Most Sought-After Used Car Brands in the USA in Recent Years

Choosing among the most popular used car brands in the USA takes more than just following the crowd. Toyota dominates for reliability. Ford leads in trucks. Tesla brings EV technology to the used-car market.

Each brand excels in specific areas. Understanding these strengths helps you match the right vehicle to your needs. So how do you make the right decision?

The challenge is knowing which brands are worth paying for and which are easier and cheaper to repair. If you plan to buy used cars online, checking out salvage vehicles from online auto auctions can be a smart move.

We’ve analyzed various trends to show which brands offer the most value. Keep reading to see which model years to focus on, common problems to avoid, and how damaged cars from auto auctions can save you 40–60%.

Most Popular Used Car Brands in the USA from 2024 to 2026

1. Ford

Ford trucks and SUVs are a staple of American automotive culture. In the United States, the F-150 line has been the best-selling car for sale for over 40 years. It also leads in used car sales and online car shopping, holding the top position in 26 of the 50 largest metropolitan areas.

Expert advice: With salvage Fords, pay close attention to the service history of the EcoBoost engines. These engines are powerful, but to keep the turbochargers in good shape, they require consistent maintenance and timely oil changes.

2. Honda

Honda focuses on building cars that last with little maintenance. As a result, the brand enjoys strong consumer trust. The 2024 data clearly shows that Honda Civic sales jumped 21%, reaching nearly 250,000 units.

One reason for the strong interest in salvage Hondas is the brand’s incredible parts interchangeability. For a DIY enthusiast or professional builder, salvage Hondas make a great choice. 

Did you know? The company has produced over 30 million vehicles in the U.S. alone. What is more astonishing is that a great majority of Hondas sold in the previous decade are still on the road.

3. Hyundai

Hyundai’s focus on quality helped it evolve from a low-end car brand to a major player in the market. The company saw a 4% rise in sales in 2024, indicating that consumer confidence had begun to rise. It has models such as the Sonata midsize sedan, which offers features common in high-end cars. Other popular models include the Tucson compact SUV.

Expert advice: Hyundai comes equipped with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. However, the original owner typically does not transfer it to the next owner. This usually doesn’t apply to certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. If you buy a car online or find a salvage Hyundai at auction, always have a trusted mechanic check the electronics.

4. Kia

Kia shares mechanical components with Hyundai, but often prices vehicles lower. For example, the Sorento three-row SUV frequently competes with rivals costing $5,000 to $8,000 more when new. 

Expert advice: If you are buying a salvage Kia from 2011 to 2021, check the VIN. Make sure it has a factory-installed engine immobilizer. A viral social media trend highlighted that some base-model Kias from these years were missing the anti-theft technology, making them more vulnerable to theft and harder to insure in certain states.

5. Chevrolet

Chevrolet balances affordability with capability. The Silverado 1500 competes directly with Ford’s F-150. The brand has over 2,877 repair centers across the United States, which makes service and repairs easy to find nationwide.

Expert advice: The 2.4-liter four-cylinder in the Equinox models from 2010–2017 had timing chain issues. Instead, you can consider a wrecked Chevrolet from 2018 or newer, equipped with the 1.5-liter or 2.0-liter turbocharged engines.

6. Toyota

Toyota dominates the market for the most popular used car brands in the USA. The brand’s vehicles routinely exceed 200,000 miles. Toyota sold 2.19 million new vehicles in 2024, and its popularity carries over into the used car market.

Did you know? Some Toyota models, like the Land Cruiser and Sequoia, can last over 200,000 miles. This makes salvage Toyotas a great choice, even if they have high mileage.

7. Jeep

Jeep is the top choice for drivers seeking a rugged image and off-road capability.

In fact, after three years, a salvage Jeep Wrangler is often still worth about 70% to 75% of its original price. Even though these SUVs have some “quirks” compared to regular cars, they are relatively easy to maintain. Parts are cheap and easy to find at any repair shop.

Expert advice: If you buy a used or salvage title Jeep, check the metal covers under the car, called skid plates. Scratched or damaged skid plates can indicate that the previous owner drove the vehicle over rocks.

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8. Nissan

Nissan appeals to buyers looking for modern design and features. It offers a premium feel without the high price of a Toyota or Honda. 

Models like the Altima and Rogue are top picks in the used car market. They have some of the most comfortable seats, known as “Zero Gravity” seats. They also offer great fuel economy. 

Because these cars are so popular, you can often find a damaged Nissan at an auction for a very low price. Online car shopping makes it easy to compare prices across different auction platforms. 

Did you know? Nissan wasn’t always known by that name. For many years, the company sold cars in America as Datsun. In 1981, they spent a lot of money to change the name on all their buildings and cars to Nissan to unify the brand globally.

9. Tesla

Tesla represents the newest entry among the most popular used car brands in the USA. The Model 3 sedan became the first electric vehicle to crack the top 30 most popular used cars nationally for car buying online. In San Francisco and Seattle, it ranks as the single most popular used vehicle.  

Expert advice: When it comes to salvage Teslas, battery wear usually stays below 10% in the first 100,000 miles. Check the car’s charging history on the touchscreen. It’s also best to avoid vehicles used exclusively for ride-sharing — excessive fast charging degrades batteries faster. 

10. Subaru

Many buyers choose Subarus for winter conditions. The symmetrical all-wheel drive system splits power evenly between the front and rear axles. This is different from competitors, which send most of the power to the front wheels until they start to slip.

The brand dominates specific states. In Vermont, Subarus represent 1 in every 5 vehicles on the road. The Forester’s 9.2 inches of ground clearance matches many body-on-frame SUVs. 

Did you know? 97% of Subarus sold in the last 10 years remain on the road today. This is the highest rate among any mainstream brand, which makes a salvage Subaru appealing to many buyers.

To sum up, choosing among the most popular used car brands in the USA is only half the strategy. The other half is knowing where to find these vehicles before dealerships raise the price. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is buying a salvage title car from popular brands worth it?

Toyota and Lexus cars retain their values better than other cars. Online car auctions give you access to thousands of these vehicles from anywhere in the country.

2. Are salvage cars from popular brands worth buying?

When you buy crashed cars from common models, you save 40% to 60% compared to purchasing clean title vehicles. Auto auctions are a good place to find used cars like Toyota, Honda, and Ford that offer easy access to components.

3. Do any model years of used cars need to be avoided?

There are certain model years with known issues. Avoid Nissan CVT transmissions from 2013 to 2017. Do not buy Hyundai and Kia vehicles from 2011 to 2019 with the Theta II engine unless the recall repair has been completed.

4. How many miles is too many for a used car purchase?

It varies by brand. Toyota, Honda, and Subaru will commonly top 200,000 with regular maintenance. For these brands, a well-maintained car with 100,000 to 120,000 miles can still have many good years ahead.

Sources (accessed January 2026):

• “Ford F-Series: America’s Best-Selling Truck for 47 Years and Counting” — Ford Media Center
• “This is America’s best-selling vehicle for 42 years running” — Voice of America
• “Ford F-Series Sales Figures” — Good Car Bad Car
• “American Honda Rides Strong Second Half to Nearly 9% Annual Auto Sales Increase” — Honda News
• “2024 (Full Year) USA: Honda and Acura Car Sales by Model” — Best Selling Cars
• “Honda Civic Sales Figures” — Good Car Bad Car
• “Toyota Motor North America Reports 2024 U.S. Sales Results” — Toyota USA Newsroom