Luxury cars are appealing for those who want to showcase their lots in life. But just because there’s appeal in riding in class and elegance, that doesn’t mean the second-hand market has been good for models in this segment. There are a number of reasons why luxury cars don’t break the bank on the used-car market, and one of those reasons revolves around crossovers, SUVs, and even pickup trucks. Luxury cars, especially of the sedan persuasion, have lost their appeal because consumers these days have flocked towards more versatile vehicles, whether its' an SUV, pickup, or in the case of the cars below, affordable sedans, hatchbacks, and hybrids. An unexpected paradigm shift is another reason.

The idea of what a luxury car is has eroded because customers’ tastes aren’t what they used to be. Not a lot of people are as interested in the bespoke materials inside a car or how fast it is from 0 to 60 mph. What matters these days is a sprinkling of all those things in one versatile package. Combine all that with cheaper costs in the second-hand market and lower maintenance costs upon ownership, and you get the picture why second-hand luxury cars aren’t as appealing as they used to be, and why the cars below have become the fastest-selling models in the used-car market.

Toyota Prius C

According to a study conducted by automotive research firm isee.com, the Toyota Prius C is the fastest-selling used car on the market today, taking only an average of 29.6 days before it finds a new owner. The Prius C checks off a lot of boxes when it comes to consumer requirements. It has an updated styling, new safety and tech features, and a hybrid powertrain that returns 48 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway, numbers that are well above average among cars in its segment.

Read our full review on the 2015 Toyota Prius C.

Tesla Model S

Nipping at the heels of the Toyota Prius C as the fastest-selling car in the used car market is the Tesla Model S, which averages 32.4 days before being scooped up by a new owner. Just like the Prius, the Model S has a lot of things you want in a car, let alone a second-hand car. It has the appeal of being one of the most desirable cars on the market today, a status it has earned for its unrivaled use of state-of-the-art technology, to go with the prestige and status that comes in being seen driving one. Going the second-hand route for a Model S could also save you a lot of money, even if it means missing out on new features.

Read our full review on the 2012 Tesla Model S.

BMW i3

The BMW i3 survives only 33.4 days on average on the used-car market — good for third on the list — before somebody ends up bringing it home. Buying a used i3 is appealing because it can save thousands of dollars compared to buying a brand-new model straight from BMW, and that counts the federal tax credit of up to $7,500. For all of its features, the i3 is defined by its zippy acceleration, agile handling, convenient driving, and for having one of the best fuel economy returns among its rivals: 129 mpg in the city and 106 mpg on the highway, to go with a single charge range of 114 miles.

Read our full review on the 2015 BMW i3

Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius doesn’t sell as quickly as its Prius C counterpart, but with an average of just 33.4 days on the used-car market, it shares third-place status with the BMW i3. The Prius is a popular model among second-hand car buyers because of its versatile offerings. It returns stellar fuel economy numbers —54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway — has an abundance of standard features, and has surprising cargo room that adds up to 24.6 cubic feet of space.

Read our full review on the 2010 Toyota Prius

Chevy Volt

The Chevrolet Volt comes in the middle of the pack on this list with an average of 34.3 days on the used-car market. One of its biggest claims to fame is its fuel efficiency, which happens to be one of the best among all plug-in hybrid models. The Volt returns 42 mpg combined when powered by the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and that number shoots up to 106 mpg-e under electric power. The Volt also accelerates well for a car of its stature and can run for more than 50 miles on electric power alone. It also handles better than most hybrids, thanks in large part to the number of safety and tech features it has at its disposal.

Read our full review on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt

Volkswagen Golf R

The Volkswagen Golf R is right on the heels of the Chevrolet Volt on this list, coming in with an average of 34.4 days on the used-car market. Unlike the Volt, though, the Golf R is regarded as one of the finest performance hatchbacks in the segment. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that produces an impressive 310 horsepower. Its engine is mated to a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels - enough for the Golf R to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 155 mph. The Golf R is a hit also a hit among second-hand buyers because of its user-friendly tech features and because it’s simply a great car to drive on any condition.

Read our full review on the 2012 Volkswagen Golf R.

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is one of the most popular models in the world, so it’s no surprise that it’s on this list and averages just 34.7 days on the used-car market. The Civic is one of the rare entry-level sedans that feels more upscale than it actually is. It comes with a luxurious cabin, spacious seats, and plenty of high-grade tech features. It also has one of the biggest cargo spaces in its class — 15 cubic-feet in the sedan and 25.7 cubic-feet in the hatchback — and has great fuel economy numbers at 32 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway.

Read our full review on the 2013 Honda Civic.

Toyota Corolla

It takes 34.9 days on average for a used Toyota Corolla to find a new owner. It’s not the best mark on this list, but it’s right on the heels of the Honda Civic, its biggest rival. Strip away the icon status of the Corolla, and you have a car that’s good at a lot of things, but great at none of them. Arguably it’s most important feature, though, is its safety features. The Corolla comes with a pre-collision system, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control, all of which come standard on the model.

Read our full review on the 2014 Toyota Corolla.

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