Used Car Reviews

Spending money on buying a car, whether brand-new or second-hand, is an investment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Identifying the right vehicle that will be reliable and reasonably priced requires in-depth research, and our used car buyer’s guide makes this task easy. By combining all the important information about the various generations of a vehicle and presenting it to prospective buyers in an easy-to-read format, our used car reviews will ensure you know what you’re getting into. Technological advancements in the automotive sector mean that cars change across generations, and by dissecting the pros and cons for each, you’ll know which models to avoid and what to expect cost-wise when it comes to fuel consumption and maintenance.

Reviews of All Generations of Used Cars

The evolution of cars does not end with how much they have changed in terms of appearance. Since we spend so much of our time behind the wheel, they have to do more than just get us from A to B. Older cars tend to have fewer comfort and luxury features, and since safety standards were very different in years gone by, there’s lots to consider when buying a used car.

CarBuzz’s buyer’s guide for used cars looks at the evolution of each vehicle and whether the changes made over the years can be seen as improvements. Prospective buyers can compare year models, decide which generations suit their pocket and meets their needs, or look at other alternatives in the segment.

Used Car Buyer's Guide

Here are some of the aspects our gen reviews cover to help you make an informed best purchasing decision:

  • Facelift: Manufacturers strive to keep their products relevant, so facelifts are given to models that need to be kept up to date throughout their life cycle. This includes aesthetic changes, interior upgrades, and switching outdated technology for cutting-edge stuff. Our guide indicates all the changes for each facelift, showing you clear images of what’s new and where improvements have been made.

  • Real MPG: While the EPA publishes gas mileage figures for car models in the USA, our reviews include consumer-derived figures that show what fuel consumption is like in the real world.

  • Safety and crash tests: Those looking to buy a car want to know they’re going to be safe, so knowing the crash test results from NHTSA is imperative. Our reviews also detail what safety standards are applied throughout the lifespan of each vehicle, and what safety items are included as standard or made optionally available. This includes such important aspects as airbags, ABS braking, traction and stability control systems, and the latest driver assists.

  • Features: Available features change from model to model as you move through the trim lineup, but with each generation, cars also come with the latest in technology. Our detailed reviews highlight what came standard and which features you could add on throughout the various life stages.

  • Specifications: As times change, manufacturers also upgrade and improve the power plants they make available to the vehicles they produce. Knowing the specifications, outputs, and performance abilities of the various powertrains on offer will help you choose the one that’s right for you.

Maintenance and problems: Before buying a used car, you’ll want to know what issues to expect and how much you’ll be spending on routine maintenance. Our reviews highlight common problems to look out for and identify the costs of keeping your vehicle running. To prevent unpleasant surprises, read through our detailed sections on what to check before you buy and which recalls apply to the car you’re considering.

FAQs

What is the difference between a generation and a facelift?

Car generations are lifecycles of design for a specific model car, while facelifts are refreshes or tweaks made to an existing generation. When automakers adjust the way the car looks, upgrade materials used, or even improve some of the features to keep up with the latest trends and advances, this is called a facelift. When the vehicle gets fully redesigned, and changes are more than just skin deep, it becomes a new generation. CarBuzz’s guide to buying a used car details all facelifts and highlights the differences between various generations.

How do I know what generation my car is?

The easiest way to find out what generation your car is is to check the owner’s manual and title and registration documents for the relevant identification - searching for the correct generation on the internet is the quickest way to get an answer. While most manufacturers give each generation a unique code, the code itself isn’t necessarily going to highlight whether the car is a first- or fifth-generation model, and the codes aren’t always made commonly available. CarBuzz’s used car buying guide will help you identify what generation your car is with a simple search, too.

How do generation changes work?

While there isn’t a set time period for generational changes, most manufacturers will redesign models when they feel the current model is outdated and no longer keeps pace with rivals - usually after three to five years. Some models go much longer before being redesigned, however. Generation changes may keep the original ethos behind the car, but the automaker will adapt the entire design to ensure it remains competitive in its segment. Generation changes attempt to smooth out any issues that affected the previous models negatively to provide a more well-rounded product overall, whether that is outdated styling, problematic mechanics, or unreliable parts.
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