26 used cars you should be buying in 2026
The ReDriven Podcast
26 used cars you should be buying in 2026 The ReDriven Podcast · Jun 28, 2026
26 used cars you should be buying in 2026

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26 used cars you should be buying in 2026
Volkswagen Golf R32 (Mk4)
Car

Volkswagen Golf R32 (Mk4)

This is a special, high-performance version of the standard Volkswagen Golf hatchback from the early 2000s. It features a larger, great-sounding six-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive, making it fast, grippy, and highly collectible today.

Nissan R32
Car

Nissan R32

The Nissan Skyline is a famous line of sporty cars made by the Japanese company Nissan. It is highly popular among car enthusiasts for its performance and appearance in video games and movies.

Toyota Hilux (7th Gen)
Car

Toyota Hilux (7th Gen)

This is an older generation of Toyota's incredibly tough pickup truck, famous worldwide for being nearly indestructible. It is simple, reliable, and great for off-roading or heavy work without the complicated modern electronics found in newer trucks.

Porsche Boxster (986)
Car

Porsche Boxster (986)

This is the first generation of Porsche's entry-level convertible sports car. Because the engine is in the middle of the car rather than the front or back, it handles incredibly well around corners and is one of the most affordable ways to own a true Porsche.

Porsche Cayman (987)
Car

Porsche Cayman (987)

This is a two-seat, hardtop sports car from Porsche with its engine mounted right behind the seats. Because it has a solid roof instead of a convertible top, it is stiffer and handles even better than the Boxster convertible.

Honda Jazz
Car

Honda Jazz

This is a small, highly practical hatchback from Honda. It is famous for having rear seats that can fold completely flat or flip up, allowing you to carry surprisingly large items in a very small car.

Volkswagen Up!
Car

Volkswagen Up!

This is a tiny, budget-friendly city car from Volkswagen. It is incredibly easy to park, cheap to run, and built much better than most other small cars in its price range.

Mazda Mx5
Car

Mazda Mx5

This is the third version of Mazda's famous two-seat convertible sports car. While purists sometimes criticize it for being slightly larger than the older models, it is actually the most comfortable and practical generation to live with every day.

Lexus IS F
Car

Lexus IS F

This is a fast, luxury sedan from Lexus that features a massive, loud V8 engine. It offers the speed and excitement of a German sports sedan but with the legendary reliability and lower maintenance costs of a Toyota.

BMW M3
Car

BMW M3

The BMW M3 is a faster, sportier version of a standard BMW four-door sedan. It is built by the German company BMW to offer a more exciting driving experience while still having seats for passengers.

Audi RS4
Car

Audi RS4

The Audi RS4 is a high-performance version of a standard Audi sedan or wagon. It is built by the German company Audi to go very fast while using an all-wheel-drive system to keep the car stable in bad weather.

Term

JDM

This is an acronym for 'Japanese Domestic Market.' It refers to cars that were originally built to be sold only in Japan, which enthusiasts often import to other countries because they have unique features or cooler engines.

Audi S1
Car

Audi S1

This is a tiny, premium hatchback from Audi that has been stuffed with a powerful turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It only comes with a manual shifter, making it a blast to drive on twisty roads.

Ford Fiesta ST (Mk7)
Car

Ford Fiesta ST (Mk7)

This is a small, sporty version of the Ford Fiesta. It is famous for being one of the most fun cars you can buy for the money, offering go-kart-like handling and a lively turbocharged engine.

Ford Fiesta
Car

Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta Active is a small hatchback made by the American company Ford that has been styled to look a bit like an off-road SUV. It sits slightly higher off the ground than a normal hatchback to make getting in and out easier.

Term

wet timing belt

This is a type of engine belt that is constantly splashed with engine oil to keep it quiet and smooth. However, if the wrong oil is used, the belt can dissolve and break, which can completely ruin the engine.

Honda Accord Euro
Car

Honda Accord Euro

This is a slightly smaller, sportier version of the Honda Accord. It is highly reliable, comfortable, and surprisingly fun to drive, especially if you find one with a manual transmission.

Acura Tsx
Car

Acura Tsx

The Acura TSX is a sporty, upscale sedan made by Honda's luxury brand, Acura. It is designed to be a reliable, comfortable daily driver that is also fun to drive.

Hyundai i20 N
Car

Hyundai i20 N

This is a small, track-focused hatchback from Hyundai's performance division. It is designed to compete with cars like the Ford Fiesta ST, offering sharp handling, a loud exhaust, and modern tech.

Lexus NX
Car

Lexus NX

This is a small, luxury SUV from Lexus. It shares its mechanical parts with the ultra-reliable Toyota RAV4, meaning you get a fancy, quiet interior without the high repair bills of European luxury brands.

BMW 130i
Car

BMW 130i

This is a small BMW hatchback that features a smooth, powerful six-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive. It is a rare layout for a hatchback, making it highly fun and engaging to drive compared to front-wheel-drive rivals.

Term

naturally aspirated

This refers to an engine that breathes normal air on its own, without using a turbocharger or supercharger to force extra air into it. They usually react faster when you step on the gas and sound more natural.

Suzuki Alto Works
Car

Suzuki Alto Works

This is a tiny, sporty Japanese hatchback designed to meet Japan's strict size and engine limits. Despite having a very small engine, its extremely light weight makes it feel like a fast, agile go-kart.

Term

Kei car

This is a category of tiny cars built in Japan to fit into tight city spaces. They have very small engines and strict size limits, which makes them cheap to own, easy to park, and highly efficient.

