The most popular used cars in the US
Average used car prices have swung up and down in recent years, from a record high of $28,000 in early 2022 to a more moderate $25,565 in late 2024. Though industry experts initially predicted some much-hoped-for stability in 2025, the market has been roiled by chaos in the months since President Donald Trump took office. After Trump announced 25% tariffs on imported auto parts in March 2025, prospective car buyers flocked to dealerships to purchase vehicles before costs increased.
Since the American automotive industry relies heavily on parts manufactured in our neighboring countries, experts predict prices on both new and used cars could soon increase substantially. Consumers are already seeing these effects for themselves—Cox Automotive's Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, which tracks the prices of used cars, increased by 2.7% between March and April 2025. For context, the index typically grows by 0.2% from month to month.
Especially in light of these rising costs, you'll want to ensure your car will see you through at least a few years on the road. To help start your search, Stacker used data from iSeeCars.com to identify the 20 most popular used cars sold nationwide in 2024. Cars are ranked by market share, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent; though some appear the same, the more precise percentages are not equal. The iSeeCars.com analysis included more than 7.7 million used car sales from the most recent five model years, 2020 to 2024.
It's important to note that no matter how used car prices may change, customers must still pay close attention to interest rates. As of May 2025, interest on a loan for a used car could rack up an additional 19.2% depending on the buyer's credit score, according to U.S. News & World Report. Naturally, this can add up significantly over time.
Before shopping for a used car, you may also want to see if any brands or models have been recalled due to a failure of safety protocols. For instance, Tesla recalled more than 700,000 vehicles in 2024, citing a defect with the tire pressure warning light that could lead to increased accident risk. Check out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website to see if there's a recall on a used car you may want to buy.
