The 10 Best Cars for Young Professionals
Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash
As a young professional, it makes sense that you would want to buy a vehicle that complements your line of work. If you’re in the market for a new ride, we’re here to help. We put together the 10 best cars for young professionals so you’ll have an idea of what others are buying and why.
Our Top Picks
Chevy Cruze
Chevy has built itself an empire with the Cruze alone. This mobile office on wheels sports everything a young professional could want: Wi-Fi hotspot, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a sleek (albeit basic) design, and killer gas mileage.
Even more impressive is the entry-level price. For just $18k, you’re getting a fantastic bargain. You can even get the hatchback model for a song, as it starts at $19,600.
With 40 miles to the gallon, the Cruze is one of the best cars for young professionals who are on the road more than they are off of it. If you want to make the most of your time while you’re on the go, Chevy’s Cruze could very well be the best companion for the money.
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Toyota Corolla
As a young professional, you don’t necessarily need to run out and buy a Bentley. What you do need, however, is a reliable ride that shows you have taste and brains. Enter: the Toyota Corolla. While this car doesn’t earn points for innovation, it’s certainly one that will get you where you need to go.
Whereas most vehicles are known for “getting you from point A to point B,” the Corolla will take from point A all the way to point Z and back again several times over.
Toyotas are known for outlasting the competition, with the Corolla being a prime example of reliability and longevity. This car is practical, sure. But you can’t argue the fact that it offers stellar gas mileage (37 MPG) and comes at a great price.
Starting at just $20k, Corollas are excellent investments that show you are smart with your money, easily earning its position among the top cars for young professionals.
Honda Civic
By now, everyone knows Civics are well received by the younger demographic. Teens and adults both appreciate Honda’s Civic for its longevity and sporty design. You can usually flip a coin between Hondas and Toyotas, and the Civic is no exception.
Costing only slightly more than the Corolla, Honda Civics start at only $21,250. With it, you can look forward to great gas mileage, a sporty design, and excellent handling. As a 4-cylinder, horsepower is limited. But if you’re not trying to impress your friends, the base 158HP will more than suffice.
Mazda CX-3
Sedans certainly have their place in the business world. But what if your job dictates that you haul equipment around with you everywhere you go? The limited space of conventional cars just won’t cut it.
To circumvent this issue, consider a modest yet efficient wagon. Say “hello” to Mazda’s CX-3. As a subcompact crossover, you get the sportiness and handling of a modern sedan with 42.7 cubic feet of cargo space.
Even if you’re traveling with a partner, you can still lay the back seats down for plenty of extra room. The CX-3 is light, snappy, and drives like a dream. Not only that, but it looks great, too.
Even better, the starting price is a mere $20,790. If you need a roomy ride in your profession, Mazda’s CX-3 is worth some serious consideration.
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Lexus UX
Class and sophistication combined with stylish appeal, the Lexus UX is a luxurious (Lexurious?) subcompact SUV that impresses every step of the way. It has a starting price of $33k, 41 miles per gallon, 169HP, and commendable cargo space.
Lexus is generally attributed to class, with the UX being no exception. This is a vehicle that looks like it starts at $45,000. It’s incredibly attractive, sporty, and fits the bill as one of the best cars for young professionals.
Volkswagen Golf
Great price, decent room, and highly reliable, this wunderkind boasts everything that makes German engineering so revered. If you’re in the market for a car that will stand the test of time at an affordable price, Volkswagen’s Golf won’t disappoint.
What it lacks in design is made up for in handling and performance. Sure, it looks a bit plain. But you’ll be investing in a fun drive with plenty of longevity.
Jeep Renegade
If your job requires a lot of travel in the city and you need plenty of cargo space for various tasks, Jeep’s Renegade has you covered. While it’s true that the vehicle’s larger size causes the fuel economy to take a back seat, you’re getting over 50 cubic feet of storage room as recompense.
Not only that, but the Renegade is capable of towing a ton of weight, literally. Not bad for a 4-cylinder. The starting price is a reasonable $22,850, with MPG between 23 city and 29 highway.
Mazda3
Young professionals who are looking for a sleek, stylish, and sporty car will definitely want to check out the Mazda3. Available in sedan or hatchback, both options look highly attractive and drive exceptionally well.
The starting price of the Mazda3 has gone up in recent years, but you can still pick one up for just over $20k. As a 4-cylinder, gas mileage straddles between 28 and 36 miles per gallon. And depending on the package you get, you can choose from 155HP to 227HP.
IS GAP INSURANCE WORTH IT?
Gap insurance can prevent you from making payments on an already-totalled car, but is gap insurance worth it? We break down what gap insurance is, if it’s worth it, and more - simply and with plenty of examples.
MINI SE Hardtop
While Cruze, Corolla, and Civic reign supreme as the top three best cars for young professionals, there are no doubt a lot of those vehicles on the road. If you like to differentiate yourself from your colleagues, the MINI SE Hardtop will certainly do the trick.
This battery-powered beauty starts at $29,900 and offers amazing range. In the city, you get 115 miles on a single charge, while the highway delivers 100.
Kia Soul
If you’re on a budget but need a reliable ride to cart you around while you’re on the job, Kia’s Soul is worth checking out. With a starting price of a little over $17k, you’re getting an incredible deal.
Fuel economy is respectable, and you get plenty of room inside. The Soul is packed with safety features, too, making this a good investment if you plan on being on the road most of the time.
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