The 6 Best Second Cars To Buy for Families on a Budget

A family’s primary vehicle is usually a commuter car that’s meant to go from Point A to Point B and then back again with as little money spent on gas and repairs as possible.

But that same family might buy a second car with weekend getaways, activities, kids’ sports and road trips in mind.

“When adding a second vehicle, you might want something versatile and reliable,” said Stamatis Zotos, a professional mechanic and owner of the international car rental company Zotos Rent a Car. “Consider looking at slightly larger cars or crossover SUVs that offer more space and versatility without a significant increase in price or running costs.”

If you’re a one-car family looking to double your number of wheels without your bank account needing to go in for repairs, these sub-$30,000 choices are the best options to consider.

Zotos recommends the Honda CR-V for its “reliability, space efficiency and ability to meet various family needs,” he said.

With more than 39 feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, it’s one of the roomiest small SUVs on the road — and it’s cheap to own.

RepairPal gives it an excellent 4.5 reliability rating, estimates its annual ownership costs at just $407 — well below the average for its class — and states, “The CR-V is one of the more reliable vehicles on the road.”

Even so, it starts at $29,500, which might be out of reach for many families already managing one car payment. The good news is it’s one of America’s best-selling SUVs, which means there’s no shortage of deals on the used market. According to Edmunds, late models with less than 30,000 miles are easy to find in the high teens to low-$20,000s.

In 2022, Nissan discontinued a capable and versatile compact crossover that served countless families as an ideal second car — but that gives budget buyers the chance to score a great deal on a gently used model.

“For one-car families eyeing a dependable second vehicle, the Nissan Rogue Sport stands out,” said Tony Taylor, owner of A-1 Auto Transport, one of the largest U.S.-based global auto transport companies. “It’s often overshadowed by its larger sibling, but its compact size and reliability make it an ideal second car. Its reasonable pricing and efficient use of space cater to the needs of families.”

According to Edmunds, you’ll pay in the neighborhood of $23,000 for a 2022 Rogue Sport in outstanding condition from a dealer or about $20,500 in a private transaction.

Its name might not ring out like its more famous competitors, but Korea’s biggest automaker makes a small SUV that offers everything most people want in a second car — up to 33 mpg, decent power, excellent standard safety features and enough cargo space for short family jaunts. 

“Another lesser-known option is the Hyundai Venue, a subcompact SUV with surprising interior roominess and a budget-friendly price tag,” said Taylor.

It starts at just $19,800, which ranks it among a dwindling stable of new vehicles with sub-$20,000 MSRPs.

The Ford Escape checks a whole lot of boxes for families looking for a second car.

“It’s charismatic, versatile and compact, perfect for a family of four or five,” said Nick Musica, founder of Cash for Your Junk Cars. “This SUV can be used for daily grocery shopping to weekend getaways as it comes with worthwhile features like foldable rear seats, different powertrain options and top-notch safety features.”

With a $29,495 starting MSRP, the 2024 model is not cheap, but according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), gently used models with less than 35,000 miles are easy to find for under $20,000.

The Subaru brand is synonymous with durability, reliability and generous standard features on every base-model vehicle, like symmetrical all-wheel drive and a range of driver-assist tech. In summing up the 2024 Crosstrek, The Drive writes, “cheap and cheerful still exists,” calling the crossover SUV, “about as smart and enjoyable a financial decision as you can make in today’s world, where mortgage-size, four-digit car payments are socially acceptable.”

The Crosstrek starts at $25,195 and is a comfortable highway vehicle that also has impressive off-road chops for weekend warriors dedicated to hitting the trails.

Every other vehicle on the list is an SUV or crossover, which families tend to choose for their second cars. But if you want your second car to be an actual car, why not make it the world’s best-selling car of all time, the Toyota Corolla?

“Whether it’s pricing, maintenance or fuel efficiency, it has everything that a car owner can ask for,” said Musica. “Without compromising on safety, riding experience, performance or anything else, you can without a doubt add it as a new member to your family.” 

Known worldwide for its reliability and dependability, the 2024 Corolla is a sleek and stylish sedan that gets up to 41 mpg — and RepairPal says it costs a modest $362 per year to maintain.

The starting MSRP for a brand new 2024 model is just $22,050, making it one of the most affordable cars on the road, and its ubiquity makes for plentiful deals on the used market.

Best of all, you won’t have to worry about replacing it for a long time, if ever. With basic maintenance, Corollas have a life expectancy of 300,000 miles.