12 Best Used Cars Under $15,000 to Buy in Canada
When buying a used car, finding a vehicle that fits your budget may be one of your biggest concerns. If you’re looking for the best used cars under $15,000, there are a number of options available.
Purchasing a new-to-you car means doing a certain amount of research beforehand. You want to find a vehicle that’s reliable and gets good gas mileage, while also sticking as closely as possible to your budget. And of course, you might be concerned with how the car you buy looks and drives.
You might be wondering what kind of cars are in range if you’re working with a budget of $15,000 or less. Fortunately, there are a number of options within this price range that could meet your needs. To help you in your quest to find your next vehicle, we’ve done the research for you and put together this list of the best used cars under $15,000 for 2019.
12 Best Used Cars Under $15,000 to Buy in Canada
- 2016 Mazda3
- 2014 Toyota Camry
- 2014 Hyundai Elantra
- 2012 Nissan Frontier
- 2016 Kia Soul
- 2015 Nissan Sentra
- 2015 Honda Fit
- 2018 Nissan Versa
- 2018 Kia Rio Sedan
- 2015 Chevrolet Cruze
- 2017 Toyota Corolla
- 2016 Hyundai Sonata
1. 2016 Mazda3
Whether you prefer the hatchback version or the sedan, the 2016 Mazda3 is a solid buy if you’re looking for the best used cars under $15K. With 155 HP, it’s got a decent amount of get up and go under the hood while also being incredibly fuel efficient. In terms of leg room and seating, the Mazda3 is a bit of a tighter squeeze compared to some of Toyota and Nissan’s sedan models. But it makes up for that with great handling and plenty of storage space, as well as a five-star crash test safety rating. It’s possible to find used sport sedans for around $11,500 while touring sedans can go for around $14,500.
2. 2014 Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is one of the most popular sedan options for car buyers and the 2014 model is price-friendly if you’re looking to spend $15,000 or less. It’s one of the most affordable midsize cars you can buy used, with above-average fuel economy, enough room to seat five and excellent safety ratings. The interior offers plenty of room, though you may not be wowed by the standard infotainment system it comes equipped with. Still, the 2014 Toyota Camry edges out newer year models for savings since the 2015s and beyond typically land in the $15,000 to $20,000 range.
3. 2014 Hyundai Elantra
The Elantra looks good inside and out and it’s a dream to drive, making it one of the best used sedans under $15,000. It’s possible to find certified pre-owned Limited, GL and GLS models for under $15,000, depending on the type of upgrades and features you’re interested in. Some 2014 Elantra models dip even lower than that which is great if you’re looking for the best used cars under $12,000. This one has a little more horsepower than the Mazda3, though it’s exterior isn’t quite as sporty.
4. 2012 Nissan Frontier
If you’re looking for a used pickup truck instead of a sedan or hatchback, the 2012 Nissan Frontier is a solid option for the price. The 2012 models sell for just a fraction under $15,000 on average with two different body styles, King and Crew Cab, to choose from. The Frontier is built for towing, which is good if you need to haul a boat or trailer, but it also offers a smooth ride when driving around town. The overall design is functional but still pleasing to the eye, making it a worthy option to consider if you’re in the market for a reasonably-priced pickup.
5. 2016 Kia Soul
You might be interested in the 2016 Kia Soul if you’re looking for a used vehicle under $15,000 that’s not a crossover or a compact but somewhere in between. The Soul has a fun design and a surprisingly powerful engine for its size. The 2016 model also scored well in safety crash testing and there’s plenty of room for passengers to ride along, though you might feel a little short on trunk space compared to similar-sized vehicles. In terms of cost, the list price for the 2016 Soul ranges from $8,957 to $14,597 on average.
6. 2015 Nissan Sentra
The 2015 Nissan Sentra has an MSRP that hovers just around $15,000 and it’s one of the best cars under $15K if you want a compact sedan with a comfortable interior. The main positives of this car include a spacious backseat, driver-friendly handling and steering, plenty of trunk storage space and fuel-efficiency. The 2015 Sentra comes in both manual and automatic transmission versions and features front-wheel drive only. You can comfortably seat up to five people with six airbags included standard on all models.
7. 2015 Honda Fit
The 2015 Honda Fit is a best buy under $15,000 for car-buyers who want a budget-friendly subcompact. This car gets great fuel mileage and it also scores well for crash test safety ratings, giving you peace of mind while you’re on the road. The 2015 Honda Fit is a five-door hatchback and its redesigned model allows it to seat up to five people, making it good for bringing along a crowd. Compared to the 2013 model (Honda didn’t manufacture the Fit for 2014), the 2015 version also comes with a wider variety of trim options to choose from.
8. 2018 Nissan Versa
The 2018 Nissan Versa is a smaller, dependable sedan that won’t break the bank, with pricing starting at just under $15,000. If you’d prefer a hatchback to a sedan, the 2018 Nissan Versa Note lands in a similar price range, as does the 2019 Note. The best features of the Versa sedan include a generous amount of trunk space, enough interior seating for five people and a solid fuel economy. This car doesn’t have quite as much horsepower as some other sedans on the road but it’s a good choice if you want a reliable, safe vehicle that can fit within your budget.
9. 2018 Kia Rio
Used car buyers who are set on purchasing a newer used car for under $15,000 may want to consider the 2018 Kia Rio. The Rio comes in both sedan and hatchback versions, both of which land below the $15K mark. There’s no hybrid option for this vehicle but it makes up for that with a lengthy list of standard safety and tech features that you might otherwise pay extra for with a different used car model. The Rio’s fuel economy makes it well-suited to being a commuter vehicle or getting around town to run errands.
10. 2015 Chevrolet Cruze
Technically, the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze is considered a compact sedan but once you’re inside, it feels more like a midsize car. This is hands-down one of the best used vehicles under $15,000 for comfort and it’s also one of the best used cars under $12,000 if that’s where your purchasing budget tops out. In terms of features, functionality and the overall feel, it’s similar to the Hyundai Elantra, though the Cruze takes the lead as the more affordable used car of the two.
11. 2017 Toyota Corolla
The 2017 Toyota Corolla is low on price but big on style and it could make for a perfect first car or your next used vehicle purchase. The Corolla doesn’t have some of the tech features you might be looking for, such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but it overdelivers when it comes to fuel efficiency and driveability. Pricing for used 2017s can range from $12,500 to around $14,700, making it one of the best used car buys for the money if you’d prefer a sedan to a crossover or compact.
12. 2016 Hyundai Sonata
To round out the list of the best used cars under $15,000, we’ll wrap up with the 2016 Hyundai Sonata. Compared to some of the other sedans included here, the Sonata offers a little more horsepower while still being good on gas. If you’d like to buy a used hybrid, that option is available with this model year with an estimated fuel economy of 44 miles per gallon. The 2016 Sonata also boasts a five-star crash test rating, which might catch your eye if you’re looking for a safe family vehicle.
When considering your next used vehicle purchase, it’s important to find the right lender if you need financing. At Birchwood Credit Solutions, we have an extensive inventory of used cars, trucks and SUVs to choose from. We also work with buyers from all credit backgrounds to provide financing options tailored to your situation. Stop in today to view our selection of new and used vehicles or start the financing process by completing a loan application online.
