AutoTrader.com Names Best Deals on Certified Pre-Owned and Used Vehicles

Consumers shopping for fall deals get more for their money as lots fill with returned leases

ATLANTA, Sept. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A rising inventory of Certified Pre-owned (CPO) vehicles from historical highs means great deals for car shoppers looking for used cars in the coming months. AutoTrader.com data shows CPO vehicle inventory has risen six percent since March. Non-luxury vehicles comprise 80 percent of that inventory, or 380,758 vehicles, giving consumers a smorgasbord of vehicle choices at reasonable prices.

"The last quarter of 2014 will be a great time to get a good deal on a used or Certified Pre-owned vehicle," said Michelle Krebs, AutoTrader.com senior analyst. "Leasing has surged in recent years with thousands of those cars coming back to dealerships as used cars. The abundance of returned lease cars should result in used cars coming off their historical highs of recent years, representing good buys for consumers."

AutoTrader.com today released a list of great used and Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles for each segment. Not only are these good used cars, many of the newer models will likely be coming off lease this fall which means great deals for thrifty consumers everywhere:

• 2011 Ford Fusion: The Ford fusion has been a favorite of ours for many years because it combines several desirable qualities. It's good-looking, has a well-designed interior, is reasonably fun to drive and has enough space that a small family can use it everyday. There are also several versions of the Fusion to pick from including a fuel sipping hybrid, almost as good 4-cylinder engine and a V6 version that give the Fusion a sport sedan feel. 
• 2011 Honda CR-V: This small SUV essential defines the segment. It's popular, functional and is the perfect no-nonsense car for those who want lots of cargo space and like the elevated seating position of an SUV, but don't want a big truck. Honda's notorious reliability is a big reason this compact SUV is on our list. 
• 2010 Toyota Highlander: Like the CR-V, the Toyota Highlander defines the midsize, 3 row SUV. It isn't fancy, but the Limited version has luxury-like features such as leather and a navigation system. But it's the mid-price Sport version that offers the best value. Not too big, not too small, the Highlander is the go-to "Just Right" family friendly vehicle. 
• 2011 Toyota Corolla: This reliable little car has been around since the 1960s and has become the world's best selling single model, surpassing even the VW Beetle. Efficient and affordable the Corolla is perfect for first time buyers, college students, and seniors on a fixed income as well as young families who need a good car at a low price. Again, like some of the other car on this list, the Toyota Corolla is the textbook definition of "good compact car." Features like power accessories, cruise control and available automatic transmission make the compact Corolla easy to live with even if your automotive aspirations are more Lexus than Toyota. 

Each of these vehicles is a top seller within their brand meaning there are a lot of them out there.

"Consumers are armed with a lot of information these days – that means they know the value of a CPO or used car," said Brian Moody, AutoTrader.com site editor. "All of these are priced at about $25,000 or less you can expect these models to fly off lots for great rates and consumers to grow an appetite for used cars throughout 2014 and 2015."

For more information about these vehicles or CPO cars, visit http://www.autotrader.com/research/certified-cars/.

About AutoTrader.com 
Created in 1997, Atlanta-based AutoTrader.com is the Internet's ultimate automotive marketplace. As a leading resource for car shoppers and sellers, AutoTrader.com aggregates millions of new, used and certified pre-owned cars from thousands of dealers and private sellers and provides expert articles and reviews. AutoTrader.com, which also operates the AutoTraderClassics.com auto marketing brand, is wholly owned by Cox Automotive. Additionally, Cox Automotive owns Kelley Blue Book(KBB.com®), Manheim Auctions as well as companies that provide a full suite of software tools that help dealers and manufacturers manage their inventory and advertising online: vAuto®, HomeNet Automotive®, VinSolutions®, AIS Rebates™, Genius Labs® and Haystak™. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com.

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SOURCE AutoTrader.com

For further information: Nicole Yelland, 248-219-9234, Nicole.Yelland@autotrader.com