In the event you’re available in the market for a second-hand efficiency automotive round 5 years previous that delivers strongly on horsepower-per-dollar, you are in the correct place. Again in 2020, we instructed you about essentially the most highly effective new vehicles beneath $50,000 with a listing that contained two entries from Dodge, three German vehicles, one from Japan, and a Tesla, amongst others. At the moment, we’re trying again at these fashions 5 years on to see the place they’re right now – and particularly how they appear as used automotive buys and what you need to count on to pay for one. This listing of contenders covers a variety of equipment, starting from track-ready to family-ready and all factors in between.
Among the fashions beneath really look super-reliable too, which is smart when you think about how lengthy they and their main elements had been in manufacturing by the point 2020 rolled round. Learn on.
For this function, we’re trying again at ten vehicles ranked as essentially the most highly effective new vehicles of 2020 with a sub-$50,000 sticker worth. To match them right now, we’re utilizing reliability knowledge from J.D. Energy and Associates and used automotive pricing from AutoTempest.com. All pricing is approximate and your outcomes might range; test your native listings. We have ranked the autos right here so as from the very best to lowest present used worth in 2025.
10
2020 Audi S4 (349 hp)
New MSRP: $49,900 / Value At the moment: $37,000
Audi S4 Specs | |
---|---|
Engine |
3.0L turbo V6 |
Horsepower |
349 hp |
Torque |
369 lb-ft |
0-60 |
4.4 seconds |
The actually cool factor concerning the Audi S4 is that it is a bit of a sleeper – packing a 349-horsepower punch with out over-the-top visuals or a hot-rod physique which may make it tough to sneak previous that apprehensive vital different. Plus, it is bought a human-friendly rear seat and is blissful for use in any local weather, any day of the yr. That is the next return in your efficiency sedan funding. In keeping with AutoTempest.com, a price range of round $35,000 will simply see you right into a unit with 50,000 miles or much less.

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In the event you’ve bought $40,000 to spend, you may discover models nonetheless on their first oil change should you store round. The 2020 mannequin yr was the primary of the S4’s Fifth-generation facelift, the unique fifth-generation automotive having launched in 2018. Store fastidiously, take into account a Licensed Pre-Owned Mannequin, and take into account including prolonged guarantee protection if accessible. Although J.D. Energy would not have a High quality and Reliability rating for the S4, Audi was ranked among the many lowest-performing autos within the 2023 Automobile Dependability Examine (VDS), which examines how 2020 autos carried out.
9
2020 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack (485 hp)
New MSRP: $38,995 / Value At the moment: $35,000
Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Specs | |
---|---|
Engine |
6.4L NA Hemi V8 |
Horsepower |
485 hp |
Torque |
475 lb-ft |
0-60 |
3.8 seconds |
The Canadian-built Dodge Challenger went to the nice large drag-strip within the sky after 2023, ending a chapter in motoring historical past that spanned many years. The third-generation Challenger launched in 2009, and a significant facelift utilized for the 2015 mannequin yr introduced the Challenger story to a detailed. At the moment, you may discover loads of second-hand models between 60,000 and 80,000 miles for round $30,000, and should you’ve bought $40,000 to spend, you may discover some models with 20,000 miles or much less. Although J.D. Energy would not fee High quality and Reliability particularly for the 2020 mannequin yr, all different years of the most recent Challenger facelift which are rated obtain a median or nice score– that means {that a} wholesome used copy of this long-running muscle-bound Mopar appears like a stable second-hand purchase.
8
2020 Honda Civic Kind R (309 hp)
New MSRP: $36,995 / Value At the moment: $35,000
Honda Civic Kind R Specs | |
---|---|
Engine |
2.0L turbo I4 |
Horsepower |
309 hp |
Torque |
295 lb-ft |
0-60 |
5 seconds |
The Honda Civic Kind R is among the many most specialised, racetrack-oriented vehicles on our web page. You should definitely familiarize your self with the guarantee protection, upkeep necessities, upkeep historical past, and insurance coverage prices of the precise unit you are contemplating before you purchase. There isn’t any High quality and Reliability ranking from J.D. Energy, and the precise situation and well being of the Kind R you are contemplating is essentially a operate of the way it was cared for by its earlier proprietor(s). Between $35,000 and $38,000, you may discover loads of 2020s on the market with beneath 50,000 miles, and a few with mileage dropping to sub-20,000-mile territory as you method the $40,000 mark.
