Clark Howard

New list: Here are the best used cars over the last 5 years

The automobile industry is largely based on promoting the latest and greatest vehicles on the market. Sure, they come with all the bells and whistles, but also the largest price tag. If you want to save some serious coin, the used car market is where it’s at.

The problem with shopping for used cars, though, is that it's often difficult to find ratings data on older vehicles, especially compiled all in one place. That's why for the first time a much-needed resource, The Car Book, published by former National Highway Transportation Safety Administration brass Jack Gillis and the Center for Auto Safety, is going the extra mile and giving consumers vehicle info on used cars going back five years.

2013-2017 models: Here are the best used cars you can buy

The Car Book has several important barometers that constitute a good car, including crash test ratings, complaint and safety ratings on new and used vehicles sold every year.

If you're contemplating buying a not-so-new vehicle in the near future, here are the 10 best vehicles over the past five years, according the experts:

2013 Best Bets

2014 Best Bets

2015 Best Bets

2016 Best Bets

2017 Best Bets

Acura MDX

BMW 3 Series

Audi A6

Audi A6

Audi A6

Audi A6

BMW 5 Series

BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series

Buick Verano

Cadillac XTS

Cadillac XTS

Buick LaCrosse

Cadillac XTS

Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet Malibu

Cadillac XTS

Chevrolet Malibu

Honda Civic

Honda Civic

Honda Civic

Chevrolet Malibu

Honda Civic

Lexus ES

Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V

Honda Civic

Lexus ES

Lexus IS

Honda Fit

Honda Fit

Honda CR-V

Subaru Crosstrek

Mazda 3

Lexus ES

Lexus ES

Lexus IS

Toyota Avalon

Mazda 6

Lexus IS

Lexus IS

Lexus NX

Toyota Camry

 

 

 

 

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