Need a new car? Want one that’s fuel efficient, fun to drive, and reasonably priced? Then you may want to consider buying a used small car that’s still in great shape. A new vehicle will lose about 20% of its value over the first year of ownership, so while it might be nice to have, it’s hardly a great investment.

Which pre-owned vehicles are your best bets? Read on for a brief overview of our top picks for used small cars in 2022.

Honda Civic

Honda Civics are well-known for their excellent reliability, high fuel efficiency, stylish exteriors, and affordability. They’re available in many trims, have been around for decades, and are one of the most popular small cars, so if you’re planning to buy used, you’ve got plenty of options. 

Even older Civics get great gas mileage. On average, these fuel sippers get about 30 miles per gallon between city and highway driving. Most Civics manufactured within the last 10 years or so are capable of making it to 200,000 miles or more, provided you keep up with routine maintenance and repairs.

Toyota Corolla

In general, Toyotas are widely considered one of the most reliable vehicles on the market, and the Corolla is no exception. In fact, Corollas are Toyota’s most popular vehicle model, not only for their reliability but also for their affordability, ease of handling, and high fuel efficiency.

Across all traditional model-year Corollas, average fuel mileage runs about 30-35 mpg between city and highway driving. Hybrid models, on the other hand, get a whopping 50 mpg on average. These vehicles are known for their safety, too. Most Corollas have a 5-star crash rating, and many newer, pre-owned models come with an array of standard safety features.

Like Civics, Corollas also tend to last a long, long time. Corolla engines — and Toyota engines in general — are known for their ability to pack on upward of 300,000 miles when they’re properly maintained. 

Volkswagen Jetta

If you want something with more European flair, a used Volkswagen Jetta might be the pre-owned small car for you. Introduced in 1979, the Jetta has a long history of reliability, comfort, performance, fuel efficiency, and affordability in the compact vehicle class.

Average fuel mileage for the Jetta runs between 28 and 35 mpg combined city and highway. But some newer models, especially those with 1.4 L engines can get upward of 40 mpg on average. Jettas are known for their comfortable, roomy interiors that feature considerable cargo space compared to other small vehicles.

These compact sedans also boast a five-star crash rating, and most models come with an array of standard safety features, especially those manufactured over the last five years or so. 

Affordable Maintenance and Repairs for Used Small Cars

When it comes time to replace parts on a used Honda, Corolla, or Jetta, you’ll also have lots of options for saving yourself some serious cash. Because these vehicles have long been popular, you can easily find pre-owned, discount auto parts for virtually any model year and trim.

Whether you end up needing a new radiator, affordable replacement tires, or even a replacement OEM windshield, you can easily find discount, original parts for these automobiles at a quality salvage yard. 

At Ace Auto Parts, we stock an extensive array of warrantied, quality, used parts for these vehicles. If you own one that needs repairs, come see us to fix your vehicle for less. You can also download our discount auto parts search app to quickly and easily search for the parts you need!

Get Reliable, Discounted Auto Parts in St. Paul

At Ace Auto Parts, we’ve proudly provided Twin Cities drivers with an extensive variety of quality, warrantied used auto parts for nearly 100 years. You can use our online discount parts search tool to browse our selection, and if we don’t have what you need, we’ll do our best to get it for you. Feel free to stop by our St Paul location or give us a call at 651-717-4299 to get quality replacement auto parts for less!