What are the best used cars to buy? It’s a more complicated question than it might first appear. Due to the Covid pandemic, most every aspect of daily life has flipped upside down, and that includes car shopping. A microchip shortage, of all things, and production shutdowns led to a shortage of new models in 2021, which trickled down to the used-car market. Consequently, supply is limited, and prices are higher than normal. Now, more than ever, it’s important for buyers to get a vehicle that represents a good value and meets all of their needs, as they may be paying top dollar to drive it home.
With that in mind, for the 2021 CarGurus Best Used Car Awards we pored through reviews from CarGurus visitors and our own team of experts, researched deprecation rates, and analyzed which vehicles are not only most popular among CarGurus shoppers but are also readily available. The 2021 CarGurus Best Used Car Awards go to those models that outmatched competitors in their respective categories, from crossovers and SUVs, through sedans and pickups, and even sports cars. Among them is one we consider to be the used car market’s best overall pick and recognize with the CarGurus Editor’s Choice Award.
The 2021 Best Used Car Awards Winners
- 2017 - 2021 Mazda CX-5
- 2011 - 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2011 – 2019 Ford Explorer
- 2016 – 2021 Volvo XC90
- 2017 – 2020 Hyundai Elantra
- 2014 – 2020 Lexus IS
- 2016 – 2021 Toyota Tacoma
- 2015 – 2020 Ford F-150
- 2017 – 2021 Chrysler Pacifica
- 2015 – 2021 Ford Mustang
- 2021 Editor's Choice Award
Small Crossover/SUV
1st Place: 2017 - 2021 Mazda CX-5
Like other Mazda vehicles, the second-generation Mazda CX-5 stands out with a combination of refinement, style, and driving dynamics that rivals costlier models from luxury brands. Depending on the year and trim level selected, buyers will have their choice of lively four-cylinder gas engines or a turbocharged diesel that puts out 290 lb-ft of torque. Inside, this five-passenger Mazda holds the power to surprise with quality construction and premium materials, but perhaps most significant are the CX-5’s outstanding safety scores and exceptional resale value. In the small crossover segment, the CX-5 is something of a hidden gem, one we’re highlighting with a 2021 CarGurus Best Used Car Award.
2nd Place: 2017 - 2021 Kia Sportage
3rd Place: 2017 - 2021 Honda CR-V
Midsize Crossover/SUV
1st Place: 2011 - 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
No matter your location, socioeconomic status, or age, there’s a good chance your friend, relative, or maybe a friend of a relative has owned a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Blending confident off-road capability with the comfort and drivability of a more traditional family car, plus a range of powertrains and trims ranging from basic to luxurious, the Grand Cherokee is ideal for a broad range of buyers. The fourth-generation model is widely available and is consistently one of the most-researched vehicles by CarGurus users. As a result, the Jeep Grand Cherokee made our list last year and follows that up with the 2021 CarGurus Best Used Car Award for the midsize crossover segment.
2nd Place: 2016 - 2020 Kia Sorento
3rd Place: 2013 – 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Large Crossover/SUV
1st Place: 2011 – 2019 Ford Explorer
Ford’s Explorer has been a staple of the suburban family for thirty years, and understandably so. Since its debut, it has proven itself capable as a four-season rig that’s equally suited for shuttling kids to school or towing a boat to the lake. Not surprisingly, this marks the third time we’ve named the Explorer a best used car. The fifth-generation model, offered in a wide assortment of trim levels and available with Ford’s efficient four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, is one of the few models in its class to provide a legitimately useful third-row seat, and it is a frequent choice among CarGurus users.
2nd Place: 2015 – 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe
3rd Place: 2017 – 2021 GMC Acadia
Luxury Crossover/SUV
1st Place: 2016 – 2021 Volvo XC90
The CarGurus Best Used Car Awards allows us to recognize the models that rise above the pack, but they can also shine a light on vehicles that don’t register on many shoppers’ radars. The second-generation Volvo XC90, which now takes home the luxury-crossover award for the second consecutive year, is a perfect example. After a thorough evaluation, CarGurus expert reviewer, Clifford Atiyeh, praised most every aspect of Volvo’s largest model and commented, “Among midsize SUVs, the XC90 is among the few I would recommend without hesitation.” In fact, the XC90’s overall test-drive score was one of the very highest on this list. CarGurus users seem to be equally enamored, as they usually opt for the XC90 after comparing it to its competition.
2nd Place: 2016 – 2020 Lexus RX
3rd Place: 2016 - 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
Sedan/Hatchback
1st Place: 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra
As testament to how far Hyundai has come in a relatively short time, the Elantra has earned its place on our list of best used cars. Despite some of its long-established competitors enjoying greater popularity and availability, more CarGurus shoppers ultimately select the Elantra. Part of the appeal may be attributable to the car’s strong resale value (another more recent success story for Hyundai) or its comfort, value, and intuitive controls, all of which draw praise from our expert reviewers. Regardless, while other automakers have declared the sedan/hatchback segment all but dead as SUV sales continue to soar, Hyundai has forged ahead with winners like the sixth-generation Elantra.
