Bargains in used cars are tougher to find. A dip in new-car sales and leases during the Great Recession means fewer three- and four-year-old used cars are entering the market. Plus, in the wake of the recession, buyers turned to used cars in a big way, tightening supply even more.
We picked ten vehicles -- five sedans, three crossovers, a wagon and a minivan -- that received top scores in Kiplinger\'s rankings for performance, value and safety, plus got high marks for reliability. We didn\'t pick super-fuel-efficient models, such as the Toyota Prius, because prices have soared to stratospheric levels. If you\'re in the market for a small car with high fuel-economy numbers, do the math and see whether a new model is a better value. For tips on finding bargains, check out our article on how to get the best deal on a used car.
Dealer and private-party prices are based on actual transactions reported by Edmunds.com for previously owned vehicles considered to be in \"clean\" condition and driven an average of 12,000 miles a year. We also include the certified used price of each vehicle, based on actual sales. Certified vehicles pass a rigorous inspection and include a warranty that goes beyond the car\'s original warranty.
2008 Hyundai Sonata GLS
Price when new: $19,545 (automatic)
Dealer used price: $9,902
Private-party price: $8,731
Certified used price: $11,480
MPG (city/hwy): 21/30
Hyundai\'s Sonata offers a thrifty 2.4-liter engine, standard stability control and six airbags. Plus, it keeps ownership costs low -- the brand\'s 5-year/60,000-miles new-car warranty and five-year no-charge roadside assistance transfer to new owners (they get the remainder of both). The famed 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, however, doesn\'t transfer.
Sponsored Content
2009 Subaru Impreza 2.5i sedan
Price when new: $18,190
Dealer used price: $12,191
Private-party price: $10,967
Certified used price: $12,859
MPG (city/hwy): 20/27
Engaging driving dynamics and Subaru\'s always-standard all-wheel drive are only part of the Impreza\'s appeal. It garnered a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and has side and side-curtain airbags. If a collision causes the front airbags to deploy, smart technology protects the driver and front-seat passenger. Sensors measure the driver\'s proximity to the steering wheel, as well as the passenger\'s weight (to determine whether a child or an adult is occupying the seat), and adjust the airbags\' force accordingly.
Sponsored Content
2009 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT
Price when new: $23,225
Dealer used price: $13,114
Private-party price: $11,937
Certified used price: $14,141
MPG (city/hwy): 22/33
With its 2008 redesign, the Malibu garnered a lot of accolades: Kiplinger\'s Best New Car and Best in Class awards were just a cherry topping to the industry\'s prestigious North American Car of the Year award. But to play it safe, we recommend buying a redesigned vehicle in the second year of production -- the first year\'s examples often have kinks to work out. For 2009, stability control became standard across the trim lineup, along with side and side-curtain airbags.
Sponsored Content
2009 Nissan Rogue S
Price when new: $21,020
Dealer used price: $14,971
Private-party price: $13,435
Certified used price: $16,123
MPG (city/hwy): 22/27
After a 2008 redesign, when we named it Best New Small Crossover, the Rogue ascended to Kiplinger\'s Best in Class award for 2009. Its stylish exterior complements the value it holds inside -- including a peppy 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, stability and traction control, and six airbags. Plus, it was rated a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.
Sponsored Content
2008 Honda CR-V LX
Price when new: $21,370
Dealer used price: $15,135
Private-party price: $14,089
Certified used price: $16,402
MPG (city/hwy): 20/27
A perennial Kiplinger\'s Best New and Best Used pick, the Honda CR-V keeps its value throughout its lifespan. It boasts fuel economy on par with a midsize sedan, but it has more than twice the cargo capacity (36 cubic feet behind the rear seats). Its standard stability control and six airbags helped win it a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.
Sponsored Content
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5i
Price when new: $25,240 (automatic)
Dealer used price: $15,218
Private-party price: $14,068
Certified used price: $16,256
MPG (city/hwy): 20/26
The Outback offers the best of both worlds: car-like construction to aid in maneuverability and fuel economy, plus the utility of all-wheel drive, copious amounts of cargo room (34 cubic feet) and a higher stance that improves visibility. Six airbags are standard, and it was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, too.
