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    Used Midsized Sedans With the Best Fuel Economy

    Avoid expensive repairs and find a reliable, inexpensive ride. We've identified the best 5-year-old nonhybrid sedans that are proven to be trouble-free.

    2019 Kia Optima driving on a road
    Kia Optima
    Photo: Kia

    Buying a well-maintained used vehicle is a smart financial decision. Used cars have gone through the most significant part of their depreciation cycle by the time they’re 5 years old. That means you’ll get many of the modern convenience and entertainment features found in brand-new models, but at a significantly lower price.

    Five-year-old models were also designed and built recently enough that their performance in our tests—such as acceleration, braking, and fuel economy—is still on a par with that of brand-new cars. But the used versions can be had for much less than the price of a new model.

    MORE ON USED CARS

    To help steer you to the best choice, we’ve assembled a list of the most fuel-efficient 5-year-old nonhybrid midsized sedans. All performed well enough in our tests to be recommended when new. All have average or better reliability, according to CR’s Annual Auto Surveys, where we ask CR members to tell us about what went wrong with the cars they own. If you’re looking for an electrified model, check out our list of the best used hybrid sedans.

    We include which active safety features are standard and optional for each model, including forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind spot warning (BSW), and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW).

    Sign up for CR’s Cars email newsletter to be notified when we post our latest news, previews, and road tests.

    Shopping for a Used Car?

    Browse the CR Used Car Marketplace for local pre-owned deals.


    Jon Linkov

    Jon Linkov is the deputy auto editor at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2002, covering varied automotive topics including buying and leasing, maintenance and repair, ownership, reliability, used cars, and electric vehicles. He manages CR’s lineup of special interest publications, hosts CR’s “Talking Cars” podcast, and writes and edits content for CR’s online and print products. An avid cyclist, Jon also enjoys driving his ’80s-era sports car and instructing at track days.