Highlights:
- The Honda Fit is the most reliable 5-year-old used car for the money, with a 10.9-year remaining lifespan and an average list price of $18,445, or a $1,693 price per year
- The Nissan LEAF is the most reliable 10-year-old used car for the money, making it the first electric car to lead the overall rankings, with an average used price of just $5,675 and a remaining lifespan of 5.1 years, or $1,108 per year of remaining life
- The average 5-year-old used car costs $24,377 and has an average remaining lifespan of 7.4 years, or $3,310 per year of remaining life
- The average 10-year-old used car costs $14,195 and has an average remaining lifespan of 5.9 years, or $2,415 per year of remaining life
- The Buick Encore is the most reliable 5-year-old SUV for the money and the Jeep Compass is the most reliable 10-year-old SUV for the money
Reliability and remaining lifespan are arguably the most important factors for used car shoppers seeking the highest value from their next purchase, and the Honda Fit ranks as the most reliable 5-year-old used car for the money. The Fit has an average 1- to 5-year-old used price of $18,445 and an expected remaining lifespan of 10.9 years, resulting in an annual cost of $1,693 per year. That’s about half the average per-year cost of a 5-year-old used car, which is $3,310.
iSeeCars analyzed the prices of over 900,000 5- and 10-year-old used cars sold in July - December 2025 and the odometer readings of almost 400 million used cars from its Longest Lasting Cars Study. The average list price of each model was compared to its expected lifespan (in years) to calculate the list price per year.
“The average 1- to 5-year-old used car still costs more than $30,000, or 50% more than they did five years ago,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “And even 10-year-old used cars average more than $14,000 in cost, making reliability and remaining lifespan the two most important factors to consider when buying a used vehicle.”
Most reliable 5-year-old cars for the money
Honda has four models in the top 24 most reliable 5-year-old used cars for the money, followed by Toyota with three models and Kia, Mitsubishi and Nissan with two cars each. The Chevrolet Sonic and Nissan Versa have the shortest expected remaining lifespans, at just 5.1 and 5.2 years, respectively, while the Lexus IS has the longest expected remaining lifespan at 13 years.| 24 Most Reliable 5-Year-Old Used Cars for the Money - iSeeCars Study | |||||
| Rank | Model | Average List Price | Expected Remaining Lifespan (Years) | Price per Remaining Year | Compared to Average |
| 1 | Honda Fit | $18,445 | 10.9 | $1,693 | 0.51x |
| 2 | Kia Rio 5-Door | $12,977 | 6.6 | $1,979 | 0.6x |
| 3 | Honda Civic | $19,958 | 9.6 | $2,070 | 0.63x |
| 4 | Buick Encore | $16,030 | 7.7 | $2,084 | 0.63x |
| 5 | Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback | $20,042 | 9.6 | $2,091 | 0.63x |
| 6 | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | $15,028 | 7.1 | $2,104 | 0.64x |
| 7 | Hyundai Elantra | $14,312 | 6.6 | $2,162 | 0.65x |
| 8 | Lexus IS 300 | $28,213 | 13.0 | $2,173 | 0.66x |
| 9 | Volkswagen Jetta | $16,608 | 7.6 | $2,198 | 0.66x |
| 10 | Toyota Corolla | $17,104 | 7.7 | $2,211 | 0.67x |
| 11 | Kia Soul | $14,310 | 6.3 | $2,267 | 0.68x |
| 12 | Mitsubishi Outlander | $15,943 | 6.9 | $2,314 | 0.70x |
| 13 | Toyota Prius | $21,040 | 8.9 | $2,354 | 0.71x |
| 14 | Toyota Camry Hybrid | $22,564 | 9.3 | $2,435 | 0.74x |
| 15 | Chevrolet Sonic | $12,409 | 5.1 | $2,436 | 0.74x |
| 16 | MINI Hardtop 2 Door | $19,388 | 7.9 | $2,442 | 0.74x |
| 17 | Nissan Versa | $12,632 | 5.2 | $2,443 | 0.74x |
| 18 | Nissan Rogue | $17,323 | 7.1 | $2,446 | 0.74x |
| 19 | MINI Hardtop 4 Door | $19,548 | 7.9 | $2,462 | 0.74x |
| 20 | Ford Fusion Hybrid | $16,833 | 6.8 | $2,468 | 0.75x |
| 21 | Jeep Compass | $17,609 | 7.1 | $2,471 | 0.75x |
| 22 | Honda Civic (coupe) | $21,602 | 8.7 | $2,480 | 0.75x |
| 23 | Lexus IS 350 | $32,281 | 13.0 | $2,486 | 0.75x |
| 24 | Honda CR-V | $24,366 | 9.8 | $2,489 | 0.75x |
| Overall 5-Year-Old Used Car Average | $24,377 | 7.4 | $3,310 | -- | |
“With coupes, sedans, SUVs, a hybrid, and even a luxury model included in the top 24 most reliable used cars for the money, there’s a vehicle to fill nearly every need for used car shoppers seeking a low-cost model with a long predicted lifespan,” said Brauer.
