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    Most Reliable 3-Year-Old Cars and SUVs That You Can Buy Right Now

    Consumer Reports shows you which 2022 models hit the used-car sweet spot

    2022 Acura RDX
    2022 Acura RDX
    Photo: Acura

    Even with the rise in used-car values, it’s still a wise financial move to buy a 3-year-old car instead of a brand-new one. That’s because 3-year-old models have many of the same safety and comfort features found in brand-new cars. This strategy also allows buyers to get a vehicle that’s almost equivalent to a new car but at a lower price.

    Three-year-old models are also attractive because most leases are for three years. That means many of these cars have low miles, and because the lessee had to keep the car in good condition, the vehicles are likely to have been maintained properly, with interiors free of damage.

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    Below you’ll find our list of the most reliable 3-year-old cars and SUVs we’ve identified based on our Annual Auto Surveys of Consumer Reports members.

    The vehicles are listed in order of their reliability score within their vehicle category. We also identify when active safety systems, including forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind spot warning (BSW), and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW), are optional or standard. Some of these models have our Green Choice designation, which highlights the vehicles with the cleanest emissions.

    If you’re a CR member, this article and the list below are already available to you. But if you haven’t signed up, click below and become a member to access the list and all our exclusive ratings and reviews for each vehicle we buy and test. Joining also gives you full access to exclusive ratings for all the other products our experts evaluate in multiple categories, including electronics and home appliances.

    Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

    We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.


    Jon Linkov

    Jon Linkov is the deputy auto editor at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2002, covering varied automotive topics including buying and leasing, maintenance and repair, ownership, reliability, used cars, and electric vehicles. He manages CR’s lineup of special interest publications, hosts CR’s “Talking Cars” podcast, and writes and edits content for CR’s online and print products. An avid cyclist, Jon also enjoys driving his ’80s-era sports car and instructing at track days.