So, you’re young and just graduated college, and maybe the vehicle you’ve inherited from your parents is falling apart. You need a different one – at least in the next year or two. A used vehicle might be better financially, but you already have a job set up, and you aren’t really planning on looking for a different car for a while. Still, you still have bills to pay, and you don’t want to spend all the money you have left.
Luckily for you, there are quite a few options available. Despite new vehicle prices going up, there are still several from which to choose that don’t cost nearly as much as the average vehicle.
Here are our picks for the best new vehicles for young adults:
Honda Fit
You’ve seen the Fit on these lists before, and probably on a lot of other people’s lists as well. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that it’s here. It’s super practical, super affordable, and very fuel-efficient. It may be small, but it makes the most of its space, and it wouldn’t be unusable if a few more people had to come along on whatever trip you needed to take. With a starting price of under $17,000, it’s the perfect new vehicle for those who need to save some of their hard earned money for other things besides car payments.
Hyundai Venue
The Venue is all-new. Technically it’s an SUV, but it also isn’t available with all-wheel-drive. It’s also incredibly small with a wheelbase of just over 99 inches. Despite its small size, it pulls the same trick as the Fit does and offers a surprisingly spacious interior. Though reviewers aren’t inspired the lackluster engine performance and fidgety highway handling, Hyundai has designed the Venue specifically for the younger generations. The Venue starts at less than $18,500 and offers pretty decent safety and tech equipment for its size and price.
Subaru Impreza
The Subaru Impreza is one of the most well-rounded vehicles on this list. It is available as a sedan or a hatchback, it comes standard with all-wheel-drive, and it still comes standard with a manual transmission. Subaru’s are well-known for their reliability and safety, two things that a lot of younger buyers prioritize when car shopping. It isn’t the most interesting or flashy vehicle on this list, but it will get the job done, and it does so at a reasonable sub-$20,000 price tag.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid
For the more environmentally-conscious young buyers, I present to you the Toyota Corolla Hybrid. It’s the more interesting choice than the Prius, and its base price is lower. Along with that you still get the Toyota reliability that makes these cars a hit with so many people. The Corolla has always been a good choice, whether new or used, for those who want the best of what Toyota offers in a small, reliable, and economic package. It will never be the most exciting car, but it will always get you where you need to go, whenever you need to go there.
Hyundai Kona
The Kona picks up where the smaller Venue leaves off. It is the alternative for those who need some more space and the versatility that all-wheel-drive can provide. It is still available in front-wheel-drive for those who don’t want to shell out the extra cash. The Kona has won several awards and has been highly-praised by many reviewers, so you know you will be getting a well-respected vehicle. It is also much more interesting – at least in its appearance – than many other options on this list.
