The models highlighted below, listed alphabetically within their respective vehicle categories, are cars, SUVs, and minivans we would confidently recommend to our own friends and family. Every vehicle on this list comes standard with electronic stability control (ESC), a critical safety feature. Furthermore, some of these models were available with key active safety features such as forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind spot warning (BSW), and/or rear cross traffic warning (RCTW) as optional or standard equipment when new.
Most importantly, these selections did more than just score well during our initial road tests. Each model consistently demonstrated above-average reliability across multiple years in our surveys, ensuring that you get maximum value without sacrificing peace of mind.
Of course, even for the used cars we recommend, there can be outliers. Maybe a former owner didn’t care much for car maintenance, or there was a problem at the factory the week the car rolled off the line. Before you buy, make sure to pay for a thorough inspection by a certified mechanic so that there are no surprises down the road.
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