Finding a cheap used luxury car is not always easy, especially when the average cost for a new 2023 model can be upwards of $75,000. 

Safety and reliability are among the contributing factors for determining if a vehicle is a good value when looking for used cars. But, while a small compact car such as the Honda Fit may be reliable, it is far from luxurious. Recently, we came across a used vehicle that offered upscale features, a price tag lower than $10K, and a surprisingly high-reliability rating. 

The 2013 Buick Verano checks all the boxes

U.S. News named the 2013 Buick Verano on its “Most Reliable Used Cars Under $10,000 in 2023” list, saying, “The car offers great reliability and a hushed interior for not a lot of money.” In fact, the Verano has the highest J.D. Power reliability rating on the list, with a score of 91/100.

The five-passenger sedan went out of production in 2017 but still offers immense value in its used models. The 2013 Verano offers an optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 250 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The high-performance engine is paired with a six-speed automatic or manual transmission and comes with front-wheel drive. The EPA estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.

Rated #1 out of 27 compact cars in 2013, U.S. News says, the Buick Verano is a “great car” with a long list of standard features. The luxury sedan offers a comfortable cabin for all passengers and includes standard cloth seating and leatherette accents.

Some Verano trims come with leather seating and a power-adjustable seat for the driver for added comfort. Other upscale standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, a remote start, a 7-inch IntelliLink touch-screen infotainment system, satellite radio, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and more.

Why the 2013 Buick Verano made the U.S. News list

The 2013 Buick Verano made it onto the U.S. News list because of its high-reliability score. The score is a forecasted projection of the number of malfunctions, design flaws, and defects owners may experience, covering everything from the infotainment system to the engine on the vehicle.

Previously, we warned Motor Biscuit readers to be wary of the 2013 Buick Verano because of expensive repair issues and a considerable number of consumer complaints.

The top three most common complaints at the time included engine stalling, heating and cooling issues, and peeling exterior paint. The 2013 Verano received more complaints than any other model year on CarComplaints.

How does J.D. Power determine reliability scores?

But, despite the number of reported complaints, J.D. Power still gave the 2013 Buick Verano a high-reliability rating based on the last three years of unbiased responses from actual car owners.

J.D. Power’s reliability ratings combine quality scores, which are based on feedback from initial owner response, and dependability scores, which come from the long-term ownership experience over three years.

The reliability score also takes into account the predicted reliability rating, which is an assumption of how reliable the vehicle will be over time, based on historical trending for the manufacturer and the vehicle. A reliability score between 91 and 100 is the best, with anything lower than 69/100 considered below average.

While there was a disconnect between what we found and the J.D. Power ratings, the high-reliability rating of 91/100 was enough to land the Verano at the top of the list. Buyers can expect to cough up between $9,851 and $11,946 for a used 2013 Buick Verano.