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CarGurus Names the Best Used Vehicles in Seven Segments During Its Inaugural Used Cars Awards

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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

Dodge Dart

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.


Dodge Nabs Three APEAL Awards from J.D. Power - Dodge Charger

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.


2016 Lincoln MKZ

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.


2015 Jeep Wrangler | Toledo Gets Even More Desperate While Trying to Keep Wrangler Production in Ohio

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.


J.D. Power Seat Quality and Satisfaction Study

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.


2016_Hyundai_Santa_Fe_Overview_exterior

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.


2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

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