CHOOSING A CAR isn’t a one-size-
fits-all proposition. A driver’s
stature can have an effect on
seat comfort, driving position,
ease of getting in and out,
and outward visibility. The CR
testers who evaluate these
factors range in height from
5 feet, 1 inch to 6 feet, 2 inches.
We’ve based the 10 best models
for short and tall drivers (in rank
order) on their evaluations of
those four factors. Some models
steal rear seat space to make
the front area bigger, so if you
regularly carry passengers in
the front or rear, bring them
along on the test drive.
BEST + WORST
A NEW CAR can depreciate by as much as
40 percent in its first three years yet
still have most of its useful life ahead of
it. That means buying used can be a real
bargain. The first owner took the hit to
the residual value and you get to enjoy the
savings —as long as maintenance and repair
costs are low. The used cars, wagons,
SUVs, and pickup trucks on this list are the
most likely to hold up over time. All of them
performed well in our tests when new and
have above-average reliability in the years
listed, based on survey data from the CR
members who own them.
THE AVERAGE PRICE paid for a new
car has climbed to about $37,000,
according to the National Automobile
Dealers Association. But a wide
array of CR-recommended models
cost far less. The cars and SUVs on
this list are all recommended, having
met our stringent performance,
reliability, and safety standards.
And don’t assume you’ll have to
settle for bare-bones trim levels to
save money. Many of these can be
purchased with desirable features
and still cost less than $30,000.
SMALL CARS
Honda Civic
Honda Fit
Honda Insight
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Elantra GT
Kia Forte
Kia Soul
Mazda
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Corolla
(incl. hybrid)
To y o t a Cor olla
Hatchback
Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius Prime
To y o t a Yaris
Volkswagen Golf
MIDSIZED CARS
Ford Fusion
Honda Accord
Kia Optima
Mazda
Nissan Altima
Subaru Legacy
To y o t a C amr y
SPORTS CARS
Honda Civic Si
Hyundai Veloster
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mini Cooper S
Subaru BRZ
To y o t a 86
SMALL SUVs
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Kona
Kia Sportage
Mazda CX-
Mazda CX-
Nissan Rogue
Nissan Rogue Sport
Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru Forester
SMALL CARS
Acura TSX ’10-
BMW i3 ’14-15, ’
Honda Fit ’11-13, ’16-
Lexus CT200h
’11-13, ’
Mazda3 ’11-
Nissan Leaf
’11-13, ’15-
Scion xB ’12, ’
Toyota Corolla ’10-
To y o t a Ma tri x ’
Toyota Prius ’10-
Toyota Prius C ’12-
MIDSIZED CARS
Acura TL ’10, ’12-
Honda Accord ’10-
Hyundai Azera ’12-
Lexus ES ’10-
Lexus GS ’
Lexus IS ’10-12, ’
Lexus LS ’10-
Mazda6 ’10, ’15-
To y o t a Av alon ’10-
Toyota Camry ’10-
SPORTS CARS
Mazda MX-5 Miata ’12-
WAGONS
Toyota Prius V ’12-
Toyota Venza ’10-
Volvo XC70 ’12-13, ’
SMALL SUVs
Mazda CX-5 ’13-
Nissan Rogue Sport
’17-
To y o t a R AV4 ’10-
MIDSIZED
& LARGE SUVs
Lexus RX ’10-
Toyota 4Runner ’10-
To y o t a Highlander ’10-
PICKUP TRUCKS
Honda Ridgeline ’10-
To y o t a Tundr a ’10-
Best Used
Vehicles
Under
$20,
Best New
Vehicles
Under
$30,
Best for
Short and
Tall Drivers
16 CR.ORG APRIL 2020