Four of Our Favorite Used Cars You Need to Check Out

Shopping for a used car should be fun and ultimately rewarding, but we know this isn’t always the case. Trying to sort through all of the options for used cars that are out there on your own can be incredibly difficult, which is why it helps to work with a dealership you can trust and have someone by your side as you look at different used cars for sale. Here at Parkway Chevrolet, we’re always happy to help our customers find everything you’re looking for, but we also know that it can be rewarding to do some research first and have a sense of what you’re looking for before you ever come to visit us. So, we thought it would be helpful to look at four of our favorite car models that we recommend to anyone looking for a used sedan that they can enjoy for many miles to come.

#1 – The Chevy Malibu

Kicking things off, we have one of our absolute favorite cars on the road, which should be no surprise since we’re a Chevy dealer. That being said, the Chevy Malibu is a terrific midsize sedan, no matter what car company you might prefer. First released back in the 1960s, the Malibu has been through a lot over the years but has always remained true to its roots as a fantastic car designed to meet the needs of a wide range of drivers. Discontinued for about a decade in the 1980s, the Malibu returned near the end of the 1990s and has been an excellent choice for anyone needing a practical and stylish sedan ever since.

When looking at used Malibu options, you can see that you have many different years to choose from, but we wouldn’t suggest going back too far. In fact, the most recent ninth generation for the Malibu is our pick for where you should focus. This generation kicked off for the 2016 model year with a full update and redesign that saw it grow slightly longer to create a larger and more functional interior. Four trims are available, with the Premier model being a good find if you want high-end features, along with a standard 1.5L engine and available 2.0L turbocharged beauty for enhanced performance. There was an update and refresh to the Malibu for the 2019 model year, so keep that in mind when looking at pre-owned models.

#2 – The Hyundai Sonata

If you’re interested in a midsize car but can’t find a Chevy Malibu that quite meets your needs, then the Hyundai Sonata is a great option. The Sonata first hit the road in the mid-1980s, though we didn’t get it here in the US until closer to the end of that decade. With the launch of its second generation Sonata, Hyundai made a major push to find more success in the US, and its revised midsize sedan was a big part of that. Since then, the Sonata has remained an integral part of the car market and one of our favorites for a used model.

You have a couple of good generations to look for when it comes to a used Hyundai Sonata, giving you more options to meet your needs. The seventh generation of the Sonata kicked off with the 2015 model year and includes many great features like a 2.4L engine, with the fuel-efficient Eco model featuring a 1.6L turbocharged engine instead. This generation received a facelift for the 2018 model year with updated styling and improved interior features, so keep that in mind when shopping. You might also look for an eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata, which started with the 2020 model year, ensuring access to more modern features like enhanced safety technology and fantastic comfort features through an available 12.3-inch cluster display and 10.3-inch infotainment screen.

#3 – The Ford Focus

One of the best things about shopping for a used car is that you have a vast number of options available to you—not only exciting current models but plenty of cars that are no longer available on the market. Great cars are discontinued all the time, and the perfect example of this is the Ford Focus. This stylish and functional compact car was a favorite of many drivers for a long time, first released for the 2000 model year in the US and available in various styles, including a hatchback and standard sedan. The Focus was discontinued in 2018 as Ford has chosen to prioritize SUVs and trucks, though it remains a popular model that is still sold as new in many parts of Europe.

As you’re considering different options, we suggest looking for a Ford Focus from its third generation, which went from 2011 through the end of its run here in the US. This generation truly showcased everything the Focus had to offer, including an impressive 2.0L engine that makes for an exciting, blood-pumping drive. Both hatchback and sedan models were available throughout this generation, so keep that in mind when looking at different options. We were sad to see the Focus go because we know how important these kinds of small cars are for many drivers, but you can still find great examples of Ford car design when you explore the pre-owned market.

#4 – The Chevy Impala

Speaking of cars that we were sad to see come to an end, Ford isn’t the only company that’s decided to focus more on SUVs and trucks. The Chevy Impala was first released in the 1950s and ran through the mid-1980s before being discontinued for about a decade. It returned briefly in the middle of the 1990s, went away a couple more years, and then made a splash with its return for the 2000 model year. After that, the Impala was a vital part of the Chevy lineup for two decades, providing drivers with impressive style and performance throughout the 2000s. Unfortunately, Chevy chose to discontinue the Impala following the 2020 model year, but that means you can find plenty of great versions when looking at used cars.

Across the Impala’s long history, we’d go with the 10th generation for the Chevy Impala, which launched with the 2014 model and included a redesign that saw it grow into a full-size sedan; this is important since it means you can look for a Malibu if you want a midsize car or an Impala if you’re opting for something larger. If you want enhanced power and performance, you can find several different engines on 10th-generation Impala models, including a 2.4L I-4 and a 3.6L V6. As far as trims go, look for an LS model if you like to keep things simple or a Premier for upgraded features, but you can’t go wrong with any used Impala if performance, space, and reliability are what you’re after.

Find the Used Car You’ve Been Looking For

As you can see, many terrific options are available to you when looking at different used cars for sale, and this is only a small sample. We’d be here all day trying to go into the details of every model we like, so just remember there’s something perfect for you, no matter what you’re looking for. With so many terrific options available to you, it’s worth taking a little time to explore different models, research, and get a sense of which cars will best meet your needs. That way, you’re prepared to navigate everything you find and narrow things down to a handful of great models that have what you want. If you still find yourself lost with too many options, we’re here at Parkway Chevrolet to help you find a great used car you’ll love to drive.