In an era of ever-rising prices, it’s become increasingly difficult to find cheap cars for sale. This is especially true when you’re browsing new models, which have broken some unfortunate records in recent years. According to one study, the average price of a new car has risen by an astounding 44 percent over the last decade, from around $34,000 in 2015 to $49,000 today. This trend can be partially blamed on pandemic-related supply issues that caused prices to spike by as much as 21% since 2019. While 2024 brought some respite with a brief 1% dip, it’s clear that there’s never been a better time to consider a pre-owned vehicle.
Used cars, trucks, and SUVs allow buyers to expand their automotive portfolio without breaking the bank. They offer the added benefit of being less vulnerable to depreciation, which causes newer vehicles to lose value more quickly. That said, not all pre-owned vehicles are created equal. In an effort to ensure a smooth, worry-free buying process, we’ve compiled a quick list of four of the best used models you’ll be able to find here at NJ State Auto Used Cars. Join us as we review some of the best values on the pre-owned market and learn why cheaping out has its advantages.
Honda Accord
Category: Midsize sedan
Years To Look For: 2018, 2023
While winning isn’t everything, it can sure be helpful when it comes to setting yourself apart from the crowd. Honda’s midsize Accord has consistently been one of the industry’s best-selling models thanks to its satisfying fusion of reliability, comfort, and efficiency, and has earned plenty of recognition along the way. One appearance on Car and Driver’s 10Best list is a pretty solid indication of quality, but the Accord has landed the award a record-setting 40 times since it was first introduced in 1976. Currently on a 28-year hot streak of consecutive wins, there’s no arguing with the value that the Accord brings to the table. The popular model was a leader in hybrid tech, with Honda equipping the Accord with an electric-assisted powertrain as early as 2014. A little electrification goes a long way towards boosting the Accord’s fuel-sipping appeal, enabling drivers to achieve up to 51 MPG in the city and 44 MPG on the highway in the 2023 model.
It’s tough to go wrong when choosing between Accord models, but here’s a hot tip: look for the first model year of any given generation if you want to access some of the car’s more cutting-edge features at a discount. In the case of the midsize Honda, that would mean the first tenth-generation model in the 2018 Accord and the 2023 version that kicked off the eleventh generation. Both were named finalists for the coveted North American Car of the Year award, with the latter earning Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy Award in the midsize category. The trophy marked an impressive showing for the Japanese brand, which also took home KBB’s Best Overall Brand and Best Value Brand trophies.
Kia Sportage
Category: Subcompact crossover
Years To Look For: 2022
You’ll enjoy safety in spades when you step behind the wheel of the Kia Sportage, which boasts a robust array of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Kia has long embraced a safety-first approach to automotive design, and the subcompact Sportage is no exception. It’s not unusual for a vehicle to adopt a new suite of safety tech with the debut of the next-generation model, but Kia has adopted an accelerated schedule that’s notable for the sheer number of year-to-year improvements. Just take the 2022 Sportage, for example. The crossover was already carrying its weight with some of the segment’s most comprehensive ADAS, and it only improved as Kia expanded the availability of this life-saving tech for the new model year. Features like forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warnings, and pedestrian detection all became standard for 2022. The same goes for the SUV’s blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic collision warning, which make it a lot easier to keep an eye on those frequently neglected areas.
The 2022 model also addressed one of the most annoying issues of nighttime driving: constantly switching between low- and high-beam headlights. High Beam Assist makes flicking between settings a thing of the past and gives drivers one less thing to worry about during their daily commute. These features all played a big part in helping the Sportage earn an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick nod, and make the crossover pretty hard to ignore if you’re looking to enjoy all of the latest safety tech. The Sportage also provides one of the more refined cabins in the subcompact category, and isn’t averse to providing a few thrills with an available 240-hp turbocharged engine that serves it well in a straight-line sprint.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Category: Midsize crossover
Years To Look For: 2022
The midsize Santa Fe has been praised for its family-friendly design, and it’s easy to see why. From a spacious cabin that includes 72.1 cu.ft. of maximum storage capacity and comfortable seating for up to five passengers, to an extensive safety package that landed the SUV a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Santa Fe has it all. The midsize model even includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology as a standard feature, which can make a big difference when tackling traffic jams or finding a little relief on longer rides.
