Compare used sedans, hatchbacks, wagons, SUVs, vans, trucks, coupes, and convertibles, and learn how to match a vehicle type to your passengers, cargo, roads, and budget.
Start With How You Will Use It
The right vehicle type depends on your everyday driving more than on any single feature. Think about who rides with you, what you carry, where you park, the roads you drive most often, and your budget for fuel, insurance, and maintenance.
Specific models vary widely within every category, so use the vehicle type to narrow your search, then compare the individual vehicles on your shortlist.
- How many people ride with you on a typical day?And on the busiest day of the month.
- What do you carry regularly?Groceries, sports gear, tools, pets, or a trailer.
- Where do you park?Tight garages and city spaces favor smaller vehicles.
- What roads and weather do you drive in?Highway, town, dirt roads, or winter conditions.
Sedans, Hatchbacks, and Wagons
Sedans are a common choice for commuting and everyday driving, with a separate trunk that keeps cargo out of sight. Hatchbacks are usually compact and have a rear hatch and folding seats that open up a flexible cargo area. Wagons combine car-like driving with a longer cargo area behind the rear seats.
Compare trunk or cargo space with the seats both up and folded, and check rear-seat room if you regularly carry passengers.
SUVs and Vans
SUVs come in a wide range of sizes, from compact two-row models to larger three-row models, and many are available with all-wheel or four-wheel drive. Vans focus on passenger and cargo space, and some have sliding doors that make it easier to get in and out in tight spaces.
If you need extra seats, check access to the rear rows and how much cargo room remains with every seat in use.
Trucks
Pickup trucks are built for hauling and towing, with an open bed for cargo. Cab size, bed length, drivetrain, and equipment all affect how a truck fits your needs.
If you plan to tow or haul, confirm the specific truck's ratings from the manufacturer labels and owner's manual rather than relying on a model's advertised maximum.
Coupes and Convertibles
Coupes usually have two doors and a sportier design, and rear seats, when present, are often smaller. Convertibles add a folding roof for open-air driving.
Check rear-seat access, trunk space, and visibility. On a convertible, operate the roof fully and look for signs of leaks or worn seals.
Narrow Your Shortlist
Once you have a vehicle type or two in mind, compare a few specific vehicles side by side. Look at price, mileage, condition, vehicle history, and estimated ownership costs, then test drive your top choices on the kinds of roads you drive every day.
- Pick one or two vehicle types that fit your needsIt is fine to compare across types.
- Compare at least three specific vehiclesPrice, mileage, condition, and history.
- Get insurance quotes for your top choicesCosts can vary by vehicle type and model.
- Test drive on familiar roadsInclude highway and parking if you can.