Best Cars for College Grads

Whether you’ve just graduated and are looking for a car for yourself, or you want to gift a car to a new grad, it’s important to choose one that will be a good fit. After accomplishing the tremendous task of earning their degrees, grads will want a car that fits their new lifestyle and their personality. Autotrader put out a list of best cars for college grads taking into consideration things like providing good value, fuel economy, safety records and reliability. It’s a good place to start if you’re looking for the perfect vehicle for a new graduate.

Fantastic Cars for College Grads

You can get eight of the top 10 vehicles on Autotrader’s list at Ontario Auto Center. Check them out and get some highlights of why Autotrader put these vehicles on their list!

2018 Ford Focus
This compact is cute and fun with a fantastic starting price and options ranging from a sedan, hatchback and even a high-performance ST model.  

2017 – 2018 Honda Civic
A great value, especially for someone looking for a car they can have for a long time. Super reliable, great mpg and comes in sedan, coupe or hatchback. Take your pick! 

2018 – 2020 Hyundai Kona
Great style and color options here along with Hyundai’s famous warranty. This small SUV is stylish and offers a lot of the technology upgrades that grads will most likely want.  

2021 Kia Soul
Fun and practical, the Soul packs a lot of value. Kia offers not only a stellar warranty, but the Soul has plenty of room on the interior for friends or cargo and a great infotainment system.      

2021 Nissan Sentra
Offers a big sedan attitude in a little sedan package. Lots of safety features on this with the ability to upgrade to the SR trim and still stay in budget. 

2021 Subaru Crosstrek
Need a daily driver with the option to do a bit of weekend adventuring? The Crosstrek is a great option as it has many practical features, but also comes standard with AWD for those occasions when you want to go off-road.  

2016 – 2018 Toyota Prius
Fuel efficiency, fuel efficiency, fuel efficiency! Super practical, reliable, safe and affordable, the Prius is a strong contender for a graduated looking to have their car for a long time. 

2016 – 2018 Volkswagen Jetta
Turbocharged with a great infotainment system, the Jetta is a cool mix between style and sensible. The roomy interior and trunk make this compact sedan feel like a bigger ride.     

Congratulations, Grads!
Not only have you survived college and graduated—during a pandemic—but you’re about to find your next vehicle which is always exciting. From sedans to coupes to hatchbacks to SUVs, this list has something for everyone. You can choose to go extremely practical or add a bit of flash, but no matter what you pick you’ll be getting a great value on a car you’ll love.  

Find your post-graduation vehicle
Contact any of our dealerships to learn more about purchasing your next vehicle.