Buying a used car from 2019 is one of the smartest moves you can make right now. These vehicles are old enough to have shed the worst of their depreciation, but recent enough to come loaded with modern safety features, good fuel economy, and plenty of life left in them.
The trick is knowing which 2019 models are actually worth your money. Not every car aged well. Some have spotty reliability records, expensive repair histories, or engine problems that only showed up after 60,000 miles. The picks below are the ones that held up, and they’re the same models that used car buyers keep coming back to year after year.
The 2019 Best Used Car Award Winners
Think of this as your shortlist. These aren’t random picks. Each of these vehicles earned its spot based on reliability data, owner satisfaction, safety performance, and how well they’ve held their value in the used car market. Whether you’re shopping for a family hauler, a daily commuter, or a capable truck, there’s something here for you.
#1 – Subaru Outback
The 2019 Subaru Outback is one of the most reliable all-weather vehicles you can buy used. Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive system makes it a smart pick if you deal with snow, rain, or rough roads. It’s essentially a wagon with SUV ambitions, and it delivers on both fronts.
The Outback’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is proven and low-maintenance. You get a spacious interior, solid cargo room, and Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance suite on most trims. Find one with the full EyeSight package and you’re getting a genuinely safe, capable used car for the money.
Before you buy, run the VIN through our free VIN lookup tool to check for any reported accidents or open recalls. Subaru owners tend to take care of their cars, but it pays to verify.
#2 – Mazda3
The 2019 Mazda3 was a complete redesign, and Mazda knocked it out of the park. This is a compact sedan and hatchback that feels more like a luxury car than its price tag suggests. The interior quality is genuinely impressive for this segment.
Mazda’s reliability reputation has been rock solid for years, and the 2019 model is no exception. The engine lineup is simple, the tech is intuitive, and the driving dynamics are the best in class for a compact car. If you want something fun to drive that won’t constantly visit the shop, the Mazda3 belongs near the top of your list.
#3 – Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has been one of the best-selling cars in North America for decades, and the 2019 model tells you exactly why. It’s reliable, fuel-efficient, affordable to insure, and cheap to maintain. Honda built this car to last, and the 2019 Civic proves that.
You’ll find the Civic in sedan and hatchback body styles. The turbocharged 1.5-liter engine in most trims gives you a good mix of power and efficiency. Honda’s reliability legacy is well-earned here, and the Civic’s used car market is huge, which means finding a well-maintained example isn’t hard.
#4 – Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona was still finding its audience in 2019, but it deserved way more attention than it got. This is a small crossover with a punchy turbocharged engine, a stylish exterior, and a feature list that punches above its price point.
Hyundai improved its build quality significantly during this era, and the Kona benefits from that investment. It’s a great used car choice for someone who wants a small, city-friendly vehicle that doesn’t feel cheap. The Kona’s tight turning radius and compact footprint make urban driving genuinely easy.
Small Crossover/SUV: Best 2019 Used Models
The small crossover segment exploded in popularity around 2019, and for good reason. These vehicles offer the practicality of SUVs without the fuel economy penalty of something larger. The Hyundai Kona, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Outback all shine here, and they’re consistently among the most searched used car options from this model year.
If you want to browse available options across makes and models, you can browse used cars by make to compare what’s currently on the market in your area.
#5 – Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is arguably the gold standard for compact SUVs, and the 2019 model is one of the best versions Honda ever made. It’s spacious, practical, fuel-efficient, and backed by Honda’s excellent reliability record.
The CR-V’s turbocharged 1.5-liter engine delivers strong performance for a family vehicle, and the interior is thoughtfully laid out. Honda also loaded the 2019 CR-V with Honda Sensing safety tech on most trims, including lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. That’s a lot of safety hardware for a used car at this price point.
One thing to watch: some early 2017 and 2018 CR-Vs had oil dilution issues with the turbo engine in cold climates. The 2019 model largely addressed this, but it’s still worth asking your mechanic to check during a pre-purchase inspection.
#6 – Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in America, and the 2019 model is a big reason why. This truck is tough, versatile, and available in more configurations than almost any other truck on the market. Whether you need a work truck or a daily driver that can tow on weekends, the F-150 handles both jobs well.
The 2019 F-150 offers multiple engine choices. The 5.0-liter V8 is the crowd favorite for towing, but the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 is an excellent daily driver engine that gets surprisingly good fuel economy for a full-size truck. Ford built this generation of the F-150 with a high-strength aluminum body, which keeps weight down and resists rust well.