2nd Place: 2016-2020 Kia Optima
3rd Place: 2016-2021 Honda Civic
Luxury Sedan
1st Place: 2014 – 2020 Lexus IS
Entry-level luxury cars are a tough nut to crack: They need to deliver a level of quality and refinement expected of the brand while also keeping the price within reach of targeted buyers. With the third-generation IS, Lexus struck a delicate balance between upscale and affordable, and packaged it in the form of a sleek four-door sedan. Better yet, according to our expert reviewers, the IS delivers sporty handling that is uncommon in most Lexus models. For those who like to drive, the IS an excellent choice. It’s also a popular model among CarGurus users, who will find the car more widely available than others in this segment. That it offers better resale value than some of its European counterparts only adds to the appeal of this winner in the luxury sedan category.
2nd Place: 2011 – 2018 Volvo S60
3rd Place: 2015 – 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Midsize Pickup Truck
1st Place: 2016 – 2021 Toyota Tacoma
There may be a day when the Toyota Tacoma isn’t named best midsize pickup, but that day isn’t today. Indeed, the Tacoma is one of our repeat winners, which isn’t the least bit surprising given the truck’s unrivaled popularity and its abundant availability. As has long been the case, the Tacoma is known for its outstanding resale value (exceeding all other 2021 award winners by a decent margin), meaning buyers will pay a higher price upfront but should recoup more of their initial investment when it’s time to sell. Couple that with a reputation for bulletproof reliability, and you have one desirable pre-owned midsize pickup.
2nd Place: 2015 – 2021 Chevrolet Colorado
3rd Place: 2017 – 2021 Honda Ridgeline
Full-Size Pickup Truck
1st Place: 2015 – 2020 Ford F-150
For the fourth consecutive year, the Ford F-150 is taking home a CarGurus Best Used Car Award. Of course, accolades lose a bit of their luster after one has been consistently named the country’s best-selling pickup since the early days of the Reagan administration, but buyers’ love affair with the F-150 shows no signs of waning. Ford has made sure of that by offering a stylish and comfortable truck that boasts class-leading capability, a host of powerful and efficient engines, and a level of innovation that pushes the pickup segment to new heights.
2nd Place: 2013 – 2018 Ram 1500
3rd Place: 2014 – 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Minivan
1st Place: 2017 – 2021 Chrysler Pacifica
Long maligned and passed over for visually striking crossovers with much less versatility, minivans are enjoying a resurgence of sorts. So, it seems only fitting that Chrysler, the company that introduced us all to this once boxy form of transportation, should be at the front of the pack as new life breathes into this once-flatlining segment. We’re speaking specifically of the current-generation Pacifica, which performed exceptionally well in our vehicle evaluation and offers better resale value than the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. That’s not a scenario you see every day, but Chrysler has earned this spot through continuous innovation and the thoughtful use of technology.
2nd Place: 2011 – 2017 Honda Odyssey
3rd Place: 2011 – 2020 Toyota Sienna
Sports Car
1st Place: 2015 – 2021 Ford Mustang
Aside from a name and some design elements, the current-generation Ford Mustang shares little with its predecessors, and that’s a good thing. Today’s model boasts quality materials, an independent rear suspension designed to improve handling, and an expansive array of trims and special editions to suit most any buyer. Under the hood, shoppers can select a fuel-efficient turbocharged four-cylinder engine, or swap those MPGs for horses with a V8-equipped Bullit or Mach 1 trim. The Mustang has impressed our expert reviewers, but it also ranks as one of the most popular vehicles for CarGurus users. Resale value for the Mustang is quite good, and supply is ample for the most common configurations.
2nd Place: 2014 – 2019 Chevrolet Corvette
3rd Place: 2016 – 2018 Ford Focus RS
Editor’s Choice
Now in its second year, the CarGurus Editor’s Choice Award recognizes what our team of expert reviewers rate as the best of the best from our award winners. For 2021 it goes to the second-generation Mazda CX-5, a crossover with a segment of the market that seems to expand by the day. Despite a rash of competitors, Mazda differentiates the CX-5 with appealing styling that isn’t overdone, materials and craftsmanship above and beyond the segment norm, excellent safety scores, and a combination of chassis and powertrain tuning that promises to inject fun into your daily commute. Factor in solid resale values, available all-wheel drive (AWD), and a versatile interior, and you end up with a vehicle that surpasses what we’ve come to expect from a small crossover. It’s an exceptional used car choice, and a worthy winner of our 2021 Editor’s Choice award.
Methodology
CarGurus Used Car Awards nominees were selected from all late-model vehicles originally available for sale in the United States. Vehicle generations that include the 2017 model year were considered in their entirety when evaluating nominees, as long as that generation did not stretch back more than 10 years. Three nominees were selected for each category and evaluated on criteria including CarGurus user reviews, professional test drive reviews, popularity, availability, and CarGurus’ projected 12-year value retention. Models with the highest overall scores were determined to be the winners for their respective categories. The “Editor’s Choice” was determined by a combination of the vehicles with the highest scores across each category and the CarGurus editorial team’s overall conclusion based on the spirit of the awards.
Related Topics:
2020 CarGurus Best Used Car Awards
2019 CarGurus Best Used Car Awards
__2018 CarGurus Best Used Car Awards __
2017 CarGurus Best Used Car Awards
