Best Used Small Cars Under $20k for 2025
The best used small cars under $20k based on a data-driven analysis of each vehicle's reliability, resale value and safety.
The best used small car under $20k is the 2019 Honda Civic based on our analysis of 12 million vehicles to assess their reliability, resale value and safety. The 2019 Honda Civic has an average price of $18,912 with an overall iSeeCars score of 8.8. Behind the Civic is the 2019 Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback with average used car price of $18,887 and iSeeCars score of 8.8. The number 3 best used small car under $20k is the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan at $19,352 average price and 8.8 iSeeCars rating. For this analysis, iSeeCars looked at used small cars under $20k that are 1 to 6 years old to determine the latest model year vehicles that are within the price range of $15,000 to $20,000.
The best used small car under $20k is the 2019 Honda Civic based on our analysis of 12 million vehicles to assess their reliability, resale value and safety. The 2019 Honda Civic has an average price of $18,912 with an overall iSeeCars score of 8.8. Behind the Civic is the 2019 Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback with average used car price of $18,887 and iSeeCars score of 8.8. The number 3 best used small car under $20k is the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan at $19,352 average price and 8.8 iSeeCars rating. For this analysis, iSeeCars looked at used small cars under $20k that are 1 to 6 years old to determine the latest model year vehicles that are within the price range of $15,000 to $20,000.
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iSeeCars Score:
8.8
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 18912.448184
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
8.1
/ 10
-
Value Retention
9.3
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
8.8
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 18886.599668
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
8.0
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.5
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
8.8
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 19352.015913
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.9
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.6
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
4. 2020 Honda Fit
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iSeeCars Score:
8.7
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 18281.656289
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
8.2
/ 10
-
Value Retention
9.8
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
5. 2019 Honda Civic (coupe)
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iSeeCars Score:
8.6
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 19857.047236
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
8.3
/ 10
-
Value Retention
9.4
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
8.3
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 19817.172971
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.8
/ 10
-
Value Retention
9.0
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
7. 2021 Subaru Impreza
-
iSeeCars Score:
8.2
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 18810.269058
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.7
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.8
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
8. 2023 Kia Rio 5-Door
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iSeeCars Score:
8.2
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 17098.281609
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.5
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.8
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
-
iSeeCars Score:
8.2
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 19933.227932
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.5
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.4
/ 10
-
Safety
8.8
/ 10
10. 2020 Toyota Yaris
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iSeeCars Score:
8.2
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 15956.551282
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.4
/ 10
-
Value Retention
9.2
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
11. 2021 Volkswagen Golf
-
iSeeCars Score:
8.1
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 18511.594286
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.9
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.4
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
8.1
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 19807.716157
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.5
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.6
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
13. 2023 Kia Rio
-
iSeeCars Score:
8.1
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 16870.105109
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.4
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.8
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
-
iSeeCars Score:
8.0
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 19417.908435
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.5
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.5
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
15. 2021 Hyundai VELOSTER
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iSeeCars Score:
8.0
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 18633.125
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.4
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.7
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
7.9
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 19924.291563
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.3
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.4
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
7.9
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 17324.131439
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.1
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.6
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
18. 2020 FIAT 500L
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iSeeCars Score:
7.8
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 15011.666667
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.4
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.2
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
-
iSeeCars Score:
7.7
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 19440.587693
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.6
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.5
/ 10
-
Safety
7.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
7.7
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 19818.0
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.5
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.6
/ 10
-
Safety
7.0
/ 10
21. 2020 Hyundai ELANTRA GT
-
iSeeCars Score:
7.7
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 16493.37037
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.5
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.2
/ 10
-
Safety
7.3
/ 10
22. 2022 Hyundai ACCENT
-
iSeeCars Score:
7.7
/ 10
- Average Used Car Price: 16217.74763
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.3
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.7
/ 10
-
Safety
7.0
/ 10
2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Average Used Car Price: 16847.762431
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
9.4
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Average Used Car Price: 19603.007797
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
9.1
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
-
iSeeCars Score:
Not Available
- Average Used Car Price: 15042.698459
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
8.036633355183003
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.5
/ 10
-
Safety
7.0
/ 10
Related Rankings
How We Rank These Cars
iSeeCars Best Used Cars Under $20k Rankings are calculated based on the latest research by our data science team and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
We analyze data from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with the NHTSA's Safety Ratings to give you an unbiased guide to the best vehicles in each segment.
After being evaluated, vehicles with the highest average scores earn a spot in the iSeeCars Best Car Rankings. (No final score is given to vehicles missing a score in any of the categories, but scores for other categories are still shown.)
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).