Most reliable 10-year-old cars for the money
The Nissan LEAF is the most reliable 10-year-old car for the money, with an average price of $5,675 and an average expected remaining lifespan of 5.1 years. It’s the first electric vehicle to lead the overall rankings, landing above the second-place Honda Fit that topped the list for 5-year-old used cars. The LEAF also beat other high-ranking 10-year-old models like the Lincoln MKZ and Volkswagen Jetta. Two additional luxury models beyond the MKZ, rank well in the 10-year list, including the Volvo XC60 and Mercedes-Benz CLA.| 25 Most Reliable 10-Year-Old Used Cars for the Money - iSeeCars Study | |||||
| Rank | Model | Average List Price | Expected Remaining Lifespan (Years) | Price per Remaining Year | Compared to Average |
| 1 | Nissan LEAF | $5,675 | 5.1 | $1,108 | 0.46x |
| 2 | Honda Fit | $11,492 | 8.6 | $1,341 | 0.56x |
| 3 | Lincoln MKZ | $11,148 | 7.2 | $1,542 | 0.64x |
| 4 | Volkswagen Jetta | $9,086 | 5.9 | $1,546 | 0.64x |
| 5 | Nissan Versa | $7,403 | 4.7 | $1,575 | 0.65x |
| 6 | Hyundai Elantra | $8,919 | 5.7 | $1,577 | 0.65x |
| 7 | Honda Civic | $12,528 | 7.7 | $1,617 | 0.67x |
| 8 | Tesla Model S | $16,874 | 10.3 | $1,642 | 0.68x |
| 9 | Jeep Compass | $9,303 | 5.6 | $1,647 | 0.68x |
| 10 | Hyundai Accent | $7,661 | 4.7 | $1,647 | 0.68x |
| 11 | Ford Fusion Hybrid | $10,016 | 6.1 | $1,649 | 0.68x |
| 12 | MINI Hardtop 4 Door | $10,835 | 6.5 | $1,659 | 0.69x |
| 13 | Kia Rio | $7,764 | 4.7 | $1,660 | 0.69x |
| 14 | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | $8,876 | 5.3 | $1,674 | 0.69x |
| 15 | Kia Soul | $8,837 | 5.2 | $1,699 | 0.70x |
| 16 | Chevrolet Sonic | $7,397 | 4.3 | $1,707 | 0.71x |
| 17 | Volvo XC60 | $11,675 | 6.8 | $1,708 | 0.71x |
| 18 | Mercedes-Benz CLA | $13,541 | 7.9 | $1,718 | 0.71x |
| 19 | Fiat 500L | $8,399 | 4.9 | $1,720 | 0.71x |
| 20 | MINI Hardtop 2 Door | $11,258 | 6.5 | $1,723 | 0.71x |
| 21 | Nissan Altima | $9,280 | 5.3 | $1,740 | 0.72x |
| 22 | Buick Encore | $10,271 | 5.8 | $1,762 | 0.73x |
| 23 | Toyota Avalon | $15,605 | 8.8 | $1,770 | 0.73x |
| 24 | Toyota Prius | $12,688 | 7.1 | $1,791 | 0.74x |
| 25 | Volkswagen Passat | $9,125 | 5.1 | $1,791 | 0.74x |
| Overall 10-Year-Old Used Car Average | $14,195 | 5.9 | $2,415 | -- | |
“The Nissan LEAF is the lowest-priced model in the 10-year list, but with a 5.1-year predicted remaining lifespan, buyers need to go into a LEAF purchase knowing it’s not a long-term solution,” said Brauer. “Buyers seeking a longer-term EV option should consider the Tesla Model S, which costs almost three times as much as the LEAF but has over twice the remaining lifespan.”