7
2020 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack (485 hp; $40,495)
New MSRP: $40,495 / Value At the moment: $35,000
Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack Specs | |
---|---|
Engine |
6.4L NA Hemi V8 |
Horsepower |
485 hp |
Torque |
475 lb-ft |
0-60 |
3.8 seconds |
Identical deal because the Challenger, above. The Charger Scat Pack introduced high-end SRT energy and elements to the R/T trim grade, giving customers inexpensive entry to almost 500 manufacturing facility horsepower whereas clearing room for the incoming Hellcat barrage. The most recent-generation Charger’s remaining facelift was carried out for 2015 and noticed the Charger to its demise after 2023. Might or not it’s fondly remembered for generations to come back. A price range of $30,000 will get you a higher-mileage unit, maybe working 50,000 to 70,000 miles. In the event you’ve bought $40,000 to spend, drop that right down to sub-15,000-mile territory should you store patiently. The 2020 Charger is not rated for High quality and Reliability by J.D. Energy, although from 2015 by means of to 2023, all mannequin years with a ranking present Common, Nice or Finest.
6
2020 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 (455 hp)
New MSRP: $34,000 / Value At the moment: $33,000
Chevrolet Camaro LT1 Specs | |
---|---|
Engine |
6.2L NA V8 |
Horsepower |
455 hp |
Torque |
455 lb-ft |
0-60 |
3.5 seconds |
The sixth and remaining era of Chevrolet Camaro launched for the 2016 mannequin yr, with a facelift utilized in 2019 – the yr previous to this entry on our listing. That facelift noticed the Camaro to its finish in 2024, after six generations of service. Packing an enormous V8 that would lay down some large numbers, it was a efficiency cut price when new, and nonetheless stacks up properly as one right now. Trying out used fashions within the Coupe physique model from 2020 within the LT1 trim grade, setting a price range of round $30,000 will see you right into a sub-50,000-mile unit with out a lot looking. One other $5,000 or so, and you may reduce that mileage determine in half– although that places you proper again on the Camaro 1LT’s 2020 beginning MSRP. In keeping with J.D. Energy, each mannequin yr of Camaro within the remaining facelift part earns a ‘Nice’ rating for High quality and Reliablity, successfully making it essentially the most dependable automotive on the web page – thus far.
5
2020 Volkswagen Golf R (288 hp)
New MSRP: $41,495 / Value At the moment: $30,000
Volkswagen Golf R Specs | |
---|---|
Engine |
2.0L turbo I4 |
Horsepower |
288 hp |
Torque |
280 lb-ft |
0-60 mph |
4.5 seconds |
The Seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf R may simply be essentially the most family-friendly machine on our listing – to not point out packing the higher a part of 300 horsepower and a classy AWD system. It is versatile. It is roomy. It is bought room for the children and canine. Additionally, it’s going to rip 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and pull cyclone-donuts within the snow on command. Sound like enjoyable? The Golf R would not have a High quality and Reliability rating from J.D. Energy and Associates, however a powerful on-line homeowners’ neighborhood appears blissful to share pre-purchase recommendation with potential homeowners for the asking, and has cataloged quite a few bug-fixes and DIY upkeep jobs to assist different homeowners out. At the moment, you may most likely pay about $30,000 for a second-hand unit from 2020, usually with 50,000 miles or much less.