Truck buyers shopping for an F-150 should check the tow and payload ratings carefully against their actual needs. Also verify the service history, since a truck that spent its life hauling heavy loads needs extra scrutiny before you buy.
#7 – Chevy Spark
The Chevrolet Spark is the most affordable car on this list, and that’s exactly the point. If you’re looking for a used car that gets you from A to B without draining your bank account, the 2019 Chevrolet Spark is hard to beat.
Yes, the Spark is small. The engine is modest, and highway cruising at high speeds isn’t its strong suit. But for city driving, student budgets, or anyone who just needs reliable basic transportation, the Chevrolet Spark is a genuinely sensible choice. Maintenance costs are low, parts are widely available, and you’ll spend very little at the pump.
If you’re working out monthly payments on any of these vehicles, plug the numbers into our car loan calculator to see what fits your budget before you visit a dealer.
#8 – Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is the definition of a reliable family sedan. Toyota redesigned the Camry for 2018, and the 2019 model benefits from that update with sharper styling, a much more engaging drive, and Toyota’s proven reliability DNA.
The 2019 Toyota Camry comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or an optional V6. Toyota also offers a hybrid version, which gives you outstanding fuel economy in a midsize sedan package. The Camry’s reputation for long-term reliability is well-earned, and Toyota’s parts and service network makes ownership easy wherever you live.
The Toyota Camry is a smart pick if you’re buying a used car for the long haul. These vehicles regularly hit 200,000 miles with proper maintenance, and Toyota’s track record backs that up.
#9 – Honda Accord
The Honda Accord has always been one of the best midsize sedans you can buy, and the 2019 model is no different. Honda gave the Accord a complete redesign for 2018, and the result is a car that’s roomier, more refined, and more fun to drive than its predecessor.
The 2019 Accord comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine or a 2.0-liter turbo for more power. Honda Sensing comes standard, which means automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control are all included. For a used car in the midsize sedan segment, the Accord offers exceptional value.
Honda’s reliability legacy holds strong here. The Accord is consistently one of the top-rated midsize vehicles in long-term owner surveys, and its resale value holds up well compared to competitors.
#10 – Lexus ES
If your budget stretches a bit further, the 2019 Lexus ES is one of the best luxury used cars you can find. Lexus completely redesigned the ES for 2019, moving it to a new platform that dramatically improved handling, ride comfort, and interior quality.
The Lexus ES is a luxury sedan that combines Toyota’s legendary reliability with premium features you’d expect from European luxury brands at a much higher price. The 3.5-liter V6 engine is smooth and powerful, and Lexus’s fit and finish is genuinely excellent. You also get Lexus Safety System+ as standard equipment, covering pre-collision warning, lane departure alert, and auto high beams.
Luxury cars can carry higher maintenance costs, so always have a pre-purchase inspection done by an independent mechanic before you commit. That said, the Lexus ES is widely regarded as one of the most reliable luxury vehicles you can buy used, and the 2019 redesign only strengthened that reputation.
Categories: What Kind of Used Car Are You Looking For?
Your best 2019 used car really depends on what you actually need. Here’s a quick way to think about it:
- Best used car for reliability and low cost: Honda Civic or Toyota Camry
- Best used truck: Ford F-150
- Best used luxury car: Lexus ES
- Best used midsize sedan: Honda Accord or Toyota Camry
- Best used compact car on a tight budget: Chevrolet Spark or Honda Civic
- Best used SUV for all-weather driving: Subaru Outback or Honda CR-V
Archives: Why 2019 Models Still Make Sense Today
A lot of buyers ask whether a 2019 model year car is still worth buying compared to something from 2021 or 2022. The honest answer is yes, in most cases. The 2019 model year sits in a sweet spot where auto manufacturers had largely worked out technology issues from earlier mid-decade updates, and supply chain disruptions from the pandemic hadn’t yet pushed prices up artificially.
The used car market from 2019 to present shows that these models have aged well. Values have stabilized, parts are plentiful, and there’s enough ownership history to know which vehicles hold up. Whether you’re looking at the 2019 to 2020 range or comparing 2019 to 2023 models, the 2019 cars on this list are often better value buys than newer used options with higher price tags and less ownership history.
If you’re wondering where to look for used cars, start with a free VIN lookup tool to check the history of any vehicle you’re considering. Then get a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted independent mechanic. Those two steps alone will save you from most of the common used car pitfalls.
The cars on this list have proven themselves. Shop smart, verify the history, get it inspected, and you’ll drive away with a vehicle that takes care of you for years to come.
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