The 10 best budget-friendly used cars under $20,000

• Consumer Reports released its top used cars on sale today that cost less than $20,000.
• The list includes hybrids, SUVs, trucks, and sedans from Toyota, Mazda, Honda, GM, and Hyundai/Kia.
• The average price of a used car in the US is $25,415, according to KBB.

Not all used cars are created equal, and with the average price of a used car in the US at near record highs, some expert guidance is helpful.

In August, Consumer Reports published its first-ever list of the 10 top used cars on sale in the US.

None of the vehicles on the Consumer Reports list cost more than $20,000, which is significantly below the $25,000 a used car costs on average these days. (And much cheaper than a new car).

"That's why we placed a big emphasis on value in selecting these 10 vehicles, looking for the hidden gems that offered the right blend of reliability, performance, and safety at the most budget-friendly prices," Alex Knizek, Consumer Reports associate director of auto test development, said in a press release.

The list includes hybrids, SUVs, and sedans, as well as a sports car and a truck.

In addition to a price tag below $20,000, all of the entrants on the list earned the publication recommendation when tested as a new vehicle, have an above-average reliability rating, and come standard with electronic stability control.

The newest vehicles on the list are the 2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid sedan and the 2021 Kia Sportage compact SUV, while the oldest model is the 2015 Toyota Tacoma midsize pickup.