The 8 best used cars for less than $20,000, according to Consumer Reports
Car prices are soaring — and many Americans simply can't afford to buy a vehicle new.
If your budget maxes out at $20,000 and you're looking to purchase a car, Consumer Reports has you covered. It made a list of some of its highest-rated vehicles you can currently buy used for under $20,000.
Continue reading to see which vehicles make the list:
A 2019 Audi (VWAGY) A4 tends to sell for somewhere between $16,400 - $19,900. It gets around 28 miles per gallon and scored well on Consumer Reports road tests.
The 2018 Camry Hybrid gets a reported 43 miles per gallon and received stellar scores from Consumer Reports. It sells for somewhere between $15,725 - $18,500
Consumer Reports says the Lexus (TM) NX is a reliable choice and the 2017 model usually retails between $16,450 - $19,825. It gets a reported 25 miles per gallon.
The 2016 Highlander Hybrid is a great choice for a midsized SUV. It gets a reported 26 miles per gallon and scored nicely on Consumer Reports road tests.
A used 2021 Sportage retails for between $14,825 - $19,275 and gets a nice reliability score from Consumer Reports. It gets an average of 23 miles per gallon.
The 2017 Honda (HMC) Accord Hybrid gets a stellar 48 miles per gallon and is Consumer Reports recommended. It currently sells for between $13,400 - $17,700.
If you're looking for a newer model, the 2022 Impreza is retailing between $15,350 - $21,025, gets an nice 32 miles per gallon, and is Consumer Reports recommended.
Consumer Reports says a 2020 CX-9, which retails between $16,500 - $22,900, is a family-friendly, 3-row SUV.
For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
71 West Location Is Officially Open for Business!
AUSTIN, Texas, June 12, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Autocraft Bodywerks is proud to announce the opening of its fourth state-of-the-art collision repair center, located on State Highway 71 in Spicewood, Texas. This new 23,000-square-foot facility has achieved I-CAR Gold Class status and is proudly sponsored by BMW of South Austin and Audi of South Austin, as it works toward becoming the only BMW and Audi-certified collision repair center in the area. The company's expanded footprint, led by Manager Robbie Mulderrig will better serve customers in West Austin, Westlake, Bee Cave, Lakeway, Spicewood, and the surrounding communities. Conveniently located at 22110 State Hwy 71W, Spicewood, TX 78669, the new Autocraft Bodywerks location brings over 40 years of industry experience to the region. Known for its exceptional customer service, Autocraft Bodywerks is committed to the highest quality repairs using only OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts, purchased directly from vehicle manufacturers. 'Autocraft has proudly served the Austin community since 1984,' said Principal Chris Raeder. 'This new, state-of-the-art facility gives our guests another convenient option for trusted collision repair. Our goal is to bring advanced repair solutions to more Austin-area communities for when they need them most.' Choosing the right collision center after an accident is crucial. For more information about Autocraft Bodywerks and the services we offer, contact us at any of our locations: Autocraft Bodywerks, now with locations in South Austin, North Austin, San Marcos, and Bee Cave | 71 West serving the Lakeway, Spicewood, Bee Caves and surrounding communities, is a locally owned and operated Austin, Texas based collision repair company that has been restoring Automotive Dreams Since 1984. Autocraft is approved for Porsche, Tesla, Rivian, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Lucid, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, and Ford/Lincoln collision repairs, with the training and equipment to handle all aspects of collision repairs for these high-tech vehicles. In addition, Autocraft is Austin's premier I-CAR Gold Class body shop specializing in the repair and restoration of luxury vehicles. Autocraft Bodywerks combines the latest technology and the most comprehensive training available to repair all makes and models of damaged vehicles and restore them back to the original factory specifications for performance and structural integrity. The team of collision repair specialists at Autocraft Bodywerks has years, and in many cases, decades of experience in automotive collision repair. Autocraft Bodywerks is Aluminum Certified. Autocraft Bodywerks uses only OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) replacement parts. For more information about Autocraft Bodywerks services please call Autocraft Bodywerks South at 512-441-7444, Autocraft Bodywerks North at 737-238-3752, Autocraft Bodywerks San Marcos at 512-214-8696, Autocraft Bodywerks Bee Cave | 71 West at 512-266-2512, or visit MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION: Chris Raeder Autocraft Bodywerks 512-441-7444 [email protected] NEWS SOURCE: Autocraft Bodywerks Keywords: Automotive Repair, Autocraft Bodywerks, I-Car Gold Class Certified, best austin body shop, OEM only, tesla approved Body Shop, porsche collision, rivian collision, AUSTIN, Texas This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Autocraft Bodywerks) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P126918 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Would Dave Ramsey Finance a New Car? 5 Things He Says About Big Auto Purchases
A car is often the second-largest purchase most Americans make, and it can cost them a lot of money. Recent data reveals the average price of a new car is $48,699 in June 2025, according to CarEdge. The average price of a used car is roughly half that at $25,547, per CarEdge. Read Next: Find Out: Either is expensive, but personal finance guru Dave Ramsey is on record about how best to handle such purchases, most notably his strong opposition to financing a new car. Here are five things Ramsey has said to keep in mind when you're in the market for a car. Ramsey regularly preaches to avoid new cars altogether, as they can drag on the finances of most Americans. The reasons are manifold but largely come down to cost and depreciation. 'You don't want too much of your money tied up in things that depreciate (go down in value). And cars, trucks, and things with motors depreciate big time,' Ramsey said in an X post. The average used car is roughly half the cost of a new one, allowing you to put funds toward other responsibilities and goals, which aligns with Ramsey's mentality. Furthermore, new cars lose a significant portion of their value in the first five years of life, up to 60% of their value, according to Carfax. Check Out: The average monthly car payment is $754, according to Edmunds. And roughly 20% of new car buyers have payments exceeding $1,000. Committing to such a payment is a big no-no to Ramsey. 