(January 30, 2018) ATLANTA — Shoppers interested in a new car might be disappointed to discover that many new models are beyond their budget, especially as you add options and extras for comfort, safety and convenience. A used car seems like the next best option; however, consumers could be turned off by potentially high maintenance and repair costs associated with used vehicles.

To narrow down the list of used cars with many of the perks of a new model, Autotrader's expert editors today name the 10 Must-Shop Certified Pre-Owned Cars and 10 Must-Shop Certified Pre-Owned Luxury Cars for 2018 that they consider to be "good as new."

"This list of 'good as new' models offer the latest design, meaning your friends and neighbors will think you bought a brand-new model, even though you saved money on a Certified Pre-Owned car," said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader.

"Aside from being affordable, each car on the list includes a desirable, manufacturer-backed warranty, which means these selections come without many of the traditional costs (or fears) associated with a typical used car."

There are many advantages to purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle, including a comprehensive inspection to ensure the car in question doesn't have any serious defects or problems and a warranty that provides buyers with peace of mind in the event a future repair is needed. Customers get the confidence of a new-car experience without the extra cost and instant depreciation of value.

Editors capped the budget for the 10 Must-Shop CPO Cars at $40,000, and $65,000 for the 10 Must-Shop CPO Luxury Cars, with many of the models listed available for a lot less. All included vehicles also offer the latest design, and a desirable, manufacturer-backed CPO warranty for up to 100,000 miles.

The vehicles on the non-luxury list have an overall NHTSA safety rating of four stars or more (out of a possible five stars).