Top Five Safest Used Cars Under $10,000

When it comes to used cars, two of the top concerns from buyers are affordability and safety. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable and safe used cars available. To get the latest safety features, you’ll generally have to look at cars around ten years old or newer. Let’s take a look at five top safety picks for used cars.

2015 Chevrolet Spark

For around $9,000, you can get into the 2015 Chevrolet Spark. This Chevy subcompact features excellent fuel economy at up to 38 MPG on the highway. For 2015, the four-door hatchback added a standard Wi-Fi hotspot. The Spark comes in three trims. The base LS is rather lean on features, but the middle 1LT trim adds a touchscreen infotainment system, keyless entry, cruise control, and Bluetooth. The top 2LT trim includes synthetic leather upholstery and heated front seats. Most importantly, the Spark is a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.

2014 Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet is known for making affordable cars with good safety ratings. The Cruze will cost a bit more on average than the Spark at about $9,620 for used cars, but it features an upscale cabin and a smooth ride. You can choose between gas or diesel powertrains and the Cruze gets impressive fuel economy with up to 40 MPG on the highway in the gas model and 44 MPG in the diesel model. With regards to safety, the Cruze has the highest IIHS rating of Good across four crash tests.

2014 Dodge Dart

The Dodge Dart is another stylish compact car with an attractive price tag of around $9,338 for used cars. It comfortably seats five passengers and its handsome cabin includes many soft-touch materials and a standard four-speaker audio system. The Dodge Dart delivers nimble handling, especially with the GT trim. Some optional features include a nine-speaker Alpine audio system and an 8.4-inch touchscreen. The Dart is an IIHS Top Safety Pick and the NHTSA gives it five out of five stars for overall crash protection.

2014 Honda Insight

The Honda Insight costs roughly the same amount as the Chevrolet Cruze on the used market. Featuring a hybrid powertrain, this four-door compact car offers nimble handling, but it’s less roomy than the Cruze. In terms of safety, the 2014 Honda Insight garnered an IIHS Good rating and four out of five stars from the NHTSA in its rollover crash test. The only active safety aid on the Insight is a rearview camera.

2015 Chevrolet Sonic

Once again, Chevrolet delivers yet another affordable and safe car with the 2015 Sonic. For about $9,191, you’ll get one of the best cars in the class with a choice of hatchback or sedan body styles. The Sonic delivers agile handling and plenty of performance with a turbocharged engine. With a generous rear seat and plenty of cargo room, the Sonic is less cramped than rivals like the Honda Insight. It’s a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and it scored a perfect five stars in the NHTSA tests.

If you’re looking for affordable and safe used cars, the models on this list should give you a head start.