Best Used Cars Under $10,000 in 2024

$9,869 | Overall Score: 8.2/10

The Nissan Altima is a no-brainer for so many motorists seeking a midsize sedan that gets the job done. It has two rows of comfortable seats, decent trunk space and an intuitive layout for the controls. Some versions of the Altima come with multiple USB ports, satellite radio and a 7-inch touch screen.

The Altima comes standard with an 182-horsepower four-cylinder engine. It is a bit noisy under hard acceleration but returns good fuel economy. The upgraded V6 engine is a bit thirstier, but with 270 horsepower on tap, it has plenty of power for getting around. Both engines route power to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

$9,556 | Overall Score: 8.1/10

The C-Max was one of Ford’s earlier hybrid models and embraces a vision of environmentally conscious driving that highlights frugality and function. This tall hatchback returns fuel economy estimates of 42 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The hybrid powertrain makes a combined 188 horsepower and delivers decent acceleration.

There are two rows of adult-friendly seating in a well-made, high-quality cabin. With the rear seats folded, the C-Max has up to 52.6 cubic feet of cargo space. Standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and the SYNC voice-activation system.

$9,454 | Overall Score: 8.9/10

The Kia Soul is a plucky hatchback crossover with a tall, boxy design that provides plenty of head- and legroom, as well as a commanding view of the road. Even the rear seats have adequate space for adults on most drives. The unorthodox Soul also provides up to 61.3 cubic feet of cargo space.

The base 1.6-liter engine puts out 130 horsepower and the upgraded 2.0-liter engine makes 164 horsepower. Both have decent power for around-town driving, but both feel weak at highway speeds. The Soul’s handling is surprisingly refined, and it can take corners well.

$9,181 | Overall Score: 8.5/10

The Chevrolet Sonic is a nimble little hatchback with room for five passengers, or up to 47.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. You can also get it in a sedan body style with 14.9 cubic feet of trunk space. The Sonic is available with a 7-inch touch screen, heated front seats, leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Sonic is offered with two engines. One is turbocharged and one is naturally aspirated. They both make 138 horsepower. Depending on the trim, you can get a five-speed or six-speed manual or an available six-speed automatic transmission.

$8,987 | Overall Score: 8.1/10

The Kia Forte was completely redesigned for the 2014 model year with a sharp, contemporary design. The 148-horsepower base engine is underpowered, so it’s worth checking out the more lively 201-horsepower upgraded engine.

The Forte features a practical dash layout with the available UVO infotainment system, housed in an intuitive 4.2-inch touch screen. Other available features include push-button start and navigation. Standard features include satellite radio, an auxiliary jack and a USB port.

$7,879 | Overall Score: 7.9/10

The Suzuki Kizashi had a short run in the American market, but it was a competent midsize sedan with refined driving and handling dynamics, as well as an attractive, well-constructed interior. Standard features include push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, sport seats and remote keyless entry.

The Kizashi comes equipped with a four-cylinder engine that makes 185 horsepower. The standard setup routes power to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. You can also get it with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive.

$9,859 | Overall Score: 9.1/10

The Honda Fit maximizes the versatility of its subcompact platform with impressive passenger and cargo space thanks to its upright layout. The Fit also features the Magic Seat rear bench, which allows for multiple storage configurations. Standard features in the Fit include a USB port and cruise control, while some models also have navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Fit is offered with a single engine, which is a 117-horsepower four-cylinder. Power is routed to the front wheels through either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The Fit provides sharp handling that will make any commute slightly more enjoyable.

$9,852 | Overall Score: 9.0/10

The Hyundai Sonata is a roomy midsize sedan with a sharply styled interior that earned good safety and reliability scores when it was new. In the 2013 model year, the automatic transmission became standard equipment, and heated seats were made standard in all but the base trim. You can find features like dual-zone automatic climate control, a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Sonata comes standard with a 198-horsepower four-cylinder engine that provides decent around-town power but can feel lacking when getting up to highway speeds. You won’t have that issue with the upgraded turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which makes 274 horsepower.

$7,035 | Overall Score: 9.0/10

Despite being over a decade old, the 2013 Kia Rio has fun, modern styling in a comfortable and versatile subcompact package. It has a composed ride that will be pleasant while driving in traffic or on long trips, but it is not as engaging as other small cars when negotiating corners.

The Rio comes standard with a 138-horsepower four-cylinder engine that returns up to 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. Other standard features in the Rio include a USB port, an auxiliary audio jack and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. Available features include push-button start, the UVO infotainment system and a sport-tuned suspension.

$8,871 | Overall Score: 8.7/10

There are plenty of small, affordable used vehicles, but few exhibit the fun handling of the Mazda3. This compact car is available as a sedan or a hatchback, with the latter providing up to 42 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The sedan has 11.8 cubic feet of trunk space. The hatchback comes with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control and Bluetooth connectivity.

The base engine is a 148-horsepower four-cylinder, while the top-tier engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder putting out 263 horsepower. The MazdaSpeed option is engaging and fun to drive, but has a stiffer ride quality. There’s an available Skyactiv engine that is the most efficient of the bunch, returning up to 28 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.

$7,773 | Overall Score: 8.3/10

The Volkswagen Golf raises the bar for small vehicles thanks to its refined, well-built cabin and composed ride quality. The Golf is offered as a two-door or four-door hatchback. With the rear seats folded, the Golf provides up to 46 cubic feet of cargo space, making it one versatile little runabout.

The Golf has comfortable front-row seating as well as a generous standard features list that includes an auxiliary audio input and an eight-speaker stereo. The Golf is available with a touch-screen infotainment system. If you can find one with a manual transmission strongly consider it, as a Golf so-equipped is enjoyable to drive.

$7,512 | Overall Score: 7.8/10

The Ford Focus is available as a sedan or hatchback, and both offer athletic handling, attractive cabin materials and lively engine options. The base 160-horsepower engine is great for around-town driving, and the ST comes with a more potent 252-horsepower turbo-four. The base engine with the manual transmission provides up to 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

Downsides with the Focus include its poor turning radius and its touch-screen infotainment system. It has a good layout, but the response time is delayed, making for frustrating operation. The Focus is available with leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio and push-button start.

$7,966 | Overall Score: 8.3/10

The Chevrolet Cruze is a sensible and solid choice if you’re in the market for a compact sedan. It has a good amount of passenger space, and the cabin boasts some high-quality materials. It provides 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space, which is great for a vehicle this size. 2013 also marks the first year of the availability of features like blind-spot monitoring and a backup camera.

The Cruze comes standard with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and it is available with a 1.4-liter turbo-four. They both make the same 138 horsepower but the turbocharged engine is livelier. Speaking of lively, the Cruze has responsive, enjoyable handling dynamics.

$6,545 | Overall Score: 7.9/10

The Ford Fiesta is what affordable motoring is all about. It has a low transaction price these days, and you get plenty of what you need. The 120-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine makes ample power for getting around town, and it also returns fantastic fuel economy of 29 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

The Fiesta is offered in sedan and hatchback models. The sedan has 12.8 cubic feet of trunk space, and the hatch provides 26 cubic feet of cargo space. The audio controls can feel confusing, but once you’ve mastered them, you’ll have more time to enjoy the Fiesta's precise and sharp handling abilities.

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