Read This Car Buying Guide For Recent Graduates

Buying a Car for a New Graduate

Many are cool and tempting but you can get cute and safe

Justin Horrocks/Getty Images Check out our picks for the hottest (and safest) new cars to buy the graduate in your life. brings new opportunities, new responsibilities and, for many students, a new set of wheels. But before stepping into a dealer showroom, graduates and their families should research online the makes and models in which they have interest. Like picking a college major, one size does not fit all. Even if parents or grandparents are helping with a down payment or even more, the first factor is budget: Financial advisors suggest buyers spend no more than 15 percent of their pretax income on a car payment. “In most cases, graduates will find themselves in need of reliability,” says Alex Lauderdale, founder of EducatedDriver.org. “At the end of the day, nothing fancy is absolutely ‘needed’ … (graduates) most likely will be looking for something in the $15,000 to $25,000 range.” These days even frugal shoppers can find great gas mileage, reliability and personality. Cars are also safer than ever: Backup cameras will soon be standard equipment, and blind-spot radar and crash-avoidance systems are increasingly common. Plus, most include Bluetooth connectivity — a necessity for this generation. New rides worth considering: of

Mazda 3

No need to settle for stripped-down wheels. You can get the top Grand Touring trim line on this compact car at a surprising price. “Mazda is known for its handling and this one does not disappoint,” says Valerie Coleman of the mobile marketplace, 5miles.com. It includes a Bose nine-speaker surround sound system, a seven-inch touch screen and Bluetooth for a suggested price of $24,195. of

Toyota Camry

Long one of America’s top-selling cars, the Camry got a makeover this year that’s turning heads and will do a new grad proud. But the beauty’s more than skin-deep. Even the basic L trim comes with safety devices like forward-collision warning system, lane departure alarm with steering assist, and radar adaptive cruise control for a suggested price of $23,495. of

Kia Soul

This distinctive compact proves that cool things come in small boxes. “It can be a fun choice for college grads, due to the unique design and bright colors,” says Rune Hauge, of DriveMotors.com, an e-commerce tool for car dealerships. On the practical side, it offers ample cargo space, and an impressive 10-year powertrain warranty at a suggested price of $16,200. of

Subaru BRZ

A new sports car isn’t out of reach for a new graduate. He or she will get fancy features like push-button start and dual climate control. Plus, it's just fun to drive. Inside, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, HD radio and eight-speaker sound system keeps things entertaining. Suggested price: $25,595 of

Honda Civic

This perennially popular compact stands out for its price, low maintenance costs and proven reliability. The basic LX sedan earns a five-star rating for crash-test safety and includes a multi-angle back-up camera, LED daytime running lights and Bluetooth. Suggested price: $18,840 of

Chevrolet Malibu

Commuting grads will appreciate this mid-size standby’s 36 mpg highway mileage, and low-price point. Plus, in-car 4G LTE wifi for up to seven devices is available as an upgrade but could make working on the go a breeze. “This car has all the technology you need,” says Valerie Coleman of 5Miles.com. Suggested price: $21,680 of

Chevrolet Colorado

If your grad’s planning to haul cargo or help buddies move, this compact pick-up that almost drives like a car is an option, and a relative bargain. It comes with Bluetooth and USB port, and even has 110-volt outlets, handy for going off the grid for a suggested price of $21,195. of

Toyota Prius

Who says you can’t be green, and have a sharp set of wheels? This long-popular hybrid delivers an average of 54 mpg highway and 50 mpg city. A higher configuration (which is still affordable) will get you the large tablet display with GPS, Bluetooth, touch display and smartphone charging for a suggested price of $23,475. of

Nissan Rogue

This roomy, compact SUV offers plenty of extras to keep a new grad happy. Not only are Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, but so are blind-spot warnings, rear cross-traffic alert and automatic emergency braking. Plus, road-trippers will be pleased with the ample cargo space. Suggested price: $24,800

Also of Interest

Find your next safe car with the AARP Auto Buying Program

Find a car with safety features you want and get upfront pricing information

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