Striking the Balance: Great Sedans to Buy Used

Purchasing a car is a balancing act. You don’t want to spend too much money, but you also want to make sure the vehicle you’re getting is satisfying, accommodating, and reliable. Ideally, you’d like to have some higher-end design and tech features, but the most important thing is making sure you have a vehicle in good condition with guaranteed longevity ahead. We understand the discernment process. If you don’t need a full-size vehicle for work or family, the best way to get nice features at an affordable rate is to look for a used sedan. 

While a lot of people think of sedans as mere commuter vehicles, many models provide numerous and generous trim options, allowing for luxury features that rival many sports cars while still keeping the price within reason. Purchasing used can further reduce the price, and if you’re strategic about your approach, you won’t end up with a model that feels old or outdated. One of the best ways to get a great deal on used cars for sale is to purchase from a more recent model year, ensuring that you get new, up-to-date features while knocking a good chunk off the price of what you would pay for a comparable new model. 

If you jump right in and start looking at used sedans, you might be a bit confused and overwhelmed by all of the options on the market. So, to help guide your process, we’ve developed a list of great sedans to look for, all of which will provide an outstanding balance of excellence, efficiency, and affordability. Take a look below for some great options to keep your eye out for!

The Hyundai Sonata

The Hyundai Sonata is a prime example of a high-value sedan, as it offers premier comfort, technology, and safety features on top of having a price that pre-owned shoppers can get behind. The Sonata leans into Hyundai’s finer side in terms of design, and anybody looking for the highest luxury and the best cost should look into the 2020 Sonata specifically.

This iteration of the Sonata was a highlight of the year, making significant steps forward with the launch of the model’s eighth generation. Leaning into luxury features in a way that was unprecedented for the Sonata, the 2020 model offers something more refined than previous ones, even going so far as to incorporate hidden lighting lamps, appearing as chrome textures when turned off and enlivening the vehicle when turned on. 

The 2020 Sonata also has plenty of up-to-date tech features, meaning you will be far from behind the times even when buying used. With a 10.25-inch HD touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, the 2020 Sonata will keep you well-connected throughout your drive. For any music lovers out there, the 2020 Sonata was the first model to collaborate with Bose, offering the best audio experience on the market. 

With highly advanced tech, a pre-owned 2020 Sonata will certainly never feel like an old vehicle. The Sonata has been one of Hyundai’s best-selling nameplates for many years. The 2020 model shows why this is so: a luxurious, tech-forward driving experience in a sedan body at an affordable price. That’s the ideal combination when it comes to nailing the balancing act of purchasing a used vehicle.  

The Hyundai Elantra

The Elantra is Hyundai’s other premiere sedan model. While it has many similarities to the Sonata, the main difference is that it is a bit smaller, offering a more compact maneuverability, which can be a positive for those living in urban areas where space considerations are a daily factor. The Elantra and Sonata, however, are very similar in terms of design and technology features, especially when comparing the 2020 Sonata to the 2021 Elantra. Just as the Sonata was released “all-new” for the 2020 model year, the Elantra was “all-new” for 2021, with its seventh generation debuting.

Not only did the Elantra make significant progress for the 2021 model year, but it also introduced a completely new concept in the Elantra Hybrid. If fuel efficiency and saving money are your thing, the 2021 Elantra Hybrid is one ride you’ll want to consider heavily. Able to reach an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 54 MPG combined, this highly efficient Elantra will be able to provide impressive capability, longevity, and long-term savings. While the cost of the hybrid may be a bit more upfront, the over-time savings on fuel will be huge, meaning that you can better manage your finances over the years.   

Hybrid driving is heightened driving, especially when you’re in a sporty, design- and tech-forward sedan like the Elantra. Though the Elantra may have slightly smaller dimensions than the Sonata, it certainly keeps up in terms of style and capability.               

The Chevy Malibu 

The Chevy Malibu has long been known as one of the market’s most popular sedans. First hitting the market sixty years ago in 1964, the Malibu has maintained a solid run throughout its life. As GM has announced that it is ceasing production of the Malibu—a huge loss for the automotive industry—this is a model you’ll want to seriously consider pre-owned, as it will soon be a highly sought-after piece of automotive history. 

The key factors of the Malibu are Chevy’s high-end design and award-winning in-vehicle technology. If you look over the Malibu’s past several model years, you’ll find some popular design-oriented variants, such as the Midnight Edition and Redline Edition. With the Midnight Edition leaning into the mystique of an all-black aesthetic and the Redline Edition focusing on fierce, sporty design, the Malibu offers some cutting-edge variants that will make your vehicle a place you want to be. 

These unique interior designs, combined with Chevy’s industry-leading technology, will make for a great driving experience. With connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto going back several model years, even used Malibus will have you well-connected from start to finish. The award-winning Chevy Safety Assist suite—present on most used Malibus—provides innovative driver assistance tools, including enhanced automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, and others. 

The Malibu is a smart vehicle with exciting design variants. It’s the perfect sedan for those looking for a reliable, trusted vehicle with a great reputation. Since Chevy won’t be producing new ones anymore, now is the time to jump on a used Malibu!  

Finding the Right Model

Purchasing a used vehicle is a balancing act, which can be achieved if you approach it strategically. By seeking out models that provide the gamut of all the features you’re looking for, you can have it all under one roof. Purchasing used can also lower the price tag, allowing you to make sure your money is routed to where you most need it. 

Whether you’re seeking a Hyundai like the beloved Sonata or Elantra or another model from a different brand, looking into the specifics of the design and tech features, as well as any options for maximized efficiency (such as a hybrid powertrain), will help you discover the best model for your needs and desires. With a little bit of research (and maybe a test drive), you’ll be able to find a vehicle that strikes the balance and gets you the features you want at a price you can appreciate.

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