The Santa Fe also delivers the sort of efficiency that can make all of the difference in terms of lifetime ownership costs. Hyundai equipped the SUV with four engines for 2022, ranging from the base 2.5L I-4 to turbocharged engines, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. The standard hybrid is the undisputed leader in efficiency, with up to 36 MPG in the city, but the PHEV model delivers a competitive 33 MPG combined while offering an all-electric range of 33 miles. If you are looking to inject a little excitement into your day, look no further than the 2.5L turbocharged I-4. Capable of producing 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, the turbocharged engine allows the Santa Fe to accelerate to 60 mph in as little as 6.0 seconds while also providing the most towing power of the bunch with a maximum capacity of 3,500 lbs. An exclusive eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) features paddle shifters that let drivers upshift or downshift as needed, creating a more dynamic driving experience.
Like its corporate cousin in the Kia Sportage, the Hyundai Santa Fe’s biggest selling point might just be its warranty. Hyundai and Kia offer one of the industry’s most generous policies, which can make a huge difference when you’re trying to decide between used models. There’s a lot of value to be had on the pre-owned market, but even the best deal can balloon into a financial burden if it can’t stay on the road. A good warranty can serve as an important economic safety net, protecting buyers from those worst-case scenarios and providing the sort of peace of mind that’s all too rare when shopping used. The Santa Fe is covered by a five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and, even more importantly, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty (from the original in-service date) that covers many of the model’s most expensive components.
Nissan Altima
Category: Midsize sedan
Years To Look For: 2024
Shopping the pre-owned market doesn’t mean you have to settle for older models that are starting to show their age, especially when you’re considering a Nissan. The brand has made a name for itself by providing buyers with well-rounded vehicles at a reasonable price, and it produces one of the industry’s most budget-friendly midsize options in the Altima. The reliability that sets it apart in the midsize segment is good news for any buyers browsing the used market. The 2024 model year marks a real highlight for the Nissan sedan, with the Altima placing at the top of its class in J.D. Power’s annual Initial Quality Study (IQS). This marked a new high point for the sedan as the Altima earned an 85/100 Quality and Reliability score from J.D. Power, and it’s only improved in the years since, with the 2025 version achieving a stellar 89/100.
While impressive, the Altima wasn’t alone, with Nissan’s Sentra, Rogue, Frontier, and Pathfinder all logging top-three finishes in their respective categories, helping Nissan achieve a problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) score of 166 for the 2024 model year. That places the automaker well above rivals like Honda (181 PP100), Toyota (192), and Mazda (232) while easily clearing the study average of 195 PP100.
The Altima’s efficiency is sure to appeal to eco-conscious drivers, with the entry-level engine offering up to 38 MPG on the highway, but the midsize model also knows how to provide a little excitement. Opt for the 2.0L turbocharged engine, and you’ll be able to access 248 hp and post a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.9 seconds. Upper trims also feature some sporty design cues that’ll round out the performance-inspired experience, from simulated carbon fiber trim to a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
The sedan offers all of the modern tech one would expect from a late-model vehicle, including an available 12.3-inch touchscreen with integrated GPS, a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless phone charger, and a full bevy of ADAS like blind-spot monitoring, high-beam assist, adaptive cruise control, and even semi-autonomous driving thanks to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist system. The 2024 model also improves on the Altima’s tech portfolio with a new NissanConnect Services feature that lets owners remotely lock and start their vehicle through an easy-to-use smartphone app.
Find a Great Deal Today
A little research goes a long way when it comes to finding the right pre-owned vehicle, but if you really want to find success on the used market, it all comes down to choosing the right partner. We hold our pre-owned models to a higher standard, and it’s the customer who stands to benefit. Surprises can be fun, but not when you’re shopping for a used vehicle. That’s why every pre-owned model comes with a complimentary CARFAX vehicle history report. This means you’ll be able to quickly spot any repairs or accidents that might be lurking in a vehicle’s past and enjoy the protection that only CARFAX’s Buyback Guarantee can provide. Every model that makes its way onto the lot has also been thoroughly inspected by our dedicated service technicians, who are trained to spot even the smallest issue. If you’re tired of the uncertainty that often comes with the pre-owned buying experience, NJ State Auto Used Cars is here to show you that there’s a better way to shop.