Posted inUsed Cars

These 9 cars under $15,000 are your best bet for a deal as used vehicles remain astronomically expensive

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Ford C Max Hybrid

The best used cars under $15,000 include the Ford C-Max, Toyota Prius C, and Nissan Murano.Ford

You used to be able to pick up a decent used car for just a few thousand dollars. Inventory issues in the auto industry and stubbornly high car prices mean those days are over.

Used cars sit in the sales lot of a used car dealership in California.

A used-car lot.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

So it’s more important than ever to shop smart. If you’re paying an arm and a leg for a secondhand car, truck, or SUV, you better make sure it will last and perform reliably.

Used car lots

A used car lot is shown Friday, June 10, 2022, in Salt Lake City.Rick Bowmer/AP Photo

To help shoppers navigate the challenges of used-car buying, Consumer Reports maintains a list of the best used cars at every price point based on hands-on tests and owner surveys.

person shopping for a car at a dealership

Mascot/Getty Images

Source: Consumer Reports

Here, we’ve highlighted the testing organization’s top picks for used cars under $15,000.

Pickup trucks at a car dealership.

Pickup trucks at a car dealership in Littleton, Colorado.David Zalubowski/AP

Read more: Buying a car is never going to get better — so you might as well buy now

Small car under $10,000: Nissan Leaf (2013, 2015)

Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf.Miles Willis/Getty Images for Go Ultra Low

Midsized car under $10,000: Subaru Legacy (2013)

The 2013 Subaru Legacy.

The Subaru Legacy.Subaru

Midsized SUV under $10,000: Nissan Murano (2014)

Nissan Murano 2013

The Nissan Murano.Nissan

Read more: Car buyers rejoice: Discounts are making a comeback — but you might have to ask for them

Small cars in the $10,000-$15,000 range: Ford C-Max (2014-2016) and Toyota Prius C (2013-2015)

Ford C MAX Hybrid

The Ford C-Max.Ford

Midsized/large cars in the $10,000-$15,000 range: Honda Accord (2013-2014) and Toyota Camry Hybrid (2013-2014)

The 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid.Toyota

Luxury car in the $10,000-$15,000 range: Lincoln MKZ (2014-2015)

The 2014 Lincoln MKZ.

The Lincoln MKZ.Lincoln

Read more: Kia revealed a 3-row electric SUV with swiveling seats and a futuristic design — see the EV9

Minivan/wagon in the $10,000-$15,000 range: Toyota Venza (2013-2014)

Toyota Venza 2014

The Toyota Venza.Toyota

Small SUVs in the $10,000-$15,000 range: Mazda CX-5 (2014-2016) and Toyota RAV4 (2013)

Toyota RAV4 2013

The Toyota RAV4.Toyota

Pickup trucks in the $10,000-$15,000 range: Toyota Tacoma (2013)

2012 Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma.Toyota

Read more: Car prices could drop 20% this year. Here’s where to expect the best deals first.

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