetta is worth looking into if you’re in the market for an exceedingly fuel-efficient car with a pretty good cargo capacity. In addition, the 2020 Jetta provides a spacious interior, but the materials leave a lot to be desired. However, the Jetta more than makes up for it with a slick infotainment system and a host of standard safety and driver assistance features. The Jetta is a solid budget pick if you’re not particularly bothered by unengaging drive quality.
8 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING A USED CAR
So you’re in the market for a used vehicle? We’ve gone ahead and prepped some essential questions to ask when buying a used car.
6. 2021 Subaru Impreza
The 2021 Subaru Impreza becomes an instant buy for people looking for a sedan with standard all-wheel drive – it’s a Subaru, after all. The 2021 Impreza impresses with its roomy interior, intuitive infotainment system, and sporty handling. Although the flat-four-cylinder engine isn’t exactly the most energetic and offers sluggish acceleration, the Impreza has excellent fuel economy and high safety scores. Like many cars on this list, the 2021 Subaru Impreza is a value-filled package.
The 2021 Impreza has an MSRP below $20,000, so you won’t have difficulty finding a budget-friendly used unit with low miles.
7. 2020 Honda Fit
The 2020 Honda Fit is U.S. News’ top subcompact car, which once again makes us sad that it was discontinued. The 2020 Honda Fit boasts a surprisingly roomy interior for its class, a versatile cargo area, and best-in-class fuel economy – making it one of the best used cars under $20,000. Although it could benefit from added power, it still rides well for a small car. When it comes to versatility and practicality, the 2020 Honda Fit is the model to beat for subcompact hatchbacks.
With reasonable mileage, a used 2020 Fit will cost you between $14,000 to $18,500.
8. 2018 Mazda Mazda3
The compact Mazda3 line was never a subject of fanfare, but previous owners could attest to the Mazda 3’s fun-to-drive personality and joyous road manners. The 2018 Mazda Mazda3 is a driver’s car with agile handling, zippy engine options, and stylish looks. Its style also extends to its interiors, with an adequate infotainment system. It does have its fair share of drawbacks, like its limited cargo area and lack of interior amenities. However, the Mazda3 provides excellent fuel economy (30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway) and good reliability ratings.
It should be easy to shop for a used 2018 Mazda3, but you’ll probably have to stick with lower trims and higher mileage with a $20,000 budget.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