'The best car for you is the car you can afford to pay cash for. You want to own your vehicles, not the other way around,' Ramsey said in another X post. The reason is simple: It may free you up to invest cash for the long term. 'If you paid cash for a reliable, used car and invested that average car payment amount into good mutual funds from age 25 until retirement, you'd have millions in your investments by age 65,' Ramsey added in the tweet. Paying cash for a car seems impossible, but it beats having a burdensome monthly payment that hinders your budget. Budgeting is key to achieving financial goals in Ramsey's mind. Purchasing a car is no different. Having a car-buying budget ensures you purchase something you can afford and, hopefully, avoid a large car payment. 'It all starts with a budget. A budget helps you make sure you're getting a car you can actually afford,' according to an article on the Ramsey Solutions website. A good way to do this is to save money each month in a high-yield savings account to grow until you have the funds necessary to purchase the car you want. It's easy to forget about auto insurance costs when purchasing a new-to-you car. One reason to avoid a pricey new car is it's likely going to cost more to insure than a reliable used car, possibly adding hundreds of dollars more to annual costs. 'The truth is, new cars cost more to repair or replace — so they cost more to insure (especially if they come with fancy extras like backup cameras and blind spot sensors). And even with some of the latest safety technology, insurance companies rarely offer discounts to new-car drivers for having those features,' according to an article on the Ramsey Solutions website. Car dealers love to add costly extras like rust-proofing, roof racks or extended warranties. Most simply bloat the total cost unnecessarily. 'These dealer-added extras can increase the price of the car by hundreds of dollars,' per the Ramsey Solutions website. Instead of opting for extras, put the cash in your emergency fund to handle expensive car repairs or other expenses. More From GOBankingRates 10 Unreliable SUVs To Stay Away From Buying This article originally appeared on Would Dave Ramsey Finance a New Car? 5 Things He Says About Big Auto Purchases


Fox News
3 hours ago
- Fox News
Ending California's EPA power-grab will jump-start American auto and RV manufacturing
President Donald Trump and Republicans in the House and Senate on Thursday finally ended California's outsized authority to dictate national emissions standards for new cars, trucks, RVs and engines. This win is another step toward rebuilding American manufacturing strength. The EPA, under President Joe Biden, granted California exemption waivers to the Clean Air Act, handing California the keys to set their own extreme emissions regulations – including the requirement that nearly all vehicles sold in the state must be electric by 2035. Knowing that the people's representatives in Congress would reject their most extreme policies, the Biden administration had to rely on these workarounds to push their Green New Scam agenda. Biden's Clean Air Act waiver allowed other states to follow California's lead, creating a patchwork of misguided rules. More than a dozen states and D.C. follow California's standards, drastically changing the dynamics of America's critical auto and RV manufacturing industry without Congress having a say. In practice, this means California effectively set the standards for the automotive industry, and most Americans have been forced to live under a regulatory framework that none of our representatives ever voted on. This ends now. Rep. Yakym, R-Ind., along with House Republicans, took action to end this power grab, passing three disapproval resolutions under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal the EPA waivers. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., shepherded these three measures through the Senate, which today earned President Trump's signature. Republicans across the country knew there was no time to waste. Beginning this year, California's Advanced Clean Trucks regulations would have started requiring new heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks and RVs, to be zero-emission. This regulation threatened the RV supply chain by limiting the availability of chassis for motor homes. Eleven states and D.C. adopted this mandate, which impacts 25% of the heavy-duty vehicle market in the United States, essentially making it the new national standard. The stakes couldn't be higher for the Hoosier State, especially Indiana's Second District, home to Rep. Yakym and the RV Capital of the World, where nearly 90% of America's RVs are built. This industry directly supports more than 60,000 Hoosier jobs, pays over $4.3 billion in wages, and generates a total economic output of $22 billion across the state. RV production is also critical to many other states which is why 13 Democrats joined Republicans in the bipartisan, commonsense vote against the Biden EPA's RV waiver. Reversing California's emissions power grab is essential to RV, automotive and engine manufacturing industries in the state of Indiana and across America. The Clean Air Act was never intended to effectively give one state the power to dictate emissions standards for entire industries across the country. Congress prohibited states from establishing separate vehicle and engine regulations except under "compelling and extraordinary conditions" that apply specifically to that state. We've seen this before. As a U.S. senator, Gov. Braun used the Congressional Review Act to stop Biden's vaccine mandate for private businesses, a fight that ended with the Supreme Court striking it down. The CRA exists for moments like this, an expedited option to rein in the executive branch, reverse unnecessary red tape and prohibit substantially similar EPA actions in the future. Hardworking Hoosiers shouldn't have to bear the weight of federal overreach. National rules should be set by the people's elected representatives, not by unelected regulators or one state's agenda. Ending this EPA-California backroom deal will protect American jobs, unlock our full manufacturing potential, and ensure the shift to electric vehicles is driven by innovation and consumer choice, not bureaucrats in Washington or Los Angeles. We applaud Republicans in the House and Senate and President Trump for taking a strong stand against the previous administration's Green New Deal overreach. The result will be stronger American manufacturing of cars, trucks, RVs and engines. Rep. Rudy Yakym, a Republican, represents Indiana's 2nd Congressional District.