Best Used Cars Under $10,000, 2016 or Newer
40 cars in our catalog fit. These 3 score highest on documented problems, running costs, crash tests, fuel economy and space, each with the model years to shop and the engine to look for.
Refine with your own answersBest match: Chevrolet Malibu
2016 · 9th gen · $8-11k
Chevrolet Malibu
2016 · 9th gen · $8-11k1.8L 4-cylinder hybrid · Hybrid · 182 hp · Sedan
- Quieter and smoother than most in its class
- Good crash-test results for its era
- Among the cheapest to insure
The Chevrolet Malibu came out ahead. Look for the 1.8L 4-cylinder hybrid: 46 mpg combined and about $650 a year in maintenance and typical repairs.
- Typical price
- $8-11k
- MPG combined
- 46
- Upkeep a year
- $650
- Seats
- 5
Documented problems
2
- caution: Radio screen delaminates and ghost touches2016-2020 · $600-1,000 for a screen
- caution: Electronic parking brake faults2016-2020 · $400-800
Price by model year
$8,000-11,000
Typical private-party price for 2016, average miles
Only 2016 fits your $10k max. 2017 and newer typically sell for about $11k and up.
Second pick: Kia Optima
2016 · JF · $7.5-11k
Kia Optima
2016 · JF · $7.5-11k2.0L turbo 4-cylinder · SX, SXL · 245 hp · Sedan
- Top crash-test results for its era
- Quieter and smoother than most in its class
- Among the cheapest to insure
- Typical price
- $7.5-11k
- MPG combined
- 25
- Upkeep a year
- $580
- Seats
- 5
Documented problems
1
- major: Cars without an engine immobilizer are easy to steal2016-2020 · $0-500 for the dealer software update and a wheel lock
Price by model year
$7,500-11,000
Typical private-party price for 2016, average miles
Only 2016 fits your $10k max. 2017 and newer typically sell for about $11k and up.
Third pick: Kia Soul
2016-2018 · 2nd gen · $6.3-11.8kAbout $110 a year less upkeep than the Malibu
Kia Soul
2016-2018 · 2nd gen · $6.3-11.8kAbout $110 a year less upkeep than the Malibu2.0L 4-cylinder · Plus, Exclaim · 161 hp · Hatchback
- Good crash-test results for its era
- Among the cheapest to insure
- Typical price
- $6.3-11.8k
- MPG combined
- 27
- Upkeep a year
- $540
- Seats
- 5
Documented problems
1
- major: Cars without an engine immobilizer are easy to steal2014-2019 · $0-500 for the dealer software update and a wheel lock
Price by model year
$6,300-11,800
Typical private-party price for 2016-2018, average miles
2016-2018 are the newest years in your budget.
More that fit
- Ford Fusion
2016-2017 · 2nd gen · 2.0L hybrid
$7-11k$650 a year upkeep - Chevrolet Cruze
2017-2018 · 2nd gen · 1.6L turbodiesel 4-cylinder
$7.2-11k$620 a year upkeep - Volkswagen Passat
2016 · NMS · 3.6L V6
$7.1-12k$750 a year upkeep - Hyundai Elantra
2017-2018 · AD · 1.6L turbo 4-cylinder
$7-11.2k$530 a year upkeep - Toyota Yaris
2016-2017 · 3rd gen · 1.5L 4-cylinder
$7.5-11.5k$380 a year upkeep - Hyundai Sonata
2016 · LF · 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder
$7.3-10.5k$600 a year upkeep - Kia Forte
2016-2018 · YD · 1.6L turbo 4-cylinder
$5.6-10.5k$540 a year upkeep
Known problems at this budget
- Critical
Ford Focus
2012-2018 · 2.0L 4-cylinder
PowerShift automatic shudders, slips and can lose drive (manual cars are unaffected)
$1,000-3,000 for clutches or the control module
Problems and prices - Critical
Ford Fusion
2017-2019 · 1.5L turbo 4-cylinder
Coolant leaking into the cylinders
$4,000-7,000 for a new engine block
Problems and prices - Critical
Hyundai Elantra
2011-2016 · 1.8L 4-cylinder
Burns oil and can seize if it runs low
$4,000-6,000 for an engine; Hyundai's extended coverage applies to some cars
Problems and prices
Picks reflect documented patterns and typical prices for these model years. Not a guarantee for any individual vehicle. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.