Most reliable 5-year-old trucks for the money
Trucks have become one of the most expensive vehicle segments over the past 20 years, but they’re also among the most durable vehicle types with a long average lifespan. The Ford Ranger is the most reliable truck for the money, with a 10.1-year expected remaining lifespan and a per-year cost of $2,607. The Toyota Tacoma and Tundra also offer 10-plus year expected remaining lifespans, while the segment average is an impressive 8.1 years.| Most Reliable 5-Year-Old Used Trucks for the Money - iSeeCars Study | |||||
| Rank | Model | Average List Price | Expected Remaining Lifespan (Years) | Price per Remaining Year | Compared to Average |
| 1 | Ford Ranger | $26,299 | 10.1 | $2,607 | 0.67x |
| 2 | Chevrolet Colorado | $23,373 | 8.9 | $2,631 | 0.68x |
| 3 | Nissan Frontier | $23,265 | 8.5 | $2,729 | 0.7x |
| 4 | Toyota Tacoma | $31,625 | 11.6 | $2,734 | 0.7x |
| 5 | GMC Canyon | $27,223 | 9.9 | $2,758 | 0.71x |
| 6 | Honda Ridgeline | $27,506 | 9.3 | $2,971 | 0.76x |
| 7 | Nissan Titan | $30,077 | 8.6 | $3,512 | 0.9x |
| 8 | Toyota Tundra | $38,926 | 10.9 | $3,584 | 0.92x |
| 9 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $31,344 | 8.3 | $3,792 | 0.98x |
| 5-Year-Old Used Truck Average | $31,535 | 8.1 | $3,887 | -- | |
Most reliable 10-year-old trucks for the money
The Nissan Frontier tops the 10-year-old used truck ranking, with an average purchase price of $14,688 and a per-year cost of $2,174. The top four models in this category are midsize trucks, suggesting their small size doesn’t translate to small lifespans.| Most Reliable 10-Year-Old Used Trucks for the Money - iSeeCars Study | |||||
| Rank | Model | Average List Price | Expected Remaining Lifespan (Years) | Price per Remaining Year | Compared to Average |
| 1 | Nissan Frontier | $14,688 | 6.8 | $2,174 | 0.72x |
| 2 | GMC Canyon | $18,275 | 7.9 | $2,305 | 0.76x |
| 3 | Chevrolet Colorado | $17,176 | 7.4 | $2,330 | 0.77x |
| 4 | Toyota Tacoma | $21,441 | 9.2 | $2,338 | 0.77x |
| 5 | Nissan Titan | $16,930 | 6.7 | $2,509 | 0.83x |
| 6 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $18,996 | 6.5 | $2,916 | 0.96x |
| 7 | Toyota Tundra | $24,895 | 8.4 | $2,962 | 0.97x |
| 10-Year-Old Used Truck Average | $19,428 | 6.4 | $3,039 | -- | |
Most reliable 5-year-old SUVs for the money
The Buick Encore leads 5-year-old SUVs with a per-year cost of just $2,084 and a remaining lifespan of 7.7 years. The Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and INFINITI QX60 offer even longer remaining predicted lifespans, but their prices jump substantially, giving them a higher per-year cost than the Buick.| Most Reliable 5-Year-Old Used SUVs for the Money - iSeeCars Study | |||||
| Rank | Model | Average List Price | Expected Remaining Lifespan (Years) | Price per Remaining Year | Compared to Average |
| 1 | Buick Encore | $16,030 | 7.7 | $2,084 | 0.63x |
| 2 | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | $15,028 | 7.1 | $2,104 | 0.64x |
| 3 | Mitsubishi Outlander | $15,943 | 6.9 | $2,314 | 0.70x |
| 4 | Nissan Rogue | $17,323 | 7.1 | $2,446 | 0.74x |
| 5 | Jeep Compass | $17,609 | 7.1 | $2,471 | 0.75x |
| 6 | Honda CR-V | $24,366 | 9.8 | $2,489 | 0.75x |
| 7 | Ford Edge | $18,946 | 7.6 | $2,502 | 0.76x |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | $24,472 | 9.7 | $2,535 | 0.77x |
