Feature

The Best Used Car for Your Summer Road Trip

If you’re looking to upgrade your vehicle, get something a little nicer, or even just have a great car for summer travels, you may want to consider buying a used car. But leveling up doesn’t have to break the bank — there are a ton of options at all price levels, with some great cars even falling under $10,000.

To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best used cars around in price ranges of under $10,000, and under $15,000, with all the automobiles on this list scoring pretty high (between an 8 and 9, typically) on the US News & World Reports’ ranking system for best used cars.

At Spero, no matter what you decide to drive this summer, we’re here to help you get your next set of wheels. Whether you need a used car loan or to find out how much car you can afford, contact us to explore the many ways we can support you and your family as you make financial plans that will take you to the next stage of your life.

Best under $10,000

01 CHEVY SPARK

NISSAN LEAF

KIA FORTE 2016 CHEVY SPARK

Tiny but powerful, the Spark is a smaller four-seater powered by a 98-horsepower engine. So while it may not have the biggest boost on speed or power, it’s a solid car for a solid price.

02 03

04 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

05 FORD FIESTA

2014 NISSAN LEAF

If you’re looking for an electric vehicle under $10,000, check out the 2014 Nissan Leaf, a battery-electric hatchback that’s been around for a while. Seating five, the Leaf has quite a few perks — including a rear-facing camera, USB port and Bluetooth — and as an electric vehicle, a low fuel bill is an obvious benefit.

2014 KIA FORTE

In 2014, Kia redesigned one of their popular models — the Kia Forte. With three engine options available — at 143-, 173-, or 201-horsepower — and standard tech options that include Bluetooth, USB ports and satellite radio, the Forte is a solid car that checks all the boxes.

2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

With an above-average reliability rating, this five-seat auto is a great option in the compact car arena. Available as a hatchback, sedan or two-door coupe, the Hyundai Elantra was revamped in 2014, and now includes USB ports as well as telescoping steering wheel, and a great amount of trunk space.

2014 FORD FIESTA

The 2014 Ford Fiesta makes our best under $10K list as a great subcompact car. A sporty choice with a base engine of 120-horsepower, the Fiesta is a great pick for a flexible ride, allowing opportunities to upgrade engine power, tech options and more.

Best under $15,000

2014 MAZDA CX-5

This super light-weight vehicle competes with other small SUVs like the Toyota RAV-4 and the Honda CR-V, but it’s price point, along with higher safety ratings as well as great customer reviews, make the CX-5 one worth considering.

01 MAZDA CX-5

02 NISSAN ROGUE

2015 NISSAN ROGUE

Another compact SUV in the lineup, the 2015 Nissan Rogue is a contender with high-quality materials and plenty of tech features like a rearview camera and Bluetooth connectivity.

2017 TOYOTA YARIS

If you’re looking for a great compact car with all the bells and whistles, you need to check out the 2017 Toyota Yaris, the perfect driving partner for tooling about town. With a ton of tech options — including a touch-screen system, rearview cameras and automatic braking — this car ranks consistently with top safety and reliability ratings.

2015 BUICK VERANO

For those drivers looking for a used car with an upscale feel, take a look at the 2015 Buick Verano. While it’s technically a compact car, it has all the upscale features you want, including heated leather seats, heated steering and collision warning.

2012 AUDI A4

The perfect balance of comfort and quality, the 2012 Audi A4 is definitely one vehicle you’ll want on your short list. With a super-comfortable interior that includes standard features like a sunroof and climate control, the A4 is a first-class ride that doesn’t break the bank.

03 TOYOTA YARIS

04 BUICK VERANO

05 AUDI A4