Oct 16, 2020
A red 2016 Chevy Impala is driving on a city street after leaving a used car dealer.

Are you looking for a reliable pre-owned vehicle but aren’t sure where to start your search? By now, you’ve likely discovered there are hundreds of options available, but narrowing down those options can be especially difficult. Here at Parkway Family Chevrolet in Tomball, Texas, we are devoted to serving our customers, especially when that means helping them get behind the wheel of a reliable vehicle. That’s what inspired us to put together this list of the best budget-friendly used vehicles that you’re likely to find at your local used car dealer.

The Chevy Equinox

The Chevy Equinox is an outstanding budget-friendly SUV that offers seating for five, above-average fuel efficiency, and plenty of cargo room. This compact crossover SUV was first introduced back in 2005 and, after fifteen years, continues to be a favorite among drivers looking for the best of both worlds – the agility of a sedan and the spaciousness of an SUV. That’s what you’ll find – and more – in the Equinox.

Newer Equinox models feature the latest infotainment technology and safety features as well as outstanding performance on the road. The latest hit the streets for 2017 and offers four trim packages and two engine options. While the standard 1.5-liter turbo has plenty of power for daily driving, opt for the 2.0-liter turbo for superior acceleration and towing. With all these choices, you’ll likely find several different Equinox options on a used car dealer lot.

Beyond engine and trim options, the Equinox measures up incredibly well against the competition. It earned JD Power’s “Most Dependable Compact SUV” award three years in a row as well as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for Safety. Not only is it one of the best family cars on the market, but the Equinox is also ranked as one of the “Best Cars for Teen Drivers” by Parents magazine. These honors earn the Equinox a coveted place as one of the best budget-friendly used vehicles you can find for drivers of all ages.

The Chevy Trax

A blue 2017 Chevy Trax is driving on a city street past a brick building.

Next on our list is the Chevy Trax, which is a great entry-level and budget-friendly SUV, especially when purchased used. The Trax is Chevy’s subcompact crossover SUV that was first introduced in 2015 and has seen numerous upgrades over the last five years. Still in its first generation, every used Trax boasts a similar feature set, making it easy to find a vehicle with everything you need.

Inside the Trax, you will find a spacious interior cabin that boasts 48 cu ftof cargo space thanks to the flat-folding front passenger and second-row seats. The second row also folds in a 60/40 split, which is ideal when hauling both passengers and gear. The Trax also features the impressive Chevy Infotainment 3 System that includes an available built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. These are great connectivity features that add more value to the Trax.

As for performance, the Trax includes a 1.4-liter turbocharged ECOTEC engine that offers above-average fuel economy. And if you need improved bad weather performance, there is an optional all-wheel drive. Add in the Trax’s advanced safety features like Forward Collision Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert, and it’s easy to see why the Trax is a great value.

The Chevy Impala

The Chevy Impala is Chevy’s high-end sedan that boasts a long list of impressive features without a hefty price tag, which is why it makes our list of budget-friendly used vehicles. First introduced in 1958, the Impala has seen many upgrades over the years. Currently in its tenth generation, which was released for 2014, the latest models feature a lot of power under the hood with a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission capable of producing 305 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque.

With good fuel economy as well as power, the Impala offers seating for five and the latest in Chevy technology and advanced safety features. The latest models feature an 8-in diagonal touchscreen display that integrates with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing drivers to remain connected even when behind the wheel. One of the most notable features of the system is the ability to send and receive texts, play music, and follow navigation completely hands-free.

Beyond the superb technology, the Impala also includes a variety of safety features depending on the trim package. These features are designed to give drivers added peace of mind on the road and include technology like Lane Departure Warning that alerts drivers as they drift out of the lane without using a turn signal. The Forward Collision Alert detects and warns drivers of potential front-end collisions, and Automatic Emergency Braking can help avoid collisions at low speeds by automatically applying hard braking when a collision is imminent.

The Chevy Colorado

A red 2017 Chevy Colorado is parked at a farm in front of fencing.

For those looking for a budget-friendly used truck, look no further than the Chevy Colorado. The Colorado is Chevy’s midsize truck and is ideal for drivers who don’t need to haul excessively large loads. The Colorado offers a maximum towing capacity of 7,000 lbs and an available maximum payload of 1,550 lbs with 50 cu ft of available cargo space. Both new and used, the Colorado is a budget-friendly vehicle that packs a lot of value.

The current second-generation model was released for 2015 and features three engine options – a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 3.6-liter V6, and a Duramax 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine. These offer up to 308 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. These options don’t come at a huge cost to fuel efficiency either, with the Colorado costing less to fuel than a larger full-size truck.

The Colorado features Chevy’s iconic technology and safety features that make it one of the most convenient and accessible midsize trucks on the road. Kelley Blue Book also named it the “Best Buy of 2020” thanks to its “bold capability and a wide range of options.” That’s certainly why it’s ranked among our favorites as one of the best budget-friendly used vehicles on the lot!

Shop Parkway Family Chevrolet

If you’re looking for a budget friendly used vehicle, look no further than Parkway Family Chevrolet just outside of Houston in Tomball, Texas. Our team is devoted to serving our customers by providing the highest quality service from the moment you step foot on the lot. You’ll see that in our Parkway Advantage, which is the promise we make to every customer when they purchase a vehicle.

The Parkway Advantage is a four-part guarantee from the team. Our first guarantee with every vehicle purchased is that there is no surprise pricing – what you see is what you pay. Our second guarantee is a lifetime of complimentary loaner cars to ensure our customers are never without transportation when their vehicle is under the care of our expert service department. Our third guarantee is lifetime complimentary state inspections at no cost. And our fourth guarantee is six months of complimentary car washes at Scrubway Wash and Lube to ensure your vehicle remains squeaky clean!

We can’t wait to meet you. We’re located at 25500 State Highway 249 in Tomball. Visit our sales team Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Our service department is ready to serve you Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. You can also reach us by phone at (832) 717-1706. Pay us a visit and find yourself a quality used car.