Used Toyota, Ford Hybrids Score Well In Consumer Reports' Best Used Car List

There are many reasons to recommend a hybrid car--the easy driving experience, the gas mileage, even the shove of an electrically-assisted engine in some sportier models.

But it's reassuring to know they make equally good used buys as they do when brand new, whatever your budget.

The latest list of Consumer Reports' best used cars features no fewer than five hybrids in various different classes and at several price points.

As well as good gas mileage, it's the hybrids' reliability that guarantees them on the list of best used cars. Any vehicles scoring poorly on the group's Annual Auto Survey are given a "steer clear" tag--including a handful of EcoBoost-powered Fords and the popular Chevy Cruze 1.8.

For budget buyers though, the inclusion of Toyota's Prius as a best used car in the under-$10,000 small cars group is great news.

Specifically, the 2004-2007 models make a great used buy, praised for having "plenty of room" and a "nice ride". Reliability has also been "first-rate", and buyers won't complain much about the potential for 46 mpg combined.