Despite SUVs being more popular than ever, sedans are still very much in vogue. If you’re after one as your potential next used car purchase, thankfully, there are so many different makes, models, and generations to choose from. We’ll save other body styles, such as hatchbacks and coupes, for another guide.
As with any used-vehicle shopping experience, you should spend time investigating the backstory of every individual car that you're considering. Check on certified pre-owned (CPO) options, observe the EPA-estimated fuel economy, check the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash-test data, and make sure you're aware of any remaining warranty.
Check out this list of what we consider many of the best used cars to get you started on your journey. We didn’t include any luxury cars or luxury sedans from premium brands like Volvo, Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz. That's not because there's anything wrong with those cars. It's just a sign that certain cars present better values on the used market than others. Let’s run through them!
The Best Used Sedans in 2025
- 2018 Toyota Avalon
- 2019 Hyundai Sonata
- 2018 Subaru Legacy
- 2018 Mazda6
- 2017 Honda Accord
- 2018 Mazda3
- 2016 Toyota Corolla
2018 Toyota Avalon
Best for: Buyers wanting a side of luxury to go with their used sedan
Price range: Under $30,000
In truth, this entire list could be filled with only used Toyotas, but that’s no fun for anyone. What is fun is buying a used Toyota Avalon. The former flagship sedan from Toyota can almost be described as a “big Camry,” but that doesn’t tell the whole story about the upscale midsize sedan. These large cars are relentlessly comfortable, refined, and smooth in a way that many luxury brands aspire to. The 2018 Avalon could reach deep into the $40,000 range, but now those prices have settled into the mid-$20,000 bracket for lightly used examples.
That money buys a car that is a Lexus in all but name. The Avalon’s powertrains, of which there are two, are both excellent. The hybrid powertrain uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motors to provide 200 combined horsepower, while the standard 3.5-liter V6 makes 268 hp and 248 pound-feet of torque. Either engine will provide a refined and relaxing driving experience, though the V6 can deliver true grunt when asked. That’s in addition to top trims’ desirable equipment, which includes leather upholstery, navigation, and more.
The 2018 Avalon earned a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS. That’s due to plentiful standard safety features, which include a pre-collision system, lane-departure alerts, automatic high beam headlights, radar cruise control, and more.
2019 Hyundai Sonata
Best for: Buyers wanting a well-equipped used vehicle with style
Price range: Under $20,000
With all the hype surrounding sedans from Toyota and Honda, it’s easy to forget that there are plenty of other great options on the market, one of which is the Hyundai Sonata. Recent models have picked up futuristic styling and the latest tech, but the cars from just a few years ago can be found with plenty of advanced and premium features for a much lower price.
Hyundai offered the Sonata with several powertrains for the 2019 model year. The base entry was a 185-hp, 2.4-liter inline-four. An up-rated, turbocharged 2.0-liter engine was also available, offering 245 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The Sonata Eco came with a 178-hp, 1.6-liter turbo-four, while the Sonata Hybrid model got a 154-hp, 2.0-liter inline-four paired with two electric motors.
From budget to plush, the Sonata’s got you covered. The base 2019 model came with a 7-inch touchscreen that could run Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while top trims got leather upholstery, a power moonroof, heated and ventilated seats, and more. Sportier models can also be found, with large alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, and upgraded brakes.
The Sonata was awarded a "Top Safety Pick+" safety rating designation for the 2019 model year. Hyundai stacked the cars with a long list of standard safety features that includes stability and traction control, a rear-view camera, and an advanced airbag system. Optional features were plentiful and affordable, so it’s easy to find a car with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and more.
2018 Subaru Legacy
Best for: Buyers wanting the stability and safety of standard all-wheel drive (AWD)
Price range: Under $20,000
Subaru has focused on safety and value over performance for many of its models, especially the Legacy. The result is a car that is less popular than heavy-hitters like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, but that offers as much, if not more, equipment and tech for the money. The 2018 Legacy hit a sweet spot between generous features, safety equipment, and confidence-inspiring driving experience. The Subaru is also the only car in its class that brings standard all-wheel drive (AWD) to the table.
The base 2018 Legacy came with 17-inch wheels, Bluetooth, USB inputs, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality. Upper trim levels added features, but not a whole lot more cost. The range-topping Limited trim incluided luxury features like leather upholstery, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and blind-spot monitors. Most Legacy sedans left the factory with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that made 175 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, but the Limited trim was available with a 3.6-liter flat-six that produced 256 hp and 247 lb-ft torque. The larger engine made for a much more engaging driving experience, but levied a big fuel-economy penalty as a result.