N-Box Honda Inbox
Car

N-Box Honda Inbox

The Honda N-Box is a very small, box-shaped car made by the Japanese company Honda. It is designed to be tiny on the outside so it is easy to park, but surprisingly spacious on the inside for passengers and cargo.

Lexus RX (3rd Gen)
Car

Lexus RX (3rd Gen)

This is a mid-sized, highly comfortable luxury SUV from Lexus. It is famous for its smooth ride, quiet cabin, and incredible longevity, with many examples easily surpassing 200,000 miles with basic maintenance.

6 Mazda 6 Wagon
Car

6 Mazda 6 Wagon

The Mazda 6 (or Atenza) is a mid-sized family car made by the Japanese company Mazda. It comes as a sedan or a station wagon and is designed to be comfortable, practical, and nice to drive.

Mazda 6
Car

Mazda 6

The Mazda 6 MPS is a special, high-performance version of the standard Mazda 6 sedan. It was built by the Japanese company Mazda to go much faster and features all-wheel drive to help it grip the road better.

Mazda Cx5
Car

Mazda Cx5

The Mazda CX-5 is a five-seat family SUV made by the Japanese company Mazda. It is designed to be a practical, stylish, and easy-to-drive vehicle for daily commuting and family trips.

Nissan 350Z
Car

Nissan 350Z

This is a two-seat sports car from Nissan with a powerful V6 engine and rear-wheel drive. It is a classic, old-school sports car that is loud, fast, and highly popular among car enthusiasts.

Nissan 370Z
Car

Nissan 370Z

The Nissan 370Z is a two-seat sports car made by the Japanese company Nissan. It is designed to be fast, sporty, and fun to drive, featuring a powerful engine and rear-wheel drive.

Subaru WRX STI (JDM)
Car

Subaru WRX STI (JDM)

This is a special, high-performance version of Subaru's all-wheel-drive rally car built specifically for the Japanese market. It has a stronger, more reliable engine that can rev higher than the versions sold in the US or Europe.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Car

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is a high-performance sports sedan made by the Japanese company Mitsubishi. It was originally designed for rally racing, meaning it is very fast and has excellent grip on all types of roads.

Mercedes-Benz Sclass
Car

Mercedes-Benz Sclass

The S-Class is the largest and most luxurious sedan made by Mercedes-Benz. It is designed to carry passengers in extreme comfort and features the company's newest technology.

Toyota Century
Car

Toyota Century

This is Japan's equivalent of a Rolls-Royce, built by Toyota. It is designed for maximum comfort and quietness, featuring wool seats (which are quieter than leather) and a legendary, ultra-smooth V12 engine.

Toyota Crown
Car

Toyota Crown

This is a high-end, luxury sedan from Toyota that sits just below the Century. It offers the comfort and luxury of a BMW 5 Series but with the simple, bulletproof reliability of a Toyota Camry.

Toyota Camry
Car

Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is a mid-sized four-door family car made by the Japanese company Toyota. It is widely known for being highly reliable, easy to drive, and practical for everyday use.

Mercedes-Benz Eclass
Car

Mercedes-Benz Eclass

The E-Class is a mid-sized luxury car made by the German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz. It is designed to offer a comfortable, quiet ride with high-quality materials and advanced safety features.

Bmw 5
Car

Bmw 5

The 5 Series is a mid-sized luxury sedan built by the German company BMW. It is designed for drivers who want a comfortable, high-quality car that is also fun and responsive to drive.

Suzuki Swift Sport
Car

Suzuki Swift Sport

This is a small, sporty hatchback that is cheap to buy and run. It is famous for proving that you don't need a massive, powerful engine to have an absolute blast driving on twisty roads.

Suzuki Swift
Car

Suzuki Swift

The Suzuki Swift 5-door is a small, five-door hatchback car made by the Japanese company Suzuki. It is designed to be affordable, easy to park in cities, and cheap to run.

Mitsubishi Pajero (NX)
Car

Mitsubishi Pajero (NX)

This is a tough, family-sized 4x4 SUV. It is just as capable off-road as a Toyota Land Cruiser but usually costs significantly less to buy on the used market.

Toyota Land Cruiser
Car

Toyota Land Cruiser

The Toyota Land Cruiser is a large, rugged sport utility vehicle (SUV) built by the Japanese company Toyota. It is designed to drive over very rough terrain and is famous for lasting a very long time without breaking down.

Alfa Romeo Giulia
Car

Alfa Romeo Giulia

This is a beautiful Italian luxury sedan designed to compete with the BMW 3 Series. It handles incredibly well and feels like a sports car, though older models have a reputation for electrical quirks.

Ford Focus ST (Mk4)
Car

Ford Focus ST (Mk4)

This is a larger, faster version of the Ford Focus hatchback. It has a powerful engine, clever technology to help it corner fast, and is a great alternative to a Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Hyundai I30N
Car

Hyundai I30N

The Hyundai i30 is a small family hatchback made by the South Korean company Hyundai. It is designed to be an affordable, reliable, and practical car for everyday driving.

Toyota FJ Cruiser
Car

Toyota FJ Cruiser

This is a cool, retro-looking SUV from Toyota designed for serious off-roading. It is incredibly tough and holds its value so well that good used ones can sometimes cost more now than they did brand new.

Prados
Car

Prados

The Prado is a mid-sized, rugged SUV made by the Japanese company Toyota. It is designed to be a comfortable family vehicle that is also highly capable of driving off-road and over rough terrain.

Mercedes-Benz 190E
Car

Mercedes-Benz 190E

This is a classic, smaller Mercedes sedan from the 1980s and early 90s. It was built during a time when Mercedes spent massive amounts of money to make their cars as tough and long-lasting as possible, making it incredibly reliable if properly maintained.

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