If you drive into the office every workday, then you probably put more thought than most into what kind of car you drive. You want to make sure you have the features you need to get the most out of your commute, like those that keep you comfortable and let you listen to music, stay on top of traffic, and connect with coworkers, family, or friends when necessary. You also want to make sure that you have an efficient vehicle that’s not burning money unnecessarily with every mile you drive.
Since modern models are full of tech and powertrains are becoming more efficient, you might think that you need to buy a brand-new car in order to get something that’s right for your commute. But if you know where to look, you can easily find a great vehicle at your local used car dealer. Buying used is a great way to save money upfront and retain more of your vehicle’s value in the long term so you can hang on to as much of your hard-earned paycheck as possible. Today, we’re going to showcase seven used models that are great for commuters. We’ve made sure to include a variety of powertrains and sizes so there’s something for everyone.
#1 – Honda Civic – The Classic Choice
The Civic is a well-rounded option that has long been a favorite among commuters. Available as either a hatchback or a sedan, it’s a compact model that has the power you need for a pleasant drive on the highway and is easy to maneuver in tight spaces like parking garages. While the Civic is an affordable choice, it doesn’t feel like a cheap car, with solid driving dynamics and timeless design inside and out. Even if you opt for an older model, you can expect solid fuel economy by modern standards. According to the EPA, the average 2024 vehicle gets 28 MPG—a 2014 Civic gets 33 MPG, and that’s without the hybrid powertrain that was an option for that generation.
#2 – Nissan Altima – A Family-Sized Sedan
While a compact car is a good choice for commuters who usually drive alone and prioritize fuel economy and affordability over having a roomy cabin, it’s not the right model for everyone. If you need more room in the back row so you can comfortably fit the whole family on the weekends or accommodate adults for a carpool, then you might want to upgrade to a midsize car. The Altima is a good choice in this category, offering a spacious interior, a large trunk, and reliable powertrains that sip fuel. Since the 2019 model year, the Altima has also offered all-wheel drive. While it brings the fuel economy rating down slightly (from 32 MPG to 30 MPG on the 2019 model), it can come in handy if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain and want a little extra confidence while navigating traffic on wet roads.
#3 – Chevrolet Volt – Plug-In Hybrid
You might think that you have to buy a newer model if you want to get a decent plug-in hybrid car, but you’d be wrong. The Chevrolet Volt was offering an efficient PHEV powertrain as far back as the 2011 model year and continued to do so until the 2019 model year, after which it was discontinued. If you can live with a back seat that’s admittedly pretty cramped, you can find a lot to love in the Volt.
The first generation offers solid fuel economy (37 MPG with gas alone and 93 MPGe [miles per gallon equivalent] with a full charge), but it looks pretty dated and has a tech interface that’s not terribly user-friendly. The second generation (2016-2019 model years) has a sleeker exterior design, better tech layout, and an improved powertrain, delivering 42 MPG with gas alone and 106 MPGe with a full charge. The second generation also has 53 miles of electric-only range, while the first had just 35.
#4 – Mazda3 – Between Standard & Luxury
Looking at standard vehicles that skimp on comfort and convenience features and luxury models that can cost an arm and a leg even when you buy them used, there are plenty of drivers looking for something in-between. There are a few ways to make this happen: you can get a higher trim level of a standard model, find an entry-level luxury vehicle, or take a look at Mazda’s lineup. Mazda has a knack for offering vehicles that look and feel premium but are priced to sell, and its Mazda3 is no exception. Available as either a sedan or a hatchback, this compact car has had a solid infotainment system and available driver assist features as far back as the third generation, which ran from the 2014-2018 model years and offered up to 33 MPG of combined fuel economy.
#5 – Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – Fuel-Efficient SUV
When you hear the words “commuter vehicle,” you probably picture a car, like a sedan or a hatchback, rather than an SUV. That’s for good reason: cars tend to be both cheaper and more fuel efficient, and extra interior space isn’t necessarily an asset if you’re just going to and from the office. But if you need a larger vehicle with a configurable interior that can handle everything from weekend getaways to bringing home furniture, then you might want to look for an SUV that can double as a commuter vehicle. In that case, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a solid choice. The compact SUV has been offered with an available hybrid powertrain since the 2016 model year, so it’s not hard to find a used model.
The original iteration of the hybrid is competitive with non-hybrid commuter cars, delivering up to 31 MPG, and you’ll find standard driver assistance features as far back as the 2017 model year. However, if you want even better fuel economy, you should consider holding out for the version of the powertrain that debuted for the 2019 model year, which gets up to 37 MPG. Overall, the RAV4 is a well-rounded vehicle that has a comfortable ride and a quiet cabin, perfect for road trips and errand runs when you’re not on the clock.
#6 – Audi A3 – Luxurious Choice
If you want to impress your boss and improve your comfort on the road by getting a luxury model but still don’t want to worry about going too far over budget, the entry-level Audi A3 is a solid choice. Since luxury automakers tend to be early adopters of trendy tech, you can get an older model without giving up modern conveniences. You can also expect non-tech luxuries like high-quality seating materials and sunroofs, as well as thoughtful styling inside and out. While you have to opt for a 2020 model or newer to crack 30 MPG with a gas engine, you can get better fuel economy in an older A3 by looking for a diesel-powered version, which was available from the 2010-2015 model years. With the diesel engine, you can get an impressive 35 MPG.
#7 – Chevrolet Malibu – Comfortable & Spacious
A well-rounded midsize sedan, the Malibu has a lot going for it, from timeless style to a comfortable ride to a spacious cabin that has plenty of room for carpooling coworkers, friends, family, or cargo. As part of a redesign that launched a new generation for the 2016 model year, the Malibu gained two new powertrains that made it significantly more efficient than its predecessors. While the 2015 Malibu gets up to 24 MPG with its most efficient engine, the 2016 Malibu delivers 30 MPG with the 1.5L Turbo engine and a whopping 46 MPG with the optional hybrid powertrain, which was available from the 2016 to 2019 model years.
Whichever powertrain you choose, you’ll be getting a vehicle with a cabin that does a good job of keeping road noise at bay so you can take phone calls, hear your music or podcasts clearly, or just enjoy some peace and quiet during your commute. If you want to get audio entertainment from your phone without keeping track of cables, look for a 2021 model or newer so you can get Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The suite of safety tech has long been sold on higher trims, but if you want to make sure you’re getting a great range of features on entry-level models, keep in mind the fact that Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection were made standard across the board for the 2023 model year.