| 9 | INFINITI QX60 | $21,895 | 8.5 | $2,587 | 0.78x |
| 10 | Kia Sportage | $16,920 | 6.5 | $2,618 | 0.79x |
| 5-Year-Old Used SUV Average | $24,377 | 7.4 | $3,310 | -- | |
Most reliable 10-year-old SUVs for the money
While still dominated by compact SUVs, several luxury models are among the highest-ranked 10-year-old SUVs offering both a low purchase price and a relatively long expected remaining lifespan.| Most Reliable 10-Year-Old Used SUVs for the Money - iSeeCars Study | |||||
| Rank | Model | Average List Price | Expected Remaining Lifespan (Years) | Price per Remaining Year | Compared to Average |
| 1 | Jeep Compass | $9,303 | 5.6 | $1,647 | 0.66x |
| 2 | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | $8,876 | 5.3 | $1,674 | 0.68x |
| 3 | Volvo XC60 | $11,675 | 6.8 | $1,708 | 0.69x |
| 4 | Buick Encore | $10,271 | 5.8 | $1,762 | 0.71x |
| 5 | Mitsubishi Outlander | $10,107 | 5.4 | $1,868 | 0.75x |
| 6 | Acura RDX | $13,940 | 7.4 | $1,895 | 0.76x |
| 7 | Land Rover Range Rover Evoque | $12,468 | 6.6 | $1,899 | 0.77x |
| 8 | INFINITI QX60 | $11,181 | 5.9 | $1,904 | 0.77x |
| 9 | Mazda CX-9 | $11,027 | 5.8 | $1,910 | 0.77x |
| 10 | Ford Escape | $9,592 | 4.9 | $1,942 | 0.78x |
| 10-Year-Old Used SUV Average | $13,894 | 5.6 | $2,478 | -- | |
Most reliable 5-year-old passenger cars
Small vehicles like the Honda Fit, Kia Rio, and Honda Civic offer solid value even as new cars, and their long-term durability makes them even more attractive as high-value used cars. With their relatively low prices and high expected remaining lifespan, they are the best value for buyers who don’t need a lot of SUV-like space or functionality.| Most Reliable 5-Year-Old Used Passenger Cars for the Money - iSeeCars Study | |||||
| Rank | Model | Average List Price | Expected Remaining Lifespan (Years) | Price per Remaining Year | Compared to Average |
| 1 | Honda Fit | $18,445 | 10.9 | $1,693 | 0.62x |
| 2 | Kia Rio 5-Door | $12,977 | 6.6 | $1,979 | 0.73x |
| 3 | Honda Civic | $19,958 | 9.6 | $2,070 | 0.76x |
| 4 | Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback | $20,042 | 9.6 | $2,091 | 0.77x |
| 5 | Hyundai Elantra | $14,312 | 6.6 | $2,162 | 0.80x |
| 6 | Lexus IS 300 | $28,213 | 13.0 | $2,173 | 0.80x |
| 7 | Volkswagen Jetta | $16,608 | 7.6 | $2,198 | 0.81x |
| 8 | Toyota Corolla | $17,104 | 7.7 | $2,211 | 0.81x |
| 9 | Kia Soul | $14,310 | 6.3 | $2,267 | 0.83x |
| 10 | Toyota Prius | $21,040 | 8.9 | $2,354 | 0.87x |
| 5-Year-Old Used Passenger Car Average | $19,579 | 7.2 | $2,717 | -- | |
Most reliable 10-year-old passenger cars
The Nissan LEAF, Lincoln MKZ, Tesla Model S and Ford Fusion Hybrid all feature non-traditional drivetrains, illustrating how eclectic the list of high-value used vehicles gets when going back 10 years.| Most Reliable 10-Year-Old Used Passenger Cars for the Money - iSeeCars Study | |||||
| Rank | Model | Average List Price | Expected Remaining Lifespan (Years) | Price per Remaining Year | Compared to Average |
| 1 | Nissan LEAF | $5,675 | 5.1 | $1,108 | 0.55x |
| 2 | Honda Fit | $11,492 | 8.6 | $1,341 | 0.67x |
| 3 | Lincoln MKZ | $11,148 | 7.2 | $1,542 | 0.77x |
| 4 | Volkswagen Jetta | $9,086 | 5.9 | $1,546 | 0.77x |
| 5 | Nissan Versa | $7,403 | 4.7 | $1,575 | 0.78x |
