With a used car, you allow the original owner to take the initial depreciation hit, as new cars lose much more value in the first and second years than those that follow. By focusing on a recent model, you can find reliable used cars that are safe, fuel efficient, and yet still affordable.

When shopping, look for cars that scored well in Consumer Reports? tests when new. This data and road tests give real insight into how the model performs and compares against its peers.

Before making a commitment, have the vehicle inspected to make sure there are no hidden problems. Improper maintenance and unseen repairs may require the expertise of a trained mechanic to spot. The limited cost for an inspection could be money very well spent over the service lifetime of the car.

Check out our top used car deals below for 2006-2007 vehicles including a number of good SUVs on the list such as the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Highlander. These vehicles can be especially appreciated in some regions during the winter months and stand out for their good overall value, providing a Consumer Reports recommended car at a significant discount over the original sticker price.

In the chart below, we placed the vehicles in order of greatest depreciation from their original retail price compared to their current value, then we filtered the list to only vehicles that meet our strict requirements to be recommended. For more used car deals, see our complete list of used-car deals across 10 vehicle categories.

To get detailed pricing on a used car or for vehicle comparisons, subscribe to our used car buying kits and used car price reports.