Top 10 Under 10

With gas prices soaring and money tighter than skinny jeans on a Sumo wrestler, finding a great deal on a certified ride is more important than ever for car shoppers. And guess what: You can actually get a quality vehicle for about $10,000, or even less.

No, really. 

In their search for the ultimate used-car values, editors at Cars.com closely examined vehicles ranging from the 2005 model year on up with typical mileage for their age and a sticker price hovering around $10,000. Here’s what they came up with.

2009-10 Nissan Versa

The hatchback version of this entry-level Nissan costs a smidge more than the sedan, but either is an outstanding package, especially given the Versa’s fine fuel efficiency — up to 34 mpg highway and 27 city. The Versa is, well, quite versatile for a subcompact, with a roomy backseat and overall interior space that’s top of its segment. 

2007 Kia Optima

This well-equipped sedan is a good example of why Kia’s stateside popularity has surged in recent years. Kia’s all about maximizing quality, while keeping its cars remarkably affordable. Packing one of the best CPO powertrain warranties in the game — 10 years/100,000 miles — the ’07 Optima is fitted with a 2.4-liter I-4 or 2.7-liter V-6, the latter rated at 185 horsepower. 

2006 Ford Freestar

Singled out as a smart choice for growing families seeking value, the Freestar minivan offers space and versatility, perfect for hauling kids, sports equipment and camping gear — at the same time. The third-row seats fold for extra room and a power tailgate is available. 

2006 Ford Fusion

Based on the sporty Mazda6 platform, the four-door Fusion sedan offers nimble handling, a roomy fold-down backseat and plenty of space for junk in its trunk. This Fusion packs an I-4 rated up to 32 mpg through a smooth six-speed automatic transmission, or a 3.1-liter 221-horsepower V-6. 

2006 Hyundai Sonata

The four-door Sonata sedan broke barriers in its class with a well-designed exterior and roomy interior that comfortably seats a family of four. It heralded Hyundai’s remarkable turnaround, pioneering the concept of advanced standard safety features in an affordable package.