If you're in the market for a used car, Car Pro Show host Jerry Reynolds highly recommends purchasing a factory certified pre-owned vehicle from a dealer. These vehicles undergo a strict quality check that varies by manufacturer. As Jerry explains in his article, today, every automaker has a certified program, and not all are created equal.

Discovering the Best CPO Values

When it comes to finding the best values for used car shoppers, we look to the 12th annual Vincentric Best Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Value in America Awards. These awards identify the CPO models that offer the most value in each segment.

Ford - A Leader in CPO Awards

Ford took home an impressive 8 titles in the 2025 awards, more than any other automaker. The brand earned two brand-level awards, including Best CPO Value Truck Brand for the fifth time and Best CPO Value Van Brand for an outstanding ninth consecutive year. Ford also secured eight model-level awards across various categories.Jim Baumbick, vice president of Ford Product Development Operations and Quality, emphasized the importance of vehicle cost of ownership for customers. Earning Vincentric's CPO Value Awards for their trucks, vans, and SUVs is a testament to their engineers' dedication to designing durable and cost-effective vehicles that help minimize operating costs and hold their value over time.A complete list of Ford's winning categories includes:Ford – Best CPO Value in America: Truck Brand category (fifth time, second consecutive)Ford – Best CPO Value in America: Van Brand category (ninth consecutive)Ford Maverick Hybrid – Best CPO Value: Small/Mid-Size Pickup segment (second consecutive)Ford F-150® Lightning – Best CPO Value: Full-Size 1/2-Ton Pickup segment (ninth time for F-150)Ford Super Duty F-250 – Best CPO Value: Full-Size 3/4-Ton Pickup segment (second time)Ford Super Duty F-350 – Best CPO Value : Full-Size 1-Ton Pickup segment (third time)Ford E-TransitTM 350 – Best CPO Value: Large Cargo Van segment (seventh time for Transit)Ford Expedition – Best CPO Value: Large SUV segment (fifth time, third consecutive)

Nissan - A Strong Contender

Nissan earned six awards, the second highest among automakers. It won its second victory for Best CPO Value Passenger Car Brand and the Best CPO Value SUV Brand award. Additionally, Nissan secured four model-level awards:Model-level awards include:Nissan Versa – Subcompact Car segment (third win)Nissan Z – Sports Car segment (first win)Nissan Kicks – Subcompact SUV segment (second win)Nissan Ariya – Compact SUV segment (first win)Nissan also stated that the LEAF and Nissan TITAN were recognized for having the lowest total cost of ownership in their respective classes.Judy Wheeler, vice president of Nissan Sales & Regional Operations, emphasized Nissan's commitment to delivering affordability and quality throughout the vehicle lifecycle. Customers are at the heart of everything they do, and CPO value is another way their strong product lineup meets their needs.

Other Notable Winners

The BMW Z4 propelled the brand to its brand-level award by winning for the fourth consecutive time in the Luxury Convertible segment. The BMW i7 also won for Luxury Large Sedan. For Cadillac, the Lyriq was the brand's standout in the Luxury Mid-Size SUV segment.Other brands with multiple award-winning models were Subaru and Volvo. The Acura, Audi, Chrysler, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Polestar, and Toyota brands all had one winning vehicle.Additional noteworthy model-level winners were the Toyota Avalon with its remarkable eleventh consecutive win for Large Sedan, the Subaru Outback with an impressive eighth consecutive victory for Mid-Size SUV, the Lexus RC Series with its sixth overall and fourth consecutive win for Luxury Coupe, and the Subaru Legacy and Volvo V60, each earning awards for the fifth time.About the AwardsTo determine the 2025 Vincentric Best CPO Value in America Award winners, Vincentric conducted a detailed statistical analysis. They revealed which vehicles had lower than expected ownership costs given their market segment and price. Vincentric analyzed over 18,000 vehicle configurations using eight cost factors: depreciation, fees & taxes, financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, opportunity cost, and repairs. The costs were measured after incorporating the specific CPO warranty offered by the manufacturer and applying mileage requirements necessary to be authorized as an OEM CPO vehicle. Each CPO vehicle was evaluated in all 50 states plus Washington DC, assuming an annual mileage of 15,000 miles over five years.