Consumer Reports: The Most Reliable 3-Year-Old Cars You Can Buy Right Now

When it comes to reliable used cars, Consumer Reports knows the market. The cars on this list offer above-average reliability scores and good results on the road test. If you are looking for a used car that won’t leave you stranded or with a headache at the dealership, check out the options below.

Consumer Reports gave the Nissan Leaf high marks

The Nissan Leaf is one of Consumer Reports most reliable used cars
The Nissan Leaf is one of Consumer Reports most reliable used cars | Stanislav Kogiku/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

The 2019 Nissan Leaf checked all of the boxes for Consumer Reports. It was a green choice and scored above-average on the road test and reliability sections. The owner satisfaction score was only average, but it made up for it elsewhere. The Nissan Leaf has a driving range of 149 miles, while the Leaf Plus range is 215 miles. Forward collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) are standard on both.

Price Range:  $19,600 – $26,675

Consumer Reports found that the Toyota Corolla was a green choice

It is not surprising to see the 2019 Toyota Corolla on a reliable used car list. Consumer Reports gave it high marks for reliability, road test, and owner satisfaction. It also says the Toyota Corolla offers one of the best used car values around. The small car comes with FCW, AEB, lane departure warning (LDW), and lane-keeping assistance (LKA). Plus, 32 mpg overall isn’t awful.

Price Range:  $21,550 – $24,800

Don’t overlook the Toyota Prius for reliability

Another reliable pick from Toyota is the 2019 Toyota Prius. All of the scores from Consumer Reports were above average, plus it gets 52 mpg overall. All-wheel drive is an option this year, which is a suggested option from CR. FCW and AEB are standard, too. Overall, you can’t go wrong with a Toyota Prius.

Price Range:  $22,875 – $28,000

The Honda Accord is a bit bigger, but still reliable

The 2019 Honda Accord is a larger car but still compact enough. Consumer Reports gave the Accord high marks for the road test and reliability. It only scored an average of three out of five for the owner satisfaction, though. The Honda Accord was reported to get 47 mpg overall from the hybrid version but still managed 30 mpg for the non-hybrid. Standard safety equipment includes FCW, AEB, LDW, and LKA. See if you can find one with blind-spot warning (BSW) if possible.

Price Range:  $26,550 – $35,375

A solid sedan from Mazda, the Mazda 6 checks all of the boxes

The 2019 Mazda 6 gets a respectable 32 mpg overall. It doesn’t get the “green choice” badge, but it still gets the job done. The 2019 Mazda 6 is a solid choice with supportive seats and above-average reliability. FCW, AEB, and BSW are included, plus other active safety features to keep everyone safe.

Price Range:  $23,625 – $33,750

Consumer Reports enjoyed driving the Subaru Legacy

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For the 2019 Subaru Legacy, owners reported a respectable 27 mpg overall. It scored above-average for both the road test and reliability score. The owner satisfaction score was only average, but Subaru is known for being a reliable pick. It comes with all-wheel drive and excellent scores in the crash testing departing. FCW, AEB, LDW, and LKA are standard. Consumer Reports suggests looking for a Subaru Legacy with BSW.

Price Range:  $24,400 – $31,075

No matter which car you end up picking, be aware of the extra safety features offered. Consumer Reports suggests finding one with as many active safety features as possible to keep you and your family safe on the road.