The 2018 Legacy’s safety scores left nothing to be desired. The car earned a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS. The Legacy didn’t come standard with an advanced safety suite, but the option was cheap enough when the car was new that it’s common to see many examples equipped with the tech on the used market. Subaru’s EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies included adaptive cruise control, active lane control, forward-collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams. Top trim levels were available with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
2018 Mazda6
Best for: Buyers who want an upscale, fun-to-drive sedan at a reasonable price
Price range: Under $20,000
Mazda found a way to connect the driving experience with an upscale interior, and somehow kept its prices reasonable along the way. Forget the Nissan Altima or Kia K5: The midsize Mazda6 sedan brought an engaging ride and offered enough room to keep the entire family happy for the long haul. Like Subaru with the Legacy, Mazda didn’t sell nearly as many Mazda6 sedans as Toyota and Honda did with their flagships, but it was certainly a hidden gem.
The Mazda6 arrived on dealer lots for the 2018 model year with dual-zone climate controls, six speakers, Bluetooth, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Stepping up a trim level or two netted a moonroof, Bose audio system, navigation, and more. The Mazda6 Sport was also available with a manual transmission, but those are far harder to find these days. At the top end, the car felt and drove like some of the best sedans from Europe, but without the crippling depreciation and sometimes sky-high maintenance bills. The standard 2.5-liter inline four made 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, while the top trims were available with a turbo-four that made 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
The Mazda6 earned a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS, which included one of the best scores for LATCH system ease of use. The cars were available with a full suite of advanced safety features for a relatively affordable price, which means it’s quite easy to find Mazda6 sedans equipped with the tech on the used market.
2017 Honda Accord
Best for: Buyers wanting great selection and solid predicted reliability
Price range: Under $20,000
The Honda Accord is one of the best cars that can be had at any price point, anywhere. Newer used models offer innovative and frugal hybrid powertrains, the latest (at the time) safety tech, and unrivaled comfort. There’s even enough power and stability for an engaging driving experience. The 2017 Accord is a great pick, because the prices have come down to a point of being reasonable.
The base 2017 Accord LX came with 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth, an 8-inch touchscreen, Pandora audio streaming, and more. Top trims left the factory with a full suite of advanced driver aids, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities, and a booming premium audio system. Navigation and leather upholstery could be tacked on as well. The Accord Hybrid can be found for not much more money than the standard car, and offers excellent fuel economy with a more-than-decent driving experience. The standard engine here was a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produced 185 hp and delivered it to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Accord V6 offered 278 hp, and the engine could shut down two of its cylinders for optimum fuel efficiency on the highway.
The Accord routinely lands at or near the top of safety score rankings for each model year, and 2017 was no exception. The car earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS, but only for vehicles equipped with optional safety gear and updated headlights. Even so, the chances of finding a pre-owned example equipped with the gear are quite high, due to the fact that so many Accords are sold each year in every configuration.
2018 Mazda3
Best for: Buyers wanting a sporty but premium-feeling small sedan
Price range: Under $20,000
In recent years, Mazda has been on a tear, producing some of the most interesting, compelling vehicles of any type. The same is true for the Mazda3, a small sedan that sports modern and attractive styling, and comes laden with upscale finishings not common from a mainstream brand. The current Mazda3 is the best yet, but it’s these older models that present the best value.
Under the hood, the 2018 Mazda3 could be had with one of two engines. The first was a 155-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Higher trims got a 184-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The 2018 model year also marked the first time that the car was available with Mazda’s i-Activesense safety equipment, which added automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition.
The 2018 Mazda3 scored a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS. That’s thanks in part to an excellent list of safety features, both standard and optional. The cars had standard hill-start assist, a rear-view camera, and an advanced airbag system. Upgraded vehicles can easily be found with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. The best part is that the Mazda3 is widely available on the used market for under $20,000.
2016 Toyota Corolla
Best for: Buyers wanting one of the most popular and solidly rated vehicles on the planet
Price range: Under $15,000
There are reliable cars, and then there is the Toyota Corolla. There won’t be much in the way of excitement when driving Toyota’s venerable subcompact, but there will be years of near-trouble-free ownership, cheap maintenance, and superb fuel economy. The 2016 Corolla brought a surprising level of refinement, equipment, and value, and could even be had with a manual transmission for those that preferred to row their own gears.
Inside, simplicity was the name of the game in the 2016 Corolla, but it was that characteristic that made the car so easy to use and live with on a daily basis. The base L trim level came with features like air conditioning, LED headlights, USB and iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, and more. Higher trims got niceties like a premium audio system, larger wheels, and selectable drive modes to improve the experience. Of course, that didn’t change the fact that every Corolla model was powered by a 1.8-liter inline-four that made 132 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. The engine, while not all that lively, at least produced excellent fuel economy of up to 42 mpg highway.
The 2016 Corolla missed out on a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, but scored mostly well in crash tests performed by the Institute. It earned "Good" ratings in all crashworthiness categories except for small overlap front driver-side, where it earned a "Marginal" score.
