Consumer Reports’ Most Popular Used Cars, SUVs, and Trucks
These are the used vehicles that buyers search for most often on our website
With more than 37 million used cars forecast by Cox Automotive to be sold in 2025, you have plenty of choices for your next used car, SUV, or truck. So, how do you even begin to create a manageable list of candidates? One way is to take a look at what people are searching for here, on the Consumer Reports website. The 10 vehicles below represent the top used-car model pages, meaning they’re the vehicles that are most searched for by people coming to our site.
Many of the models below are CR Recommended used cars, which means they scored well in our road tests, have good reliability, have standard electronic stability control (ESC), and performed well in crash tests if tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Models from recent years may also come with key active safety features as standard or optional equipment.
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10 Most Popular Used Models
Toyota RAV4
This generation of the RAV4 is roomy and versatile, as well as a wise choice for a used car. It handles nimbly, and the AWD version gets good fuel economy. But the ride is a bit stiff, and the cabin is rather loud. Most versions are XLE, which adds auto climate control and a sunroof. For a power seat and lumbar support, you’d have to get the Limited. The energetic 2.5-liter engine is paired with a smooth-shifting continuously variable transmission. Controls are clear and easy to use, access is easy, and the rear seat is roomy. FCW and AEB with pedestrian detection were standard, and BSW was standard on all trims except for the base LE trim. 2021 saw the arrival of the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid.
Honda CR-V
The CR-V became bigger and more comfortable with this generation. The 190-hp, 1.5-liter turbo engine in upper trims delivers quick acceleration. The hybrid is more fuel-efficient, but it’s significantly slower and has more engine noise. Handling is nimble and surefooted, and the firm ride is steady and compliant. The interior is very comfortable, quiet, and roomy, particularly the rear seat. The available 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system isn’t particularly intuitive to use. FCW, AEB, and BSW were standard on all but the base LX model.
Subaru Forester
This popular small SUV delivers a combination of a roomy interior, excellent visibility, commendable fuel economy, simple controls, a comfortable ride, and responsive handling. The Forester’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, combined with the continuously variable transmission, yielded fuel economy that was among the best in class at the time. But acceleration isn’t exhilarating, and the engine’s noise isn’t the most pleasant. The cabin is roomy, with a particularly generous rear seat and very easy access. The controls are simple to use, including the infotainment system. The EyeSight suite of FCW and AEB was standard, but it didn’t include BSW or RCTW. Try to find a model built with those two features.
Mazda CX-5
The CX-5 has a responsive 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers competitive but not outstanding fuel economy in our tests while delivering quick acceleration and plenty of power. A 227-hp turbo four-cylinder was also available. The peppy engines and spry, nimble handling made the Mazda enjoyable to drive. It has a supple and absorbent ride and significantly less cabin noise than older models. The cabin is versatile and very nicely trimmed. The infotainment system is challenging to use because it’s operated by both a rotary controller and buttons mounted between the front seats. FCW, city-speed AEB, BSW, and RCTW were standard.
Toyota Highlander
The 2022 Highlander has a comfortable ride and a smooth powertrain. Handling is sound and secure, and the interior fit and finish improved with this generation, particularly in higher trim versions. The smooth and punchy 295-hp V6 packs a lot of reserve power and returns competitive fuel economy. The hybrid version is less powerful but is incredibly fuel-efficient. Both seven- and eight-passenger seating configurations were available. Either way, the second row is very roomy, but the third row is tiny. Controls are easy to use. FCW and AEB with pedestrian detection were standard, but BSW and RCTW were optional. The hybrid version came standard with BSW and RCTW.
Nissan Rogue
Redesigned for 2021, this generation Rogue is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It’s powered by a 181-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s teamed with a continuously variable transmission, providing unobtrusive but unexciting motivation. In our tests, the Rogue returned good, but not standout, fuel economy. Interior space and the quality of materials have improved, but the third seat option is gone. The new Rogue feels solid and substantial, with a composed ride and nimble handling. Controls are easy to use, but it may take some getting used to the electronic gear selector. AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, and RCTW all came standard.
Subaru Outback
The Outback is a smart alternative to an SUV. Its base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine does the job, but it can feel strained under stress. The 260-hp, 2.4-liter turbo engine transforms the wagon with effortless acceleration. The ride is very comfortable, and handling is responsive and secure. Some tasks through the large infotainment screen require more than one step, however. Thoughtful details like built-in cross bars and a dual-position cargo cover are nice touches. All versions get the EyeSight suite of advanced safety and driver assistance systems. BSW and RCTW were optional.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Equinox has plenty of high-tech features, accomplished road manners, and generous interior room. But it doesn’t quite deliver on its promise of good performance and fuel economy from its standard engine, and the interior has some cheap touches, although the seats are quite comfortable. The only engine available was a 170-hp, 1.5-liter mated to a six-speed automatic. The MyLink infotainment system was offered in 7 and 8 inches, each with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. FCW and low-speed AEB with pedestrian detection were standard.
Ford Escape
The Escape’s standard 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder engine provides sufficient oomph, but it transmits an annoying vibration at low engine speeds. The hybrid version eliminates that problem and is very fuel-efficient. The optional 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder is smoother and more powerful. The ride has an underlying firmness. Handling is quite nimble and secure. But the brake pedal is oversensitive. Controls, including the rotary gear selector, are easy to use. The front seats are a bit flat, but the rear seat is quite roomy when set to the rearmost position. All Escapes came standard with FCW, AEB, and BSW.
Ford F-150
The F-150 was redesigned for 2021 with a mildly updated exterior, an upgraded cabin, the first-ever hybrid model, and more tech and innovative work-related features. Even with all that, the truck had only incremental improvements in ride comfort and handling agility. The hybrid was based on the 3.5-liter turbo V6 and, with 430 hp on tap, has what feels like a nearly bottomless amount of power. We weren’t thrilled with its rough downshifts, though. The nonhybrid XLT version with the popular 325-hp, 2.7-liter turbo V6 may not have the grunt of the hybrid, but it’s still a gem, with loads of low-end power and timely, smooth shifting from its 10-speed automatic. The F-150 has Ford’s easy-to-use Sync 4 infotainment system, and FCW and AEB with pedestrian detection were standard.
11th Through 20th Most Popular Used Models