4
2020 BMW 2 Sequence – M240i xDrive (335 hp)
New MSRP: $47,800 / Value At the moment: $30,000
BMW 2 Sequence M240i xDrive Specs | |
---|---|
Engine |
3.0L turbo I6 |
Horsepower |
335 hp |
Torque |
369 lb-ft |
0-60 |
4.2 seconds |
Again in 2020, the BMW M240i xDrive supplied its providers from a beginning MSRP of $47,800 earlier than a visit to the choices listing. Although compact sizing may disqualify it for some customers, the small, two-door physique and highly effective turbo engine made for quick acceleration and keen responsiveness – capturing a just-right quantity of efficiency in a right-sized automotive for a lot of an fanatic driver. Across the $30,000 mark right now, you may discover models with between 25,000 and 75,000 miles of use. In the event you’re after a convertible, you may discover the M240i’s drop-top model to hold comparable pricing to coupes of the identical yr, although usually with 1000’s extra miles on the odometer. In terms of J.D. Energy’s High quality and Reliability metric, the 2-Sequence has achieved a rating of ‘Nice’ each single yr since 2015. Just like the Camaro above, this makes the 2-Sequence one other prime performer in the case of buy confidence.
3
2020 Ford Mustang GT (460 hp)
New MSRP: $35,630 / Value At the moment: $30,000
Ford Mustang GT Specs | |
---|---|
Engine |
5.0L NA V8 |
Horsepower |
460 hp |
Torque |
420 lb-ft |
0-60 |
3.9 seconds |
Look fastidiously, and you will find the 2020 Ford Mustang GT, full with the fast-revving Coyote V8 engine and 460 horsepower, for lower than $27,000 with 60,000 miles or much less. In the event you’ve bought $35,000 to spend, you’ll be able to reduce that mileage in half. Other than mileage, pricing varies fairly wildly relying on choices, tools and shade, however that is an indication of the choice accessible. This was the facelifted sixth-generation machine, having arrived years prior for the 2018 mannequin yr.

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If it has been 20 years since you’ve got pushed a Mustang, and also you’re curious, be sure you test this one out – the dealing with and driving expertise has superior by light-years. In keeping with J.D. Energy, the 2020 Mustang has a ‘Nice’ rating for High quality and Reliability, 87/100. That is constant again to 2017, serving to add confidence to your buy determination.
2
2020 Genesis G70 3.3T (365 hp)
New MSRP: $44,650 / Value At the moment: $27,000
Genesis G70 3.3T Specs | |
---|---|
Engine |
3.3L twin-turbo V6 |
Horsepower |
365 hp |
Torque |
376 lb-ft |
0-60 |
4.7 seconds |
The award-winning engine beneath the G70’s hood packs a twin-turbo punch that is bought a number of Wards 10 Finest trophies beneath its belt, to not point out the chassis and driving expertise to again up the torque-rich punch. The 2020 mannequin yr was the G70’s second, and a facelift would not come till 2022. When it got here to grin-generating efficiency bang-for-the-buck, the G70 amounted to a compelling deal. At the moment, AutoTempest.com knowledge reveals that customers setting a price range of $25,000 can do properly on a sub-50,000 mile unit, with sub-30,000-mile models coming in for a number of thousand extra. The G70 wasn’t rated by J.D. Energy for High quality and Reliability till 2022, the place it achieved a ‘Nice’ rating for two years in a row. As a model, Genesis has climbed the ranks to supply among the most reliable vehicles on the street right now, making this one a fairly stable wager as a second-hand purchase, too.
1
2020 Tesla Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary (346 HP)
New MSRP: $46,990 / Value At the moment: $20,000
Tesla Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary | |
---|---|
Engine |
Twin electrical motors |
Horsepower |
346 hp |
Torque |
376 lb-ft |
0-60 |
4.4 seconds |
In 2020, the Tesla Mannequin 3 entered its fourth yr on sale, with the dual-motor long-range model providing up 356 horsepower and 0-60 in simply 4.4 seconds. Mannequin 3 choice within the used market has not too long ago develop into fairly plentiful, driving costs down. Set a price range of $20,000 or much less, and you will find no scarcity of second-hand models with a few years and miles of battery guarantee remaining. J.D. Energy and Associates would not give the 2020 Tesla Mannequin 3 a High quality and Reliability rating, although different years from this era which are rated are available in with an ‘common’ rating.
Sources: AutoTempest.com, J.D. Energy and Associates, Genesis, BMW, Volkswagen, Stellantis, Honda, Genesis, Audi.