5 Used Family Sedan Deals

Searching for a used family sedan means having to choose from a long list of well-qualified competitors. Simply put, the quality of the four-door automobiles in this class has risen dramatically over the last five years, putting used options on solid footing when matched up against new vehicles and allowing shoppers to take advantage of significant savings by choosing a previously-owned automobile instead of the current model.

With so many appealing automobiles available, it’s not always easy to know which vehicle is the right one for you. Let’s take a look at five used family sedans that represent a solid value on the secondhand market.

01. Used 2008 - 2010 Honda Accord

Used Honda Accord models built between 2008 and 2010 look almost identical to the 2011 edition of the automobile currently parked in Honda showrooms, and in fact, very few new features have been added to the most recent edition of the car. This means that those who are looking for a spacious, comfortable and quiet family sedan will find a lot to like about the used Honda Accord, especially if they opt for the EX-L V-6 model, which includes luxuries such as leather upholstery, a more powerful stereo, and dual automatic climate control.

The used 2008 – 2010 Honda Accord can be found with one of two different engines installed under the hood. The first is a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder that produces between 177 and 190 horsepower, depending on trim level. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual and a five-speed automatic gearbox, and fuel mileage checks in at 23-mpg city and 34-mpg highway. Next up is a more robust V-6 which produces in the neighborhood of 270 horses and which is matched exclusively with a five-speed automatic tranny. Fuel mileage for the larger engine is a respectable 20-mpg around town and 30-mpg on the highway.

02. Used 2010 Ford Fusion

The Ford Fusion was completely redesigned for the 2010 model year, which means that finding a one-year old edition of this mid-size sedan virtually guarantees that you will be enjoying the same level of equipment found in the 2011 Fusion – but at a much lower price. The Ford Fusion is notable for a chassis that elevates it above other more sedate family cars in terms of driving experience, as well as fir the availability of features such as the Ford SYNC vehicle communications and entertainment interface.

When searching out a used 2010 Ford Fusion, you will be able to choose between either four-cylinder or six-cylinder engines. The entry-level, 2.5-liter four-cylinder offered in the Fusion is good for 175 horsepower, and returns fuel mileage of 22-mpg city and 31-mpg highway. Six-speed transmissions, both manual and automatic, are the order of the day for this engine. A 3.0-liter V-6 provides a power boost, bringing output to 240 ponies, while the Fusion Sport comes with a 263 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6. Both feature six-speed automatic transmissions, and both can be had in all-wheel drive models. Fuel mileage for the smaller V-6 shows as 20-mpg city and 28-mpg highway, while the Fusion Sport is rated at 18-mpg city and 27-mpg highway.

03. Used 2008 - 2010 Toyota Camry

No family sedan discussion would be complete without including the used Toyota Camry. The Camry has long dominated the sales charts in the mid-size segment, and the 2008 – 2010 Toyota Camry offers almost all of the same features and equipment that have kept the 2011 model at the head of the family car pack.

Like most vehicles in its class, the 2008 – 2010 Toyota Camry offers both four and six-cylinder power. Depending on the model year, used Camry shoppers will be looking at a choice between a 158 horsepower, 2.4-liter entry-level engine, or a 169 horsepower, 2.5-liter unit. Fuel mileage for the latter is rated at 22-mpg city and 33-mpg highway. The V-6 option offers 3.5-liters of displacement and 268 horsepower while lowering fuel economy to 19-mpg in stop and go driving and 28-mpg on the highway. Each four-cylinder motor can be found linked to either a manual or a automatic transmission, (five-speeds for the 2.4-liter, six-speeds for the 2.5-liter), while the V-6 is auto-only.

04. Used 2009 - 2010 Honda Civic

Not all families are at the point where they need a mid-size automobile. Younger families can often do just as well with a compact sedan like the used 2009 – 2010 Honda Civic. A used Honda Civic might give up a little bit of interior room and trunk space when compared against larger cars, but it more than makes up for it in other areas that can be just as important for first-time car buyers.

One of the main points in the Civic’s favor is its fuel economy. The 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine found in a used Honda Civic sedan generates 140 horsepower and offers 25-mpg around town and 36-mpg on the highway, which is enough to make it the most fuel efficient vehicle on this list. Many Civics were sold with a standard five-speed manual transmission, but a five-speed automatic gearbox is also out there on the used market for those who would prefer to let a computer handle the gear shifting duties.

05. Used 2008 Jaguar S-Type

The inclusion of the used Jaguar S-Type might seem unusual in a discussion of family sedans, but the fact remains that the S-Type offers good interior room, excellent power and an average sales price that is a mere sliver of its initial MSRP. Last produced in 2008, the Jaguar S-Type has been hit hard by depreciation, which is good news for sedan shoppers interested in high class luxury at mid-level pricing.

2008 used Jaguar S-Types feature a 3.0-liter V-6 engine as their base power plant. Capable of generating 235 horsepower and matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, the motor’s fuel economy shows as 17-mpg city and 26-mpg highway. V-8 power can also be had in the form of a 4.2-liter unit that churns out 300 horses. The same six-speed automatic is also standard for this engine, and fuel mileage is rated at 16-mpg city and 24-mpg highway.