One Of The Most Reliable Used Cars To Buy In 2025 Is A Newer Toyota Under $15,000

While buying a new car has never been the easiest experience in the world, over the last several years the process has become more difficult than ever. Starting in March 2022, the Federal Reserve's decision to increase interest rates placed an increased financial burden on consumers who need to borrow money in order to purchase a vehicle. According to Experian's State of Automotive Finance Market, the average interest rate for a new car was 6.35% in the fourth quarter of 2024, making the average monthly car payment $742. Not to mention, new car prices have been on a steady rise since before the pandemic, with March 2025 Consumer Price Index data showing that new car prices have increased by a whopping 22% since 2019.

It's also important to recognize just how much more volatile the car market is due to become throughout the rest of 2025, thanks to a string of Trump tariffs that will make cars more expensive. From imported cars to imported car parts and materials (including things like steel and aluminum), as production and import costs increase, consumers will experience more and more sticker shock at the dealership. This is why there has never been a better time to consider buying a used car. However, used car prices are still elevated compared to pre-pandemic rates so making sure to purchase a reliable used car that you will be able to enjoy for a long term can be especially important. This brings us to the 2019 Toyota Corolla.

According to a Consumer Reports used car brand reliability analysis of 150,000 cars made within the 2015 to 2020 model years, Toyota did very well, ranking No. 2 out of the 26 included automotive brands. More specifically, Toyota's compact sedan, the 2019 Toyota Corolla, made Consumer Reports' Top 10 Best Used Cars in May 2025, being their top choice in the under $15,000 category. The car gets 32 miles per gallon, includes a Bluetooth capable infotainment system, and Toyota's TSS-P safety system which features forward collision warning, automatic braking when the car detects a pedestrian, and even a lane exit warning.

The 2019 Corolla was actually the last model year in its generation, which was released from 2014-19. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) users gave this particular generation of Corolla a 4.3 out of 5, with 85% of owners recommending the vehicle. This gives the vehicle the No. 5 spot out of all 2019 vehicles listed on KBB. Plus, to add to the vehicle's safety and reliability selling points, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2019 Corolla a 5-star rating.

Used car sale prices for a 2019 Corolla can vary depending on which of the six individual feature styles you are looking to purchase. These variations mainly affect things like horsepower and vehicle weight, so these differences won't carry too much significance for the average car shopper. On KBB, 2019 Corollas are listed with national average prices between $13,114 and $17,051 depending on the specific variation.

As much as the price tag of a vehicle can already be prohibitive to purchasing, it is only one part of the total costs associated with car ownership. Costs over time, from things like car insurance premiums to maintenance and repair costs, can add to the total cost of owning your car. Not to mention the price of things like repairs and maintenance continue to increase as well. According to Consumer Price Index data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the average price of motor vehicle parts and equipment has increased almost 26% when comparing April 2015 to April 2025.

This is part of why reliability should be a top priority when car shopping, even if it leads to slightly higher upfront costs. Ultimately, ending up with a car that requires excessive maintenance can eliminate any deal you might have received at the dealership when purchasing a cheaper, and less trustworthy, car. With this in mind, according to Edmunds, a 2019 Toyota Corolla only costs roughly $4,970 in maintenance costs over the first 5 years.

Beyond maintenance and repairs, car insurance premiums continue to rise, adding to your monthly financial obligations. This can make ensuring your monthly car payment remains low — should you decide to finance — another priority when car shopping. With that said, many car dealerships engage in sneaky behavior to get you to spend more so make sure to pay close attention to financing rates, and consider bringing your own pre-approved bank loan for leverage.