The Best Used Cars

Consumer Reports Says These Are the Top Brands

Budget shoppers don’t need to settle for less than the best. They just need to buy used cars from one of these top brands.

Everyone needs reliable transportation, even those on a tight budget. Used car dealerships provide a solution, but many people hesitate to purchase pre-owned vehicles because they don’t know what to expect.

Consumer Reports compiled a helpful list of the top five automotive brands for used cars for shoppers. We’ll take a look at who makes the cut and why below.

1. Toyota

Toyota may be the best-known Japanese automaker. One of the things the company is known for is manufacturing reliable cars that can last well into the 300,000-mile range. Popular models to buy used include the Corolla, RAV4, and Tacoma.

2. Lexus

It’s unsurprising that Lexus also makes the list, given Toyota owns the company and most of its vehicles use Toyota engines. However, unlike Toyota, Lexus is a luxury brand. You’ll find comfortable, stylish cabins, smooth rides, and dependable performance. Popular models include the RX, ES, and NX.

3. Mazda

Mazda may not be as popular as Toyota, but this Japanese automaker is also lauded for its vehicles’ longevity and reliability. Mazda owners report that style and handling are two top factors that keep them returning to the brand. Popular models include the CX-5, MX-5 Miata, and Mazda3.

4. Honda

Honda is a better-known name in the automotive world. The automaker produces practical vehicles that stay on the road for decades when provided with the proper maintenance. Popular models include the Accord, Odyssey, and CR-V.

5. Acura

Much like Toyota’s Lexus, Acura is owned by Honda, and the company represents its luxury vehicles. Acura vehicles generally use Honda engines and many of their parts, which makes them both long-lasting and easy to maintain or repair as needed. Popular models include the MDX, RDX, and TLX.

What Consumer Reports Looked For

While every buyer is looking for something different at used car dealerships, Consumer Reports knows that there are two factors every shopper cares about: reliability and safety. Most used car buyers also want vehicles that provide long-term savings at the pump and the mechanic.

Consumer Reports used data collected from direct product testing and surveys of its millions of members to determine common vehicle problems and what they cost to fix.

Since the organization has operated for decades, they have accumulated a wealth of data on all the popular car brands and models. To create its list of the top five used cars of 2025, Consumer Reports aggregated reliability scores for five and ten-year-old models from 26 automakers.

You can’t entirely negate the risk of something going wrong with a used car. There’s always a chance that any vehicle will experience an unexpected mechanical failure, leaving its owner with a hefty mechanic bill. However, buying from the brands above is a great way to reduce the chances of that happening.