Top Pre-owned Cars You Can Trust Under $10,000

At MotoPickers we love our luxury, but we also really like a bargain! Few things are more satisfying than driving away with a great car and a full wallet! Some stats from research powerhouse IHS Markit, released just last year, revealed an interesting trend—the average age of all light vehicles cruising US roads hit a record of 11.9 years. That’s a big leap from 8.9 years in 2001. It shows that a car that is a bit older is still capable of being great to drive years after it first launched.

Progress in manufacturing methods, the emergence of synthetic oil, and the broad acceptance of fuel injection systems across the industry have all played their part in keeping cars great for longer. So if you’re aiming to score a budget-friendly used car, this indicates that you can trust your chosen ride to stand the test of time.

However, do always bear in mind that some cars are more reliable than others. That’s proved year after year. Certain models are less likely to let you down on your morning drive to school or work.

And so, to help you buy wisely – and strictly keeping under the $10,000 mark – we’ve picked you out 10 of the most trustworthy used good drives out there.

2010 Toyota Prius

MotoPickers Rating: 8.4/10

Scoring a pretty impressive 87/100 in quality and reliability according to JD Power’s stats, the 2010 Toyota Prius stands as a dependable trooper of a vehicle, hitting the streets when hybrid cars were just getting going.

Though hybrids barely made a dent in the US car sales scene back in 2010, claiming a meager 2.37 percent share, Toyota was already a seasoned player in the hybrid arena, having a solid 13 years of crafting the Prius under their belt.

Owners have rated the 2010 Prius high on the comfort scale, lauding its roomy interior and substantial cargo area. It might not be the quickest off the line, but it absolutely knows how to stretch a gallon. To put it in numbers, you can expect to enjoy 51 MPG during city jaunts and 48 MPG on your highway cruises, which translates to top value motoring. Don’t expect modern levels of tech, but you can definitely rely on a decent engine that will do you proud.

2016 Kia Soul

MotoPickers Rating: 8.6/10

A crowd favorite, the sporty 2016 Kia Soul hits all the right notes. Powered by a 1.6L 130HP four-cylinder engine, it has enough zest to keep your drives fun while serving up decent fuel economy.

You can anticipate around 30 MPG on highway stretches. A great fit for families, it offers loads of room to stretch out. At MotoPickers we think it still looks on-trend.

Both legroom and headroom are superb, and the trunk doesn’t disappoint either. On top of that, you’ll have a solid collection of up-to-date features, with Bluetooth and AUX-in as standard inclusions across all models. Living up to Kia’s solid reputation for dependability, the 2016 Soul scored an impressive 87/100 from JD Power.

2011 Toyota Camry

MotoPickers Rating: 8.6/10

Toyota’s Camry has a long-standing reputation as a superstar in the midsize sedan division. This continuous fan-favorite status is due to a winning trio: solid performance, top-tier comfort, and a generous level of tech and kit.

The 2011 Camry keeps up this proud tradition. At its core, a 2.5L 169HP 4-cylinder inline engine churns out lively acceleration while still maintaining decent fuel economy—22 MPG navigating city streets and 32 MPG cruising the highways.

Even while providing plentiful space, it doesn’t skimp on kit, and all models include AUX-in and cruise control. The Camry also earns top marks for dependability, achieving a strong 87/100 on JD Power’s reliability rating.

2014 Volkswagen Tiguan SE

MotoPickers Rating: 8.5/10

The 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan SE is unquestionably a functional ride. It gives you all the room you’d want from an SUV, boasting copious cabin and trunk space.

Plus, it tacks on the sort of plush luxuries you’d crave in a high-end car, including a built-in rear camera, Bluetooth integration, Aux-in, and cruise control. This is excellent for a car from 2014.

Everyday drives should be superb, thanks to its 2L 200HP 4-cylinder inline engine. As for gas mileage, it’s pretty standard for an SUV of this stature. You’re looking at about 20 MPG navigating through city streets and 26 MPG on highway treks.

2013 Honda Fit

MotoPickers Rating: 8.3/10

Honda has a stellar reputation for dependability, and the 2013 Honda Fit is a shining example, scoring a hefty 85/100 for quality and reliability from JD Power.

As a small city car, its fuel efficiency is top-notch. The Fit effortlessly gives you 27 MPG around town and reaches up to 35 MPG out on the highway. While its 1.5L 117-horsepower engine may not be the quickest, it handles like a dream. The 2013 Fit stays perfectly composed even when navigating sharp turns.

2014 Volkswagen Jetta S

MotoPickers Rating: 8.4/10

The spacious Volkswagen Jetta proudly upholds the high standards of German engineering, bagging a commendable 81/100 for quality and reliability from JD Power.

Owners frequently compliment the compact sedan’s airy interior, which has ample leg and headroom for passengers of all sizes. In addition, its 15.5 cubic-foot trunk provides loads of packing space, making the Jetta a great companion for road trips and family excursions. Though the design now looks a tad outdated, the ability of the car remains superb.

2014 Hyundai Elantra Limited

MotoPickers Rating: 8.4/10

To our eyes at MotoPickers, the Hyundai Elantra still looks relatively futuristic and might be mistaken for a car that was just a couple of years old. It offers a beguilingly smooth ride for a car of its age and its interior space was class-leading in its day.

It has strong kit for a car of its period and it rides and drives smoothly. Typically, expect around 40 mpg when cruising along. Its reliability scores are strong too, and it was awarded 83/100 in JD Power reliability surveys.

2017 Chevrolet Spark

MotoPickers Rating: 8.6/10

Born and bred as a city rover, the 2017 Chevrolet Spark places all its bets on compact design and fuel efficiency, instead of focusing on raw horsepower. Its 98-horsepower 1.4L four-cylinder engine might not be a speedster, but it compensates for that with excellent gas mileage—30 MPG in city traffic and 39 MPG on highways. Durability is top-notch, too, earning an 86/100 score on JD Power.

Since it’s a relatively recent model, the 2017 Chevrolet Spark brings lots of the current creature comforts you’d hope for in a new ride—think integrated rear camera, Wi-Fi hotspot, and Bluetooth connectivity. At MotoPickers we thoroughly recommend this as an option if you don’t need a larger vehicle.

2008 Honda CR-V EX-L

MotoPickers Rating: 9/10

The Honda CR-V has consistently made a mark as one of the top sellers in the compact SUV category in the US, and it’s easy to see why. It creates the ideal balance of power and comfort, winning a loyal fan base, with even older models retaining great resale value.

The 2008 EX-L version rocks a gutsy 2.4L 166HP 4-cylinder inline engine, providing just the right dose of acceleration, with fuel efficiency estimated at 20 MPG in city driving and 27 MPG on highways. Add to that a plush leather interior and a brilliant sound system, and you’ve got yourself a great option. And when we talk about reliability, crucial in any car purchase, the 2008 Honda CR-V claims a first-rate 90/100 score from JD Power.

2014 Honda Civic LX W

MotoPickers Rating: 8.9/10

The Honda Civic is the gold standard of subcompacts. Under the hood, you’ll find the competent performance synonymous with this Japanese automaker, with the 2014 model packing a robust 1.8L 143HP 4-cylinder inline engine. Fuel efficiency is pretty nifty too, offering an expected 28 MPG around town and 36 MPG on freeways.

Feature-wise, the 2014 Honda Civic LX W doesn’t disappoint. It’s equipped with a range of modern perks, like a rearview camera, USB connection, and Bluetooth. Topping it off with a resilience score of 86/100 from JD Power, the Civic proves itself to be a remarkably durable ride.