Buying a used car is a great way to save money. However, if you want to save the most, you’re going to want to make sure your car lasts and gives you the best in terms of fuel efficiency and maintenance. Thanks to a new IC Cars analysis of vehicle lifespans, national sales reports, and over 3 million odometer readings. In this list we have 5-year-old used cars that, on average, still have the longest lifespan left so you get the most bang for your buck.
Ford Edge
The ford edge slots in between the Escape and the Explorer and it’s a great choice for families looking for a used car. It is also a jack-of-all-trades two-row SUV, perfect for comfortable commuting, and family hauling, and with the rear seats dropped in, decent towing capacity
The Edge packs an efficient turbocharged 4-cylinder, good for an EPA-estimated 29 MPG on the highway, or if you spring a little more for the Edge ST model, you get a twin-turbocharged V6 that’s downright quick, but you’ll be stopping for gas a little more often. Driving dynamics and handling are industry average, though the ST model certainly feels nimbler and more exciting.
IC Cars estimates the average used 2019 Ford Edge has over 125,000 miles of useful life left on it. Considering an average used sales price of $23,636 and all you can do with the Edge, that’s a pretty sharp edge and a pretty great deal.
Toyota Avalon
If you looking for a used car, you should consider a Toyota Avalon, the Toyota’s largest sedan. Toyota pulled the plug on the Avalon line in 2022, but there are still plenty of great, lightly used Avalon’s on the road today. It’s the Camry’s better-equipped bigger brother. A 300-horsepower V6 is standard, but you can find a 4-cylinder hybrid model from the final production year.
The interior is big and luxurious, and the trunk is a whopping 16 cubic feet, enough for four golf clubs. It’s got a buttery smooth 8-speed automatic and offers Toyota’s version of subtle, unpretentious luxury. Even in base trim, the interior features quality materials and finish that outshine a basic Civic or Camry.
Toyota Avalon’s are usually scooped up by old people and their parents, but for the price, people hang on to them forever because they’re just such great vehicles. IC Cars estimates your average 2019 Avalon has over 170,000 miles of useful life left on it. Another IC Cars report puts the Avalon as the number one passenger car most likely to last more than 250,000 miles.
In terms of pricing, with $20,900 bucks you can get a used Toyota Avalon with 103,000 miles. That’s probably what I’d be looking to spend on the Toyota Avalon and get a ton of fun miles ahead of you.
Honda Ridgeline
If you are in the market for a used car, the Honda Ridgeline is the most livable vehicle with a truck bed money can buy. It handles and behaves more like a crossover SUV than a truck, probably because it shares its platform with the Pilot and Odyssey.
In fact, in recent years, we’ve seen Ford and Hyundai copy Honda’s homework with the Maverick and Santa Cruz. They’re all livable, comfortable, and fuel-efficient family SUVs with a truck bed instead of a trunk.
In base trim, the Ridgeline is front-wheel drive only, with all-wheel drive available in higher trim levels. But no matter how many wheels are putting down power, it all comes from a dead-reliable Honda V6 under the hood.
The average used sales price of a 5-year-old Ridgeline is around $33,000, making it the most expensive car on this list. But with an estimated 182,780 useful miles remaining, plus all the versatility and dependability the Ridgeline offers, it’s still a great value proposition.
Honda CR-V
The 2019 Honda CR-V is a fantastic choice for a used car. It’s completely practical, dead-reliable, and infinitely capable. Under the hood, you get a four-pot engine paired with a seamless CVT, which provides decent acceleration and excellent fuel economy. If you need a little more pep, the upper trims do come with the turbo.
The roomy, comfortable cabin seats five adults with plenty of legroom to spare. The cargo space is impressive too, making it easy to haul luggage, outdoor adventure gear, or your monthly Costco pickup. It’s easy to see why the CR-V set the high water mark all other crossovers are judged against.
IC Cars estimates used CR-Vs from the last 5 years have over 160,000 miles of useful life left, which should give you about 10 years to enjoy your reliable Honda. In the CRV lineup, The LX is the lowest trim and you can get a used one with only $13,000.
Honda Accord
If you are shopping for a used car that is reliable, comfortable and fun to drive, the Honda Accord should definitely be on your list. Whether you are after fuel efficiency or a little more punch under the hood, the accord has something for everyone. The base model comes with a 1.5L turbocharged engine that is easy on gas and perfect for daily driving.
Want a bit more excitement? The 2.0L turbo version packs enough power to chirp the front tires and is even available with a six-speed manual something driving enthusiasts will love. There is also a hybrid option that sips fuel so lightly, you will forget what a gas station looks like.
The Honda accord is also impressively practical. It has a spacious back seat that comfortably fits three adults and the trunk offers a generous 17 cubic feet of space. Used Honda Accords typically range from $15,000 to $30,000 depending on the model year, mileage, and trim.
