CarGurus Names the Best Used Vehicles in Seven Segments During Its Inaugural Used Cars Awards
Expert reviews, user reviews, and value retention all helped determine the winners in each vehicle segment
With each passing year, there are plenty of awards handed out for the best new vehicles in the industry. However, there seems to be a deficit of awards handed out for the best used vehicles in the automotive world.
That’s where the 2017 CarGurus Best Used Car Awards enter the picture. A brand new set of awards from the used car research website, the inaugural Best Used Car Awards take value retention, expert reviews, and user reviews under consideration to determine which models in a series of seven segments end up on top.
Once CarGurus had completed its studies and evaluations, these seven vehicles took home the gold in each of their respective segments.
2017 CarGurus Best Used Car Award Winners
Best Used Compact
Sedan/Hatchback: Dodge Dart
2nd Place: Hyundai Elantra
3rd Place: Subaru Impreza
To start off the awards, CarGurus chose a model for its best used compact sedan that drivers will soon only be able to purchase used: the Dodge Dart. Dodge’s compact sedan was discontinued earlier this year, yet CarGurus believes that there are plenty of reasons to look toward an older Dart model. The team at CarGurus found the compact sedan to be surprisingly roomy and its 24% above average value retention to be quite impressive.
Best Used Midsize Sedan: Dodge Charger
2nd Place: Ford Fusion
3rd Place: Chrysler 200
The Dart’s larger cousin, the Dodge Charger, also ended up on the CarGurus list. The Charger is more powerful and athletic than most other vehicles in the mid-size sedan segment. It also turns out to be a better value on average, as the Dodge Charger has a value retention rate that is 16.5% higher than its competitors. Perhaps that’s why CarGurus found that users selected the Charger over a similar competitor 58% of the time.
Best Used Luxury Sedan: Lincoln MKZ
2nd Place: Audi A3
3rd Place: Volvo S60
The Audi A3 had the highest value retention rate of any luxury sedan, according to CarGurus studies. Nevertheless, the Lincoln MKZ was right behind the A3 model, with a 12-year value retention of 20% above average. Couple that with the fact that CarGurus users chose the Lincoln MKZ over competitors more than 75% of the time, and it will be plain to see why the MKZ claimed first place in the luxury race.
Best Used Small Crossover/SUV: Jeep Wrangler
2nd Place: Subaru XV Crosstek
3rd Place: Honda CR-V
Comparing the Jeep Wrangler to other vehicles in the industry is often a difficult task. There is simply no other vehicle that perfectly resembles the Wrangler. Perhaps it is due to its unique design that the Wrangler retains its value so well. Over the course of 12 years, CarGurus found that Wrangler models lost only a quarter of their value on average. That makes it a leader in value retention not only for the small SUV segment, but the industry as a whole.
Best Used Midsize Crossover/SUV: Toyota 4Runner
2nd Place: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
3rd Place: Toyota Venza
The 4Runner isn’t exactly the most popular model in the mid-size SUV segment, an automotive area that grows more every year. However, CarGurus found it to be one of the best models in this segment. The Toyota 4Runner received high marks from the CarGurus team, while its 60% value retention rate is 33.5% above average for its given segment, making the 4Runner a wise investment for drivers.
Best Used Full-Size Crossover/SUV: Hyundai Santa Fe
2nd Place: Ford Expedition
3rd Place: Dodge Durango
Sometimes being a jack-of-all-trades can pay off. Take the Hyundai Santa Fe for example. The Santa Fe was a top contender for many CarGurus users, but it wasn’t exactly anyone’s favorite. Nevertheless, while other full-size crossovers and SUVs proved to be more popular, their value retention rates were somewhat lacking. This is where the Santa Fe holds an advantage, with a value retention rate that’s 18% above average, helping propel it to first place.
Best Used Full-Size Truck: Ram 1500
2nd Place: Ford F-150
3rd Place: Toyota Tundra
Full-size trucks are some of the most popular vehicles on the road. But whereas the Ford sells more new F-150 models than any other vehicle currently on the market, the Ram 1500 might just be a better used truck choice, at least according to CarGurus. Its value retention rate is 8% higher than the Ford F-150. Furthermore, CarGurus found the Ram model to be appealing thanks to its diverse engine options, like the 3.6-liter FlexFuel V6.
Source: CarGurus
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