Which Used Chevy is Right for Me?

January 8th, 2021 by

A silver 2017 Chevy Sonic sedan is parked in front of a modern used Chevy dealer building.

Few decisions can be as personal as choosing your next car. Each of us has different wants and needs that cannot always be met by the same vehicle from your used Chevy dealer. For some of us, the biggest issue is fuel economy; we need to drive long distances and don’t want to spend the time or money constantly filling up our vehicle’s gas tank. For others, we are on a strict budget and need to find a dependable car at a low price. Still, others plan to use their vehicles for moving stuff around, or we have a large family and need plenty of room.

As you can see, no one shoe can fit all sizes. The key starting point is finding an automaker that you can trust to make quality vehicles that are reliable. So, which used Chevy is right for me? That all depends on what you are looking for, but you are in luck since Chevrolet has one of the broadest lineups of cars, trucks, and SUVs on the market. This means that there will be a used Chevy vehicle that will be perfect for you.

Amazing Used Chevy Coupes and Sedans

Chevrolet is one of the few automakers still making a wide variety of sedans and coupes, including the Bolt EV. Sedans are great options for optimal fuel economy, new drivers, and daily commuters. This means that if you are looking for a used car, you should have no problem finding one that provides everything you are looking for in your next vehicle.

If your greatest concern is finding a sedan that will give you excellent gas mileage, then your best choice is to find a used Chevy Sonic. This comes in either a sedan or hatchback, with the latter providing slightly more trunk space but with a smaller back seat. The 2018 Sonic is front-wheel drive only and gets an excellent fuel economy of 28 miles per gallon in city driving and 37 miles per gallon on the highway.

If your budget is a little larger and you don’t mind driving a slightly smaller vehicle, then you should consider a used 2020 Bolt EV. This all-electric sedan has a range of up to 259 miles on just one charge. Its equivalent fuel economy is 108 miles per gallon in the city and 127 miles per gallon on the highway. Those on a budget who don’t want an electric car but still want something small with excellent gas mileage should consider any used Chevy Spark. This peppy little sedan has seen exceptional gas mileage numbers across every year of its production.

If you are looking for a larger car but don’t want to bust your budget, then either a used Chevy Cruze or Impala are great options. The Cruze was discontinued in 2019, and the Impala was last made for the 2020 model year. As often happens, when an automaker discontinues a model, used versions of that car become more affordable. It doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with the discontinued model. It is just that the automaker sees the market trending in a different direction and decides to put efforts into other models or vehicle types it deems more popular, like pickup trucks and SUVs.

As a result, you can get a used Cruze or Impala for a great price. The 2019 Cruze is a small sedan with a gas mileage of 28 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway. The Impala is a full-size passenger car with all the roominess and luxury of that vehicle type. Buying used gives you the chance to get a lot of car for not a great deal of money. If you prefer something in between, then you might consider a used Malibu, Chevy’s popular midsize sedan.

A dark blue 2018 Chevy Malibu is parked in front of the golden gate bridge.

Two Great Used Chevy Truck Options

Chevrolet has always been one of the best truck manufacturers, so it only makes sense that Chevy was poised to capture the market with the growing popularity of pickup trucks among American drivers. Two of the best are the midsize Chevy Colorado and the full-size Chevy Silverado 1500. With so many trims, engine options, and styles to choose from, you should have no problem finding a used Colorado or Silverado 1500 at a price to fit your budget.

The 2019 Colorado comes with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. This midsize truck option includes many upgrades and off-road-oriented trim options, making it ideal for those who love taking their trucks to new places. Additionally, you can choose from an Extended Cab with two full and two half-size doors or the Crew Cab with four full-size doors. While you will get more passenger space with the Crew Cab, the Extended Cab will generally provide more towing and payload capacity for the same engine and trim. The 2019 Colorado also has a choice of three different engines, one of which is a diesel for improved fuel economy. Whichever one you choose, your used Chevy Colorado is quite powerful for a midsize truck.

If you want a larger truck, then a used Chevy Silverado 1500 might suit your needs perfectly. The Silverado 1500 also comes in either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, with tons of trim choices and special edition options having come out through the years. This truck is easily customizable for your needs with a choice of two-door Regular Cab with one row of seats, four-door Crew Cab, and Double Cab with two full-size doors and two half-size doors. You also will get a choice of standard, short and long payload beds, with several different engine options available in used models.

The Silverado 1500 was re-designed for the 2019 model year, making it the fourth generation of this truck. As a result, you should be able to find a good deal on a Silverado 1500 from the 2018 model year or earlier. In general, whenever an automaker comes out with a re-design of a model signaling a new generation, the used vehicles from the prior generation will often become more affordable.

A black 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 High Country is towing a trailer.

Used Chevy SUVs Give You Plenty of Choices

No other automaker can boast a roster of SUVs like Chevrolet. From the compact Trax and the Equinox crossover to the midsize Blazer and Traverse, all the way to the fully re-designed Tahoe and Suburban, Chevy has an SUV that will have everything a driver could look for. The newest addition is the Trailblazer, a sporty crossover with attitude.

If you are looking for a full-size SUV with three rows of seats, then you should consider a used Chevy Tahoe or Suburban. With the re-design of both models, you should be able to find models made up to the 2020 model year at a great price. These two give you the space you need to seat up to 8 passengers comfortably and still have plenty of room for luggage in the trunk space.

If you think you’d feel more comfortable driving a midsize SUV, then you might want to look at either a used Traverse or Blazer. The key difference between the two is that the Traverse has an extra row of seats. So, if you need to seat more than 5 passengers but want a smaller SUV with better fuel economy than a Tahoe or Suburban, you should consider buying a used Traverse. On the other hand, if you are fine with 5 seats, then the Blazer might be your better choice. It also has a tighter wheelbase than the Traverse, making it slightly more maneuverable. As already pointed out, prior generations of models will tend to be more affordable. The current model of the Traverse debuted in the 2018 model year, so you should be able to find a Traverse from the prior generation at a great price.

If your primary concern is fuel economy and you want to drive an SUV, then you should consider a used Chevy Trax or Equinox. Both of these are front-wheel drive standard with all-wheel drive optional and excellent fuel economy. Nevertheless, if you buy either of these used crossovers, you will be getting a vehicle that is fun to drive, has plenty of safety features, and will save you some real cash at the gas station.

Let McCluskey Chevrolet Help You Find the Perfect Used Chevy

There is nothing quite like a used Chevy car, truck, or SUV. These vehicles are safe, dependable, and come at a great price. The hardest part is deciding which of these great used vehicles is the right one for you. That’s where the experts at McCluskey Chevrolet come in. We can help you find the perfect used model to fit your wants and needs. Whether you need something family-friendly with a lot of space, a fuel-efficient commuter, or a reliable truck, we can help you find it. Visit us today and let us help you find the perfect used car.

Posted in Used Chevy