Stylish, Safe, and Affordable: The Best Pre-Owned Sedans

February 21st, 2025 by

Side view of a blue 2022 Honda Civic parked under neon lights at night.

While trucks and SUVs are the vehicles of choice for many drivers, it’s hard to beat a reliable sedan when you spend a good portion of your day commuting from home to work and back home again. Sedans provide a perfect blend of fuel efficiency, maneuverability, and comfort—all essential for navigating crowded city streets.

The good news is that many automotive manufacturers realize this and continue to deliver standout models for you to consider when searching for a pre-owned sedan to get you from point A to point B. Even better news is that our team at McCluskey Chevrolet has a large selection of used cars for sale in Cincinnati and a knowledgeable and friendly team to help you discover which one best matches your needs.

We’re a local, family-owned business with a good understanding of what drivers need in our area, giving you further peace of mind that your shopping journey is in good hands. Additionally, we offer guaranteed financing, a state-of-the-art service center to keep your used sedan up and running, and a commitment to clear communication, integrity, and fair pricing. That commitment is one of the many reasons why we’ve been able to continue serving our customers for more than 50 years.

If you’ve been looking for a stylish, safe, and affordable pre-owned sedan, we invite you to check out our selection online or stop by and talk with a team member as soon as you can. For now, keep reading to learn which options we think might be best for your everyday driving needs.

Exploring Our Pre-Owned Sedan Inventory

One of the first things you will notice, whether shopping online or in person, is that our inventory is vast. While that might be a little overwhelming, the personal touch we provide each of our customers ensures a stress-free, hassle-free experience. When you talk with our team, we will take the time to answer any questions you have, as well as ask a few of our own to fully understand what you’re looking for.

For instance, you might be searching for a commuter car to help you quickly get around Cincinnati, or you may be looking for a pre-owned option for the newest driver in the family. Either way, we’re sure you will find what you’re looking for in our inventory. Some of the options you might consider from the last few model years include…

A blue 2020 Toyota Corolla driving to view used cars for sale in Cincinnati.

Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla has long been a reliable staple. The most recent 2020 redesign added modern styling and advanced technology alongside its impressive fuel economy, making it a great option when looking for a pre-owned sedan. Additionally, it’s compact enough for tight parking spaces but still offers a surprisingly spacious interior.

When looking at the Corolla options within the last few model years, you will find a seamless connection to Apple CarPlay, along with Amazon Alexa capabilities. However, if you’re an Android user, you will want to choose a Corolla from 2021 or newer, as Android Auto was not available for the 2020 model year. Something else worth noting is that neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto were available prior to the 2020 model year.

Regarding performance, the Corolla offers a smooth ride and excellent fuel efficiency, with an EPA-estimated 40 MPG on the highway when opting for the 2.0L four-cylinder engine and 38 MPG when equipped with the 1.8L four-cylinder. That 1.8L four-cylinder, however, was discontinued for the 2023 model year. These numbers are from the 2021 model year but remain consistent throughout the latest generation.

The Corolla also offers a good selection of driver assistance features, which can help boost your confidence and give you peace of mind while traveling to your next destination. Some of the standard options include forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control, depending on the trim and model year you choose. Last but not least, the Corolla offers low maintenance costs, which is perfect for your bottom line.

Honda Civic

The Corolla and the Civic are often pitted against each other when it comes to choosing a sedan for everyday use. For this reason, you will find many similarities between the two—but when it comes to exterior styling and a more engaged drive, the Civic might win out. This is thanks to the Civic’s available turbocharged engine, giving you the ability to more readily zip through traffic.

In addition, it offers agile handling that is perfect for rounding corners and hugging curves. It also delivers when it comes to interior layout with refined materials and available tech features that you might expect in more expensive vehicles, such as in-dash navigation and a wireless charging pad, both of which can be found on higher trims of the latest generation. That generation—the Civic’s eleventh—debuted in 2022.

Beyond advanced tech features, you will also find that the Honda Civic offers a long list of safety features, many of which are standard. Some of those include automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist, and more.

Like the Corolla, the Civic is easy on the wallet when it comes to fuel efficiency. The 2022 model offers up to 42 MPG on the highway when paired with the 1.5L turbocharged engine mentioned above, while the standard 2.0L engine offers up to 40 MPG on the highway. Also similar to the Corolla is its low maintenance costs, as Honda has long been considered one of the more dependable brands.

Finally, the Civic offers sporty styling, which is a nice departure from what is normally found when looking at sedans. This styling can be found inside and out, giving the vehicle a fresh and modern vibe.

A red 2020 Mazda3 parked in a grove of pine trees.

Mazda3 Sedan

The Mazda3 stands out with its premium feel at a non-premium price. It delivers exceptional driving dynamics, making it fun to navigate Cincinnati’s many twists and turns and the narrow streets of downtown. Plus, the interior materials rival those of luxury brands, and the exterior design is sleek and eye-catching.

One of the reasons you might consider the Mazda3 over the other two already reviewed is its available all-wheel drive. While this isn’t always needed in our area, it’s good to know you have the capability when it is. Additionally, starting with the 2023 model year, the standard engine for the Mazda3 is a 2.5L four-cylinder, giving you more horsepower than you might expect from a sedan while still delivering an impressive 37 MPG on the highway. Need more power? You can opt for the available 250-hp turbocharged engine.

Inside the Mazda3, you will find a smart layout with storage cubbies, supportive seating, and high-quality materials. Of course, like many sedans you will look at, the amenities you get increase as you move through the trims, with available features such as a head-up display, heated seats, and leather upholstery adding to the enjoyment of your drive. Still, there’s a standard 8.8-inch infotainment display that looks like it’s floating on the dash, which also makes it appear larger than it is and offers a cool, modern touch. You can access things like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via the display, among other features.

The Mazda3 also prioritizes safety, giving you many of the same standard and available options as the Corolla and Civic, including automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist, as well as available adaptive cruise control. Additionally, Mazda is known for manufacturing dependable vehicles that last for a long time, particularly when well cared for.

Check Out Our Pre-Owned Sedans Today

The three sedans above are only a small sample of what you will find in our used inventory at McCluskey Chevrolet, as we have options for many of the best-known brands in the industry in stock. This selection ensures you can find the best one for your needs and feel confident as you travel throughout Cincinnati and beyond.

Choosing the right sedan for you depends on your priorities, be it fuel economy, safety, tech features, or a premium feel. The models listed above have proven themselves reliable and efficient options for getting you where you need to go with ease, and all three deserve a closer look. Reach out to a team member online today or stop by our dealership to find out which of our pre-owned sedan options works best for you.