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Top 10 Used Green Cars Available at Under $15,000

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Vincent Aubé
Don’t want to spend big on a new hybrid or electric car? Here are some great alternatives!

Though we’re still in the early days of EVs, the trend is clear, especially given the upswing in gas prices: consumers are turning increasingly to vehicles that consume less fuel. Once the purview of dreamers wanting to save the planet, green cars are now front and centre in the minds of many motorists, and more minds are opening to the idea all the time.

Do we owe this trend wholly to Tesla, or in part to Toyota and its pioneering expertise in hybrid vehicles? Or how about Nissan and its LEAF, the best-selling EV in history? And then there’s GM, because who could forget the EV1, after all?

But for many car buyers, it matters not who has done more to give momentum to the movement towards the greening of our cars. The fact is, for motorists today, acquiring a new hybrid, plug-in hybrid or all-electric vehicle requires a substantial initial investment. An alternative way to “go green” and yet avoid that heavy initial outlay is to turn to the pre-owned market. And since there are more green cars floating around today than ever before, this is now a viable option for bargain-hunting car shoppers. Here’s our Top list of the best used green car choices for under $15,000 (the equivalent of a base-entry new sub-compact car).

Toyota Prius (or Prius v)

We start with the third generation of the best-known hybrid model on the planet. This Japanese hybrid car’s reputation is by now well-established, in terms of both savings on fuel use and long-term reliability. For $15,000, it is very possible to find a 2012 Prius model on the used-car market. The Prius v offering slightly more interior space is a great choice for budget-minded small families.

Consult our listing of pre-owned Toyota Prius cars available in your region of Canada.

Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius
Photo: Toyota
Toyota Prius v
Toyota Prius v
Photo: Toyota
Vincent Aubé
Vincent Aubé
Automotive expert
  • Over 17 years' experience as an automotive journalist
  • More than 60 test drives in the past year
  • Participation in over 200 new vehicle launches in the presence of the brand's technical specialists