Sponsored Content
2009 Ford Taurus Limited
Price when new: $31,495
Dealer used price: $16,634
Private-party price: $15,271
Certified used price: $17,653
MPG (city/hwy): 18/28
Just a year after Ford revived the Taurus nameplate, it added standard stability control and earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Limited trim comes with Ford\'s voice-activated SYNC system, which allows you to connect music devices with USB and phones via Bluetooth, making them easier to use safely.
Sponsored Content
2008 Mazda CX-9 Sport
Price when new: $30,035
Dealer used price: $18,315
Private-party price: $16,689
Certified used price: $20,424
MPG (city/hwy): 16/22
It seats seven and has 17 cubic feet of cargo space behind its third-row seats (48 cubic feet with the third row folded down), which helped the CX-9 win Kiplinger\'s Best in Class award for this model year. Safety bragging rights include an optional blind-spot monitoring system -- which will alert you if there’s something in your blind spot when you attempt to change lanes -- and standard stability control.
Sponsored Content
2009 Toyota Sienna LE
Price when new: $26,865 (7-passenger)
Dealer used price: $18,463
Private-party price: $16,692
Certified used price: $19,882
MPG (city/hwy): 17/23
Multiple seating configurations make this minivan family- and cargo-friendly. In the seven-passenger LE, the removable second row captain\'s chairs can be spaced out to give your brood elbow room, or arranged as a bench for easier access to the third row. The third row is split 60/40, and the sections fold over or completely flat. Even the front passenger seat folds down, should you have serious cargo needs.
Sponsored Content
2009 Infiniti G37x AWD
Price when new: $36,615
Dealer used price: $23,889
Private-party price: $22,308
Certified used price: $26,174
MPG (city/hwy): 18/25
The Infiniti G gives German sedans like the BMW 3-series and Audi A4 a run for their money, but it costs thousands less. The 2009 model got a larger, 3.7-liter V6 engine that puts out 328 horsepower, as well as a seven-speed automatic transmission -- plus, it packs in essential safety features, such as head and side airbags and stability control.
Sponsored Content
More From Kiplinger
SLIDE SHOW: 10 Cheapest Cars to Own
SLIDE SHOW: 14 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars
SLIDE SHOW: 8 Smart Splurges for Your Car
QUIZ: How to Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
QUIZ: 10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance
Sponsored Content
-
What to Expect From Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies in 2025With help from Donald Trump, the cryptocurrency industry is expanding rapidly. Here's what to expect from bitcoin in 2025.
-
What's the Key to a Happy Retirement for a Couple?Retired couples spend lots of time together. Without the distractions of work and raising kids, miscommunication can cause trouble. Here's a way to avoid that.
-
The Best Places to Retire in New Englandplaces to live Thinking about a move to New England for retirement? Here are the best places to land for quality of life, affordability and other criteria.
-
What Does Medicare Not Cover? Seven Things You Should KnowHealthy Living on a Budget Medicare Part A and Part B leave gaps in your healthcare coverage. But Medicare Advantage has problems, too.
-
The 10 Cheapest Countries to VisitWe find the 10 cheapest countries to visit around the world. Forget inflation woes, and set your sights on your next vacation.
-
15 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winterhome There are many ways to prepare your home for winter, which will help keep you safe and warm and save on housing and utility costs.
-
Six Steps to Get Lower Car Insurance Ratesinsurance Shopping around for auto insurance may not be your idea of fun, but comparing prices for a new policy every few years — or even more often — can pay off big.
-
How to Increase Credit Scores — FastHow to increase credit scores quickly, starting with paying down your credit card debt.
-
Gas-Saving Tips That Actually WorkThese are gas-saving tips that will actually work for you and your car this year.
-
Hurricane Insurance Claims: 10 Things You Should KnowBecoming a Homeowner Hurricane damage? Know what’s covered, what isn’t and how to make the most of your policy if you need to file a claim.
