Buying a car is often a necessity for those who live in rural areas or have large families. Considering how expensive new cars can be, some shoppers on budgets opt to buy used models. However, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) took a huge toll on used car sales, causing a decrease of nearly 40% compared to last year.

Thankfully, sales are starting to improve now that the pandemic is slowing down in certain areas of the country. In fact, it seems that some models have returned better sales numbers than usual. According to an iSeeCars study, the two top performers in terms of growth are the Honda HR-V and Cadillac XT5.

Why are these used models so popular?

According to iSeeCars The Honda HR-V has sold over 53% more units than it did in the previous year. In May, in managed to sell nearly 90% more units than it did in April. The Cadillac XT5 enjoyed a more modest annual increase of 46% and a 38% increase between April and May 2019.

Phong Ly, the CEO of iSeeCars, offers a few reasons for these increases. Ly states that 2019 was the HR-V’s highest production year and its most successful sales year. The Honda HR-V was only released a few years ago, so many of the previous model years are just entering the used market.

Similarly, the Cadillac XT5 was just introduced in 2017, so used and off-lease models are flooding the market. Another appealing aspect of the Cadillac XT5 is its cheap starting price. Some of these models can be purchased for under $20,000, which is an excellent deal for a luxury vehicle.

The overachieving Honda HR-V 

Phong Ly also pointed out that the Honda HR-V bests many of its rivals in a few major categories. It’s one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs available, averaging 28 mpg on city roads and 34 mpg for highway driving. The HR-V is also fun to drive, but it does have some body lean.

The engine itself is vastly underpowered compared to most SUVs. It’s a 181-hp four-cylinder paired with an obnoxiously noisy CVT. The engine exhibits a lot of noise on its own, especially during quick acceleration. Car and Driver found that the all-wheel drive models require over 9 seconds to accelerate from 0-60 mph.

Despite this, the Honda HR-V gives drivers a smooth ride thanks to its capable suspension. It’s also a class-leader when it comes to cargo capacity, boasting 24 cubic feet of space behind the second row.

Once that row is folded flat, drivers can work with almost 60 cubic feet of space. They can also utilize Honda’s famous Magic Seat, which allows the seats to be folded upwards to accommodate long items.

The affordable and luxurious Cadillac XT5

Unlike the Honda HR-V, the Cadillac XT5 SUV doesn’t sacrifice power for fuel economy. The standard engine is a turbo four-cylinder that can make up to 237 hp. With front-wheel drive, the XT5 gets a respectable 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on highway roads.

The new Cadillac XT5 also has a more powerful engine option, a V6 capable of 310 hp. Both engines are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that delivers precise and effortless shifting.

Each seat is also supportive and comfortable, which gives the XT5 an excellent ride quality. However, Edmunds pointed out that drivers will hear a lot of exterior noise, even at low speeds.

Because of improved technology and building methods, used cars can last much longer than they could in previous decades. Both the Honda HR-V and the Cadillac XT5 have great reliability ratings, especially in earlier years. No matter which one you decide to buy, both SUVs are definitely built to last.