| 6 | Hyundai Elantra | $8,919 | 5.7 | $1,577 | 0.78x |
| 7 | Honda Civic | $12,528 | 7.7 | $1,617 | 0.80x |
| 8 | Tesla Model S | $16,874 | 10.3 | $1,642 | 0.82x |
| 9 | Hyundai Accent | $7,661 | 4.7 | $1,647 | 0.82x |
| 10 | Ford Fusion Hybrid | $10,016 | 6.1 | $1,649 | 0.82x |
| 10-Year-Old Used Passenger Car Average | $11,966 | 6.0 | $2,009 | -- | |
Most reliable 5-year-old hybrids and EVs for the money
Toyota’s Prius started the hybrid craze over 20 years ago, and it remains the best value for buyers looking to combine a lower used car purchase price and long predicted remaining lifespan. It’s high fuel economy further adds to the Prius’ value equation.| Most Reliable 5-Year-Old Used Hybrids and EVs for the Money - iSeeCars Study | |||||
| Rank | Model | Average List Price | Expected Remaining Lifespan (Years) | Price per Remaining Year | Compared to Average |
| 1 | Toyota Prius | $21,040 | 8.9 | $2,354 | 0.86x |
| 2 | Toyota Camry Hybrid | $22,564 | 9.3 | $2,435 | 0.89x |
| 3 | Ford Fusion Hybrid | $16,833 | 6.8 | $2,468 | 0.90x |
| 4 | Tesla Model S | $32,482 | 12.8 | $2,545 | 0.93x |
| 5 | Nissan LEAF | $14,122 | 5.4 | $2,615 | 0.95x |
| 5-Year-Old Used Hybrid/EV Average | $23,628 | 8.6 | $2,750 | -- | |
Most reliable 10-year-old used hybrids and EVs for the money
The number of 10-year-old hybrid and electric vehicles is still pretty limited, but fans of these drivetrains that want to save money and have at least a modest remaining lifespan after purchase now have a few choices.| Most Reliable 10-Year-Old Used Hybrids and EVs for the Money - iSeeCars Study | |||||
| Rank | Model | Average List Price | Expected Remaining Lifespan (Years) | Price per Remaining Year | Compared to Average |
| 1 | Nissan LEAF | $5,675 | 5.1 | $1,108 | 0.59x |
| 2 | Tesla Model S | $16,874 | 10.3 | $1,642 | 0.88x |
| 3 | Ford Fusion Hybrid | $10,016 | 6.1 | $1,649 | 0.88x |
| 4 | Toyota Prius | $12,688 | 7.1 | $1,791 | 0.96x |
| 10-Year-Old Used Hybrid/EV Average | $12,978 | 6.9 | $1,875 | -- | |
It’s easy to focus on price or age when shopping for a used vehicle, but lifespan is just as important if you’re seeking value in the used car market. By combining purchase price with expected remaining lifespan it’s much clearer which models have the best combination of low cost and high potential for many years of future use.
Methodology
iSeeCars analyzed the prices of over 900,000 5- and 10-year-old used cars sold in July - December 2025 and the odometer readings of almost 400 million used cars from its Longest Lasting Cars Study. The average list price of each model was compared to its expected lifespan (in years) to calculate the list price per year. For the segment lists, only models with list price per year less than the segment average were shown. Low-volume vehicles and sports cars were excluded from further analysis.
About iSeeCars.com
iSeeCars.com is a data-driven car search and research company that helps shoppers find the best car deals by providing key insights and valuable resources, including the iSeeCars VIN Check report and Best Cars Rankings. iSeeCars has saved users over $447 million so far by applying big data analytics powered by over 25 billion (and growing) data points and using proprietary algorithms to objectively analyze, score and rank millions of new cars and used cars.
